Twisting the truth every which way to make us look like fools

The overarching intention when launching my product development and innovation gameshow was mischief.

The question asked before each recording was as follows:

How can we execute this project so well, so methodically, so insightfully, and make it so enjoyable for people to listen to, that audiences won’t be able to tell if it’s a joke or not?

Sure enough, friends and family members starting telling me after listening to various episodes that they still weren’t sure what was real or not. From the contestant bios to the show sponsors to the portfolio of innovations to the scoreboard, it was hard to tell where the truth ended and the fiction began.

Good. Mission accomplished. After all, isn’t that what a good hoax is all about? It’s a mischievous trick played on the world. It’s a falsehood deliberately fabricated to masquerade as the truth. Hoaxes make people experience perplexity, confusion and tension. In the hopes that they might learn something about themselves and the world.

Or at the very least, have some joy.

It’s not like it’s malignant. It’s all in good fun.

Kramer famously stumbled across the set of the old tonight show in a dumpster on the street. And just for kicks, he took the discarded set pieces and perfectly recreated the set in his apartment. Pretending that the show was still on the air, acting as the new host, using the show’s theme song when guests come onto the set, cutting to a commercial break, even conducting real interviews with everyone who enters his apartment.

It was a good old fashioned hoax. Interestingly enough, there is a science behind successful hoaxing.

Hancock’s pivotal research identified several key characteristics a truly successful hoax.

The first step is identifying a group of people who, for reasons such as piety, patriotism or greed, will truly care about your creation.

Next, identify a particular dream that will make your hoax appeal to the constituency. But keep it ambiguous.

Then, do what you can to get your new creation discovered. Enlist at least one champion who will actively support your hoax.

And finally, make people care, positively or negatively, ongoing through interest and debate. In short, make it so people can’t tell if it’s a joke or not.

Doesn’t that sound delicious joyful?

Now, for those of you judging me, listen up. We live in a post fact society. The truth has become a quaint relic of the past. Governments and organizations have been suppressing and obfuscating information to meet their objectives for thousands of years.

Why not join in the fun?

How is your art magic delivered from the lie of being truth?