Decoder with Nilay Patel John Carreyrou’s final chapter on the Theranos scandal
Sep 28, 2021
John Carreyrou, the investigative journalist who exposed the Theranos scandal while at the Wall Street Journal, shares his insights on the ongoing saga of Elizabeth Holmes. He discusses the ethical challenges in tech startups and the toxic culture at Theranos. Carreyrou examines the courtroom dynamics of Holmes's trial, revealing the tension between prosecution and defense. He dives deep into the legal strategies at play and the emotional impact on affected patients, all while reflecting on his long journey of reporting this dramatic story.
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The Start of the Investigation
- John Carreyrou became suspicious of Theranos after reading a New Yorker profile.
- A pathologist's tip prompted him to investigate, ultimately exposing the company.
Product vs. Enabling Technology
- Theranos's claim revolved around a device (Edison) analyzing minuscule blood samples.
- The core innovation was supposedly enabling numerous tests from tiny samples.
Investor Blindness
- Investors overlooked basic scientific limitations due to the hype around "unicorns."
- Holmes's charisma and salesmanship also contributed to their misplaced trust.
