

728: Maria Konnikova | The Confidence Game
13 snips Sep 22, 2022
Maria Konnikova, a writer and researcher known for her focus on human behavior and deception, dives into the fascinating world of cons. She explains how anyone, even the most honest, can be fooled, revealing that overconfidence can make people more vulnerable. The discussion covers the psychology behind con artists, including their traits and the societal implications of their actions. Konnikova also shares strategies to recognize manipulation and improve our persuasive skills, equipping listeners with tools to defend against scams in the digital age.
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Honest People & Cons
- Honest people are easily fooled, contrary to popular belief.
- Sophisticated and savvy individuals are also susceptible to deception, not just the greedy or gullible.
Trust & Success
- Trusting people often do better in life and score higher on intelligence and creativity tests.
- A small number of people have evolved to exploit this trust.
Fake Security Clearances
- A company responsible for government security clearances faked background checks for thousands of people.
- This incident highlights the vulnerability created by over-sharing personal information online.