In research there are techniques for measuring small influences. For several years it is easier to detect the effect of a “source of data” on the resulting qualitative measures of a population. After several “duplications” the original source is lost. The opinion may remain, unverifiable but trusted by easy reproduction. For those of you familiar with the innards of the DOT COM build out, you are familiar with the estimates of rapid growth that originated inside a tech support department.

These effects are most pronounced when the topic is numeric. The effect of a “trusted expert” is most apparent when reviewing media depiction of crisis, such as over the past year.

In an economic, a money based society, the presence of apparent wealth marks you as important, perhaps knowledgeable. Money draws followers unwilling to question.