FoolProof's Cronkite Project
Press Event
"In seeking truth you have to get both sides of a story."
— Walter Cronkite
FoolProof and the Cronkite Project's Mission in a Nutshell
The Cronkite Project Story
"The FoolProof Foundation believes there is a fundamental flaw in the teaching of financial literacy."
Watch our introductory video on the Walter Cronkite Project.
Excerpts from Will deHoo's Presentation at the Newseum News Conference
We teach healthy skepticism, personal responsibility and other concepts that can travel with a person thru life.
A few of our concepts
- The difference in being 'liked' and in being 'respected.'
- How one simple bad habit can have a life-long impact on your life.
- How to build good habits in life.
- How to determine trustworthiness in a person and in a marketing message
- Why branded characters aren't your friends.
- Why debt isn't a "good thing." It may be necessary. But it isn't "good." And it isn't fun.
Walter Cronkite actually gave the FoolProof Foundation and the Cronkite Project our mantra: Use Caution. Question Sellers. Rely on Research.
FoolProof & Walter Cronkite
FoolProof is the legacy of Walter Cronkite and his relationship with Will deHoo, a young consumer advocate.
Cronkite, the legendary CBS News Anchor, was known for decades as "The Most Trusted Man in America" because of his high ethical standards.
His conversations with deHoo starting in 2004 led to the formation of FoolProof.
Incidentally, our high school page views have increased to over 41 million since this video was shot.
Use caution? Question sellers?
So, is FoolProof anti-marketing or anti-advertising?
No. We understand marketing is a driver of the economy. We're happy advertising dollars underwrite some of the best news efforts in the world—as it did Walter Cronkite's decades of journalism.
We also know the marketer's job is to sell a particular point of view. We do that. Both FoolProof and the Cronkite Project are marketing to you right now.
Rely on research!
That's why we believe all consumers, including middle and high school students, have a right to know "both sides of a story," as Walter Cronkite once famously said.
When it comes to marketing and advertising FoolProof believes we tell a side of the story that businesses who benefit from financial mistakes can't really tell.
An example
Most financial literacy resources shaped by companies that make money on debt present debt as a chirpy and good thing. FoolProof says debt may be necessary, but it isn't "good." And it isn't fun.
Another example
Virtually all financial literacy resources shaped by companies who make money on debt teach the difference in a debit and a credit card. Nice to know. But FoolProof says credit cards should really be called "Debt" cards, because that's what you get when you use them.
Should our resources completely replace other resources?
No. Many resources have valuable information in them, and FoolProof recommends other resources regularly.
And thousands of schools also now use both our resources and other resources. We're fine with that.
What we want from you
We ask you to look at our side of the story—our middle and high school curriculums specifically—and the other information we provide you here.
And then you decide if our side of the story has value.
If it does, help us tell educators and parents about FoolProof's free — and advertising-free — curriculums for middle and high schools.
Head to our links below.
Teacher Introduction to FoolProof
Here's what we tell middle and high school teachers about FoolProof.
Additional Information
- Learn all about the FoolProof Curriculum for middle and high schools: www.foolproofteacher.com
- Explore our new middle schools curriculum and see what you think of our approach: www.foolproofmiddleschool.com
- More details on the Walter Cronkite Project and its supporters.
- Browse this site to learn more about the FoolProof Foundation, our mission and our projects.