Cited on HN 5 times, 2015–2022, never outright recommendedscore 0
Years with an HN recommendation, 2007–2026
HN uses it as a primary source on Holmes's responses and, later, as evidence of her manner and voice.
A 2015 CNBC Mad Money interview in which Jim Cramer gives Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes a platform to answer accusations about her company after critical press coverage. It captures her public persona at the height of the company's hype.
“In this video she is being interviewed on Mad Money, using her (assumed) actual voice.” (HN, 2022)
2 citations · 3 critical · Interviews · news from the time
Thought I'd put this in here: [this video] This is EH's response to the WSJ article. Very positive defence of EH. Just wanted to add this for an alternative take.
Holmes' response to the WSJ article, as alternative take
One interesting find from that search, here’s two videos of Holmes, in the first she fakes a creepy deep voice for the entirety of the interview [link] In this video she is being interviewed on Mad Money, using her (assumed) actual voice. [this video] What a strange person.
> Holmes' weirdly low voice was an act! She's been caught using her normal register. Was going to say that's kind of a silly thing say, but after watching a few videos it is kind of unsettling: [link] [this video] Had the other signals not been there I'd say, whatever, they want to appear more powerful by using "top 10 tips and tricks of persuasion". However given the other controversy and shadiness it just adds to the pile.
> Like many people who met her for the first time, Beam was taken aback by her deep voice. It was unlike anything he’d heard before. Someone pointed it out the other day here, and I thought well that's just silly. Then went and listen to some videos and it is kind of freaky. It's like she deliberately changes her voice, but it sounds worse and obviously fake. [link] Here she forgets to fake it for a while: [this video] I'd think someone should have mentioned it to her. But given the culture in the company I can see what was going on. She could have showed up with a lampshade on her head and nobody would have said anything either. After a while there is nothing to say to someone who does stuff like this: > Still visibly angry, Holmes told the gathered employees that she was building a religion. If there were any among them who didn’t believe, they should leave. Balwani put it more bluntly: Anyone not prepared to show complete devotion and unmitigated loyalty to the company should “get the fuck out.”
Just finished this book, it had me hooked the entire time. I'm left shocked that the sham went on for 12 years. So much negligence on behalf of the VCs, and so many high profile and well-respected people bought into it, even up to the level of famous Four-star General James Mattis. How was it not a huge red flag that there were no domain experts on the Theranos board? The reality distortion field projected by Elizabeth Holmes was obviously incredibly effective and powerful. Tragic that she used this capability for deceptive, selfish reasons rather than a greater good or higher purpose. Finally, the fake deep voice thing she does- so suspicious; how were people genuinely fooled by it? [this video]
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