In 1955, aliens from the planet Clarion contacted a Chicago housewife to warn her that the end of the world was imminent. Psychologist Leon Festinger saw this as a unique opportunity to test a new theory about human cognition. In this week’s episode of the Futility Closet podcast we’ll follow him inside a UFO religion as it approaches the apocalypse. We’ll also try to determine when exactly LBJ became president and puzzle over some wet streets. Intro: There’s a hexagon of cloud at Saturn’s north pole. You’re not as unpopular as you think you are. Sources for our feature on … Continue reading Podcast Episode 235: Leon Festinger and the Alien Apocalypse