Part Two: The Fake Bomb Detector Grift That Killed Hundreds
Summary
Host Sophie and guest Ed Zitron discuss the Quadro Tracker, a fake bomb detector based on the ideomotor effect that caused numerous deaths. They trace its origins from a golf ball finder to a global grift sold to police and schools, highlighting how authority figures ignored scientific debunking. The episode draws parallels between this historical fraud and modern AI hype, emphasizing the dangers of trusting unverified technology.
Topics discussed
Intro and ads: Cascade, Elton John Awards, Simon Malls
The Gopher: Quadro Corp's original gag gift device
Pivoting to drug detection: The Quadro Tracker concept
Marketing pseudoscience and early sales to schools
Debunking the Tracker: James Randi and Wolfgang Halbig
Expansion, lawsuits, and the move to the UK
The Mole: Repackaging the scam for the British market
Sam Tree, James McCormick, and the Madeline McCann stunt
The ADE 651: Marketing to Iraq and Afghanistan
Massive sales, bribes, and McCormick's lavish lifestyle
Deadly consequences: The Baghdad Justice Ministry bombing
Legal fallout, continued use, and final thoughts
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