Still, if crime never paid off for anyone, people would wise up eventually- save for exploratory divergent forays in case the situation has changed.

> people would wise up eventually

Sadly, this isn't true. As quickly as the old idiots realise that their actions are futile, new idiots are born to repeat their mistakes.

>save for exploratory divergent forays in case the situation has changed

Sometimes, crime does pay. So there's a risk-reward strategy to being the kind of person prone to commiting crimes.

Two years ago, doing X might have been a net negative; now, maybe due to police cuts etc. it's viable. But it's hard to know this in advance; to find out, someone has to walk the territory.

This can apply to more than just crimes. Careers for instance.

Crimes of passion are rarely rational.

It's all evopsych game theory

When corporations are committing crimes of passion we have a huge problem. In the meantime, fine, jail and restructure.