Very Bad Wizards Episode 297: No Pleasure in Meanness (Flannery O'Connor's "A Good Man is Hard to Find")
Nov 26, 2024
Dive into the darkly comedic world of Flannery O'Connor's short story where morality and nihilism collide. Explore the whimsical reasoning behind motorists' dehumanization of cyclists and the bizarre influence of safety attire on perceptions. Delve into the complexities of family dynamics and clichés as they unravel during a tragic road trip. The discussion culminates in an exploration of guilt, grace, and the struggle for humanity amid chaos, enriched with biblical allusions and existential questions.
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Bicycle Helmet Argument
- Tamler argues against bicycle helmets in his book Why Honor Matters.
- Listeners suggested a paper on cyclist dehumanization and safety attire.
Cyclist Dehumanization Hypothesis
- The paper questions why motorists hit cyclists, hypothesizing that helmets dehumanize cyclists, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Dehumanization, defined as denying full humanity, involves denying higher-order traits or human nature attributes.
Dehumanization and Aggression
- The study claims dehumanization leads to cognitive biases and aggression, suggesting re-humanizing cyclists could reduce aggression.
- It's stated that cyclists are considered less than fully human due to being perceived as 'others' based on their attire.
