How To Recognize Grifters

Serious people list facts. Grifters list tags that can elevate their social status.

July 12, 2023

Grifters have one specific thing in common. Not all of them, but as soon as I see this, I don’t expect them to be serious people. Instead of showing concrete facts and achievements, they list “tags” in their bio and profiles.

“Serial entrepreneur”. “Mentor”. “Web3/Blockchain/AI”. “Founder”(without the name of the company).

This isn’t helpful information. It’s just status signaling. Anything that can help them perceived more important in a certain social group.

Focus on the facts.

Comment
life

Recent Posts

How beehiiv Sold the Morning Brew Playbook to Everyone

How beehiiv Sold the Morning Brew Playbook to Everyone

Tyler Denk helped build the machinery behind Morning Brew. Then he recruited two of its engineers, rebuilt the product as a SaaS, and made his own personality the heart of the company. The result is one of the creator economy’s fastest-growing companies. It is also a test of how far a founder’s personality can scale.

Aug 11, 2026
The Game of Consequences

The Game of Consequences

Consequences, a political strategy game on how well-intentioned policies collide with reality.

Jul 30, 2026
On Moral Panics

On Moral Panics

Moral panics are a recurring feature that signals fear of novelty and shifts in power.

Jul 6, 2026
How to Solve AI's Messaging Problem

How to Solve AI's Messaging Problem

Generative AI has a messaging problem. Can it be solved?

Jun 9, 2026
Strata is a Minimal Native Outliner for MacOS

Strata is a Minimal Native Outliner for MacOS

Outliners are the superior tool for thought and I wanted a native option for MacOS.

May 30, 2026