Fri. 1/8 - What Folklore Can Teach Us About Conspiracy Theories

<p><strong><em>What folklorists can teach us about the structure and resilience of conspiracy theories. The genome of the platypus has been sequenced, and it’s just as weird as you’d expect. And a Swedish film festival that’s sending one person to an abandoned lighthouse on a remote island for a weeklong stay without any human contact or outside communication.</em></strong></p><p>Sponsors:</p><ul><li>Magic Spoon, Save $5 at <a href="https://magicspoon.com/pages/partner?partner=kottke" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">magicspoon.com/kottke</a> and use code KOTTKE</li><li>NordVPN, Get 68% off plus an additional free month––at <a href="https://nordvpn.com/creator/?coupon=kottke&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_term&amp;utm_content&amp;utm_campaign=off568&amp;utm_source=aff48086" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">nordvpn.com/kottke</a> or use coupon KOTTKE</li></ul><p>Links:</p><ul><li><a href="https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/01/study-folklore-structure-reveals-how-conspiracy-theories-emerge-fall-apart/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Folklore structure reveals how conspiracy theories emerge, fall apart</a> (Ars Technica)</li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/29/technology/pizzagate-tiktok.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">A TikTok Twist on 'PizzaGate'</a> (NY Times)</li><li><a href="https://gimletmedia.com/shows/reply-all/llhe5nm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#166 Country of Liars</a> (Reply All)</li><li><a href="https://www.netflix.com/title/81015076" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Behind the Curve</a> (Netflix)</li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/column/rabbit-hole" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rabbit Hole</a> (NY Times)</li><li><a href="https://www.sciencealert.com/platypus-genes-reveal-some-of-the-bizarre-traits-that-come-with-5x-and-5y-chromosomes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Now We Know Why Platypus Are So Weird - Their Genes Are Part Bird, Reptile, And Mammal</a> (Science Alert) </li><li>