Why do people still believe the razor blades in Halloween candy story?
And what do moral panics, political rumors, and deer in suburbia have in common?
In this episode, anthropologists Dan Souleles and Michael Scroggins dig into how rumors, myths, and moral panics reveal our fears, social structures, and the stories we tell to make sense of the world.
They trace how gossip works as social glue, why politicians talk like marketers, and what happens when you can’t tell rumor from reality.
Funny, sharp, and a little exasperated — it’s anthropology for people who want to understand people.
🧩 In this episode:
The myth of poisoned Halloween candy 🍬
How political speech mimics gossip
Why gossip might actually keep societies stable
What happens when deer take over the suburbs 🦌
Why we keep believing the unbelievable
More at: https://www.people-stuff.com/
💬 Join the conversation:
What’s the weirdest myth or rumor you’ve ever believed? Drop it in the comments 👇
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