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Discussion thread: Agnotology (IGNORANCE) Updated Encore is published! (Patreon)

Published:
2025-02-13 00:24:44
Imported:
2026-06

Content

 This episode is published and ready to hear wherever you get podcasts

Ohhhhkay, so it seems like a good time to dust off Dr. Robert Proctor's Agnotology episode about the study of willful ignorance. How to people get duped? What's the truth? How do you talk to others with seemingly very different realities?

I've added a ton of facts and updates to this episode, a sprinkle of info on science funding, federal workers and researchers, and how to approach the information overload that never seems to ebb.

Have you listened yet? What did you think? Let's discuss, fam.

-Your Podfather, Dadward

Files

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

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.

Comments

Mykenzie King

Hell yeah for this timely encore.

Marie Dohoney

Listened already. Powerful. I appreciate the updates. Going to listen again.

Alie Ward

Thank you for listening and feel free to pass it on!

Katie Hammond

I love encodes because I know I've forgotten details. All the updated info is really helpful. Thank you (and the team) for how much effort you put into the pod!

Alie Ward

Yes, that was Mercedes very brilliant idea!

Alie Ward

Thank you for listening to it! For reals

Margaret Downs

Hard agree. My reaction is always "damn, I forgot what a banger this one is." As a (queer) scientist in the US, I'm so tired, and I'm grateful for the resources shared at the end of the episode.

Jeri Webb

Feeling very down today with the state of our country and the world, so listening to this episode was just what I needed to reignite my determination to continue doing what I can. Once again Ologies delivered. Thank you, thank you!

Torrence Welshans

Thank you for reposting! I had no idea this episode existed. Oolgies continues to (re)deliver.

Alie Ward

So glad it's being (re)discovered. It's a good one

Elizabeth Mena

This was a particularly needed encore. It doesn’t stop the madness we are currently living through, but it helps to understand and lessen some of our ignorance regarding how other humans we think we know can think the way they do. Now I need an ology about how to lessen the disappointment I have about some members of this human race not acting quite human, or humane.

Myra Poundstone

Thanks Alie for all you do. I live in Australia but I have family in the US, and this is truly a wild and scary time. People like you providing solidarity and information is so important. Thanks ❤️

Emily Krieger

dad, I needed to know about this person and hear this episode today, thank you

T Noz

Have a book of Post-its I got from an erstwhile co-worker printed with the following statement; "Idiocy, never underestimate the power of large numbers of stupid people"

Between Dumplings

There’s a corollary Gem on the wiring of our brains and the necessity of focusing on a positive action after the brain is amped on. “Danger” mode. It’s impossible, it turns out to calm, to find compassion, empathy or feel able to even see Beyond rage. We have to develop the habit of overriding the anger/fight/flight mode by telling our brains “okay we can go to the community meeting tomorrow” or “time to make calls to my senators” it seems just the act of conjuring a positive reaction allows or Brains to disengage from that angry mode. In fact the scientist said it’s impossible b/c it’s an evolutionary trick to keep us hyper-focused on fight/flight. Rational thought *in that mode* is impossible. I will send a link when I can recall where I heard it.

Lindsay Malone

Gosh , thank you Alie! I needed this Ologies this week and didn't know it already existed. Have been asking some of these questions - especially in recent weeks - and this interview helps at least on an intellectual level. Ignorance and cognitive dissonance are a dangerous combination. May we stay curious and try to stay wise and compassionate (ain't easy right now!).

Staci Pinkowitz

Haven’t listened yet but I am READY. I have a planned talk with my mother next week regarding her recent surprising descent into conspiracy theories. Fellas do NOT let your moms follow the YouTube algorithm of vegan wellness influencers it is a BAD move

Philipp Meder

What a coincidence! I am currently listening to all the old episodes back-to-back and am at the moment listening to the OG Agnotology episode!

Tegumante

Agnotology? I don't want to know....

Amy E Kirby

Really great if depressing episode. I'm m going to go buy both books because I think this is the challenge of our time. However, the reason I'm posting is to say that as usual, the end of the show was the real prize. First, there's you describing EOs so cheerfully as you say, go read them. They'll probably be worse than you imagined. Then, you're drinking out of a vase with a sock on it. 😂 And finally there's good ol W talking himself in circles, trying to figure out what kind of fool he is. Perfection. ❤️

GhoulNextDoor

I haven’t listened to this updated version yet but I can’t wait. I’ve listened to the original at least 3 times, this is all so important to know and understand especially now.

