# Why are people so gullible? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 5, 2012, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-people-so-gullible/643029 "2012-12-05T02:35:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-people-so-gullible/643029/21 "2012-12-05T13:29:18Z")
> [@Scotty Mo](#): > > I almost feel compelled to ask what it is you do for a living? Do you work for a non-profit? Are you a Doctor? Because as far as I can tell, we live in a dog-eat-dog world. Lawyers regularly get guilty men off scot-free. Accountants find ways to cut workers out of jobs for more profits at the top. Would you chastize a retail worder for promoting products made by an exploited worker in a 3rd world country? Would you criticize a Mcdonalds worker for contributing to the obesity problem in America? Sounds a lot like more rationalization. The things you’ve listed aren’t actual deceptions\*, but even if they were, I would not see them justifying your actions. - The lawyer one might be a possible exception. I think here in the UK a solicitor could not represent a client that had confessed guilt and wanted to enter a not guilty plea. But I could be wrong and it probably varies by country/state. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-people-so-gullible/643029/22 "2012-12-05T13:31:30Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > Sounds a lot like more rationalization. > > The things you’ve listed aren’t actual deceptions\*, but even if they were, I would not see them justifying your actions. > > - The lawyer one might be a possible exception. I think here in the UK a solicitor could not represent a client that had confessed guilt and wanted to enter a not guilty plea. But I could be wrong and it probably varies by country/state. What do you do for a living? ---
**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-people-so-gullible/643029/23 "2012-12-05T13:31:41Z")
I remember seeing the film [Marjoe](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marjoe), where the ex preacher (he developed a conscience and dropped off) [Marjoe Gortner](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marjoe_Gortner) exposes the religion business. In it he talked about a radio preacher whose favourite spiel was to say something like “God has told me that there is little old lady in the Midwest who keeps her savings in a cookie jar in the kitchen. God has also told me that she should take her money and send it to me”. With thousands of little old ladies in the Midwest keeping their savings in cookie jars in the kitchen the money kept rolling in. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-people-so-gullible/643029/24 "2012-12-05T13:37:27Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Advertising that makes people want your product works pretty well, but advertising that makes people _fear_ what might happen if they don’t purchase your product seems to work even better. I’ve always thought those tire commercials that show babies riding around on tires and remind you that “a lot is riding on your tires” are only a few steps removed from a Mafia enforcer saying, “Nice kid. It would be a shame if something _happened_ to him. If you pay me I’ll make sure it don’t.” ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-people-so-gullible/643029/25 "2012-12-05T13:44:53Z")
Greed. “There’s our mark, Son. A pocket full of money and a belly full of beer.” – George C. Scott, _The Flim Flam Man_ ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-people-so-gullible/643029/26 "2012-12-05T13:49:24Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > What do you do for a living? What I or anyone else does for a living is not relevant to the point, or in justifying any person’s actions. But since you ask, I work for a company that makes radiotherapy equipment. > [@](#): > > Profit means getting more money for your product than it is worth Not quite. Worth is a relative concept. You make a sale when a customer would rather have your product/service than the amount of currency you are asking for. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-people-so-gullible/643029/27 "2012-12-05T14:00:02Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > What I or anyone else does for a living is not relevant to the point, or in justifying any person’s actions. > But since you ask, I work for a company that makes radiotherapy equipment. > > Not quite. Worth is a relative concept. You make a sale when a customer would rather have your product/service than the amount of currency you are asking for. Sounds like a rationalization to me. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-people-so-gullible/643029/28 "2012-12-05T14:20:00Z")
What does? A rationalization for what? ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-people-so-gullible/643029/29 "2012-12-05T14:22:55Z")
I think there are a number of dynamics at work in your specific job (the OP) that contribute to to your assessment. [ol] [li]Self selection - The people are calling you. They have gone through a process before they ever pick up the phone and dial. Consequently, they have already decided you are possibly going to be able to fulfill their needs. [/li][li]Lack of knowledge - Somewhat related to the previous one, these folks don’t have a clue how to bring their product to market. They don’t have a clue how to get a clue. However, they are aware that they don’t have a clue (level 1), so they know they need help, they’re just not aware of all the steps they need to take. So, they call you.[/li][li]Trust in “the system” - They wrongly assume that if you are on TV you must be somewhat legit (you essentially are legit), because “they wouldn’t let you advertise on TV if you were a scam”. They are assuming there is some kind of editorial filter at work by some unknown authorities ensuring that what they see is within the ballpark of on the up-and-up.[/li][li]Inexperience at figuring risk/reward - I’m guessing that most of the folks aren’t experienced at the concepts of risk/reward or return on investment.[/li][/ol] So, put these together and you have people who are all ready to jump in. What you bring to it is pushing them much farther than they are prepared for in terms of dollar outlay. Their lack of experience in risk/reward calculation makes them unprepared to drill into what they are getting for their money. I’m sure there are more dynamics, but those are off the top of my head. If you want to call it gullible, I guess you are not far off. But I suspect there are areas where you yourself would be self selecting, have lack of knowledge, and have trust in a system, and could be talked into something. As humans we have to have a certain trust in our fellow man and the systems they have constructed or we wouldn’t function. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-people-so-gullible/643029/30 "2012-12-05T14:30:59Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > What does? A rationalization for what? For the idea that your job is somehow fundamentally different than the OP’s. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-people-so-gullible/643029/31 "2012-12-05T15:42:18Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > For the idea that your job is somehow fundamentally different than the OP’s. From my reading of the OP, IMHO you are conflating his job, which does not intend to provide any real value (it’s a scam), with the jobs of us regular folks who do actually provide a product or service that are designed to provide real value. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-people-so-gullible/643029/32 "2012-12-05T15:49:33Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > From my reading of the OP, IMHO you are conflating his job, which does not intend to provide any real value (it’s a scam), with the jobs of us regular folks who do actually provide a product or service that are designed to provide real value. If his job was actually a scam he’d be in jail. Let the buyer beware. Now I’m not going to defend the company he worked for, but he had a job, he performed a service of value to his employer for wages. It’s easy to look down on someone elses employment, but it is unlikely you do anything fundamentally different from the OP’s old job. > [@George Bernard Shaw](#): > > We have established what you are, madam. We are now merely haggling over the price. ---
