The first spam was sent by Gary Thuerk in 1978…..thirty years ago. The guy was trying to market a new computer over Arpanet which was a U.S. government designed precursor to the internet according the Washington Post.   

According to Ferris Research, businesses now spend $42 billion fighting spam. What I find more interesting is that there is some digital free speech organization that appears to like the idea that everyone can e-mail everyone.  

Why can’t we have a no spam e-mail registry like we do for solicitations and call it a day? Or you could elect categories for which you agree and disagree to get spam? The opt in thing is just not working.