As to the question for why it works, it seems to me that it’s because it takes into account the rationality of each participant (by using the accuracy of their prediction about how many people will agree with them) and then gives the more rational participants’ answers greater weight.
If that’s the case, then any rationality test could be used as a truth serum. If you want to know whether or not string theory is true, you’re probably better off asking people who don’t believe that the Earth is flat.
As to the question for why it works, it seems to me that it’s because it takes into account the rationality of each participant (by using the accuracy of their prediction about how many people will agree with them) and then gives the more rational participants’ answers greater weight.
If that’s the case, then any rationality test could be used as a truth serum. If you want to know whether or not string theory is true, you’re probably better off asking people who don’t believe that the Earth is flat.