Great post! I am always fascinated by the rise and fall of Enron. From that matter, I love reading the detailed accoubt in the book “The Smartest Guys in the Room”. Highly recommended!
Just for fun: I find Elizabeth Holmes' former public persona to be highly theatrical, at times even seductive. She even recently told the New York Times it was a character she created, as though she should be applauded for her creativity. When she lowered her voice to sound more like a man, sat like a man and wore Steve Jobs-like turtlenecks, she was as convincing as a man as Marlene Dietrich dressed as a man in "Morocco." Which is to say, not very...but it gets your attention. In terms of stylistic details, notice that she was born in 1984. The animated film "The Little Mermaid" came out in 1989 and it is unlikely that she did not see it as a child. Watch the video for the song "Part of Your World." Notice the Mermaid's rarely blinking eyes, the persistent smile, her talk of gadgets and gizmos, her box of thingamabobs (forerunners of nanotainers?). It is probably going too far to say that her fish companion is a sort of ur-Sunny Balwani but... We know of her affection for the wisdom of Yoda and the importance of finger puppets. I think it is highly likely that she was imprinted with the notion of The Little Mermaid as a role model. Make of it what you will but I think it is a case of show biz over substance.
In the small world department, Ms. Holmes' father was a VP at Enron. I have never seen her talk about this in interviews, although I have seen her claim he was active in "disaster relief." What about disaster causation? Two of the funniest interviews on YouTube, based on what we now know, are with Pattie Sellers (Fortune MPW conference) and with Michael Krasny CHM). I also like Bill Clinton telling an audience that he follows such things and the future is in good hands with such people as Ms. Holmes.
My memory is that several well known stock analysts were pro-Enron until fairly late in the game and when the stock collapsed they were unavailable for comment. Often at investment trade shows there are presentations about how big media gets financial matters wrong, both analysis and predictions. Fortune is not alone. Forbes has certainly regaled some turkeys (appropriate since this is Thanksgiving). One of the fascinating aspects of the Elizabeth Holmes saga is how willingly various media outlets, including Fortune and Forbes, were to volunteer to be her cheerleaders. Old YouTube videos of her being "interviewed" make for fascinating viewing.
Media is always looking for heroes to build up and then tear down. Her gender certainly helped. As did all the social proof of her Board. Oddly, Elon Musk's analogous pronouncement bounce off him. Between Holmes, SBF and Musk, the media clearly embraces weirdos.
Great post! I am always fascinated by the rise and fall of Enron. From that matter, I love reading the detailed accoubt in the book “The Smartest Guys in the Room”. Highly recommended!
Just for fun: I find Elizabeth Holmes' former public persona to be highly theatrical, at times even seductive. She even recently told the New York Times it was a character she created, as though she should be applauded for her creativity. When she lowered her voice to sound more like a man, sat like a man and wore Steve Jobs-like turtlenecks, she was as convincing as a man as Marlene Dietrich dressed as a man in "Morocco." Which is to say, not very...but it gets your attention. In terms of stylistic details, notice that she was born in 1984. The animated film "The Little Mermaid" came out in 1989 and it is unlikely that she did not see it as a child. Watch the video for the song "Part of Your World." Notice the Mermaid's rarely blinking eyes, the persistent smile, her talk of gadgets and gizmos, her box of thingamabobs (forerunners of nanotainers?). It is probably going too far to say that her fish companion is a sort of ur-Sunny Balwani but... We know of her affection for the wisdom of Yoda and the importance of finger puppets. I think it is highly likely that she was imprinted with the notion of The Little Mermaid as a role model. Make of it what you will but I think it is a case of show biz over substance.
Analyzed like a true English grad student! Agreed re show biz over substance, Selling a dream in history-honored fashion.
That's funny. I knew she has gone to an expensive prep school before Stanford but had not realized her father's position. Will check out the videos.
Theranos will surely be topic for The Bubble Blog!
In the small world department, Ms. Holmes' father was a VP at Enron. I have never seen her talk about this in interviews, although I have seen her claim he was active in "disaster relief." What about disaster causation? Two of the funniest interviews on YouTube, based on what we now know, are with Pattie Sellers (Fortune MPW conference) and with Michael Krasny CHM). I also like Bill Clinton telling an audience that he follows such things and the future is in good hands with such people as Ms. Holmes.
My memory is that several well known stock analysts were pro-Enron until fairly late in the game and when the stock collapsed they were unavailable for comment. Often at investment trade shows there are presentations about how big media gets financial matters wrong, both analysis and predictions. Fortune is not alone. Forbes has certainly regaled some turkeys (appropriate since this is Thanksgiving). One of the fascinating aspects of the Elizabeth Holmes saga is how willingly various media outlets, including Fortune and Forbes, were to volunteer to be her cheerleaders. Old YouTube videos of her being "interviewed" make for fascinating viewing.
Media is always looking for heroes to build up and then tear down. Her gender certainly helped. As did all the social proof of her Board. Oddly, Elon Musk's analogous pronouncement bounce off him. Between Holmes, SBF and Musk, the media clearly embraces weirdos.