![]() ![]() The first scrap you need in researching a stranger is obvious: their full name, or at least enough of it so you can use it. ![]() In the end, it’s the accretion of information, those layers of multiple sources and multiple pieces of data that produces the gold. And each bit of information can lead you to more, like a divining rod with some aptitude. It nicely emphasizes just how valuable real information is (versus whatever is on the front of a Kardashian page today). It’s a great thing for an investigative reporter to keep in mind. When in doubt, I recall a favorite all-time movie quote, from A Fistful of Dollars: “A man’s life in these parts often depends on a mere scrap of information,” Clint Eastwood’s character, Joe, tells a family gang member. I came to believe that hiring editors at investigative shops should make the Tinder Test part of job interviews: “How many facts can you turn up on this guy’s swipes in 30 minutes?” You might get a match’s first name, maybe a last initial. The app provides precious little information. ![]() But the responses also generated some excellent tips.Īs it turns out, Tinder provides an interesting problem to an investigative reporter. I got scores of responses, which made me feel artificially liked. ![]() So I set up an account and created a profile that identified me as a ProPublica reporter looking for tips on how people background their matches. Not being a user, (happily together, same amazing woman, almost 27 years), I figured that Tinder veterans would have the best advice. I decided the way to figure this out was by reporting - a solution to many of life’s most important things. How, many of you wanted to know, can I find out more about this right-swiped, photo-ready Prince or Princess Charming with the cute smile? It was how to research your Tinder match. We threw the door open to questions: what magical investigative reporter superpowers would you like to possess? The ability to bring evil corporate polluters to their knees? To expose corruption on some school board failing our children? After all, we’re not the only ones that need to find out stuff. The idea of this column is to share with you, dear readers, some of the digging skills that investigative reporters use on a daily basis. When last we met, ProPublica had just launched a bunch of fun new features, of which this is allegedly one. ![]()
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