[ via Silent-Tristero ] How chain letters mutate.
“Subtle methods that increase replication include: (1) the use of ambiguity, for example on whether simply passing on the letter will avert bad luck, (2) text transferred from foreign letters, that may cause an ethnic minority to identify the letter as its own, and (3) testimonials that exploit perceived good or bad luck by one who is holding the letter. Though most successful variations first appear as deliberate innovations, often the resulting advantage to replication could not have been anticipated. And some highly successful variations likely first appeared by accident.”
