I guess from boredom and I'm so sick of getting them in my e-mail

because they have been 'hood winked' into thinking something bad will happen to them ...and of course thats just a load of bullshit ... but some peoples unfounded fears cloud their judgement

I'm thinking bout this question too..But I think they just believe that something bad or good will happen to them if they forward it to many.^_^

I may be wrong about this. But I think it has to do with one of them getting all those e-mail address's to sell. Thats why when I forward one that may have a good story on it. I always clean off all other peoples address's so they don't get any help from me & my address book......Just my point of view tho............M.C.S.

Some people may believe in the messages which come with these chain mails and want to share with their friends, family members, neighbors, business associates, etc. What if it is true...? There is nothing to lose!

The first thought that comes to mind is that they are relatively new to the internet. They have not learned how spam works. They don't know how to check the accuracy of what they are reading. Most "chains" describe warnings, get free money, good luck, bad luck etc. and the "newbies" fall for it. Some people (my father for one, who is computer illiterate) will forward to EVERYONE in his address book anything he finds interesting. EVEN THE STUFF I SEND HIM ! He has no idea on how to forward to just a few. Nor can I teach him what BCC is for. I don't want to ruffle any feathers, but most of them are on AOL. They will finally figure it out one day I hope. I've actually had to block good friends from my email because they can't grasp the concept. I've had them come to me asking if I changed my email addy because they keep getting returned mail notices. I tell them that the addy is correct, and until you stop sending "chain mails" and "forwards" with a hundred email addys included,.......I am not allowing anything you send. They eventually "grasp" it and obey, and I eventually allow them access again. I use an internet based email for just this purpose, anyone new gets this addy. I get over 50 spam emails a day. Once I feel that a "newbie" has figured out that I don't want all that crap,......I give them my REAL email addy. Unfortunately, my dad still hasn't figured it out after 5 years of setting him up online. If you want an internet email, you can use Yahoo, Gmail, Ureach, Hotmail. Use these email addys for all of your junk as I do. If you dont believe what you read in an email, go to SNOPES.com. They either accredit or debunk the rumor. JMHO,....Phin

To get money from Bill Gates! His check is coming...right?

I think some people just really believe them. I hate them.

Some people are silly enough to believe that " If you don't send this to 10 people in the next 5 minutes you will die" I find it some what depressing when I get sent them.

Chain mail is rather heavy and not something you'd want to forward, though it's lighter and more flexible than plate mail. For forwarding, you're better off with leather mail, or even a modern composite material.

Marketing firms hire specialized marketing firms to create chain letters that feed on patriotism, sympathy, guilt & religion. Using imagery and usually totally concocted stories of woe they ask the recipient to please send this on (if you love America, If you don't want a little girl to die, or if you're a "real" Christian). So people do and all these email address and any personal information is gathered and sold to the marketing firm who in turn sales it to corporations. These corporations then use this info for junk mail and other unsolicited crap. So if you're a real Christian American who doesn't want little Amy to die before she signs a petition to keep "In God we trust" on our currency and you want to use your first amendment rights to say no to junk mail then you should send this message of truth on to everyone you know!