Volcanoes. Trees. Drunk butterflies. Mars missions. Slug sex. Death. Beauty standards. Anxiety busters. Beer science. Bee drama. Take away a pocket full of science knowledge and charming, bizarre stories about what fuels these professional -ologists' obsessions. Humorist and science correspondent Alie Ward asks smart people stupid questions and the answers might change your life.
Agnotology (WILLFUL IGNORANCE) Encore with Dr. Robert Proctor
Yes, there is an -ology for that. And yes, we’re airing this episode -– with a ton of 2025 updates -– because it’s never felt more relevant. 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 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: The Making and Unmaking of Ignorance"
His 2021 book: Science and the Production of Ignorance: When the Quest for Knowledge Is Thwarted.
Donations in Dr. Proctor’s name went to: SavingBlackLives.org and the Public Health Advocacy Institute
An additional donation went to The National Black Law Students Association
More episode sources and links
Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes
Other episodes you may enjoy: Eschatology (THE APOCALYPSE)
Transcripts and bleeped episodes
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Editing by Steven Ray Morris and Jarrett Sleeper of Mindjam Media
Encore editing by Jake Chaffee and Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions
Additional encore producing by Mercedes Maitland
Managing Director: Susan Hale
Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth
Transcripts by Aveline Malek
Website by Kelly R. Dwyer
Theme song by Nick Thorburn