We live in a world where technology dominates every aspect of our lives. From smartphones to artificial intelligence, our lives have become increasingly automated and connected. While this has undoubtedly brought many benefits, it has also caused us to lose touch with the natural world and the magic it holds. In our quest for efficiency and productivity, we have forgotten the enchantment and wonder that nature can bring. We have become so focused on our screens and devices that we fail to notice the beauty and mystery of the world around us. We no longer take the time to appreciate the magic of a sunset or the awe-inspiring power of a thunderstorm.
Ultimately, how you perceive the Salem witch trials might depend on which threat you fear more. If you don't want to believe that a community could be destroyed over petty land disputes alone, than ergot helps the trials make sense. But if you don't like thinking society can crumble because of a few loafs of fungal bread, then you'd lean toward a social explanation of the trials.
It would be wrong to imagine Salemites as paper-dot-popping day trippers due to bad bread, but some symptoms of ergotism do resemble LSD albeit in lower intensity. Caporael, whose original paper is modest in its conclusions, gestures toward a third way Perhaps a medical explanation provided a vehicle for the fervor.
We no longer take the time to appreciate the magic of a sunset or the awe-inspiring power of a thunderstorm. But it is not too late to bring back the magic. We can start by reconnecting with nature and immersing ourselves in its marvels.
Manic Satanic Panic
Beginning in 1692, more than 150 men, women and children colonists in Massachusetts were wrongly accused of witchcraft without evidence in what is referred to as the Salem Witch Trials . It lasted for a time before the excitement surrounding “witches” died down and courts annulled guilty verdicts. More than 300 years later, in the 1970s Americans put their peers on trial for practicing Satanism and its rituals. These trials also occurred without any solid evidence. The United States became obsessed with the menace of Satanism.
From the 1970s until the early 1990s, people worried about the presence of Satan in their communities. It began with fear of serial killers like Charles Manson. Some Americans wrote books, like Michelle Remembers and The Satanic Bible , detailing their experiences with Satan. The Exorcist and its subsequent movie ’s claim that it was based on a true story influenced the way people considered Satan’s presence. Police were trained to handle Satanic cults. All of these publications and their frenzied media coverage made the average American believe that Satanic rituals were becoming a norm for a part of the population.
At the same time, there was a rise in need for daycare because of the emerging visual of the white woman in the workforce. Fact-checking site Snopes explains that this increased need for childcare in the period caused great anxiety among parents and encouraged a mistrust among care providers. This mistrust caused a rise in abuse allegations against daycare providers, with parents claiming that care providers were Satanists and forcing their children into their Satanic rituals. Some children were made to support such allegations .
While it may seem absurd that anyone would believe these claims, hundreds of people were accused, many were jailed, and one couple even stayed in jail until 2013. This pair, the Kellers, faced charges of sexual assault, serving blood-laced Kool Aid, cutting the heart of a baby out, flying children to Mexico to be raped, killing children, resurrecting them, and other allegations. They served 22 years in jail on the basis of the Satanic Panic. Prosecutors finally exonerated them in 2017.
The idea of stranger danger is also relevant to understanding the context here. This sort of shocking news spreads so quickly and so widely, so its relating themes do as well. Therefore, with the Satanic Panic, people learned to fear others, to be nervous in their own neighborhoods, and to not let anyone else watch their children. Other news at the time, such as the Tylenol murders of 1982, a man lacing his son’s Halloween candy with poison, and a rise in AIDS further intensified the fear of some unknown evil taking control. Because of the overarching, fear-mongering media, it became easier to pin something on another neighbor instead of inspecting the actual causes of unrest in America. It’s the same social dynamic that’s seen when going back to the Salem Witch Trials. Anyone who shows any signs of being “evil” or different appears to be a new predator, and people won’t hesitate to attack them.
Many times when a piece of fake news surfaces, it is because it is of national importance or concern. In 2019, for example, national politics have often been involved, such as in pizzagate and sharpiegate. In the case of the Satanic Panic, however, and also in the Salem Witch Trials, the focus was more on the idea of community. The Panic was focused not only on particular communities, but also on the idea of community itself in modern America. It was an era where Americans retained an idealistic view of the country and pushed back against apparent threats to it. They wanted to preserve a concept of a once “perfect” society, where all families lived peacefully and undisturbed in their neighborhoods. The idea that some people might be “evil” was new and scary, and so they pushed those citizens out.
