But I used "leverage" figuratively (which is the case in finance too). Used here, it means getting greater effect from act a or b, by multiplying the networked relays of that act. The term is used by the spamdoctors themselves - one I recall, for example, has an e-book to sell you on Leveraging Yahoo! Answers. So I also spoke of leveraging Web 2.0: ie multiplying effort by use of its rapid networking potential.
On one of these forums I dived into, it was apparent that all the programs the spammers use are for money -- what's more, forums for discussing the use of those is for money. That was very Amway-ish for me. *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
But I used "leverage" figuratively (which is the case in finance too).
Putting effort into the process of getting others to put effort into the process ... that's leverage all right. Now, we would hope that the people at the bottom of the pyramid are not putting in more time and money than they can afford to lose ... but given the logic of pyramid schemes, it will tend to be the ruthless in taking advantage of the gullibility of others that will build the largest pyramids. I've been accused of being a Marxist, yet while Harpo's my favourite, it's Groucho I'm always quoting. Odd, that.
