Maria Konnikova - The Confidence Game

While cheats and swindlers may be a dime a dozen, true conmen-the Bernie Madoffs, the Jim Bakkers, the Lance Armstrongs-are elegant, outsized personalities, artists of persuasion and exploiters of trust. How do they do it? Why are they successful? And what keeps us falling for it, over and over again? These are the questions that journalist and psychologist Maria Konnikova tackles in this talk.
The Northeast Conference on Science & Skepticism (pronounced “nexus”) is a science and critical thinking conference held annually in New York City. NECSS welcomes leading scientists, educators, activists, and artists who educate and engage conference attendees through individual presentations, panel discussions, and performance pieces.
necss.org
www.mariakonni...
Recorded on May 15th, 2016
Photo Credit: Larry Auerbach

[@kerryridgway484]

Brilliant! So much for celebrity being interesting. This woman's journey is fascinating. So invaluable.

[@elvarwinston]

Im 1/3 through her book "The Confidence Game" and I'm highly enjoying it, the subject is very fascinating and her delivery is good

[@rodgeraarons8997]

She is storytelling. Great presentation.

[@Reymundodonsayo]

Maria is a player among the con industry of journalism

[@Ken19700]

She's the first person I've ever heard call Lance Armstrong a con man. To the whole rest of the world he's a just cheater.

[@claytondora]

The confidence game runs much deeper than solitary individuals pegging gullible dupes - most organizations, governments, and systems are playing the confidence game. That's the most devastating realization imho. The confidence game is being played at the highest levels for the biggest stakes, like trillions of dollars and the survival of human race itself.

[@vaidyanathtdakshinamurthy8732]

A very disturbing topic, very well analysed by Maria. The conclusion is equally good. As narrative mentions "Confidence man has nothing to lose and he will do his homework very well as he is a good listener and observant of the overall ecosystem".

[@tommyrjensen]

Why would youtube suggest a video with Steve Jobs as the next to watch?

[@InfinityCurve]

15:00 Crazy

[@Reymundodonsayo]

You have to have a great imagination to be good

[@johnsperry9494]

Her description of DeMara made me immediately think of Donald Trump. Fits him to a "t". No kidding. Watch the whole thing again with the Donald in mind. Mind blown.

[@blueladylikeable]

maybe he practiced on small animals, many psychopaths play with animals before using humans

[@The_Other_Ghost]

The Halo effect.

[@user-xg3vk2gz7b]

notice that she hath une pretty mentally attraktive mind indeed :)

[@sduncanfoto]

someone starving for recognition.

[@Wretchedrenegade]

Ok incel. She's doing better than you are fukkface

[@Reymundodonsayo]

She’s conning you now

[@randolphpinkle4482]

This first con man's mind sounds a lot like a certain US president's. The giant white elephant in the room.

[@falten2]

It's scary how many similarities there are..

[@batuhanbasaran9074]

Dont talk like you are gonna cry , it is so disturbing

[@brabra2725]

don't listen then

[@batuhanbasaran9074]

@@brabra2725 i wont dont worry

[@LauraPerez-kr8bn]

What is wrong with that voice? Why is she using a whispering sexy voice? For god sake what is wrong with these women? that voice is out of place

[@brabra2725]

what's wrong with you? that's her voice

[@Peter-ii2uq]

this women is brilliant

[@LauraPerez-kr8bn]

@@brabra2725 her vouce is innapropriat PERIOD. What is wrong with you that cannot see.

[@briaf3370]

Don’t be jealous she not only finished elementary school, unlike you, but got a PhD to boot. Now get back to working at the post office

[@LauraPerez-kr8bn]

@@briaf3370 i am not jealous that voice hurt my ears. She is halfway between crying and dozing off. She thinks is sexy but is only annoying. She may have a phd but still stupid unnecessary roaring of the voice. Yuck