# Are you sick of people admiring your intelligence and knowledge? Are you tired of people calling you astute? Then do I have an opportunity for you! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 25, 2025, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-sick-of-people-admiring-your-intelligence-and-knowledge-are-you-tired-of-people-calling-you-astute-then-do-i-have-an-opportunity-for-you/1014768 "2025-02-25T07:06:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-sick-of-people-admiring-your-intelligence-and-knowledge-are-you-tired-of-people-calling-you-astute-then-do-i-have-an-opportunity-for-you/1014768/81 "2025-04-21T16:29:28Z")
I think it’s okay to post this now. I’m a Coffeezilla supporter on Patreon and got advanced access to this, but it has been a few days so I think it’s okay to share it now: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2\_soICJmoWY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_soICJmoWY) He has a one-on-one interview with Billy McFarlane which is pretty candid, and Coffeezilla is an online scam investigator and journalist so he doesn’t throw softballs. Frankly I find it shocking that the guy was willing to sit down for an interview like this, but here it is. (I put it in a spoiler tag in the interest of caution because there is some harsh language at times so it might be a bit NSFW. As I said, it’s a candid interview, and Billy is a bit casual with language at times.) ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-sick-of-people-admiring-your-intelligence-and-knowledge-are-you-tired-of-people-calling-you-astute-then-do-i-have-an-opportunity-for-you/1014768/82 "2025-04-21T18:10:12Z")
Thanks for sharing that. I watched the whole episode, and it’s literally unbelievable. As in, I don’t believe it. You can see how Billy manages to sucker in so many people even after everything that’s happened. I found myself nodding along to his stories about the Mexican governments screwing him over. But then he got to the part about everything being happy with the promoter, while Coffezilla is reading accounts that directly contradict him. Billy is just really good at spinning tales. I had to look up the story about the BPM festival to see if that was true. Billy’s account is fairly accurate - 5 people were killed at the event in 2017, but three of them were security people and two were attendees, one of whom died in the resulting stampede. The best guess is that the BPM promoters didn’t pay protection money to the Zetas cartel. Really makes you want to attend Fyre in Mexico, right? [https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/mexico-music-festival-shooting-threats-1.3940355](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/mexico-music-festival-shooting-threats-1.3940355) ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-sick-of-people-admiring-your-intelligence-and-knowledge-are-you-tired-of-people-calling-you-astute-then-do-i-have-an-opportunity-for-you/1014768/83 "2025-04-21T18:12:39Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > Thanks for sharing that. I watched the whole episode, and it’s literally unbelievable. As in, I don’t believe it. You could also tell that the interviewer (Stephen, aka Coffeezilla) kept the interview friendly enough to get info but was plenty skeptical as well, even confronting Billy with insider info that contradicted much of what he was saying. I came away from the video thinking that this guy is charming enough (in a sincere-seeming nerdy way, not a slick way) but I don’t trust him either. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2025, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-sick-of-people-admiring-your-intelligence-and-knowledge-are-you-tired-of-people-calling-you-astute-then-do-i-have-an-opportunity-for-you/1014768/84 "2025-04-24T00:46:40Z")
[… aaaand we’re done.](https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/music/news/fyre-festival-2-canceled-brand-sale-billy-mcfarland-b2738323.html) His idea of selling the brand is interesting. He’s quite correct that it grabs attention so someone may be prepared to pay for it. But it’s that age old question - does the name’s association with failure and fraud outweigh the “any publicity is good publicity” angle? You’d also have to wonder (given McFarland’s habits) whether this isn’t another fraud - does he actually own the name? Seems doubtful to me as it is likely to be an asset that he lost control over when Fyre went bust. And even if he can and does sell it, what are the chances that after doing so he bobs up again trying to run Fyre III regardless? He who sups with the devil… ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2025, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-sick-of-people-admiring-your-intelligence-and-knowledge-are-you-tired-of-people-calling-you-astute-then-do-i-have-an-opportunity-for-you/1014768/85 "2025-04-24T00:52:06Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > His idea of selling the brand is interesting. He’s quite correct that it grabs attention so someone may be prepared to pay for it. But it’s that age old question - does the name’s association with failure and fraud outweigh the “any publicity is good publicity” angle? For those unwilling to read the link, his BS about the “brand” is so deep that you’d better prepare hip-waders or a full scuba suit. > “Since 2017, Fyre has dominated headlines, documentaries, and conversations as one of the world’s most talked-about music festivals. We knew that Fyre was big, but we didn’t realize just how massive the wave would become. That wave has brought us here: to a point where we know it’s time to call for assistance.‍ So, yeah, he’s deep in the Barnum / Trump assumption that all attention and mention is good, unless you’re some sort of lying hater. Or, of course, trying to pump up the pathetic balloon of valuation to find _some_ profit out of some sucker buying his BS. Likely both. > [@Princhester](#): > > You’d also have to wonder (given McFarland’s habits) whether this isn’t another fraud - does he actually own the name? Seems doubtful to me as it is likely to be an asset that he lost control over when Fyre went bust. Since according to the article he still owes $26 _million_ in restitution… yeah, I’m sure any attempts to sell the brand is going to be watched intently. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2025, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-sick-of-people-admiring-your-intelligence-and-knowledge-are-you-tired-of-people-calling-you-astute-then-do-i-have-an-opportunity-for-you/1014768/86 "2025-04-24T01:06:53Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > And even if he can and does sell it, what are the chances that after doing so he bobs up again trying to run Fyre III regardless? _“Oh, no, see, this is — the Phyre Phestival!”_ ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2025, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-sick-of-people-admiring-your-intelligence-and-knowledge-are-you-tired-of-people-calling-you-astute-then-do-i-have-an-opportunity-for-you/1014768/87 "2025-04-24T01:25:27Z")
Congratulations, Mr. Zuckerberg! You now own all the assets of The Fyre Festival! Including the Wish-I-Were-An-Intellectual Properties. Oh, and the liabilities as well… twenty-six [inaudible] dollars’ worth. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2025, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-sick-of-people-admiring-your-intelligence-and-knowledge-are-you-tired-of-people-calling-you-astute-then-do-i-have-an-opportunity-for-you/1014768/88 "2025-07-11T03:32:34Z")
Here you go folks, get yer bids in! > **[Own FYRE](https://www.fyre.mx/#auction)** > > FYRE Festival 2, own the brand. All the information on the website bound to be 100% accurate I’m sure… ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-sick-of-people-admiring-your-intelligence-and-knowledge-are-you-tired-of-people-calling-you-astute-then-do-i-have-an-opportunity-for-you/1014768/89 "2025-07-16T22:41:46Z")
And Fyre Fest has been sold on eBay for $245,300. That’s less than 1 percent of the $26 million in restitution that McFarland owes. > **[Fyre Fest Sells for $245,300 on eBay](https://relix.com/news/detail/fyre-fest-sells-for-245300-on-ebay/)** > > “Billy McFarland Entrepreneur 2014” by Ian Moran (I to Z Photo + Video) is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Yesterday, the shameless and painfully drawn-out ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-sick-of-people-admiring-your-intelligence-and-knowledge-are-you-tired-of-people-calling-you-astute-then-do-i-have-an-opportunity-for-you/1014768/90 "2025-07-17T01:59:21Z")
This is all assuming that Billy even owns the brand IP. Firstly I think that’s commercially unlikely. Secondly, given his track record you’d start with the assumption that he doesn’t own what he’s purporting to sell since that’s his standard _modus operandi_. An ebay auction is one thing - him being able to settle the transaction is another. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-sick-of-people-admiring-your-intelligence-and-knowledge-are-you-tired-of-people-calling-you-astute-then-do-i-have-an-opportunity-for-you/1014768/91 "2025-07-17T03:43:04Z")
That’s a rather…INTERESTING…way to do it. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-sick-of-people-admiring-your-intelligence-and-knowledge-are-you-tired-of-people-calling-you-astute-then-do-i-have-an-opportunity-for-you/1014768/92 "2025-07-17T10:48:57Z")
