Interview with Jonathan Howard on Covid Contrarians

Interview with Jonathan Howard on Covid Contrarians

The pandemic was a confusing time with public health messages from officials and institutions that were sometimes confused, conflicting, or misrepresented and anti-vaccine misinformation being spread widely. Into this mix, a new phenomenon emerged, that of the covid contrarian. Contrarian doctors usually possessed some relevant qualifications and positioned themselves as independent critical thinkers willing to challenge the dogmas of the mainstream and take a more nuanced perspective on the claims made by anti-vaccine advocates.

These contrarian figures are the voices that you would usually hear on 'heterodox' podcasts. Figures like the medical doctor Vinay Prasad, the Stanford professor of Medicine Jay Bhattacharya, or the retired nurse, John Campbell.

But did they really offer an alternative critical perspective? Our guest today, Jonathan Howard, a practising doctor and professor of Neurology and Psychiatry, argues no. And he should know, he has spent the pandemic not only treating patients but tirelessly documenting (and refuting) the claims made by the contrarian set.

This episode is unfortunately topical due to the recent online fracas surrounding Joe Rogan's credulous promotion of RFK Jnr and the subsequent 'calls for debate' and targeted harassment of Dr Peter Hotez -a public health specialist and advocate for affordable vaccines.

In any case, we learnt a lot and enjoyed the discussion with Jonathan and hope you will too. Also covered in this episode: How many pull-ups Matt can do, why Chris is drinking a chalky green potion, and the psychology of placebos.

Links


Episoder(244)

Discussing Nazis and Gurus with Al Murray

Discussing Nazis and Gurus with Al Murray

We welcome Al Murray, the comedian who might just be your new favourite historian, to Decoding the Gurus. In a crossover you probably didn’t expect, we discuss World War II, Wehraboos, gurus, and the ...

28 Okt 20251h 7min

Keith Raniere: The Serpent and the Cognitive Fog

Keith Raniere: The Serpent and the Cognitive Fog

Kicking off cult season, Chris and Matt take a dip into the manipulative world of NXIVM founder and self-proclaimed 200-IQ “Vanguard,” Keith Raniere, as he talks with his then-disciple and ex-Hollywoo...

26 Okt 20253h 8min

Lab Leak Fever with Philipp Markolin

Lab Leak Fever with Philipp Markolin

Join Matt and Chris as they dive into the controversy-ridden world of the lab leak theory, accompanied by biochemist-turned-author Philipp Markolin. Philipp details his journey into the abyss of lab l...

18 Okt 20251h 13min

Supplementary Material 38: Toxic Mould Symbiosis, Mild Phrenology, and the Best People in the World

Supplementary Material 38: Toxic Mould Symbiosis, Mild Phrenology, and the Best People in the World

We end the futile struggle, embrace the toxins, and become one with our mould brethren.The full episode is available to Patreon subscribers (2 hours, 38 minutes).Join us at: https://www.patreon.com/De...

14 Okt 202549min

A Sense-Making Odyssey, Part 2: Jordan Peterson, John Vervaeke & Jordan Hall

A Sense-Making Odyssey, Part 2: Jordan Peterson, John Vervaeke & Jordan Hall

Matt and Chris once again take up their oars and plunge deeper into the recursive whirlpools of contemporary sensemaking. Picking up where Part 1 left off, having grappled with conscience, touchstones...

25 Sep 20252h 36min

Supplementary Material 37: Public Murder Discourse, Heterodox Psychodramas, and Generous Tit for Tat-ers

Supplementary Material 37: Public Murder Discourse, Heterodox Psychodramas, and Generous Tit for Tat-ers

Why are we never invited to these dinners? We wonder if it was something we said or if our invitation just got lost in the mail, as we endure the inevitable discourse wave that followed in the wake of...

20 Sep 202541min

A Sense-Making Odyssey, Part 1: Jordan Peterson, John Vervaeke & Jordan Hall

A Sense-Making Odyssey, Part 1: Jordan Peterson, John Vervaeke & Jordan Hall

Join Matt and Chris as they enter an intellectual labyrinth of recursive sensemaking featuring the combined insights of Jordan Peterson, John Vervaeke, and Jordan Hall. You will learn about many, many...

11 Sep 20252h 15min

Supplementary Material 36: Comedy Cults, Toxic Mould, and WW2 Revisionism

Supplementary Material 36: Comedy Cults, Toxic Mould, and WW2 Revisionism

We risk contamination with toxic mould, endure distressing initiation rituals to a comedy cult, and ponder if the narratives we have received about the Nazis have enough nuance.The full episode is ava...

29 Aug 202545min

Populært innen Vitenskap

fastlegen
tingenes-tilstand
rekommandert
jss
rss-nysgjerrige-norge
liberal-halvtime
forskningno
sinnsyn
villmarksliv
rss-overskuddsliv
fjellsportpodden
tomprat-med-gunnar-tjomlid
rss-paradigmepodden
rss-rekommandert
vett-og-vitenskap-med-gaute-einevoll
abels-tarn
rss-bondevennen
nordnorsk-historie
kvinnehelsepodden
rss-inn-til-kjernen-med-sunniva-rose