Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford cover image

America's Mata Hari? The Double Life of Esther Reed

Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford

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The Ripple Effects of a Childhood Deception

This chapter delves into the phenomenon of 'escalation of commitment' through the tale of Elsie Wright and the Cottingley fairy photographs. It examines how a small deception grew uncontrollably, driven by psychological factors and the involvement of prominent figures.

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