This Day The Steam Tunnel Incident and the D&D Panic (1979)
Aug 17, 2023
Guest James Dallas Egber III, a troubled college student, disappeared in a steam tunnel. The podcast explores the media hysteria surrounding the incident and the sensationalization of his involvement with Dungeons & Dragons. It delves into the link between escapism, mental health, and parental concerns over the game. The moral panic of the evangelical right and their fear of influences on children is discussed. Investigator William Deere's focus on Dungeons & Dragons shifts the media's reporting. The tendency to blame the game for mental health issues and the satanic panic of the 1980s are highlighted.
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
1 2 3 4 5
Introduction
00:00 • 3min
Escapism, Mental Health, and the Controversy of Dungeons and Dragons
03:02 • 2min
The Moral Panic of the Evangelical Right and the Fear of Influences on Children
04:51 • 3min
The Role of William Deere and the Dungeons & Dragons Narrative
08:16 • 4min
Blaming Dungeons and Dragons for Mental Health Issues
11:56 • 11min