Agree w your larger point, but this bit > [@Princhester](#): > > An ebay auction is one thing - him being able to settle the transaction is another. should be no obstacle. You pay him, he sends you a stack of legal-looking papers. Done and done. That the papers mean nothing to the actual IP owners is not his problem. What’s one more consummated (and well-documented) fraud in his entirely fraudulent life. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-sick-of-people-admiring-your-intelligence-and-knowledge-are-you-tired-of-people-calling-you-astute-then-do-i-have-an-opportunity-for-you/1014768/93 "2025-07-17T11:55:46Z")
You are assuming that the buyer is naïve - which they may or may not be. I have (barely) enough faith in human nature to think that it’s reasonably likely that someone who has a quarter mil to spend on something like this will have the nous to not send a cent to young Billy till they have done due diligence on the deal. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-sick-of-people-admiring-your-intelligence-and-knowledge-are-you-tired-of-people-calling-you-astute-then-do-i-have-an-opportunity-for-you/1014768/94 "2025-07-17T11:56:29Z")
One would hope. Then again, people bought expensive tickets to the first fiasco. We shall see. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-sick-of-people-admiring-your-intelligence-and-knowledge-are-you-tired-of-people-calling-you-astute-then-do-i-have-an-opportunity-for-you/1014768/95 "2025-07-17T11:59:27Z")
Don’t forget that to your average festival goer there was no prior notice that the outcome of the first festival was going to be fiasco - any more than any other festival. The market for $250k brand purchases attracts rather a different buyer demographic than your average festival goer - and they probably now know full well they are dealing with the devil and need a long spoon. Or not, who knows? ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-sick-of-people-admiring-your-intelligence-and-knowledge-are-you-tired-of-people-calling-you-astute-then-do-i-have-an-opportunity-for-you/1014768/96 "2025-07-17T17:41:43Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > One would hope. Then again, people bought expensive tickets to the first fiasco. > > We shall see. Worse, there were apparently some clue-resistant types who at least attempted to buy tickets to the alleged 2.0. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-sick-of-people-admiring-your-intelligence-and-knowledge-are-you-tired-of-people-calling-you-astute-then-do-i-have-an-opportunity-for-you/1014768/97 "2025-07-17T21:14:26Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > Worse, there were apparently some clue-resistant types who at least attempted to buy tickets to the alleged 2.0. Or they bought in _expecting_ it to be a fiasco, and were going to document it and sell the details for clicks! So speculative but reasonable investment in a spectacle of epic failure. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-sick-of-people-admiring-your-intelligence-and-knowledge-are-you-tired-of-people-calling-you-astute-then-do-i-have-an-opportunity-for-you/1014768/98 "2025-07-20T00:46:21Z")
All that money I spent to go to a legit business school was wasted in this Brave New World. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-sick-of-people-admiring-your-intelligence-and-knowledge-are-you-tired-of-people-calling-you-astute-then-do-i-have-an-opportunity-for-you/1014768/99 "2025-09-17T00:09:20Z")
The buyer of the Fyre brand was revealed today as LimeWire, who had a music-file sharing service in the early 2000s until they were sued into oblivion, only to return as a legit business in 2022. Their press release was titled “LimeWire Acquires Fyre Festival Brand – What Could Possibly Go Wrong?” Looks to me like $245K in publicity and not much else. > **[LimeWire acquires Fyre Festival, asking 'What Could Possibly Go Wrong?'](https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/limewire-acquires-fyre-festival-asking-possibly-go-wrong-rcna231623)** > > The filesharing service (turned NFT platform) said it was looking to bring "the brand and the meme back to life." ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-sick-of-people-admiring-your-intelligence-and-knowledge-are-you-tired-of-people-calling-you-astute-then-do-i-have-an-opportunity-for-you/1014768/100 "2025-09-17T00:14:39Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > only to return as a legit business in 2022 Shouldn’t there be scare quotes around “legit” (and maybe “business” too)? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-sick-of-people-admiring-your-intelligence-and-knowledge-are-you-tired-of-people-calling-you-astute-then-do-i-have-an-opportunity-for-you/1014768.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-sick-of-people-admiring-your-intelligence-and-knowledge-are-you-tired-of-people-calling-you-astute-then-do-i-have-an-opportunity-for-you/1014768.md?page=6)