Cult of the Founder: Lessons from Theranos

This chapter examines the rise and fall of Theranos and its founder, focusing on how charisma influenced investment decisions over technology viability. It critiques political figures' alignment with dubious startups, highlighting the consequences of failing due diligence and the real victims of corporate deceit. The discussion extends to corporate influence on democracy and the evolving dynamics in progressive movements, advocating for accountability in stakeholder capitalism.