9 ms·

> It's like they need something to believe in subconsciously even if their logical mind knows it's bullshit. A simpler explanation is that they just love to ga

by vog 9y ago

> It's like they need something to believe in subconsciously even if their logical mind knows it's bullshit. A simpler explanation is that they just love to gamble. Essentially, they bet on ending up in a higher position of the pyramid.

ciguy 9y ago
Then you haven't experienced the religious fervor with which they defend the scheme once they're hooked. It's definitely more like a cult than any form of gambling addiction and once inside the relentless brainwashing begins. Many of these schemes even have weekly "meetups" aka services akin to those of religious congregations. These usually include an iconic leader who admonishes the minions for the coming week and encourages them to cut out any family or friends who dare to question them.
- bane 9y ago
  Even here in the U.S., I've known several people, with good stable money making careers to give it all up and start selling vitamins or beauty care products or whatever. It's truly bizarre and the desperate sell-to-everyone-all-the-time behavior that seems to appear afterwards drives all their friends away. I'm not sure what these schemes seem to be exploiting but man if it doesn't smell like religious radicalization.
  - vog 9y ago
    I wonder if there is any way to redirect all that dedication to something that is constructive and good for society.
    - yorwba 9y ago
      Maybe an education pyramid scheme? You receive training in useful skills, but only if you keep teaching your newly acquired knowledge to multiple other people.
      - uoaei 9y ago
        This sounds like an interesting way to disseminate a lot of incorrect "facts" very quickly with almost no traceability.
        yorwba 9y ago
        You mean like a chain letter? Usually, incorrect "facts" aren't incentivizing enough on their own to keep sharing them, which is why most of those viral memes spread quickly and die out quickly. I was thinking more in terms of a long-term commitment that provides enough benefits on its own to offset the time and effort spent by each participant on spreading it to others.

by vog 9y ago

ciguy 9y ago

Then you haven't experienced the religious fervor with which they defend the scheme once they're hooked. It's definitely more like a cult than any form of gambling addiction and once inside the relentless brainwashing begins. Many of these schemes even have weekly "meetups" aka services akin to those of religious congregations. These usually include an iconic leader who admonishes the minions for the coming week and encourages them to cut out any family or friends who dare to question them.

bane 9y ago
Even here in the U.S., I've known several people, with good stable money making careers to give it all up and start selling vitamins or beauty care products or whatever. It's truly bizarre and the desperate sell-to-everyone-all-the-time behavior that seems to appear afterwards drives all their friends away. I'm not sure what these schemes seem to be exploiting but man if it doesn't smell like religious radicalization.
- vog 9y ago
  I wonder if there is any way to redirect all that dedication to something that is constructive and good for society.
  - yorwba 9y ago
    Maybe an education pyramid scheme? You receive training in useful skills, but only if you keep teaching your newly acquired knowledge to multiple other people.
    - uoaei 9y ago
      This sounds like an interesting way to disseminate a lot of incorrect "facts" very quickly with almost no traceability.
      - yorwba 9y ago
        You mean like a chain letter? Usually, incorrect "facts" aren't incentivizing enough on their own to keep sharing them, which is why most of those viral memes spread quickly and die out quickly. I was thinking more in terms of a long-term commitment that provides enough benefits on its own to offset the time and effort spent by each participant on spreading it to others.