Comment by awbvious

Of course, what of the investors listening to this story? Such as Samsamelo's number one investor Theter Piel? Do these investors tell themselves the same “story” that this is necessary? Do they just see Samsamelo can get lots of other money? Do they care about the truth or just number go up and try not to be the last one if it goes down? Are they, too, masters of convincing others and possibly themselves? Do they care when they see definitive proof that Samsamelo constantly lies and possibly steals? Do they think they are “just” investors, not themselves lying or stealing (presumably)?

Regarding “possibly” stealing, that doesn't mean either 100% he steals or 100% he does not. Samsamelo is just one person, but it can actually be said with at least 33.3% confidence, that he finds another way to “make” more money. He puts together a box, then paints it black, and tells his investors they can put money in it. And after that he gives them pieces of paper that track the price of various trolley parts, which will obviously become valuable in the trolley utopia that is coming.

And they seemingly have control over their investments, with amazing returns, and by switching around these pieces of paper for other pieces of paper they seemingly make even more amazing returns. But they can't have any of their original money or their returns from the box while holding these pieces of paper. And giving back their pieces would mean they wouldn't be able to switch around pieces of paper anymore. Such as pieces of paper for trolley parts Samsamelo says he'll be making himself, and, though not directly noticeable, controlling the price of himself. That box painted black also has a nice little flap in the back for Samsamelo to go in and, you know, look at the money at a polite distance.

But of course, Samsamelo thinks to himself (very possibly before even making the box), why, I could “use” this money to make an even bigger box and get more investors to put money in it. Namely, by “temporarily” taking the money out. Of course, he contractually states to those investors who signed up with his trolley paper parts company that he would never do this. But after removing the money, Samsamelo uses that money as he sees fit. Samsamelo “spends” some of that money on risky investments of exactly the kind of trolley technologies that Samsamelo is selling. He also “spends” directly on allies and on lavish accommodations for himself. Spending a lot will make the box seem more successful, he might just be thinking. That which is publicly aware spending, like being able to buy a stadium's naming rights, will be assumed to have come entirely from the collection of modest fees. And if this were true, it would thus reflect huge volume. Volume that must come from a superior product/service. And in the publicly unaware spending on friends, family, and bribes to political officials, that will just get him more allies that will also further the box’s success.