INSOMNIA STREAM： SCIENCE EDITION
Stream Summary
This stream, hosted by Devon Stack, critically examines the history and ethics of scientific experimentation, focusing on controversial and unethical practices in medicine, psychology, and government-sponsored research. The host questions the reliability of scientific authority, highlighting cases where science has been misused or proven wrong, and discusses the intersection of science, profit, and power. The stream also features commentary on the societal consequences of blind faith in science and the lack of accountability for scientific misconduct.
- Critique of the “religion of science” and scientific authority
- Historical examples of unethical scientific experiments (e.g., electroshock therapy, lobotomies, radiation studies)
- Discussion of government and corporate involvement in controversial research
- Analysis of the lack of accountability in scientific and governmental institutions
- Audience interaction through super chats and hyperchats
- Reflection on the future of science and societal trust
Sources
- Video Clips
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It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia – "Science is a Liar"
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Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home – Chemotherapy Scene
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Allan Savory TED Talk – Desertification
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CNN 1985 Jose Delgado Bull Experiment
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History of Electroshock Therapy Documentary
- Articles & News Stories
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Chicago Tribune PolyHeme Blood Substitute Trial
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Vanderbilt University Radiation Experiments – New York Times
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Operation Sea-Spray San Francisco History
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Holmesburg Prison Dioxin Experiments – New York Times
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Monster Study University of Iowa – NPR
- Shows & TV News Stories
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History of Electroshock Therapy
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Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
Key Points of Wisdom
- [00:10:48] “That accurately illustrates the problem with the faith in science.” (After playing the "science is a liar" clip from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia)
- [00:16:08] “Sometimes science is a liar. Sometimes science is very, very, very wrong.” (Reflecting on historical scientific errors)
- [00:21:00] “And it was peer reviewed. The government was like, WOW, I know this sounds crazy. We want to just start shooting elephants in the face and especially, you know, 40,000. That's a lot.” (On the Allan Savory TED Talk and mass culling of elephants)
- [00:25:53] “Well, the way he proved it was by getting a homeless guy and putting electrodes into his face and shocking his face to produce the Duchene smile.” (On the ethics of scientific experimentation)
- [01:35:29] “The biggest issue with the modern science is that they are not allowed to say that they don't know. If there is no good answer, they will settle for whatever is closest and most of the time these projects are funded by corporations. Nobody is willing to fund the truth, just studies that improve profits, but also governments.” (From hyperchat contributor Not Happier 69)
- [01:56:38] “Science is a methodology. Psychopaths posing as scientists did all these things.” (From chat, reflecting on the abuse of scientific authority)
Hyperchat Summary
- Viewers discussed the ethics of psychiatric treatments, including ECT and TMS, and insurance coverage for these procedures.
- Audience members recommended documentaries and films related to the stream’s topics, such as "The Minds of Men" and "Cast a Giant Shadow."
- Several super chats expressed skepticism about scientific authority, government mandates, and the pharmaceutical industry.
- Some contributors shared personal anecdotes about working in mental health and their views on the state of science and society.
- Questions and comments about political events, media, and the role of gatekeepers in right-wing movements were raised.
- Requests for homesteading tips and lessons learned from the host’s personal experiences were made.
Hyperchat Contributors
- Base race mixer
- Not happier 69
- Hammer of Thorazine
- First, last
- Iceberg 123
- Coal 1978 DSL
- Mike Ape. Ken