Really? I take this as evidence indicating basically the opposite - fundamental human nature, as reflected through our communications and business practices, hasn't changed significantly in thousands of years. Some folks might be courteous, giving others the benefit of the doubt in hopes they'll "catch more flies with honey" or, more-likely, due to pervasive social norms and taboos. Others might issue thinly-veiled or direct threats, hoping to coerce the desired outcome. Either way, there have been shady business people and the ripped-off, the scammers and the scammed, for going on 4 millennia, at the very least, and there really is no sign the status quo going to change. If anything, this should dispel our romances of the human condition. The form is immaterial to the underlying function of the communication. "I feel ripped off, please deliver the goods."
That link is fascinating, thanks for sharing. Two minor things that stuck out to me:
- "Kosher garum" - didn't see that coming!
- "På stora svenska online casino kan du alltid hitta casino spel från Netent, spelen har översatts till många språk inklusive svenska." I don't speak Swedish but is this randomly injected online gambling spam?!
> På stora svenska online casino kan du alltid hitta casino spel från Netent, spelen har översatts till många språk inklusive svenska." I don't speak Swedish but is this randomly injected online gambling spam?!
> The form is immaterial to the underlying function of the communication.
The form is very much pertinent to the outcome. If I come at you with expletives, it will produce a different result, even if just in your internal state.
~1800 years later, and 2 millennia ago, the graffiti at Pompeii http://www.pompeiana.org/Resources/Ancient/Graffiti%20from%2... tells a similar (and somewhat more humorous) story but in a different context.