Episode 120: Why Americans Are Embracing Conspiracy Theories with David Morgan

Hi Pilgrim,

David Morgan joins us to discuss University of Chicago Political Science

professor Eric Oliver’s new book “Enchanted America: How Intuition & Reason Divide Our Politics”.  Along the way David helps explain why many Americans are increasingly embracing bizarre conspiracy theories in an attempt to make sense of a complicated and changing world.

Go Beyond the Pale with David Morgan!

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Episode Index:

1:25- Intro with Steve

7:07- Conversation with David begins

9:40- Why Americans are not divided by ideology but by thinking styles

17:00- Why the brain creates mental shortcuts to explain the world

28:28- Can you be a rationalist & believe in the Bible?

34:44- How people respond when they feel judged

47:30- Fragile masculinity leads to even more bizarre behaviour

57:28- Conspiracy theories are a reaction to fear

Check out this episode!