Ever since a human being had to confront another human being the practices of spying must have been around: how to size up your opponent, think ahead of time what they might do, out-think what they are actually doing. I know that most people think of spying as something Governments do against each other, and something the military employ as a strategy war, and sometime during peace. But it is actually something we all do.
Everyone running a business has to be aware of what others in their line of business are doing, to make sure they do not price themselves out of the market place. Artists are the greatest observers, as Collette once replied when asked what makes a writer, regarder, watch. And that is what spying is all about, watching. Asking the right questions to get the answers you need to write your book or thwart the attack on your positions or inhibit the flow the information to an enemy state.
If we are not watchers we miss all the cues that help us to live successful lives. If we sleep-walk through decision making, allow others to make decisions for us, consume without growing anything, we imperil ourselves and our children.
Spying is an art of survival.