Paul Giamatti’s CHINWAG with Stephen Asma

The Great Fortean Taylor Swift Conspiracy

Dec 18, 2024

In this intriguing discussion, Ian Simmons, News Editor of Fortean Times, delves into the peculiar world of conspiracies and urban legends. The trio covers bizarre topics such as Taylor Swift’s rumored occult links and sightings of giant rabbits. They explore the implications of misinformation, the eerie Havana Syndrome, and the zany antics of the KLF. From phantom jetpacks to the curious behavior of drones, they unravel how contemporary fears and folklore shape our perceptions of reality. It's a bizarre journey through the uncanny!

01:00:27

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Episode guests

Ian Simmons

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

The evolution of conspiracy theories has transformed them from quirky fun into dangerous obsessions, raising concerns about their harmful implications.

Urban legends, like the 'Bunny Man,' showcase how collective fears shape bizarre narratives that reflect societal anxieties and cultural experiences.

Deep dives

Unique Holiday Gifts

The episode highlights the distinctive offerings from a particular online retailer known for its unique and interesting holiday gifts. Among these innovative items is a product designed to prevent bananas from browning, humorously referred to as a 'banana saving hat.' This adds a whimsical touch to the concept of gift-giving, with a promise that recipients are unlikely to already own such a quirky item. The discussion emphasizes the creativity in gift selection, advocating for presents that stand out from the typical big-box offerings.

Intro

3min

Exploring Fortean Investigations and Musical Legacies

9min

The Bunny Man Legend

7min

Taylor Swift and the Occult: Unraveling Conspiracies

7min

Fentanyl Fear and Social Myths

15min

Challenging Scientific Norms and Anomalies

12min

🐰👣😱

Paul and Stephen welcome back Ian Simmons from the Fortean Times for another dive into the eccentric, the uncanny, and the downright bizarre. In this episode, the trio explores everything from conspiracy theories’ transformation from quirky fun to dangerous obsession, to the KLF’s wild antics, including burning a million pounds and wielding fake machine guns.

They also venture into giant rabbit sightings, Taylor Swift’s rumored occult connections, and the enduring weirdness of Aleister Crowley’s alleged descendants. They dive deep into the mysteries behind Havana Syndrome and explore the strange intersections of social panics, urban legends, and technological anomalies. From phantom jetpack sightings and the eerie behavior of drones near military sites, they weave through bizarre contemporary events with the precision of conspiracy theorists—minus the paranoia.

It’s a freewheeling Chinwag filled with folklore, conspiracies, and questions best left unanswered. Wag on, weirdos!

Ian Simmons is the News Editor of Fortean Times, the world's leading magazine for weird news. He has written for Fortean for over 30 years.

Paul Giamatti is a Golden Globe award winning actor and producer. Stephen Asma is a professor and author specializing in the philosophy of science, religion, and art.

🐰👣😱

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