1235: Oobah Butler | A Trickster Turns Deception Into Art and Insight

Social engineer Oobah Butler joins us to explain how fake fame, false reviews, and algorithmic nonsense shape the world we trust. Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1235 What We Discuss with Oobah Butler: Oobah Butler gained fame for turning his garden shed into London's top-rated restaurant on TripAdvisor — exposing how easily online platforms can be manipulated. His fake reviews and staged photos revealed how public consensus often overrides reality as people trusted digital hype over their own senses. Later projects, like selling bottled Amazon driver urine as an "energy drink," highlighted how corporations and algorithms fail to prevent absurd or unethical outcomes. His undercover work in Amazon warehouses exposed inhumane conditions , unrealistic expectations, and the human cost of convenience. Oobah shows that curiosity, creativity, and bold experimentation can uncover hidden truths — reminding us that challenging systems with humor and insight is a learnable, powerful form of critical thinking. And much more... And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! Sign up for Six-Minute Networking — our free networking and relationship development mini course — at jordanharbinger.com/course ! Subscribe to our once-a-week Wee Bit Wiser newsletter today and start filling your Wednesdays with wisdom! Do you even Reddit, bro? Join us at r/JordanHarbinger ! This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors : The Cybersecurity Tapes: Listen here: thecybersecuritytapes.com Caldera + Lab: 20% off: calderalab.com/jordan, code JORDAN Chime: Open an account in two minutes: chime.com/jhs CookUnity: Premium meals for life: cookunity.com/jordanfree or code JORDANFREE Nutrafol: $10 off 1st month: nutrafol.com, code JORDAN See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .