I would talk to Kent every now and then in the mid 90's, never believed what he said. http://www.cftc.gov/enf/99orders/enfkentcalhoun.htm
LOL, very good question. I cannot get a friend of mine, a very good trader in his own right, to mentor me. He makes all kinds of "excuses" including that this is really boring and I just need to practice more. I think he is right and I suspect that those eager to mentor others may not necessarily be very good traders. I may be wrong, of course.
You mean the author of those barely readable books? I made an honest attempt to comprehend one of them. I guess I am not too smart.
The more something has been out there, the less likely it is to have an genuine edge. But you still can get some good ideas of your own, so I don't mind reading what I can get my hands on, but I prefer to use my own ideas or those I know that work for others and are not overly used.