Naomi Jane

Love that this has made a comeback! Anybody else missing the secret off the end though? Not sure if it's my podcast player, but it cuts out at 1:20:03 at "promised you some resources..." 🙃

Channon Koty

This is absolutely needed at this time. I can't wait to listen to the updated encode.

Lianne Raynor

Listening to this today I felt compelled to join this group immediately! Enjoyed the updates. I also wanted to pass along a possible interview with a similar researcher that I follow and whom you may have come across: Dan Ariely, a professor at Duke University. He has a recent book called Misbelief which is apropos as well others.

Kody Murdock

Thank you Alie for being a voice of reason in a time as scary as now. Makes me feel much less alone ♥️

Olivier Calas

Another brilliant episode about the very thing that is driving this country down to new lows. Tx Alie and pls do keep on denouncing the actions of the sad bunch currently in charge…

Seán Thomas Kane

Thank you for the new additions to this episode.

Tammy Hansen Snell

One of your best! I bought Agnotology after the original episode, and that book got me learning more about on-purpose ignorance and how our minds are vulnerable to harmful misinformation. The world needs a future episode with you chatting with Dr. Andy Norman, author of Mental Immunity, and founder of the Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative. This is a link to his recently published article, Do Minds Have Immune Systems? https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2025-55535-001.html

Nobody

Another great and timely update. Sticky subject , but supersized faith and religion were not discussed. Unless I missed it. Anyway it was a good one, thanks

Mark Condon

Wow--what a BRILLIANT episode, Alie! Dr. Proctor's reference to "alternative causation" (at approximately 46 minutes) underscored the gravity of weaponized misinformation, and people's/corporations' willingness to accept it to suit their own desires. Mr. Spock was right: "Without followers, evil cannot spread." [S3, E4] Unfortunately, the social pestilence of willful ignorance is churning out "followers" quite efficiently these days.

Sunflower star

My mom smoked through her 1979 pregnancy with me -- I had no idea docs would recommend cigs back then!! Boggles the mind but it gives me a little more compassion <3 Appreciate all the 2025 updates.

Ana Bee

I finished sociology at Goldsmiths, supposedly UK's most progressive sociology department, and I have not heard of this man. I'm inclined to go ask for my money back.

Keerat Singh

This was a well-timed listen. Thanks.

McKenna Pace

Loved this episode, and it's especially relevant to me because I look at a similar phenomenon through a communication/media studies lens as a PhD student! One of the things I focus on is climate denial and misinformation, and I just want to point out that while Alie was right in that climate denial in the US is still high compared to other countries, denial is also at its lowest in DECADES. It's one of the myths, and one of the dangers in how some people are communicating climate change, that we aren't doing anything about climate change because people don't believe in it. People believe climate change is happening and that we should do something about it, but they don't have a lot of self-efficacy, or belief that their actions matter. We need to shift our communications to solutions and tangible actions rather than just lamenting the problem. End rant. Thanks :)

princenocturnal

I think this episode was very interesting. I hadn't listened to the original episode. I spent the last weeks every so often pondering these subject, why people are ignorant, how to talk to them, how to meet them where they are, etc. As a multi-marginalized person it can be so incredibly frustrating and draining to hea ignorant comments or questions about my own identity. Additionally what I really don't understand is how people willingly stay ignorant. I've always been a curious person and science is so important to me. I had dinner table discussions with my bio family when I was 14 years old about gay rights (back then without knowing I was queer myself) and I have ever been invested in understanding the world and knowing what's going on with it. I simply can't wrap my head around why other people are not like this. I don't understand hate or ignorance. When I first learned about racism, sexism, ableism etc. it was clear to me that these things were unjust and that the world needs to make sure everyone is treated equally. I don't know if it is an autistic thing. Sure, I have been ignorant in the past at several points but whenever I stumbled across information or people openly challenged ignorant believes it made sense to me to adapt and learn more to get it right. Like psychologically I understand that people get shaped by their environment in profound ways and that's it hard to change a belief or habit but I don't get how not everyone has "be a kind and caring person" as their core belief and can wrap what they learn and are exposed to around that. Maybe my moral compass was just the byproduct of being socialized as female but that can't be it either. My bio family is one of the most emotionally neglectful families I've ever met. Anyhow, great episode. I learned so much!

princenocturnal

That might be your podcast player because the resources are read and explained.

Jenifer Fleming

My favorite workplace prank that is no one else's favorite prank if mine, because prob it's not funny to anyone but me: worked in a bookstore and we carried "The Book of General Ignorance." On a day off, I would call in and use a different voice to say, "I was in your shop recently and saw that you carry 'The book of general ignorance.' I'm wondering if you have anything else on offer that's more specific...." Followed by silence. Always silence.