While it may have been nonsense, the fearful results of the Panic’s media coverage contributed to a widespread fear of Satanic practices and a series of serious allegations. Psychologist Deborah Serani has examined fear-based media and its negative effects on consumers’ health. She explains that news outlets’ motives have turned more towards viewing “ the spectacular, the stirring, and the controversial as news stories.” This kind of news then leads to competition between outlets. Who can stir up the most in their viewers? This dynamic led sensationalistic and fear-mongering “news” to become the norm. Some have critiqued this kind of news as being driven more by emotions than facts. Yet, because it is profitable, it continues.
It may be easy to brush off the idea of another event like this happening in future decades, but it may not be so far off the horizon. These events are more recent than they seem, and some are still suffering the consequences of them. What is perhaps even more important than what media outlets release is how consumers react. News channels and other media care about what gets them the most clicks, the most views, the most money. If Americans get so terrified into believing the fear-mongering stories that come out in the future, there will be more dire consequences. Sensationalistic media occurs at the cost of people’s lives, as shown in the case of the Kellers. News will continue to stray further and further from the balanced, unbiased journalism that many communities worldwide want it to be and yet another witch hunt will ensue to identify and punish the next enemy.
Nicholas Spanos wrote two papers arguing that Caporael's theory was bunk (he's been joined by other scholars, like Alan Woolf). Spanos's objections are numerous, including, at base, that some of the reported symptoms didn't match the symptoms of ergotism. For example, bruised skin is common but is hard to find in the records.
This could be as simple as going for a walk in the woods or spending time by the ocean. We can also take up hobbies that allow us to engage with the natural world, such as gardening or birdwatching. Furthermore, we must remember the importance of imagination and creativity. These are the tools that allow us to see the magic in the mundane and to find wonder in the everyday. We can foster our imagination by reading books, exploring different art forms, and engaging in activities that spark our curiosity. Bringing back the magic also means slowing down and being present in the moment. We often rush through life, constantly looking ahead to the next task or goal. But by taking the time to appreciate the present moment, we can find beauty and joy in even the most ordinary experiences. Lastly, we must cultivate a sense of gratitude. By being grateful for the world around us, we can open ourselves up to its magic and allow it to enrich our lives. Whether it is the sound of birdsong or the smell of fresh flowers, there is so much to be thankful for if we take the time to notice. In conclusion, bringing back the magic means reconnecting with the natural world, fostering our imagination and creativity, being present in the moment, and cultivating gratitude. By doing so, we can rediscover the wonder and enchantment that exists all around us. So let us put down our devices, step outside, and embark on a journey to bring back the magic..
Reviews for "Mafic Rocks: A Key Ingredient in the Earth's Crust"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Bring back the magic." The storyline was barely there and the characters were poorly developed. I was expecting some sort of magical adventure, but it just fell flat for me. The acting was also quite subpar, which made it difficult to get invested in the story. Overall, I found it to be an uninspiring and lackluster film.
2. Sarah - 1 star - "Bring back the magic" was a complete waste of time. The plot was confusing and poorly executed. The special effects were also very underwhelming and didn't enhance the story at all. The acting was wooden and unconvincing, making it hard to connect with any of the characters. I wouldn't recommend this film to anyone looking for a magical or entertaining experience.
3. Michael - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Bring back the magic," but it turned out to be a letdown. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the story didn't have enough substance to keep me engaged. The dialogue felt forced and awkward, and the performances lacked depth. The film felt like it was trying too hard to be heartfelt and whimsical, but it missed the mark. I was left feeling unsatisfied and disappointed by the end.
4. Emily - 2.5 stars - While "Bring back the magic" had its moments, overall, it fell short of my expectations. The story had potential, but it lacked coherence and failed to captivate me. The characters were one-dimensional, and their relationships felt forced. The film had a few magical elements, but they were overshadowed by the underdeveloped plot. I wouldn't necessarily discourage others from watching it, but I don't think it's worth seeking out either.