Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford cover image

Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford

Cautionary Tales Presents: Lost Hills - The Dark Prince

Jun 15, 2023
42:32

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Mickey Dora, a surfer known for his style and rebellious spirit, ruled over Malibu in the 1950s to 1970s and was idolized for his charisma and surfing abilities despite his criminal activities.
  • Dora's legacy in surfing culture showcased a dark side of exclusion, racism, and xenophobia, revealing the undercurrents within the community and challenging the notion of a surfing hero.

Deep dives

Mickey Dora: The Dark Prince of Malibu

Mickey Dora, a surfer known for his style and rebellious spirit, ruled over Malibu in the 1950s to 1970s. Despite his grace and fame, Dora was also a con man who led the FBI on a seven-year manhunt. His influence on surfing culture, though idolized by many, revealed a dark side of exclusion, racism, and xenophobia. Additionally, Dora's criminal activities included credit card fraud, fake plane tickets, and stolen property. He embarked on a global adventure in search of the perfect wave and lived a life of freedom, outside societal norms. Despite the controversial aspects, Dora's charisma and surfing abilities continue to captivate the surfing community even today.

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