Claw Machines at Arcades
This is undoubtedly a scam. As professed by an arcade owner, the claw machines are often calibrated to state minimum standards. Some states require that the machines only be winnable 1 in 15 times. To control this, the machine randomly adjusts the PSI the claw has when picking up a toy. In 1 of the 15 trials on average, the PSI might be raised to 10, whereas it would normal sit at 5. This means that for 14 of the attempts, it is near impossible for the claw to actually pick up the toy and carry it all the way to the drop. Only 1 in 15 times will you even have a chance at that toy. The rhetoric of this comes into play with the false advertising at what you could win. With an abundance of toys in the machine, it seems like winning is both common and easy, as there are plenty of prizes to be won. As proven by the linked article, the chances are less than you would suspect.
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Engagement Rings
Engagement Rings used to be obsolete as engagement gifts, or at the very least significantly less extravagant. Prior to 1938, engagement rings existed but were much less common place. After the De Beers Diamond campaign in that year however, everything changed. While there is no value to a diamond, it is consistently considered a symbol of love and permanent investment in a relationship.
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Religion
Is religion a Ponzi scheme? Religions preach a promise of after life and happiness if you subscribe as a believer and follow a set of rules. More happiness if you can recruit other people. The community is also dependent on one another's membership. The fewer people that are part of a religion the less merit it holds. All of these things parallel with Ponzi schemes. Furthermore, some religions require a tithe or ask for donations in return for the guaranteed afterlife just as a Ponzi scheme would sketchily ask for your money with some vague future promise.
The benefit provided by this fraud is substantial as well. The pope has his own city. Many other high up officials in the church have luxurious beach houses. Bishop David Oyedepo has a wealth estimated at $150 million and owns private jets. Preacher Chris Oyakhilome has $50 million. Together, only these two members of religion have gained about as much money as Charles Ponzi did himself. Religion may be correct in its preaching, if not, however, it will undeniably be the best Ponzi scheme in existence. |