What makes a person start a chain letter?
Chain letters are a very interesting social phenomenon. Their origins vary depending on the type of letter, but here’s a quick list: Most chains are started with real and sincere intentions by someone who found or heard some interesting information and felt compelled to share it. Some chains start as private correspondence, but are shared with people outside the author’s circle of friends because of the letter’s contents. Some are flat-out hoaxes to make fun of those gullible enough to fall for them. Spammers and scammers may start or propagate chain letters as a sneaky way to gather e-mail addresses to send their junk to. Finally, many chain letters are borne of urban legends – stories of events or situations so amazing or amusing that we want (or fear) them to be true.
