Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford The Rogue Dressed as a Captain
12 snips
Nov 15, 2019 In a gripping tale from 1906 Berlin, a con artist masquerading as a military captain leads soldiers into an audacious heist. The narrative unpacks the psychology of deception and our inherent susceptibility to authority. It links historical pranks with modern challenges in trust and security. The episode also dives into the dark implications of obedience and how appearance influences perceptions, making us question the ethics of our compliance. With humor woven throughout, it leaves listeners pondering the nature of authority.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
The Captain of Köpenick
- In 1906, Wilhelm Voigt, dressed as a captain, tricked soldiers into helping him rob Köpenick's town hall.
- He stole money and escaped by changing back into civilian clothes.
The Dreadnought Hoax
- Virginia Woolf and friends, disguised as Abyssinian royalty, tricked the Royal Navy into giving them a tour of HMS Dreadnought.
- The Navy even played the wrong national anthem, highlighting their susceptibility to deception.
Fast Food Hoaxes
- A series of hoax calls convinced fast-food managers to perform strip searches and other abuses on employees.
- The managers believed the caller was a police officer, demonstrating vulnerability to authority.