Are citizens evolving into fans or merely behaving like it? 

Does the worship of political figures, celebrities, pop culture or sports idols reflecting a deeper cultural shift in how people engage with democracy and its values?

How does the creation and following of idols, and the emotional investment they evoke, affecting the mental health of individuals and collectives?

Is the fixation on seemingly superficial cultural phenomenons, such as tv programming, famous celebs or child-like items like dolls mirroring back to us how unsafe and restrictive political discourse and freedom of speech have become?

What are the economic ideologies running, advertently or not, behind these figures and the media narratives that sustain them?

How and why do "the masses" willingly surrender so much of their power, effectively infantilizing themselves in the process?

An interview with Kurt Warner, psychotherapist, LCSW, and author of the book “False Idols: How Diversion is Destroying Democracy”. 

Listen to related episodes:

• 91. Dr. Paul Slovic & Dr. Scott Slovic on the Science Behind the Limits of Compassion
• 165. Rachel Winny on the Rise of Disinformation & Conflict Escalation
• 190. Dr. William T. Armaline on The Crisis of Human Rights in the Age of Global Capitalism
• 192. Nicole Steward on Radical Self-Care for Changemakers

Recommended links to this episode:

• Kurt Warner Books Official Website
• Victory in Every Fall: The Antaeus Approach to Overcome Disabilities
• False Idols: How Diversion is Destroying Democracy