Photographing Fairies
Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford
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The Cottingley Fairy Hoax
This chapter explores the captivating tale of the Cottingley fairies, where two young girls, Elsie and Frances, claimed to have photographed fairies in their garden in 1920. It examines the fervent belief of figures like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, juxtaposed with the growing skepticism surrounding the authenticity of the images. Through a blend of magic and deception, the narrative invites listeners to ponder the thin line between belief and skepticism in the world of the supernatural.
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