Whistleblowers and Democracy | Tom Mueller | TEDxSpokane

Tom Mueller is a freelance author whose work has appeared in the New Yorker, Atlantic, NY Times and elsewhere, on topics ranging from computer chess programming to the evolution of whales to the international conspiracy of olive oil fraudsters.  His talk explores the social, legal, and psychological effects of whistleblowing. The rise of the whistleblower is a reaction to growing corruption in the US over the last 50 years, driven by the normalization of fraud; the unhealthy melding of public and private spheres; the 2008 financial crisis; and post-9/11 wars. The whistleblower’s newfound legal and moral authority shows that America’s moral compass has wavered – can we only trust this handful of freelance truth-tellers? – but also points the way to a healthier nation. I am a freelance author whose work has appeared in the New Yorker, Atlantic, NY Times and elsewhere, on topics ranging from computer chess programming to the evolution of whales to the international conspiracy of olive oil fraudsters.  My new book explores the social, legal, and psychological history of whistleblowing. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

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