I don't think America's Gullibility Problem is Worsening. So, I think the premise of this thread is wrong, but it does point to a serious and real problem.

There have always been and will always be gullible people. The Internet has made it possible for the scammers to compare notes more easily and possible for us to more easily hear about the outrageous scams.

The public is becoming more sophisticated about scams, but the very nature of scams is that they must stay one step ahead.

New media are always developing, and new scams will follow the naive there. The problem is not getting worse though, we are becoming more aware of it--and that's good. And the more aware we become, the more outrageous the gullible will seem.

I recall the first spams that I received, they were chain letters sometime in early 1994. Spam has come a long way since then and chain letters still circulate somewhere I'm sure. I had never heard of the Nigerian scams back then, and I doubt I'd have fallen for one (I never have) but it wouldn't have been QUITE so laughable back then.

But the public is slowly learning. I think I can point to the steady but uneven progress of civilization through the ages as proof that humans can learn. Much too slow, but getting faster.

Andi

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...the Rockies may tumble, Gibralter may crumble... G & I Gershwin, 1937