Two lessons you should draw from this:

1. The successful communication platforms are ones that are opt-in, meaning you can't message or talk to someone unless you give their consent; and

2. This is why federated messaging systems have not worked and likely won't work in the future. Why? Just like with POTS, there is always going to be an incentive for bad actors to "launder" messages or calls.

What I find particularly irksome about the spam situation is the exceptions carved out for charities and, worse yet, political fundraising to the "do not spam" laws. I mean these laws don't stop a huge amount of spam because it's illegal anyway and probably originates overseas.

But I honestly don't want to be a part of the current phone system and just ignore any unknown numbers.