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Intelligence Squared

Jon Ronson on Conspiracies, Culture Wars and How Things Fell Apart, Part One

Jun 28, 2024
Jon Ronson, a journalist and filmmaker famous for his exploration of conspiracies and cultural conflicts, joins Jenny Kleeman, a documentary filmmaker known for tackling social issues. They dive into the alarming landscape of culture wars, touching on topics like anti-vaccine movements and gender politics. The duo discusses the chilling misdiagnosis of 'excited delirium' in police contexts and the impact of audience capture on media narratives. They also reflect on the clash between contemporary sensitivities and timeless philosophical ideas, unveiling the complexity of public discourse.
45:13

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Jon Ronson explores post-truth narratives in anti-vaccine movements and gender politics.
  • Ronson warns against sensationalism and oversimplification in storytelling, citing dangerous outcomes in misinterpretations.

Deep dives

Exploring Conspiracies and Culture Wars

John Ronson, journalist and filmmaker, delves into themes of conspiracies and culture wars on his podcast series, Things Fell Apart. With a critical eye on post-truth narratives, Ronson scrutinizes topics like anti-vaccine movements and gender politics. The unsettling nature of culture wars, often perceived as distant, becomes starkly alarming in real-world contexts. Notably, an event at London's Union Chapel featured Ronson alongside Jenny Kliman, discussing pertinent societal issues.

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