3 ms·

Sorry but I just don't buy it. I cannot see how it's possible to persuade a smart person to do something incredibly stupid and diametrically opposed to their ow

by mdoms 6y ago

Sorry but I just don't buy it. I cannot see how it's possible to persuade a smart person to do something incredibly stupid and diametrically opposed to their own interests. I really do believe that only stupid people can be quite so.... uhhh, stupid.

kube-system 6y ago
What if I told you that I can invest your money for a consistent 10-20% return, and I can even make you 5%+ during the 2008 recession. I beat everyone else's returns. The only thing is that I can't tell you exactly how I do it. Of course, an investment scheme this good has to be secret, so we don't do external audits, but my brother audits everything for me. It would take a stupid person to believe a scam like that, wouldn't it? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_investors_in_Bernard_L._Madoff_Investment_Securities https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_investors_in_Bernard_L...
- blacksmith_tb 6y ago
  Sure, but everyone here is reacting with incredulity at the idea you could make any kind official payment with a stack of gift cards. It's like asking someone to pay their utility bill with Pokemon or MTG cards.
  - kube-system 6y ago
    There are many examples of people who have been interviewed after being scammed who did know better, but did it anyway because they were successfully convinced their situation was a special exception. Gaslighting can really distort reality for some people. While the majority of people who fall for this are elderly and aren’t as sharp as they used to be, they aren’t the only ones who are successfully tricked.
    - perl4ever 6y ago
      > they were successfully convinced their situation was a special exception. Gaslighting can really distort reality for some people I mean, every rule does have exceptions. People are wired to think that way, because that's how it is. So manipulation can work by triggering that frame of mind.

by mdoms 6y ago

kube-system 6y ago

What if I told you that I can invest your money for a consistent 10-20% return, and I can even make you 5%+ during the 2008 recession. I beat everyone else's returns. The only thing is that I can't tell you exactly how I do it. Of course, an investment scheme this good has to be secret, so we don't do external audits, but my brother audits everything for me. It would take a stupid person to believe a scam like that, wouldn't it? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_investors_in_Bernard_L._Madoff_Investment_Securities https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_investors_in_Bernard_L...

blacksmith_tb 6y ago
Sure, but everyone here is reacting with incredulity at the idea you could make any kind official payment with a stack of gift cards. It's like asking someone to pay their utility bill with Pokemon or MTG cards.
- kube-system 6y ago
  There are many examples of people who have been interviewed after being scammed who did know better, but did it anyway because they were successfully convinced their situation was a special exception. Gaslighting can really distort reality for some people. While the majority of people who fall for this are elderly and aren’t as sharp as they used to be, they aren’t the only ones who are successfully tricked.
  - perl4ever 6y ago
    > they were successfully convinced their situation was a special exception. Gaslighting can really distort reality for some people I mean, every rule does have exceptions. People are wired to think that way, because that's how it is. So manipulation can work by triggering that frame of mind.