In 1898, British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace published a pamphlet entitled, "Vaccination a Delusion; Its Penal Enforcement a Crime." This work became the foundation of the modern anti-vax movement. Derek discusses how even though vaccination science is constantly evolving, the rhetoric of people like RFK Jr is just rehashing old and outdated ideas.
Show Notes
Vaccination a Delusion; Its Penal Enforcement a Crime
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22:12
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22:12
265: Guru Rehab
We return to the ongoing saga of Aubrey Marcus. As a wealthy, anti-vax New Ager who campaigned for RFK Jr (before going MAGA), he’s a pole star for the conspirituality moment and its political manias. He’s also a ceaseless innovator of guru narrative tech, with his latest trick being the attempt to turn his own implosion into top-tier content by enlisting an ex-fiance to prove his spiritual bona fides. ,
As we look at his rehab schtick in the context of the great guru death-spirals of the past, we’ll learn that he has a lot of the old 1970s vibe going on, but the digital age brings new humiliations and opportunities. At the end, we'll update you on another guru rehab in motion: the Liver King.
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1:15:41
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1:15:41
Bonus Sample: Purity Tests & Coalition Building
Zohran Mamdani's win in the NYC democratic mayoral primary has been filled with deflections and pivots so that politicians and pundits don't have to focus on the core issues he's talking about. The left has a path worth considering. The democratic establishment is, for the most part, refusing to endorse him. Derek wonders if the rest of the left can avoid similar traps.
Show Notes
Globesonic On the Pier: 8 Years in NYC
Globesonic Sound System 5 Years On The Hudson River
The Cause That Turned Idealists Into Authoritarian Zealots
Why I Just Quit DSA
Ocasio-Cortez Loses the Democratic Socialists’ Endorsement Over Israel
Status of DSA National Endorsement for Rep. Ocasio-Cortez
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7:37
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7:37
Brief: The Liver King Crash-Out
On June 24, Brian Johnson, aka The Liver King, was arrested in Austin for threatening Joe Rogan. The infamous raw organ "primal" influencer has since published dozens of videos detailing what appears to be a downward spiral—though the problems date back years. Derek and Julian detail the crash.
Show Notes
'Liver King' arrested in Austin after allegedly threatening Joe Rogan
'Liver King' says he 'will never stop' after arrest over alleged threat against Joe Rogan
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35:58
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35:58
264: The Mamdani Effect
"Tonight we made history," grinned Zohran Mamdani as his supporters cheered with delight, "I will be your Democratic nominee for the mayor of New York City. His victory over disgraced former governor Andrew Cuomo in this primary election has made Mamdani, the 33-year-old fresh-faced Indian Muslim assemblyman from Queens, into a national sensation—and one of the biggest news stories in the week when Trump bombed Iran's nuclear facilities.
He's used his eloquent, telegenic charisma to make a principled stand for Democratic socialist policies, call for Palestinian human rights, and propose a radical re-envisioning of policing in his city. Which of course makes him the target of conspiracy-mongers and right-wing propagandists, as well establishment Democrats and supporters of Israel.
As masked ICE thugs, cynical SCOTUS enablers, movie-villain oligarchs, and MAGA cult ghouls steadily dismantle democracy we'll discuss the Mamdani Effect. Is he the hero we've been hoping for, or are his hard-left positions corrosive to a broader anti-Trump coalition?
Show Notes
NYC Councilman Brad Lander Is ‘Glad’ To Belong To A Shul That Promotes Toeiva; Adds That Israel Is ‘Occupying’ West Bank
Defund the Police? Turning a Slogan into Policy - Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)
Reimagining a More Equitable Policing and Public Safety System in New York City
Seven Facts About the NYPD Budget
After Winning NYC's Democratic Mayoral Primary, Zohran Mamdani Reaffirms Support For Reparations
NYC mayoral candidate Zahron Mamdani vows to 'expand and protect' trans healthcare
Democratic NYC Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani Is Pledging $65 Million for Trans Health Care
Divine Shawarma: NYPD Officer's Halal Lunch Break
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Dismantling New Age cults, wellness grifters, and conspiracy-mad yogis. At best, the conspirituality movement attacks public health efforts in times of crisis. At worst, it fronts and recruits for the fever-dream of QAnon. As the alt-right and New Age horseshoe toward each other in a blur of disinformation, clear discourse, and good intentions get smothered. Charismatic influencers exploit their followers by co-opting conspiracy theories on a spectrum of intensity ranging from vaccines to child trafficking. In the process, spiritual beliefs that have nurtured creativity and meaning are transforming into memes of a quickly-globalizing paranoia. Conspirituality Podcast attempts to bring understanding to this landscape. A journalist, a cult researcher, and a philosophical skeptic discuss the stories, cognitive dissonances, and cultic dynamics tearing through the yoga, wellness, and new spirituality worlds. Mainstream outlets have noticed the problem. We crowd-source, research, analyze, and dream answers to it.
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