There was international outcry in 2011 when the celebrated Chinese artist Ai Weiwei was arrested at Beijing airport and imprisoned. The charges against him were vague. So what was Ai Weiwei really in prison for?
To begin to answer this, we need to understand the historical background: the Chinese Cultural Revolution.
Claiming to purge the country of 'impure' elements, students were encouraged to attack their teachers. Intellectuals were exiled. Books were burned. And the purge didn’t stop there.
On this episode of Bad People, Dr Julia Shaw and Sofie Hagen explore anti-intellectualism, and how politicians have exploited its appeal. What is the difference between intelligence and intellectualism? What can the anti-intellectualism scale teach us about the psychological origins of a lack of trust in experts?
And, what does all of this have to do with art?
CREDITS Presenters: Dr Julia Shaw and Sofie Hagen Producer: Laura Northedge Assistant Producer: Hannah Ward Editor: Anna Lacey Music: Matt Chandler Commissioning Executive: Dylan Haskins Commissioning Assistant Producer: Adam Eland
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105. Dark Arts 2: Can we prevent campaigns of vilification?
104. Dark Arts 1: How biasing is pre-trial publicity?
103. Bad People x People Who Knew Me
102. Paedophile Hunters: Do vigilantes help or harm justice?
101. Thalaikoothal: What is extreme elder abuse?
100. Tough Love: How should we help troubled teens?
99. Central Park Jogger 2: How should we interview children?
98. Central Park Jogger 1: Do you know your right to silence?
97. Belt Selfie: Why don’t people kill their friends?
96. Personification of Evil: Who becomes a prison pen pal?
95. Battle for Winson Green: Are prison riots inevitable?
94. Bad People x The Shamima Begum Story
93. Spirit Photographer: Are deepfakes a new problem?
92. Drugged Intent: Can intoxication excuse crimes?
91. Knox: Can translators make innocence look guilty?
90. Trash Puppies: Why are some people cruel to animals?
89. Baby Snatcher: Does anyone deserve the death penalty?
87. Bad People x Please Protect Abraham
86. Born Criminal: Is Violence Genetic?
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