Visual Deception and Manipulation
Visual signals without substance are fraud.
Visual signals without substance are fraud.
While many visual signals are honest, deception is common when benefits outweigh costs. Male cuttlefish use dynamic visual deception. Small 'sneaker' males mimic female coloration and pattern to approach guarded females without triggering aggression from the dominant guarding male. The sneaker male displays female-pattern skin coloration on the side facing the guarding male while displaying male coloration on the side facing the female - split-screen signaling that deceives one receiver while honestly signaling another.
Photuris fireflies have evolved aggressive mimicry. Photuris females mimic the flash patterns of Photinus females. When a Photinus male approaches the mimicking female, she eats him.
Business Application of Visual Deception and Manipulation
Visual signals without substance are fraud. Theranos' visual signals (Jobs-like founder, prestigious board, sleek devices) were cheap to produce and not backed by substance. Effective visual signaling requires verification mechanisms.