Elusive mafia signals generate rampant misunderstanding and deception

Evidence

It is hardly surprising that—as in the field of espionage—all these elusive signals and corresponding interpretations foster a rash of misunderstandings and deception. The problem is fully acknowledged by mafiosi themselves. “The important thing is precise information,” says Calderone. — Diego Gambetta, The Sicilian Mafia The Business of…, 317

Categorization

• XREF: Parallels the espionage literature on signal-noise tradeoffs and echoes Gambetta’s theme that in the absence of state institutions, information costs are steep.