Cults, quacks and gurus Wisconsin Public Radio Show

[StClone]

Live show on-line sounds interesting.


9:00 AM Central


Kathleen Dunn - 06/23D
Cults, quacks and gurus -- that's what characterizes today's era, according to Kathleen Dunn's guest, after nine. Join in the conversation about what he calls: The Epidemic of Idiocy.

Guest: Francis Wheen, author, "Idiot Proof." (Public Affairs) REBROADCAST FROM 6/23/04



http://www.wpr.org/webcasting/

[JHB]

1. A little more on this Wheen fellow:

Sounds like one to catch

Francis Wheen is a journalist and author of several books, including a highly acclaimed biography of Karl Marx. His collected journalism, Hoo-Hahs and Passing Frenzies, won the George Orwell prize in 2003.
Francis Wheen's new book, How Mumbo-Jumbo Conquered the World: A Short History of Modern Delusions, is published by Fourth Estate.

http://books.guardian.co.uk/top10s/top10/0,6109,1140156,00.html

Francis Wheen's top 10 modern delusions (fuller explanations at the above site):

1. "God is on our side"
2. The market is rational
3. There is no such thing as reality
4. We mustn't be "judgmental"
5. Laissez-faire capitalism is the prerequisite for trade and prosperity
6. Astrology and similar delusions are "harmless fun"
7. Thin air is solid
8. Sentimental hysteria is a sign of emotional maturity
9. America's economic success is entirely due to private enterprise
10. "It could be you. . ." (...who wins the lottery)

[JHB]

2. on now

10:10 Am eastern time