It is mystery, not logic, that gives hope and keeps humans believing in all things greater than their own perceived insignificance \u2013 and the main reason why they do anything \u2013 or buy anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s an example I used to illustrate this point, which I wrote about in my 4th century AD novel Hinane: Behind An Indigo veil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018The plant only grows in the wild and cannot be successfully grown as a crop in tilled soil, but,\u2019 Tuburon said with a wicked grin, \u2018We\u2019ve found a way to cultivate it. And because the Romans don\u2019t know where, or how we grow it, we have established a very lucrative quality product for trade.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Ah,\u2019 remembered Hinane, \u2018Market a product of rarity and high value.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Exactly. But what is really the predominant factor, is how well I can manipulate the demand with myth and speculation.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Speculation?\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Yes. We once spread the rumour that the connection between silphium and the traditional heart shape symbol is remarkably similar to the Egyptian heart soul. The sexual nature of that concept, combined with the widespread use of silphium for birth control, and the fact that silphium seeds were heart-shaped, helped tie silphium to sexuality and love, supposedly acting as the cure for being in love, viewed by most as a mental madness.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hinane snorted sceptically, \u2018A fable you no doubt started. The fact that a lot of mopes desperately want to believe it, doesn\u2019t mean it works.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Exactly my little dove, exactly. But the Romans are credulous and they will still use it, just perchance it does.\u2019<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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