Robert Proctor is a historian of science at Stanford University. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: – Theragun: https://therabody.com/lex to get 30 day trial – BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/lex to get 10% off – Indeed: https://indeed.com/lex to get $75 credit – Grammarly: https://grammarly.com/lex to get 20% off premium – Eight Sleep: https://www.eightsleep.com/lex and use code LEX to get special savings EPISODE LINKS: Robert’s Website: https://history.stanford.edu/people/robert-n-proctor The Nazi War on Cancer (book): https://amzn.to/3hjYzdZ Agnotology (book): https://amzn.to/3viS8A1 PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips SUPPORT & CONNECT: – Check out the sponsors above, it’s the best way to support this podcast – Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman – Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman – Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman – Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman – Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman OUTLINE: Here’s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time. (00:00) – Introduction (09:40) – Ideology and science (21:14) – Wernher von Braun (28:21) – The scientific process (38:23) – Censorship (47:37) – Anthony Fauci (52:47) – Courage in science (1:00:07) – Tobacco industry (1:23:52) – Nazi medicine (1:34:02) – The Nazi War on Cancer (1:39:14) – Science funding (1:50:08) – Ignorance (1:57:49) – Ideology in academia (2:04:09) – Human origins (2:14:02) – Hobbies (2:21:19) – Diversity in the universe (2:24:54) – Stones (2:33:49) – Conspiracy theories (2:37:59) – Nazi impact on Soviet science (2:43:14) – Nazi tobacco industry’s denial campaign (2:47:30) – Hope for the future (2:50:04) – Meaning of life

Dr. Robert Proctor, a Stanford professor of the History of Science, dives deep into agnotology, the study of ignorance. He explores how industries like tobacco and sugar manipulate public perception through misinformation. The conversation spans climate change denial, racial injustice, and the psychology of the Flat Earther movement. Proctor emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding in navigating difficult conversations and dismantling systems of willful ignorance, urging listeners to challenge misconceptions and promote informed dialogue.

Yes, there is an -ology for that. Dr. Robert Proctor is a Stanford professor of the History of Science and co-edited the book “Agnotology: The Making & Unmaking of Ignorance,” having coined the word 30 years ago. We chat about everything from the true evils of tobacco marketing, to the sugar lobby, to racial injustice, horse vision, the psychology of the Flat Earther movement, which countries have the highest rates of climate denial, empathy, how to navigate difficult conversations and why it's critical to dismantle the systems of willful ignorance, starting locally. Dr. Robert Proctor’s book, Agnotology Donations went to: SavingBlackLives.org; The National Black Law Students Association, and the Public Health Advocacy Institute Sponsor links: takecareof.com/ologies25 (code: ologies25); helixsleep.com/ologies For the list of books he mentions + more links, see: alieward.com/ologies/agnotology Transcripts & bleeped episodes at: alieward.com/ologies-extras Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month: www.Patreon.com/ologies OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, pins, totes and uh...bikinis? Hi. Yes. Follow twitter.com/ologies or instagram.com/ologies Follow twitter.com/AlieWard or instagram.com/AlieWard Sound editing by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media & Steven Ray Morris Theme song by Nick ThorburnSupport the show: http://Patreon.com/ologies