The Anatomy of Denials

An article I wrote for the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners' Fraud Magazine:

The Anatomy of Denials

Dr. Werner Spitz

This man left an indelible mark on all those who studied under him.

Death of Dr. Werner Spitz

Zuckerberg's "Apology"

 Apology:

“I’m sorry for everything that you have all been through. It’s terrible,” Zuckerberg said. This is why we invest so much and are going to continue doing industry-leading efforts to make sure that no one has to go through the types of things that your families have had to suffer.”

Analysis:

“I’m sorry for everything that you have all been through. It’s terrible,” Zuckerberg said. This is why we invest so much and are going to continue doing industry-leading efforts to make sure that no one has to go through the types of things that your families have had to suffer.”

 Conclusion:

He’s sorry. However, he accepts no responsibility with his very passive language. Passive language (have been through; has to go through; have had) is a language device used to put distance between you and the allegation. It allows him to express sorrow without accountability. In short, he accepts no blame.

China and Tik Toc

"Though the U.S. has never found any evidence of TikTok posing a threat to U.S. national security, it has never stopped going after TikTok," said Wang Wenbin, spokesman for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The “..has never found any evidence..” suggests the evidence is there – they just "..never found.." it.