Witches, vampires, and fascism | Jason Lin | TEDxMoorestown Friends School

The Salem Witch Trials, Vampire Panics, and the Roots of Fascism: A Historical and Psychological Exploration

Key Concepts: Salem Witch Trials, New England Vampire Craze, Fascism, Collective Behavior, Circumstance vs. Innate Morality, Lack of Control, Dark Force Theory, Cancel Culture, Incel Movement.

I. The Salem Witch Trials: Beyond Poisoned Rye

The presentation begins with the harrowing scene in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692, focusing on the Paris household and the inexplicable “fits” – seizures, needle-like pains, and feverish nightmares – afflicting the children. Reverend Paris, desperate for a solution, consulted numerous medical professionals, all of whom were baffled. Ultimately, Dr. Griggs suggested the possibility of witchcraft, marking the genesis of the Salem witch trials. These trials resulted in the deaths of approximately 19 people by hanging, with two more dying in jail before trial.

A common myth attributing the trials to ergot poisoning in rye bread is debunked. The speaker argues this is unlikely due to the presence of rational judges in Boston (who would not have been affected), the slow and erratic spread of the “fits,” and the fact that a widespread foodborne illness would have affected everyone simultaneously. Furthermore, the narrative challenges the depiction of Salem as a homogenous group of zealots, highlighting that objections were raised, particularly by the families of the accused, who recognized the flimsy and circumstantial nature of the evidence.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding these events not as isolated incidents of irrationality, but as a demonstration of profoundly human behavior – people attempting to find solutions, even flawed ones, in the face of the unknown.

II. The New England Vampire Craze: A Response to Tuberculosis

The presentation then shifts to the “New England vampire craze” of the 18th and 19th centuries, a belief that tuberculosis (TB) was caused by the undead draining the life from the living. TB was a pervasive and devastating disease, affecting approximately one in seven adults in America and Europe. This widespread mortality created a climate of fear and desperation, leading to unusual practices like the exhumation of bodies suspected of vampirism.

The case of Mercy Brown is presented as a stark example. After her death from TB, her family subsequently fell ill, leading townspeople to exhume her body, remove her heart, and feed it to her brother in a desperate attempt to break the perceived connection between the living and the dead. This, of course, proved ineffective, and the entire family perished.

A key distinction is drawn between the vampire craze and the Salem witch trials: the former was highly localized, while the latter garnered support as far away as Boston. Newspapers in cities often ridiculed the trials, viewing them as superstitious and backward, with even thinkers like Thoreau suggesting they revealed a lingering “savagery” within civilization (a statement acknowledged as containing problematic eugenic undertones).

III. The Role of Circumstance and Privilege

The speaker argues that the differing responses to TB – acceptance and rationalization in cities versus fear and supernatural explanations in rural areas – stemmed from differing circumstances and access to resources. Urban dwellers, particularly the wealthy, had the means to escape the disease by retreating to the countryside, while rural populations were left to grapple with it directly. This disparity created a sense of helplessness and fueled the search for scapegoats and supernatural explanations. The core argument is that the problem wasn’t an inherent flaw in the people, but a lack of control over their circumstances.

IV. From Historical Panics to the Rise of Fascism

The presentation connects these historical episodes to the rise of fascism in pre-World War II Germany. The speaker points out that the Weimar Republic was characterized by economic instability and widespread desperation, creating fertile ground for extremist ideologies. While communism offered complex solutions, fascism presented a deceptively simple one: identify and punish the responsible party, and the problems would disappear. This simplicity proved incredibly appealing.

V. The Dark Force Theory and Modern Parallels

The speaker introduces the “dark force theory” of the internet, articulated by Kickstarter co-founder Ethan Mollick, which posits that in a world saturated with information, the most popular ideas are not necessarily the most truthful or logical, but the simplest to understand. Violence, as the most basic solution, is particularly potent.

The speaker then draws parallels to contemporary phenomena like “cancel culture” and the “incel” movement. Cancel culture, while often motivated by good intentions (addressing systemic racism), frequently relies on punishment rather than systemic change, and can lead to unintended consequences, including bullying and suicide. The incel movement, characterized by misogyny and resentment, has resulted in real-world violence, with over 50 deaths attributed to its adherents. Despite the imagined nature of their grievances, incels resort to violence as a perceived solution.

VI. The Terrifying Question of Moral Capacity

A central and unsettling question is posed: if individuals who once embraced harmful ideologies (like Nazism) can readily disavow them when circumstances change, how can we identify those who are predisposed to such beliefs? The speaker argues that there is no inherent moral difference; people are susceptible to harmful ideologies when they feel powerless and lack control. The speaker cites post-war Germany, where a majority of Germans expressed regret over the Holocaust even before the bodies were cold, yet many had actively participated in or passively supported the Nazi regime. The release of convicted war criminals by 1950, and the lack of a lasting resurgence of Nazism, further illustrate this point – the ideology faded with the changing circumstances.

VII. Vigilance and the Pursuit of Healing

The presentation concludes with a call for vigilance. The speaker emphasizes the need to recognize when we are prioritizing punishment over healing, and violence over addressing root causes. The only thing separating us from the past, the speaker argues, is time and circumstance. The ability to discern right from wrong is not enough; we must be aware of the conditions that can lead people to embrace harmful ideologies and actively work to create a more just and equitable world.

Notable Quote: “The only thing that separates us from the fascists and witch hunters of the past is time and circumstance.”

Technical Terms:

• Ergot: A fungus that can contaminate rye and other grains, causing hallucinations and other symptoms.
• Tuberculosis (TB): A bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs, historically a major cause of death.
• Eugenics: A discredited and harmful pseudoscientific belief in improving the human race through selective breeding.
• Proletariat: The working class, a key concept in Marxist theory.
• Means of Production: The resources and facilities used to produce goods and services, also a Marxist concept.
• Incel: Short for "involuntary celibate," a member of an online subculture characterized by misogyny and resentment.
• Pograms: Organized massacres of Jews, particularly in Russia and Eastern Europe.

This presentation offers a compelling and unsettling exploration of the psychological and social factors that contribute to collective behavior, from historical panics to modern extremism. It challenges simplistic narratives and emphasizes the importance of understanding the role of circumstance, privilege, and the human need for control in shaping our responses to fear and uncertainty.