Joel Best

Think of the Children (Halloween Sadism & Internet Challenges)After MEMExpo, the crew reconvenes to find Digby in a state of absolute chaos. He has absorbed every conspiracy he could find, and linked it all back to a pipeline starting with tainted Halloween candy. In an effort to convince Digby that he is being ridiculous, Perry and Mason decide to do some research...In This Episode: Joel Best as a jack o'lantern, from Adam Ruins Everything.Guests: Joel Best, professor of sociology and criminal justice at the University of Delaware; author of Halloween Sadism: The Evidence Elizabeth (Libby) Tucker, distinguished service professor of English at Binghamton University. Featuring voice acting from:Brooke Jennett of THIRTEEN as Digby 🗣 Join our Discord community💁‍♀️ Support us on Patreon🕸 Sign-up for our newsletter, check our our merch, and learn more about the show at digitalfolklore.fm.📚 Check our book list for some great folklore-related booksFind us on the socials: Twitter: @digiFolklorePod Facebook: DigitalFolklorePod Instagram: DigitalFolklorePod TikTok: digitalfolklore Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sociologist Joel Best, a Professor Emeritus at the University of Delaware and author of "Just the Facts", delves into the nature of facts and their social construction. He explains that facts are shaped by collective beliefs and social norms. Best discusses how institutions like science and journalism create and modify facts, while also addressing the limitations of fact-checking in the digital age. He emphasizes the importance of understanding how identity influences the rejection of facts and advocates for evidence-based discussions to bridge divides.

Join sociologist Joel Best, a keen observer of social problems and author of Just the Facts, as he dives into why we struggle to agree on facts. He discusses how facts are socially constructed through language and shared beliefs. Best explores the roles of institutions like science and journalism in shaping these facts and the complexities of fact-checking. Additionally, he examines how denial can become an identity-forming practice, shedding light on the language that frames social issues. Expect a thought-provoking conversation that challenges your assumptions!