When you talk about a witch-hunt, you aren’t normally referring to sane, procedural, and fair trials. You’re talking about a fear-driven investigation driven by suspicions rather than facts, where personal agendas can be more influential than alibis and evidence.

That’s the thrust of Arthur Miller’s 1953 play The Crucible, which Andrew read this week. We also talk about how the events of the play reflect the then-current Red Scare, and how witch-hunt mentality continues to persist even today.