Obscure symbolic threats intimidate without leaving incriminating traces

Evidence

Symbolic objects can serve as threats. A metal heart of the kind donated to Catholic churches to give thanks for grace received, known as an ex-voto, was employed at least twice in the 1980s: in both cases the heart was perforated by bullet holes. One was placed at the back door of Salvatore Catania, who lived to tell of the threat. Pasquale Gramaglia was less fortunate; he was executed a few days after receiving the message (OSAG: 128). Raimondo Lampo, clearly someone on whom subtlety would be lose, found an empty coffin deposited at his lodgings (OSAG: 42). Gioacchino Basile, a trade unionist active in the Palermo shipbuilding industry, found a dead bird in his locked car after he had tried to organize an antimafia conference (Manifesto, July 4, 1990). Other menacing deliveries have included the severed heads of domestic animals and tarot cards featuring sword characters. Issuing threats by means of symbolic objects may seem peculiarly old-fashioned, but it has some advantages. In a generally hostile environment obscure signals are perhaps better able to instill terror while requiring minimum exposure: no voice, no writing, no risk of being overheard, no traces. — Diego Gambetta, The Sicilian Mafia The Business of…, 337

Categorization

• XREF: Acoustic ambiguity logic from the reader’s silence/noise readings parallels this: vague signals terrify precisely because they are deniable and traceless. Also connects to Schelling on the commitment value of ambiguity in signaling. — connects to: Discreet symbols readable only by insiders signal status most effectively — W. David Marx, Status and Culture: How Our Desire for…, 209