I discovered this youtube page today: http://www.youtube.com/user/PrankNETArchive
I'm sure we've all made prank calls when we were kids, but these guys take it to a completely different level. They prepare elaborate scripts, in which they tell their victims, using official sounding jargon, that they are in grave danger, and must follow directions to save themselves. The calls last over 30 minutes usually, and are both disturbing and strangely captivating. In one call, a woman staying a hotel is convinced that there is a lethal gas leak, and in order to prevent an explosion caused by a spark, she must destroy all electronics in her room and smash the windows to let the gas out. Most of their calls lead to police investigations and property damage.
While extremely cruel, I find the calls fascinating, because they showcase how we can be manipulated by anyone who appears to be in a position of authority, much like the famous milgram experiment. In modern society, we can't possibly understand everthing that we interact with, and so are quick to trust "experts", who we are now increasingly dependent on, but who in reality, we have no reason to trust.
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