I've been watching well-connected people grift on politics/technology since I've been in this. Not that they are all grifters, of course, but it's pretty easy to throw up a powerpoint and spout some magic buzzwords to old rich people who will, if you come recommended by the right people, give you a bunch of money. Promising you had the special sauce was pretty easy, especially back before everybody had phones in their pockets and it was all so darn mysterious.
