Conspirituality 249: Kings of Pain
Mar 20, 2025
Guest Quinn Slobodian, a Boston University professor specializing in political economy and the far right, discusses pressing issues surrounding political detoxification and society's addiction to government benefits. He shares insights on the detoxification metaphor, connecting it to historical narratives of purity and wellness culture. Slobodian critiques the economic ideologies driving controversial policies and examines the troubling interplay between health misinformation and public perception. The conversation highlights the ethical dilemmas posed by shock therapy as a means of economic restructuring.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Mercola's Psychic and Violence
- Joe Mercola, a prominent alternative health figure, consults a supposed psychic named Balan.
- Mercola's company underwent significant changes, including staff replacements and a concerning call for violence against veterinarians.
Dangers of Health Misinformation
- Health misinformation leads to catastrophic actions, like forgoing necessary medical care for alternative treatments.
- Supplement manufacturers, unlike pharmaceutical companies, aren't legally obliged to list contraindications, creating a false perception of safety.
Irony of Drug Disclaimers
- The extensive disclaimers required for safer drugs, ironically, make them appear riskier compared to unregulated supplements.
- This, coupled with public intolerance for medical jargon, drives consumers toward seemingly safer, untested alternatives.
