You're Wrong About Dungeons & Dragons & The Satanic Panic with Adrian Daub
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Aug 20, 2024 
Adrian Daub, a Stanford professor and literary scholar, explores the 1980s satanic panic over Dungeons & Dragons. He shares the fascinating history of how parental fears and media sensationalism distorted perceptions of the game. They discuss the disappearance of James Dallas Egbert III and the cultural impact of role-playing games. Daub emphasizes the importance of imaginative play, challenging the misconceptions that fueled public hysteria and critiquing how societal norms shaped the narrative around D&D and its players.
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The Egbert Incident
- James Dallas Egbert III disappeared, sparking a panic linking D&D to his disappearance into Michigan State University's steam tunnels.
- Egbert was later found, but the incident fueled the D&D panic, associating the game with the steam tunnels and his eventual suicide.
Media Focus on D&D
- The media, fueled by investigator Bill Deere, focused on Egbert's D&D hobby, neglecting other factors like his sexuality.
- This focus on D&D created a false narrative, further fueling the panic surrounding the game.
Pat Pulling and BADD
- Pat Pulling founded BADD (Bothered About Dungeons & Dragons) after her son's suicide, crusading against the game.
- Simultaneously, the D&D cartoon debuted, highlighting the game's growing popularity despite the panic.
