Posted By:
davidcyclebackIf someone says to you "The next sentence I'm going to tell you is a lie," that doesn't make the next sentence the truth.
Sotheby's fake bidder process involves dishonesty. Notice I didn't say dishonest, but involves dishonesty. Whether the dishonesty is reasonable and fair are a separate questions. Dishonesty isn't always an undesirable thing. I understand the movie plot is made up for my entertainment, and that sit com actor isn't playing himself. Perhaps Sotheby's would say the fake bidders is a bit of playing acting, and the live audience, even those who have read all the rules, enjoy the game.