Knowledge Fight
#887: Jon Ronson Returns
Jan 10, 2024
Author and podcaster Jon Ronson discusses his show Things Fell Apart, explores the mysterious deaths of 32 black sex workers in Miami, controversies surrounding excited delirium as a cause of death, narcissism's effects on behavior, disillusionment towards the medical establishment, belief in conspiracy theories and racist stereotypes, the dangers of over-medicalization, and the trustworthiness of the medical establishment and scientist Judy Bikovitz's claims about COVID-19.
01:18:14
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Quick takeaways
- Misplaced trust in authority figures can lead to the spread of misinformation and pseudoscience.
- Tasers used by police have been linked to deaths in custody, raising questions about their safety.
Deep dives
The Mysterious Murders in Miami
In the 1980s, 32 black sex workers in Miami were found dead under mysterious circumstances. They were all found naked from the waist down and in the same position. Dr. Charles Wetley, the county's deputy chief medical examiner, claimed they all died from a combination of cocaine and sex, naming the condition 'Excited Delirium.' However, it was later discovered that these were actually the actions of a serial killer, not a medical condition.
