Dead Ideas: The History of Extinct Thoughts and Practices

We explore ideas and practices once believed to be true but no longer. Each dead idea is explored in all its glorious eccentricity. For example, discover miasma, the theory that plague comes from stinky air; or the medical diagnosis of hysteria, which holds that women's wombs wander around their bodies causing trouble. Join us on a fun romp through the history of ideas that didn’t quite stand the test of time.

https://deadideas.net

Eine durchschnittliche Folge dieses Podcasts dauert 1h5m. Bisher sind 167 Folge(n) erschienen. Dies ist ein wöchentlich erscheinender Podcast.

Gesamtlänge aller Episoden: 4 days 18 hours 15 minutes

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New Year, New Perks For You!


Happy New Year! You can now get your portrait drawn as a perk for supporting the show on Patreon. We've got lots of other cool new perks too for supporters at all levels, so check it out at www.patreon.com/deadideaspod


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 December 31, 2016  7m
 
 

A Haunted Christmas: Ghost Stories from Around the World – World History


Ghost stories on Christmas? Yes, actually. Remember the ghosts in Dickens' A Christmas Story? