...sometimes, you can't go wrong with the classics:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/01/25/groupon_banned_from_selling_snake_oil/
(though to be fair, this was a story about someone STOPPED from selling snake oil. Also, actual snake oil has uses in, for example, Chinese herbal medicine, but it became a byword for a scam by those exploiting the ignorance of people. Lemmings don't actually jump off cliffs, but the metaphor still holds for those who believe that they do)
I am reminded of a conversation that I heard on a bus about six years ago. A woman was describing an encounter with a 3 card monte game run by a card sharp in downtown Pittsburgh. Yes, in the 2000s. She was certain she was going to win; it never occured to her or her friend that the game is, by definition, rigged. Last time I was in NYC, I recall seeing several active games being run.
We're in the 21st century and people are still falling for it. People fall for 419 scams. Almost all the classic cons are still being run today, adapted for the times of course. On one hand, it makes me sad for people (even if it is a small percentage of the billions that we have).
On the other, you've got to be at least a little impressed by the people who pull this crap off. I'm particularly impressed with card sharps. I mean, not only is it obviously a scam, but it has been portrayed in popular media as a scam for AGES. I couldn't even imagine trying that out with a straight face (of course, I'm an honest person, so there is that). It takes tenacity; thousands of people will walk past, thinking you are grifting. Some will say it to your face, and they'd be right. You've obviously got to have the dexterity and slight of hand of a magician to be able to pull of the technique. A con man has to be a master of social engineering. An absolutely reprehensible amoral master.
No point to this, other than the story struck my imagination. There's a reason con movies/novels/etc have always been popular. Just reading about it makes me want to write one!
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/01/25/groupon_banned_from_selling_snake_oil/
(though to be fair, this was a story about someone STOPPED from selling snake oil. Also, actual snake oil has uses in, for example, Chinese herbal medicine, but it became a byword for a scam by those exploiting the ignorance of people. Lemmings don't actually jump off cliffs, but the metaphor still holds for those who believe that they do)
I am reminded of a conversation that I heard on a bus about six years ago. A woman was describing an encounter with a 3 card monte game run by a card sharp in downtown Pittsburgh. Yes, in the 2000s. She was certain she was going to win; it never occured to her or her friend that the game is, by definition, rigged. Last time I was in NYC, I recall seeing several active games being run.
We're in the 21st century and people are still falling for it. People fall for 419 scams. Almost all the classic cons are still being run today, adapted for the times of course. On one hand, it makes me sad for people (even if it is a small percentage of the billions that we have).
On the other, you've got to be at least a little impressed by the people who pull this crap off. I'm particularly impressed with card sharps. I mean, not only is it obviously a scam, but it has been portrayed in popular media as a scam for AGES. I couldn't even imagine trying that out with a straight face (of course, I'm an honest person, so there is that). It takes tenacity; thousands of people will walk past, thinking you are grifting. Some will say it to your face, and they'd be right. You've obviously got to have the dexterity and slight of hand of a magician to be able to pull of the technique. A con man has to be a master of social engineering. An absolutely reprehensible amoral master.
No point to this, other than the story struck my imagination. There's a reason con movies/novels/etc have always been popular. Just reading about it makes me want to write one!
I also like to think that people are essentially good and actively evil are the exceptions rather than the rule. Very little evidence to these theories, but they certianly make dealing with people, if not life in general, a little bit nicer.