DARREL BRISTOW-BOVEY: The story of the ultimate conman
'He was a professor of psychology, a cancer researcher, a civil engineer, a Latin teacher, a hotel accountant, a deputy warden in a maximum security prison'
Sometimes, I wish I was Ferdinand Demara. One of the problems with being you is that you're more or less stuck with you, and the same is true for me. Each of us is changing all the time, sometimes several times a day. We're different people when we're with different people and in different situations, and our dreams and fears and desires change all the time, but whatever decisions or choices or errors we happen to make stay binding even when we change to someone else. We're temporary creatures but we're forced to live as though we're permanent, and therein lies a great deal of our frustration and confusion.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.