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.

Avsnitt(497)

Serpopsychology (WHAT’S CREEPY?) with Frank McAndrew

Serpopsychology (WHAT’S CREEPY?) with Frank McAndrew

Are you creepy? How would you know? What’s “creepy” as opposed to scary or eerie? We talk to the pioneer of this research, Serpopsychologist, Dr. Frank McAndrew, a professor emeritus at Knox College. ...

1 Okt 20251h 9min

Revolutionology (REBELLIONS & SOCIAL CHANGE) with Jack Goldstone

Revolutionology (REBELLIONS & SOCIAL CHANGE) with Jack Goldstone

Storming the Bastille. Facing off with tanks. Canceling a streaming subscription. We’re talking protests, boycotts, insurrections, and demonstrations. Scholar, professor, and actual real life Revoluti...

24 Sep 20251h 30min

Human Technomorphology (SWAPPING OUT BODY PARTS) with Mary Roach

Human Technomorphology (SWAPPING OUT BODY PARTS) with Mary Roach

Pigs with human kidneys. Iron lungs. Bionic prostheses. And bendable genitals. Mary Roach is here, and Alie is freaking out. Over the last two decades, this science icon has written seven New York Tim...

17 Sep 202557min

Ceramology (POTTERY) with Potted History’s Graham Taylor & Sarah Lord Taylor

Ceramology (POTTERY) with Potted History’s Graham Taylor & Sarah Lord Taylor

Porcelain. Earthenware. China. Archaeology. Stoneware. Anthropology. Amphora. Throwing wheels. We got it all. Master potters, history aficionados and Potted History’s icons Sarah Lord Taylor and Graha...

10 Sep 20251h 12min

Neuropathoimmunology (MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS) with Aaron Boster

Neuropathoimmunology (MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS) with Aaron Boster

Neurons. Immune systems. MRIs. Weed gummies? One of the greats in neurology, Dr. Aaron Boster, takes time to chat all about Multiple Sclerosis, a neurological autoimmune disease close to our hearts. A...

3 Sep 20251h 37min

Lutrinology (OTTERS) Encore with Chris J. Law

Lutrinology (OTTERS) Encore with Chris J. Law

YOU’RE NOT READY. But it’s time. Otters. Sea otters. River otters. Big beefy otters. Tiny otters. Giant river otters. Otters chasing you down the street. Dr. Chris J. Law, a professional Lutrinologist...

27 Aug 20251h 2min

Trolleyology (MORAL DILEMMAS + THE TROLLEY PROBLEM) with Joshua Greene

Trolleyology (MORAL DILEMMAS + THE TROLLEY PROBLEM) with Joshua Greene

Train tracks. Split decisions. And a philosophy humdinger worth debating. Dr. Joshua Greene is a Harvard Psychology professor, neuroscientist, and *actual* Trolleyologist. The moral humdinger that has...

20 Aug 20251h 22min

Tempestology (HURRICANES) Part 2 with Dr. Kim Wood & Matt Lanza

Tempestology (HURRICANES) Part 2 with Dr. Kim Wood & Matt Lanza

The info storm continues! Part 1 covered the anatomy of a cyclonic storm, the bizarre histories behind the category system, and where hurricanes come from, but this week’s conclusion with Matt Lanza a...

13 Aug 20251h 1min

Populärt inom Komedi

mellan-himmel-och-jord-med-jlc
ursakta
den-som-skrattar-forlorar-podcast-2
jocke-jonna-sanningen-maste-fram
hogt-i-tak-2
gynning-berg
filip-fredrik-svarar
alex-sigges-podcast
mardromsgasten
skaringer-nessvold
alla-goda-ting-ar-tre
fordomspodden
rss-vafalls
killradet
da-ar-vi-igang
kafferepet
filip-fredrik-podcast
rss-vastgotapodden
hor-har
flashback-forever