How I became a con artist (2010)
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How I became a con artist (2010)
1–10 of 66 posts
Re: How I became a con artist (2010)
#2So apparently people believe when you lie to them if you sound convincing. Frankly I feel I should be disgusted by this kind of behavior, but I am just numb. That numbness makes me sad, where did my innocence go?
Re: How I became a con artist (2010)
#3This is so so sad. I value truth over money.
Re: How I became a con artist (2010)
#4I was waiting for a slightly more meaningful enlightening or moral awakening at the end of this article, maybe some kind of realization that the world isn't full of "good people" and "bad people" but that everyone is capable of basic crimes against one another like stealing stuff.
Re: How I became a con artist (2010)
#5Yeah, get it! Shoplifting is also worthy challenge, though, that I feel the author underrates. Scams and shoplifting are two ways toward the same goal: exiting the store with goods without paying for them or getting caught. Sticking stuff in your pants or purse is a pretty simple move, sure, but it has its subtleties. And plus there's a bunch of complexities to worry about like security tags, snitching customers, loyal employees, security guards, loss prevention officers, and cameras.
Re: How I became a con artist (2010)
#6Trust is hugely important in society. If you have to stop and verify every single thing, it's hugely expensive, which tends to make everyone worse off.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trust_(social_sciences)#Economi...
Re: How I became a con artist (2010)
#7You know anyone could shoot a man in Reno just to watch them die but it takes a real super genius like me to talk at them until they just commit suicide.
Re: How I became a con artist (2010)
#8Trust is hugely important in society. If you have to stop and verify every single thing, it's hugely expensive, which tends to make everyone worse off. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trust_(social_sciences)#Economi...
Yup. Our choices have consequences, and he put a lot of effort into making the world a crappier place so he could have a bit more stuff, most of which he probably did not actually need.
But the author did even realize half of it. A cashier demoted here or docked pay there is only the tip of the iceberg. The bigger cost is how every manager of every corporate store he scammed was put under pressure to look at all employees as insects, for fear that a few bad apples were running a side business doing favors for friends.
Re: How I became a con artist (2010)
#9I've done this several times while being completely honest about what I'm doing... returning gifts without a gift receipt probably from a different store.
Step 1) Find two employees who are polar personalities. Step 2) Attempt to return the item while being completely honest about what you're doing. (books/software/clothes/whatever) Step 3) Get denied. Step 4) Try again with the second employee and mention how the first employee didn't let you.
Re: How I became a con artist (2010)
#10So apparently people believe when you lie to them if you sound convincing. Frankly I feel I should be disgusted by this kind of behavior, but I am just numb. That numbness makes me sad, where did my innocence go?
Simply human nature.
Cultural programming has de-attuned you to this fact because we make laws and social custom that mostly keep these things in check (well, except for those 1% folk).
I'm not surprised, I'm glad I live in a society where it's so uncommon to be scammed that it disgusts you so.