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Where have people landed with regards to Frank Abagnale and the veracity of his past exploits? I know there's a section on his Wikipedia page about it[1], but I

by jml7c5 7y ago

Where have people landed with regards to Frank Abagnale and the veracity of his past exploits? I know there's a section on his Wikipedia page about it[1], but I don't know if there have been any recent corroborations that cleared things up. (On a personal note: I was quite let down to discover some of the stories were — at the least — exaggerated. Though if it turns out it's all fake, it would be an entertaining story on its own: a con man who cons people into believing he was a con man!) [1]:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Abagnale#Veracity_of_claims https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Abagnale#Veracity_of_cla...

rapind 7y ago
There's a Google talk that he did I found fascinating (on YouTube). Didn't seem to toot his own horn much (long con?!?).
- LunaSea 7y ago
  If he did a Google Talk ... that's kind of already tooting his own horn
  - adventured 7y ago
    Kind of. Once you've had a blockbuster movie released based on your exploits, starring Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio, I don't think a Google Talk goes very far on the horn tooting scale.
  - caseysoftware 7y ago
    No, watch the talk. He doesn't toot his own horn at all. He was the closing keynote at our annual conference (Okta's Oktane) last year and it was the same way. He was open and clear about what he did, how much he regretted it, and why he did it. Fundamentally, it came down that he was young (16), scared (parents getting a divorce), and stupid. He reacted out of fear and total disregard for other people. He also talked about coming through the other side and learning what mattered and why. I sat down in his keynote as a fan of his exploits and finished as a fan of the man himself. Watch the Google talk.
    - reilly3000 7y ago
      I was there for his Oktane talk and was just thinking about it yesterday. I was hacking on Solid, and recalled Sir Tim’s talk, then Frank’s. Two days before I attended Oktane I had spoken at my father’s memorial service. Frank’s comments on the importance of family were incredibly poignant. I found him to be credible and prescient on many fronts; his intelligence was obvious and his understanding of cybersecurity was deep and nuanced. It’s definitely among the top talks I’ve ever heard at a conference. Huge props to Okta for having him, and getting me there. It was a great gift to have a reprieve from grieving, and to take in all things identity. Especially from a man that has tried on so many.
- deleted 7y ago
  [deleted]

by jml7c5 7y ago

rapind 7y ago

There's a Google talk that he did I found fascinating (on YouTube). Didn't seem to toot his own horn much (long con?!?).

LunaSea 7y ago
If he did a Google Talk ... that's kind of already tooting his own horn
- adventured 7y ago
  Kind of. Once you've had a blockbuster movie released based on your exploits, starring Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio, I don't think a Google Talk goes very far on the horn tooting scale.
- caseysoftware 7y ago
  No, watch the talk. He doesn't toot his own horn at all. He was the closing keynote at our annual conference (Okta's Oktane) last year and it was the same way. He was open and clear about what he did, how much he regretted it, and why he did it. Fundamentally, it came down that he was young (16), scared (parents getting a divorce), and stupid. He reacted out of fear and total disregard for other people. He also talked about coming through the other side and learning what mattered and why. I sat down in his keynote as a fan of his exploits and finished as a fan of the man himself. Watch the Google talk.
  - reilly3000 7y ago
    I was there for his Oktane talk and was just thinking about it yesterday. I was hacking on Solid, and recalled Sir Tim’s talk, then Frank’s. Two days before I attended Oktane I had spoken at my father’s memorial service. Frank’s comments on the importance of family were incredibly poignant. I found him to be credible and prescient on many fronts; his intelligence was obvious and his understanding of cybersecurity was deep and nuanced. It’s definitely among the top talks I’ve ever heard at a conference. Huge props to Okta for having him, and getting me there. It was a great gift to have a reprieve from grieving, and to take in all things identity. Especially from a man that has tried on so many.
deleted 7y ago
[deleted]