Really interesting read from #ManvirSingh gathering evidence that #ayahuasca is not as old or #Indigenous as it is made out to be. The tales tourists want to hear...

'Brabec de Mori argues that ayahuasca diffused through the Peruvian Amazon in the past 300 years. It is likely older among Tukanoan peoples further north, who, he suspects, transmitted the practice to populations missionised early in the lowlands. Yet in the regions most frequented by tourists, it seems to be a relative novelty. Brabec de Mori isn’t the first to make the argument – the anthropologist Peter Gow proposed something similar in 1994 – but he, more than anyone else, has found the anthropological data to support it.'

We definitely believe Peter Gow (who saw the equivalency of menstrual girls to shamans. Ayahuasca use tends to push women out)

#psychedelics #anthropology #myth

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/may/01/the-ancient-psychedelics-myth-people-tell-tourists-the-stories-they-think-are-interesting-for-them

Nice essay by #ManvirSingh on how #language shapes #thought

#anthropology #Whorf

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/12/30/how-much-does-our-language-shape-our-thinking

(1/2) Outstanding article about the psychology of conspiracy theories, and how there really are folks that sincerely believe in “flat theory.” Delves into some connections to religious faith as well.

Don’t Believe What They’re Telling You About Misinformation by #ManvirSingh in #NewYorker (15 April 2024)

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/04/22/dont-believe-what-theyre-telling-you-about-misinformation

If you are interested these kinds of topics and issues, please consider joining the private