Wisdom Teachings Season 10 Episode 7 The Government Takedown of Wilhelm Reich
- January 1, 2013
- 46 min
In episode 7 of season 10 of Wisdom Teachings, entitled "The Government Takedown of Wilhelm Reich," the focus is on the controversial figure of Wilhelm Reich, a scientist and inventor whose work was central to the development of orgone energy theory and orgone therapy.
The episode begins by introducing Reich's life and work in the 1930s, when he was a rising star in the field of psychoanalysis. Reich's early work focused on the connection between mind and body, and he believed that psychological problems could have physical causes. He also became interested in the phenomenon of "orgone energy," which he believed was a life force that flowed through all living things.
As the episode progresses, we see how Reich's ideas became more radical, and how the government began to view him as a threat. In particular, Reich's orgone energy theory was seen as a pseudoscience by many mainstream scientists, and his claims about the therapeutic benefits of orgone energy were seen as dangerous.
The episode goes on to detail the various legal and government actions taken against Reich, including a high-profile trial that ended with Reich being charged with contempt of court and sentenced to prison. Despite this setback, Reich remained committed to his work, and continued to develop new ideas and therapies until his death in 1957.
Throughout the episode, the viewer is presented with both the official government perspective on Reich and his work, as well as the alternative viewpoint of those who believe that Reich's theories were simply ahead of their time. The episode also raises questions about how scientific knowledge is validated and who gets to decide what counts as legitimate science.
Overall, "The Government Takedown of Wilhelm Reich" is a thought-provoking and informative exploration of one of the most controversial figures in the history of psychology and science. Whether one agrees with Reich's theories or not, the episode raises important questions about the relationship between science, power, and authority, and how these factors can shape the course of scientific discovery.