Relief Project #2: Natalie Wynn/Contrapoints

Conspirituality · 2024-10-01

Matthew here with the second installment of Five Big Questions Posed to an Extremely Thoughtful Person.
Does Natalie Wynn need an introduction? Or do we simply know that every frame of every Contrapoints essay is a gorgeous still life, a love letter to the unknown viewer thirsty for smarts and queerness and justice?
Often, top-tier artfulness will wind up concealing the artist. But despite the rigors of curation and the introversion Wynn ‘fesses up to in this interview, she also communicates welcome and generosity, and it was an honor to hear her speak personally about these Big Things..
BTW: here are the five questions. You can think about them too.

What terrifies you most in these times?

What is the most meaningful and supportive idea or story you return to for reliable wisdom and relief?

What is the greatest obstacle you face in forming community relationships, and how do you work to overcome it?

If you were responsible for comforting and guiding a child terrified of climate catastrophe, how would you do it? What would you say?

If your wisest ancestor came in a dream to offer you one piece of advice about living in difficult times, what would it be?

Show Notes
ContraPoints - YouTube
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Conspirituality

Dismantling New Age cults, wellness grifters, and conspiracy-mad yogis. At best, the conspirituality movement attacks public health efforts in times of crisis. At worst, it fronts and recruits for the fever-dream of QAnon. As the alt-right and New Age horseshoe toward each other in a blur of disinformation, clear discourse, and good intentions get smothered. Charismatic influencers exploit their followers by co-opting conspiracy theories on a spectrum of intensity ranging from vaccines to child trafficking. In the process, spiritual beliefs that have nurtured creativity and meaning are transforming into memes of a quickly-globalizing paranoia. Conspirituality Podcast attempts to bring understanding to this landscape. A journalist, a cult researcher, and a philosophical skeptic discuss the stories, cognitive dissonances, and cultic dynamics tearing through the yoga, wellness, and new spirituality worlds. Mainstream outlets have noticed the problem. We crowd-source, research, analyze, and dream answers to it.

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