Spiritualism, Fear

The Spiritualism of Jonathan Koons Guest: Sharon Hatfield, Author of “Enchanted Ground: The Spirit Room of Jonathan Koons” Today the idea of communicating with spirits of the dead in a darkened room through mysterious gusts of wind and knocking noises, is spooky. But during the mid-1800s in America, communicating with the dead wasn’t considered scary or sinister at all. The spirits were playful and kind and – most importantly – offered proof of an afterlife. By 1850, thousands of mediums were hosting séances across the country and a religious movement known as Spiritualism was attracting millions of followers. Among the most famous and charismatic figures in the Spiritualist movement was a fiddle-playing Ohio farmer named Jonathan Koons. His story is the subject of a new book by journalist Sharon Hatfield called, “Enchanted Ground.” Like to Be Scared? Here’s Why. Guests: Carl Sederholm, Professor of Comparative Arts and Letters, Brigham Young University;  Margee Kerr, PhD, Adjunct Professor of Sociology, University of Pittsburgh, Author of “Scream: Chilling Adventures in the Science of Fear”; Rob Dunfield, Owner The Fear Factory in Salt Lake City Why do we like to be scared out of our wits by films and roller coasters and actors dressed in nightmarish costumes chasing us through dark hallways? We do we pay for this stuff? We'll talk with experts on the science and craft of fear and visit a haunted house.