Marshall Poe
Marshall Poe
Benjamin Breen, "Tripping on Utopia: Margaret Mead, the Cold War, and the Troubled Birth of Psychedelic Science" (Grand Central, 2024)
Benjamin Breen, "Tripping on Utopia: Margaret Mead, the Cold War, and the Troubled Birth of Psychedelic Science" (Grand Central, 2024)
Benjamin Breen, "Tripping on Utopia: Margaret Mead, the Cold War, and the Troubled Birth of Psychedelic Science" (Grand Central, 2024)
Friday 14th June 2024
Benjamin Breen discusses his book 'Tripping on Utopia', exploring Margaret Mead's role in psychedelic science during the Cold War.
58 minutes
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Get the buttons here!Psychedelics and Power: The Untold Stories of Margaret Mead and Cold War Science
Episode Overview
- Margaret Mead's involvement in early psychedelic research.
- John C. Lilly's experimental use of LSD on dolphins.
- The Macy Foundation's influence on psychedelic science.
- Ethical challenges faced by researchers during the Cold War.
- The impact of psychedelics on culture and society.
One of the things that I love about history as a discipline is sort of how humble the arguments can be
In this episode of 'New Books in Drugs, Addiction and Recovery', Claire Clark chats with Benjamin Breen about his captivating new book, 'Tripping on Utopia: Margaret Mead, the Cold War, and the Troubled Birth of Psychedelic Science'. Breen takes us on a journey through the transformative decades of the 1940s and 50s when psychedelics like LSD entered mainstream culture and were celebrated for their potential to revolutionise science and society. From John C.
Lilly's dolphin experiments to Cary Grant's trippy musings, you'll hear about some truly bizarre yet fascinating episodes from history. Breen, a historian with a knack for storytelling, shares how his fascination with 20th-century medicine led him to explore the intersections of medical technology, power, and societal change. He discusses the Macy Foundation conferences and their role in the early days of psychedelic research, as well as the ethical dilemmas faced by researchers during the Cold War.
Margaret Mead's legacy is a central theme in Breen's book. He delves into her involvement with psychedelic science and her controversial yet visionary contributions to anthropology. The episode also touches on the broader implications of Mead's work, including its impact on race, gender, and sexuality studies. This episode is not just a history lesson; it's an exploration of how past scientific endeavours shape our present and future.
Breen's insights are both enlightening and entertaining, making this a must-listen for anyone interested in the quirky yet profound history of psychedelics. Why should you listen? Because understanding the past can offer valuable lessons for the future. Plus, who wouldn't want to hear about dolphins on LSD?