(Just something I wrote but never planned on posting. I’m still figuring this thing out)

We’ve all heard stories of people getting scammed, from Prometheus tricking Zeus to take animal bones instead of the meat, to that grandma in Seattle who bailed out her “nephew.”

That’s the scary thing about scammers–they want to trick you.

Most people are good and kind, but others have a cruelty in them that is impossible for us to fathom.

So, what is this blog even about?

Well, as a self-proclaimed social outcast, human interaction has always intrigued me. Just like the man dying of thirst, I see the river, but the wild animals make me hesitate. So, I stop observe.

Why do people do certain things? What invisible force guides them? How does connection work? And how can I use it?

Which brings me back to the title of this post: What Can Scams Teach Me?.

The con artist is relentless, charming, determined–and controls behavior.

A successful scam relies on getting people under the “ether.” When someone is under the “ether” they harbor some kind of trust or infatuation with the con man. All good cons follow this rule. It makes deceiving people much easier.

It’s reading about things like this that makes me envious of con men. They’ve mastered persuasiveness. As someone interested in social influence this makes me wonder if I can use some of their tricks for good.

So, lets break down what makes someone capable of using the “ether.”

First, humans care about appearances. A homeless person is less likely to convince a school teacher that social media is harmful to children. In some cases, the way you look is more important than what you say.

Second, humans have ears. The most potent arsenal in your voice. A harsh voice can convey more than words ever can.

Third, improvise what you say. Con men can plan what they say because its a numbers game for them. So it’s less try whatever and more if it doesn’t work try the next one. We’re not con men, so we get to be fluid.

People come in all shapes in sizes. They carry all kinds of experiences and beliefs. It is the persuasive speaker that is able to bridge that gap.