Episode 138: Confronting the Paranormal Fringe (with Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling)

Co-hosts Andrew Kliman and Gabriel Donnelly welcome back author and journalist Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling for his third appearance on the show. This time, he joins us to discuss his new book The Ghost Lab: How Bigfoot Hunters, Mediums, and Alien Enthusiasts Are Wrecking Science. Matt tells us about his experiences studying the fringe communities of paranormal “investigators,” mediums, and alien abductees. The three of us discuss how to stand up for truth in a world where truth, facts, and the scientific method are increasingly on the attack.

Matt’s book tracks the growth of belief in ghosts, aliens, and mediums, and the simultaneous decline of faith in institutions. The fringe communities that he studied have rejected the scientific method and are, seemingly, immune to debunkings of their beliefs. A significant part of the discussion centers on a disagreement about how to reintegrate these people into society, confront untruth, and avoid being accommodationist or collaborationist with delusions and falsehoods.

He has previously appeared on episode 42 to discuss his book on libertarians and bears, and episode 90 to discuss his book on quack medicine.

Plus current-events segment: Xi outmaneuvers Trump on tariffs; what does this mean for the future of the Trumpist project?

Radio Free Humanity is a podcast covering news, politics and philosophy from a Marxist-Humanist perspective. It is co-hosted by Gabriel Donnelly and Andrew Kliman. We intend to release new episodes every two weeks. Radio Free Humanity is sponsored by MHI, but the views expressed by the hosts and guests of Radio Free Humanity are their own. They do not necessarily reflect the views and positions of MHI.

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