In this episode of Last Podcast On The Left, the hosts explore the complex interplay between mental health and societal influences. They delve into how certain disorders, like prosopometamorphopsia, can distort one's perception of reality. Further, they examine how economic uncertainty fuels the spread of conspiracy theories, as people seek definitive explanations during uncertain times.
The summary also touches on a disturbing trend in Bakersfield, California, where an alarming number of pedestrians have been struck and killed by trains. This local crisis underscores the need for improved safety measures and raises questions about the underlying causes and potential solutions.
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Victor Schauer developed a rare disorder called prosopometamorphopsia (PMO) after sustaining a head injury. According to the summary, this caused him to perceive human faces as demonic when in motion, likely due to lesions affecting his neurological perception.
A PhD student in political science discusses how the need for cognitive closure, a concept from social psychologist Ari Kruglanski, can drive belief in conspiracy theories during uncertain economic times. This desire for definitive answers may amplify antagonism towards outgroups, the summary suggests.
Comedian Henry Zebrowski reflects on the human tendency to seek straightforward explanations amidst life's complexities, especially in periods of uncertainty when simpler answers feel comforting.
In Bakersfield, California, the summary highlights a concerning increase in pedestrians being struck and killed by trains. It notes that local homeless shelters have even encountered human remains scavenged from these tragic sites. The high number of deaths at train intersections in the area underscores the need for improved safety measures.
1-Page Summary
The media's portrayal of mental health can often be complex or nuanced, particularly when it involves rare disorders or psychological phenomena related to current events.
Victor Schauer developed a rare disorder after a series of unfortunate events, including a bacterial infection and a significant head injury sustained while trying to open the stuck door of his pickup truck. The injury occurred when he fell backward and hit his head on concrete. The resulting condition, known as prosopometamorphopsia (PMO), causes Schauer to see human faces as demonic, with extended mouths, furrowed brows, and narrowed eyes, but only when the faces are in motion. In contrast, he does not perceive these distortions when viewing photographs or videos of people. The disorder links the physical with the neurological, as lesions formed after his head injury likely contribute to this neurological perception disorder, affecting how faces appear in terms of shape, size, texture, or color.
A PhD student in political science at WSU discusses the psychological mechanisms that might lead people to embrace conspiracy theories. The need for cognitive closure, a concept developed by social psychologist Ari Kruglanski, is highlighted as a significant factor. This psychological need reflects a person's desire for definitive and simple answers to complex issues, which can drive conspiracy theory endorsement, particularly during times of economic uncertainty. An experimental study demonstrates how this need for closure is connected to the likelihood of believing in conspiracy theo ...
Mental Health as Portrayed in Media
In Bakersfield, California, there is a concerning rise in the number of pedestrians being struck by trains. The local missions that shelter the homeless report bringing in human remains after such incidents.
In just the past month, there have been at least two incidents where pedestrians were hit by trains. Compounding this tragic situation, there have been reports of human remains being scavenged from these sites. Additionally, train intersecti ...
Train and Traffic Incidents
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