PRETEND

Previously on Pretend, we dived deep into the murky waters of academic fraud. Celebrity behavioral scientist Dan Ariely of Duke University, alongside Francesca Gino from Harvard and other distinguished behavioral scientists, embarked on a series of experiments with a noble aim: to enhance honesty among individuals. Their investigation centered on whether positioning an honesty pledge at the top of a form, as opposed to the bottom, would discourage deceit. However, it emerged that two out of the three experiments underpinning the study were marred by fabricated data.I interviewed Dan Ariely about these troubling allegations, but our conversation was cut short. I assumed that was the last time I would hear from him. Surprisingly, Ariely reached out, proposing a second interview to directly address what he termed as "false accusations" on my podcast. He stipulated, "If you intend to add these false accusations to the podcast, maybe it's best to have another session and get my answers on the record, but I  will ask you to promise me not to edit these. And to give my answers exactly as I present them. If you're up for this,  let's schedule a sum If you're up for this, let's schedule something." And so, I agreed.You're going to listen to my follow-up interview with Dan Ariely. I will, however, interject here and there to add context. But rest assured, every moment of our 43-minute exchange will be presented. I'll upload the raw, unedited versions of both interviews on Patreon and Pretend Plus, accessible for free. You don't need a subscription to tune in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A scandal in the world of behavioral science raises questions about honesty and integrity. Renowned researcher Dan Ariely is accused of manipulating data. The podcast delves into the complexities of misinformation and internet backlash. Personal turmoil and beliefs in irrational ideas are explored. The role of honesty pledges and consequences of falsified data in science are discussed.

I discovered a little-known realm of con artists within the legal system. I found story after story of people impersonating attorneys, prosecutors, and even judges. One woman hacked into the court system and dropped the charges against her. Get early and ad-free episodes:PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/pretendradioPRETEND+ on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/pretend/id6443456985 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Think all forensic evidence is foolproof? You'd be surprised. In our latest bonus episode of PRETEND, we're taking a deep dive into the murky world of forensic science with M. Chris Fabricant from the Innocence Project. We're talking about how some methods, like bite mark analysis and cadaver dogs, might not be as reliable as you’d think. It's a thought-provoking look at the challenges of separating solid science from shaky beliefs in our legal system. Junk Science and the American Criminal Justice System by M. Chris Fabricant: https://www.amazon.com/Science-American-Criminal-Justice-System/dp/1636140300 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Breaking News on the Stalker case. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Arpad Vass touts his Quantum Oscillator, a contraption made of plywood and PVC pipe, as a revolutionary tool capable of locating missing persons' remains with 92% accuracy from up to 60 miles away, using just DNA from fingernail clippings. In a desperate attempt to solve the cold case of Brandy Hall, a Florida firefighter gone missing, Hall's family turned to Dr. Vass and his device. Guided by the oscillator's dubious promise, they believed Brandy could be buried in a specific wooded area. In a fit of hope and despair, Brandy's mother resorted to using a makeshift shovel to dig for her daughter, embodying the heart-wrenching grip of grief and the seductive, yet misleading, appeal of pseudoscience. Ultimately, the search yielded nothing but a painful journey back to square one.In today's episode, we discuss the science behind the Quantum Oscillator. Watch the video of Dr. Vass and the Quantum Oscillator:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3DTrzYM-8N/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pretendpod/video/7332889990084578590?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7267660576023873067 YouTube: https://youtube.com/shorts/ub2kdJZ0JNQ?feature=share  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today’s episode of Pretend, we're zeroing in on Dr. Arpad Vass's invention called the Quantum Oscillator—a device straight out of a sci-fi plot with the audacious promise of finding the lost with just a sliver of DNA. Imagine a gadget claiming to pinpoint your long-gone ancestors' graves or track down missing persons with a flicker of electromagnetic waves. Dr. Vass claims that with a bit of your DNA, his Quantum Oscillator could lead him to grave sites with 92% accuracy from a distance as far as 60 miles. Sounds miraculous, right? But hold your horses—does this invention hold up under the scrutiny of science, or is it veering into the realm of pseudoscience? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In "The Grave Detector," we delve into the enigmatic practice of using dowsing rods with a focus on the work of Dr. Arpard Vass, a forensic anthropologist renowned for his innovative methods in locating unmarked graves and human remains. The episode explores the traditional and modern uses of dowsing rods, often associated with finding water, treasures, and possibly ghosts. But most alarming of all, dowsing rods play a controversial role in police investigations and legal proceedings. M. Chris Fabricant, Junk Science - https://a.co/d/cu4tn9mMichael Hadsell, Peace River K9 Search and Rescue (PRSAR) - https://www.prsar.org/Dr. Arpad Vass- http://forensicrecoveryservices.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In "The High School Hoax," the latest episode of "PRETEND," we explore the true story of Shelby Hewitt, a 32-year-old woman who enrolled as a high school student in Boston.What compels an adult to return to high school? How did this go unnoticed? Janelle, a 16-year-old classmate and friend of Shelby's, offers a unique window into this bizarre ruse.See video of Shelby Hewitt:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C02ngXjsUh1/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pretendpod/video/7312640020207242538YouTube: https://youtube.com/shorts/xG-y0td3MkI?feature=share Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dartanyon A. Williams (DAW) stole his parents’ identities at the age of 15. Unfortunately, they weren’t his last victims. Dartanyon, who also goes by DAW, claims he has stolen thousands of identities. So many that he’s lost count. It’s rare to hear firsthand from an identity thief. In this episode, DartanyonHow to steal someone’s identityHow did he do it? He had many tactics. But the most proven technique was paying off restaurant employees, car dealerships, and tax preparation companies. These employees served as double agents. When no one was looking, they would collect customers' social security numbers and smuggle them to DAW. Today, DAW’s life of crime is behind him. He even ran for Congress for the U.S. House of Representatives.How to protect your identityThese days, it’s just as easy to steal your identity from a breached database. Everything an identity thief needs to steal your identity is already online. What can you do to protect yourself? Click here to see if your email has been involved in a breached database:https://haveibeenpwned.com/Freezing your credit and setting up a fraud alertI’ve taken the extreme step of freezing my credit. It’s actually not really that extreme. In fact, it’s quite easy. In this episode, you’ll hear how simple it is to lock down your credit so that no one can assume your identity. Michael Bazzell, a privacy consultant, walks me through the credit freeze process. For more details, download his step-by-step guide. Essentially, get a free credit report from one of the credit bureaus, then ask them to freeze your credit. This way, no one can open a line of credit under your name. If you ever need to unfreeze your credit, it’s easy. Just unfreeze your credit by going online or with a quick phone call. EquifaxOnline: https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/ExperianOnline: https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.htmlTransUnionOnline: https://service.transunion.com/dss/orderStep1_form.page If you just stumbled on this page, start with part 1.Michael BazzellTo learn more about Michael Bazzell, check out his website IntelTechniques.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices