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Smoke, Mirrors, and the Moral Panic Machine
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What do Dungeons & Dragons, TikTok, and 17th-century witch trials have in common?
They all played starring roles in full-blown moral panics—times when society lost its mind over exaggerated or imaginary threats.
In today’s episode, Alex explores how moral panics take hold, who profits from them, and why the real damage often lasts long after the headlines fade.
If you've ever wondered why outrage feels contagious—and suspiciously profitable—you'll want to give this one a listen.
Spoiler: the real danger isn’t the thing they tell you to fear. It’s what you’re being distracted from.
In This Episode:
The anatomy of a moral panic
How fear gets weaponized for profit and power
Greatest hits: from Salem to Satanic Panic to Super Predators
Why critical thinking—not panic—is our best defense
A personal reflection on the importance of holding fast during cultural storms
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