Welcome to Digital Folklore Unplugged! Unplugged episodes are where we ditch all the fancy production and story elements and bring you the raw (or slightly edited) interviews with folklore experts. On this episode, Perry & Mason sit down with Ben Radford to get the lowdown on creepy clowns, media literacy, the influence of folklore, and the psychological aspects of human beliefs. We touch on how misinformation and panic are spread through hoaxes and social media, using the example of clown sighting panics as a case study. Ben also discusses his investigations into paranormal phenomena and the experiences and empathy needed for effective investigation. His approach to investigative skepticism emphasizes the necessity for empathy, respect, and rigorous research. Ok, let’s get unplugged…

Guest: Ben Radford (Twitter) (Website) (Podcast)

Ben's Books (Amazon Associate Links)

America the Fearful: Media and the Marketing of National Panics

Bad Clowns

Investigating Ghosts: The Scientific Search for Spirits

Scientific Paranormal Investigation: How to Solve Unexplained Mysteries

Tracking the Chupacabra: The Vampire Beast in Fact, Fiction, and Folklore

... and many more books by Ben

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