TODAY, Emily Ogden talks to us about her book ‘Credulity: A Cultural History of US Mesmerism.’

Franz Mesmer’s animal magnetism as a “scientific” for of folk magic. The relationship between mesmerists and debunkers. The parallels in “rationality as totemic device” between the mesmerists and the New Atheists. What to make of the dupes?

For members: From the Air America archive, Janeane, Paul Rudd (in for Sam), Amy Poehler, and Fred Armisen talk about Sam’s wedding and how Hollywood and Wall St are controlled by the same sort of psychos. From June 21, 2004.

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