In fact, it makes me feel like I'm stuck with the masses in some type of feel good spiritual ponzi scheme, certain to collapse if everyone tries to get in their five pass it ons. You may object that this amounts to an unnecessarily cynical view. Perhaps it does, and it will undoubtedly seem all the more so to those who derive comfort from these chain messages, or who find meaning in life from their call to the forwarding ministry. To hold such a view, though, might also indicate just how much one has become part of the problem. When the mission to lighten the world's load with sentimental forwards becomes a sacred rite, an attack on the subject brings deep offense.
Nothing produces a reaction like an assault against hallowed practices.
Granted, not all the pass alongs are flowery messages of encouragement. When they are worthwhile, we may want to do so, but feel no sense of violating the moral law should we fail to do so. The creators of these schemes are despicable cads, of course, for whom the constitution's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment should be suspended. I've noticed a few interesting things about the e-mail chain craze. You learn a lot about your friends by the type and quantity of material they pass along.