Jon Ronson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jon Ronson
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Ronson in 2016
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| Born | 10 May 1967 Cardiff, Wales |
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| Alma mater | Polytechnic of Central London |
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| Spouse | Elaine Patterson |
| Children | 1 |
Jon Ronson (born May 10, 1967) is a British-American journalist, writer, and filmmaker. He is famous for his books that explore unusual and interesting topics, such as Them: Adventures with Extremists (2001), The Men Who Stare at Goats (2004), and The Psychopath Test (2011).
Ronson is known for a special style of writing called gonzo journalism. This means he often becomes a character in his own stories. He investigates strange and controversial subjects in science and politics with a curious and questioning mind. He has written nine books and many articles for famous newspapers and magazines like The Guardian. He has also made several documentary films for BBC Television and Channel 4.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Jon Ronson was born in Cardiff, Wales. He went to Cardiff High School and worked for a local radio station. Later, he moved to London to study media at the Polytechnic of Central London, which is now the University of Westminster.
Career as a Writer and Filmmaker
Ronson's career has involved writing books, making radio shows, and working on movies. He is known for looking into strange and fascinating subjects.
Famous Books
Ronson's first book was published in 1994. He became well-known for his second book, Them: Adventures with Extremists. In this book, he spent time with people who have very strong and unusual beliefs, often called extremists. He wrote about his experiences with conspiracy theorists, who believe secret groups control the world. The book was praised for being funny and easy to read.
His third book, The Men Who Stare at Goats, explored a secret unit in the United States Army. This group studied strange ideas, like whether people could walk through walls or use their minds to affect things. The book suggests these ideas later influenced military methods.
In 2011, Ronson published The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry. In this book, he looked into how experts identify people with certain personality traits. He interviewed people in hospitals and even business leaders to learn more about the topic.
Another one of his popular books is So You've Been Publicly Shamed (2015). This book is about what happens when people are shamed online and how it affects their lives.
Radio and Podcasts
Ronson has created many programs for BBC Radio 4. His show, Jon Ronson on..., was nominated for awards four times. He has also appeared on the American radio show This American Life, where he has shared many of his stories.
In 2021, he created a BBC Sounds podcast called Things Fell Apart. In this series, he explores the origins of modern disagreements on social issues, often called the "culture wars."
Movies and Television
Some of Ronson's books have been turned into movies. The film version of The Men Who Stare at Goats was released in 2009. In the movie, a fictional journalist played by actor Ewan McGregor represents Ronson.
Ronson also co-wrote the screenplay for the 2014 movie Frank. This film was inspired by his own experiences playing keyboard in a band in the late 1980s. He also co-wrote the script for the 2017 Netflix movie Okja, about a young girl and her giant animal friend.
Personal Life
Ronson is married and has one son. He is a supporter of Humanists UK, an organization that promotes non-religious ethical beliefs. He is also a fan of the Arsenal F.C. football team. In 2020, he became a citizen of the United States.
List of Works
Books
- Clubbed Class (1994)
- Them: Adventures with Extremists (2001)
- The Men Who Stare at Goats (2004)
- Out of the Ordinary: True Tales of Everyday Craziness (2006)
- The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry (2011)
- Lost at Sea: The Jon Ronson Mysteries (2012)
- Frank: The True Story that Inspired the Movie (2014)
- So You've Been Publicly Shamed (2015)
Films Written
- Frank (2014)
- Okja (2017)
See also
In Spanish: Jon Ronson para niños
