The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos From Revisionist History: The Starvation Experiment
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Oct 6, 2022 
Malcolm Gladwell, bestselling author and host of "Revisionist History," delves into the haunting Minnesota Starvation Experiment conducted during World War II. He discusses the severe physical and psychological challenges faced by the 18 volunteers, unearthing their personal narratives decades later. The conversation raises ethical questions about medical research practices then and now, exploring how such deprivation profoundly alters one’s relationship with food and identity, all while scrutinizing the legacy of influential figures like Ansel Keys.
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The Guinea Pigs of Minneapolis
- In 1944 Minneapolis, a peculiar group of young men roamed the streets.
- These men, part of a starvation experiment, shuffled slowly in oversized clothes, their bodies wasting away.
Ancel Keys: The Man Behind the Experiment
- Ancel Keys, a brilliant but complex figure, led the experiment.
- His stature and wartime contributions gave him the platform to investigate starvation's effects.
Obsessed with Food
- As the starvation progressed, the men's behavior changed dramatically.
- They became fixated on food, reading cookbooks and watching others eat.
