Watched a movie called "Con Man" about an imposter, James Hogue, admitted to Princeton University under the alias Alexi Indris-Santana. Hogue, a talented distance runner, posed as a "self-educated" man and requested the Princeton give him serious consideration as a freshman applicant, despite the absence of a high school transcript. He scored significantly well on standardized tests to meet the criteria of a legitimate applicant. And he posted remarkable times as a distance runner. Princeton liked the package-- he was an exotic from the heartland and possibly could help the track team. He deferred his Princeton admission so he could assist his dying mother in Switzerland through our final days. Except the real reason was-- James Hogue was completing a jail term in Utah for theft and check forgery. Princeton found out about Hogue being an imposter. They not only dismissed Hogue, but turned him over to the local police and he ended up serving another jail sentence.
Hogue did well as a Princeton student prior to the bust. It was actually his third time to college and he had strong science and math skills. But a former classmate from Palo Alto High School recognized Hogue at a Princeton track meet. He was the same guy who has enrolled at Palo Alto High School, as Jay Huntsman and posted amazing distance running performances-- before getting exposed by a suspicious local reporter.
What do we share with James Hogue?
1) He wanted to go to a great school-- Princeton.
2) He wanted a brand new start-- just what going off to college is all about.
3) He wanted to exploit a talent (running) to achieve his goals and win the applause of the crowd. The Hogue was known to be modest about his sports achievements.
4) He liked the idea of re-invention (see Madonna).
What do we not share with Hogue?
1) We cannot comfortably shift identities.
Hogue changed his name, occupation, his personal history, his locations, his social class... with impunity. Most of us struggle with changing our wardrobe.
2) Our ethics are more grounded and rooted in the Ten Commandments-- thou shalt not lie, thou shalt not steal... The imposter lies with flair and a little bit of genius. James Hogue was also a thief.
3) The con man is a shape shifter. Hogue loved change-- changed his look-- left Kansas and went to three or four different schools-- University of Wyoming (track scholarship winner) as himself, Palo Alto High School, as Jay Huntsman, the University to Texas at Austin, and Princeton University (full scholarship) as Alexi Idris-Santana.
4) James Hogue was almost totally cut-off from his family-- in Kansas. The separation from his family seems like a red flag for dysfunction and mental illness.
5) James Hogue, though a shy person, had tremendous confidence in his abilities. The shyness combined with confidence is a unique combination.
