Lore
Lore 266: What's in the Box
Nov 4, 2024
Dive into the fears surrounding doomsday beliefs as a 1950s cult anxiously awaited the end of the world. Explore the mysterious life of Joanna Southcott, a prophet whose unread predictions add layers to her story. Discover the enigmatic allure of a hidden box symbolizing life's unknowns, examining how comfort can be found in uncertainty. Travel back to the eerie New England Dark Day of 1780, where panic transformed into spiritual movements, showcasing the powerful impact of fear on human behavior.
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Quick takeaways
- The podcast explores the psychological phenomenon of cognitive dissonance as followers of the Seekers rationalized their faith after failed prophecies of an apocalypse.
- It delves into the intriguing life of Joanna Southcott, whose prophetic claims and the mystery of her sealed box continues to captivate believers even today.
Deep dives
The Seekers and Doomsday Beliefs
In December 1954, a group known as the Seekers, led by Dorothy Martin, believed that a cataclysmic event was imminent, specifically an earthquake and tidal wave that would mark the apocalypse. Their faith was anchored in the idea that aliens would rescue them, whisking them away to a safe haven on a planet called Clarion. However, when the predicted day came and went without incident, the group faced a crisis of belief. This led social psychologist Leon Festinger, who had infiltrated the group, to observe their mental gymnastics as they struggled to justify their unwavering faith in light of reality.
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