Bronwen Dickey, a contributing editor at The Oxford American and author of "Pit Bull: The Battle Over an American Icon," shares her insights from a unique journey on a cruise for conspiracy theorists. She explores how paranoia drives belief in conspiracies, drawing parallels to the fear surrounding pit bulls. Discussing the flawed narratives shaped by media and society, she debunks myths about pit bull aggression and reflects on how misinformation fuels public perception. Dickey's expertise reveals the complex dynamics of belief and community among both dog lovers and conspiracy theorists.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Hostility Towards Journalists
Bronwen Dickey faced hostility as a journalist from conspiracy theorists on a cruise despite upfront transparency.
She was warned by presenters that they would attack her media outlet if disparaged.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Andrew Wakefield's Fall Illustrated
Andrew Wakefield appeared alongside fringe conspiracy figures on the cruise, showing his fall from scientific credibility.
His presentation heavily used fear and misleading imagery about vaccines.
insights INSIGHT
Religious Language in Conspiracies
Bronwen Dickey observed conspiracy theory communities use religious language and themes extensively.
This reveals a deep human need for belief systems offering all-encompassing explanations of good and evil.
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Bronwen Dickey's "Pit Bull: The Battle Over an American Icon" delves into the complex history and cultural perceptions surrounding pit bull terriers. The book challenges common misconceptions about the breed's inherent aggression, examining scientific evidence and debunking myths perpetuated by media and popular culture. Dickey explores the social and political factors that have fueled the intense debate surrounding pit bulls, highlighting the role of fear-mongering and prejudice. She also investigates the impact of breed-specific legislation and the challenges faced by pit bull owners. Ultimately, the book advocates for a more nuanced and evidence-based understanding of pit bulls, promoting responsible ownership and challenging harmful stereotypes.
A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again
Essays and Arguments
David Foster Wallace
This book is a collection of essays by David Foster Wallace, published in 1997. The title essay, 'A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again,' chronicles Wallace’s experience on a seven-night Caribbean luxury cruise, dissecting the indulgences and the hollow promise of pampering. The collection also includes influential essays such as 'E Unibus Pluram,' which examines television’s impact on contemporary literature and the use of irony in American culture. Wallace’s writing is characterized by his wit, extensive use of footnotes, and profound insights into various aspects of American life and culture.
Bronwen Dickey is a contributing editor at The Oxford American, and author of Pit Bull: The Battle Over an American Icon. Her writing can also be found in The New York Times, The Virginia Quarterly Review, Newsweek, Slate, The San Francisco Chronicle, and numerous other publications. For Dickey’s most recent piece, just published in Popular Mechanics, she embarks on the “Conspire-Sea Cruise,” giving us an inside look at what the world of a conspiracy theorist is like and what fuels the need to believe in vast, nefarious plots.
Dickey says she was inspired to report on the conspiracy cruise after working on Pit Bull, where she discovered just how strong the desire can be to ignore evidence and seek out junk science that supports one’s existing beliefs. In conversation with host Lindsay Beyerstein, Dickey looks at the paranoia that propels people towards conspiracy and compares it to the tireless fear mongering pit bull breeds are subjected to. Dickey gives a detailed account of the history and science behind pit bulls and offers a hardheaded overview of what we know about them as a breed and the contrasting ways everyday Americans view them.
Point of Inquiry 
