I’m listening to Retraction, a follow-up on a This American Life broadcast about working conditions in Apple factories in China, which were subsequently discovered to be fabricated. It’s just mind-blowing to hear the guy squirm under direct cross-examination.
For me it was the most riveting episode of TAL in years. I wish Glass had asked (or maybe they did and it didn’t make it to broadcast) why Daisey felt compelled to embellish/lie at all when just the truth on its own is incredibly powerful and fascinating. Like why wasn’t that good enough? Why take it to such hyperbolic, over-the-top places when that very hyperbole is what threw up the red flag for journalists to start checking his story? I kinda hope this is a career-ender for Daisey. I don’t wish poverty on him or anyone else, but he needs to not tell stories for a living any more.
I agree with you: He’s a professional tall-tale teller, and this is the first time anyone has ever called bullshit on him. His subsequent handling of the situation has been laughable at best. Reading his posted responses to criticism is like listening to a kid lying about getting caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
In sharp contrast: I stand in awe of TAL’s honest and forthright response to the situation. They will be getting (another) donation from me this year.