**Author:** ![panaccione](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/94ad74/32.png) [@panaccione](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panaccione)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-people-so-gullible/643029/33 "2012-12-05T16:08:54Z")
For the record. I don’t work there anymore. I got fired about a year ago. ---
**Author:** ![AnaMen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@AnaMen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnaMen)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-people-so-gullible/643029/34 "2012-12-05T16:22:32Z")
> [@Scotty Mo](#): > > I almost feel compelled to ask what it is you do for a living? Do you work for a non-profit? Are you a Doctor? Because as far as I can tell, we live in a dog-eat-dog world. Lawyers regularly get guilty men off scot-free. Accountants find ways to cut workers out of jobs for more profits at the top. Would you chastize a retail worder for promoting products made by an exploited worker in a 3rd world country? Would you criticize a Mcdonalds worker for contributing to the obesity problem in America? Working for a non-profit is actually a typical cover for jacking people out of cash, so that would be no guarantee that I was not exploiting others for personal gain, and what would being a doctor have to do with anything? I could push ineffective harmful drugs on people so the nice pharma companies can compensate me with goodies. How you conduct yourself ethically on the job is the important part, not what your particular job is. A job selling a worthless product or service such as the one you refer to cannot really be performed ethically though, can it? If you told the truth, not enough people would buy for you to bring home a living wage, so the job could not last long. If you think you live in a dog-eat-dog world, the answer is simple: quit eating other dogs. The wrongdoing of others does not justify your own wrongdoing. You are setting up a false situation of being forced to choose between victimizing others and being victimized to justify your actions. By your logic, none of us have the choice to behave ethically, and a Walmart cashier, factory worker, car thief, or child pornographer differ only in degree of proximity to their victims. I guess I will just go start my own meth lab now that you’ve opened my eyes to the dearth of non-harmful ways to make a buck. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-people-so-gullible/643029/35 "2012-12-05T16:33:10Z")
> [@Scotty Mo](#): > > For the record. I don’t work there anymore. I got fired about a year ago. Scotty, I’m not hate’n on ya’. A person’s gotta do what a person’s gotta do to pay the bills. But this made me laugh out loud. Saying you got fired from this awfull place is like saying “I got fired from the Evil Dark Lord.” It doesn’t put you in a good light. Agian, I’m not judging you. I just thought it was funny is all. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-people-so-gullible/643029/36 "2012-12-05T16:48:20Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > For the idea that your job is somehow fundamentally different than the OP’s. I never said such a thing, I merely pointed out that the OP was rationalizing. You have then attempted to turn it back on me but I have not excused anything. I disagree with your point that making a profit necessarily involves selling something for less than its _worth_. And, I second **Shakes** ; I am not hating on the OP. I’m talking about how someone deals with having done something wrong. Rationalizing isn’t the right way IMO IME. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-people-so-gullible/643029/37 "2012-12-05T17:00:46Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > I never said such a thing, I merely pointed out that the OP was rationalizing. > You have then attempted to turn it back on me but I have not excused anything. I disagree with your point that making a profit necessarily involves selling something for less than its _worth_. > > And, I second **Shakes** ; I am not hating on the OP. I’m talking about how someone deals with having done something wrong. Rationalizing isn’t the right way IMO IME. I’m backing off on this because you weren’t really hating on the OP the way others were. My bad. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-people-so-gullible/643029/38 "2012-12-05T17:03:21Z")
Ah OK, no probs, simple misunderstanding. You know, this wouldn’t happen if we had avatars… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![panaccione](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/94ad74/32.png) [@panaccione](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panaccione)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-people-so-gullible/643029/39 "2012-12-05T17:23:35Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > Scotty, I’m not hate’n on ya’. A person’s gotta do what a person’s gotta do to pay the bills. But this made me laugh out loud. Saying you got fired from this awfull place is like saying “I got fired from the Evil Dark Lord.” It doesn’t put you in a good light. > > Agian, I’m not judging you. I just thought it was funny is all. 🙂 It’s ok. Probably one of the best things that’s happened to me. Left a bad taste in my mouth and turned me off from sales/corporate world. I’m in Nursing school now. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-people-so-gullible/643029/40 "2012-12-05T19:30:22Z")
> [@Scotty Mo](#): > > Furthermore, there’s examples of extreme gullibility all around us. Nigerian scams. Lottery tickets. Republicans. Religion. etc… The list goes on and on. Right there. Even with your description of your company’s goals and ideals, everything you describe has the golden factor: “I hardly have to do anything to be successful.” This is what people feel the most, I think. Let’s see, I just email my soc sec number to a stranger and I get one million buckeroos. I say I love jesus, and I get to float around in heaven forever. I just spend five bucks, pick numbers and I’m a success. But what helps the invention side of things is the repeated success stories ad nauseum. How many times do I have to hear about the guy, you know, the guy who invented the road reflectors we see on highways these days. “He’s gets, like, 10 cents for each one, man! That’s millions!” :rolleyes: Even inventors who actually DO invent something cool, people seem to think that all of their problems are a thing of the past. Money is the only cure, and cure IT DOES! Yeah, right. You win a million, even hundreds of millions then get acute lyme disease. You’re still screwed, buddy. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-people-so-gullible/643029.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-people-so-gullible/643029.md?page=3)