Finding Mastery with Dr. Michael Gervais

The Truth About Conspiracy Theories | Journalist, David Farrier

Dec 8, 2021

David Farrier, a New Zealand journalist known for his documentaries 'Tickled' and 'Dark Tourist', dives into the world of conspiracy theories. He discusses why some people are drawn to these narratives, linking them to societal anxieties and historical beliefs. Farrier shares insights on how to handle tricky conversations about conspiracy theories, especially during family gatherings. He also explores the ethics of 'dark tourism' and provides a hopeful outlook on humanity's future amid misinformation and disconnection. Tune in for an intriguing mix of fascination and reflection!

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ANECDOTE

Dark Tourism Adventures

David Farrier explored dark tourism, visiting sites like Fukushima and Chernobyl.
His most memorable experience was interviewing Pablo Escobar's hitman, Popeye.

INSIGHT

Popeye's Paradox

Popeye, despite his violent past, was charismatic and made Farrier feel safe.
This paradoxical combination of danger and charm was a highlight of the series.

ANECDOTE

McKamey Manor Ordeal

Farrier participated in McKamey Manor, an extreme haunt known for psychological torture.
The experience, involving gagging, blindfolding, and physical discomfort, led him to tap out.

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This week’s episode is with David Farrier.

David has always been drawn to the stranger side of life, reporting and hosting across a range of news and entertainment programmes for TV3 New Zealand for nearly a decade.

For many, David’s name conjures up images of grown men tickling each other in boxing rings.

That’s not because it’s a hobby of his, but because his critically-acclaimed 2016 documentary Tickled, which is still cemented firmly in the minds of any who watched it, follows the largely unknown subculture of Competitive Endurance Tickling.

Following its release, David was quickly approached by Netflix to create Dark Tourist, an eight-part docuseries about, you guessed it, dark tourism—those who forgo sandy beaches to instead visit places that are historically associated with death and tragedy. His stories from this show are… unbelievable.

David now co-hosts Armchaired and Dangerous, a monthly podcast with Armchair Expert’s Dax Shepard and Monica Padman about conspiracy theories, and last year launched a newsletter named Webworm that is a joy to subscribe to.

In this conversation, we discuss why he’s drawn to the stranger and more dangerous sides of life, how conspiracy theories are growing, how they’re changing the world we live in, and some strategies for dealing with that one whacky uncle over the holidays.

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