Agnotology (WILLFUL IGNORANCE) Updated Encore with Dr. Robert Proctor

Agnotology (WILLFUL IGNORANCE) Updated 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, including info on Federal Workers

Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes

Other episodes you may “enjoy”: Genocidology (CRIMES OF ATROCITY), Attention Deficit Neuropsychology (ADHD), Eschatology (THE APOCALYPSE), Critical Ecology (SOCIAL SYSTEMS + ENVIRONMENT), Disasterology (DISASTERS), Conservation Technology (EARTH SAVING), Phenology (FALL/SEASONS), Oceanology (OCEANS), Futurology (THE FUTURE), Selenology (THE MOON), Gemology (STONES & GEMS), Nomology (THE CONSTITUTION), Neurotechnology (AI + BRAIN TECH), Pedagogology (SCIENCE COMMUNICATION) with Bill Nye, Vaccine Infodemiology (COVID-19 IMMUNITY),

Sponsors of Ologies

Transcripts and bleeped episodes

Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month

OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes!

Follow Ologies on Instagram and Bluesky

Follow Alie Ward on Instagram and TikTok

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


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episoder(502)

Allergology (ALLERGIES) with Zachary Rubin

Allergology (ALLERGIES) with Zachary Rubin

Dander enemies. Gluten intolerances. Runny noses. Shellfish bummers. Skin prick tests. Epipen pockets. Allergies? WE GOT ‘EM, folks. And we’ve got double board-certified allergist, immunologist, and a...

18 Mar 1h 16min

Field Trip: My Butt, a Colonoscopy Ride Along & How-To Encore

Field Trip: My Butt, a Colonoscopy Ride Along & How-To Encore

Come check out my butt with me (again)! 1 in 16 people in the U.S. will have colon cancer, and 0 in 16 want to talk about getting a camera up your guts to check things out. I am one of them, but after...

17 Mar 37min

Coloproctology (COLON CANCER + BUTT FUN) with Carmen Fong

Coloproctology (COLON CANCER + BUTT FUN) with Carmen Fong

So, you don’t want colon cancer, but you DO want buttsex secrets? Have we got an episode for you. Coloprotocolgist Dr. Carmen Fong charms us in a brand-new episode about prostate orgasms, shady polyps...

11 Mar 1h 27min

Bonus Episode: How to Beat Perfectionism and Make a Quilt

Bonus Episode: How to Beat Perfectionism and Make a Quilt

Our Culcitology (QUILTS) episode taught you why quilts are agents of rebellion, community, and chill vibes all in one. This bonus episode  will tell you how to start and how to dive into anything crea...

5 Mar 34min

Quantum Ontology (WHAT IS REAL?) Encore with Adam Becker

Quantum Ontology (WHAT IS REAL?) Encore with Adam Becker

Is anything real? How many universes are there? Is everything a simulation being run by a quantum computer through a wormhole from a future era? Is the answer to everything really ... 42? The affable ...

4 Mar 1h 19min

Culcitology (QUILTS) with Luke Haynes, Olivia Joseph, and Joe Cunningham

Culcitology (QUILTS) with Luke Haynes, Olivia Joseph, and Joe Cunningham

Scrap quilts. Sewing bees. Secret codes. Political activism. Controversies. Three of your new favorite Culcitologists – Olivia Joseph, Luke Haynes, and Joe Cunningham – are stitched together for one m...

26 Feb 1h 46min

Zoohoplology (ANIMAL DEFENSES) with Ted Stankowich

Zoohoplology (ANIMAL DEFENSES) with Ted Stankowich

Barbs. Spurs. Stinks. Scutes. Shrieks. Fashion. Drama. Animal behaviorist, evolutionary biologist, Cal State Long Beach professor, and your new favorite Zoohoplologist, Dr. Ted Stankowich, divulges ab...

19 Feb 1h 11min

Bonus Episode: ICYMI Moments of 2025 with newly beloved Ologists

Bonus Episode: ICYMI Moments of 2025 with newly beloved Ologists

In case you missed it, ICYMI stands for In Case Y’all Missed It. And while 2025 was a weird year (not as weird as 2026!) it was filled with some favorite new Ologists and episodes. So since things hav...

17 Feb 51min

Populært innen Humor

papaya
rss-spartsklubben
enkel-servering
storefri-med-mikkel-og-herman
harm-og-hegseth
tusvik-tnne
folk-flest-med-linn-og-nils
tore-og-haralds-podkast
topp-3-med-wold-og-fladseth
ma-pa-behandling-med-morten-ramm
rss-nesten-hele-uka-med-lepperod
misjonen-med-antonsen-og-golden
rss-snorre-med-gaute
wolfgang-wee-uncut
hanna-de-heldige
jan-thomas-og-einar-blir-venner
rss-det-alle-snakker-om-med-siri-og-kim
verdens-verste
rss-dette-ma-aldri-skje-igjen
gutta-backer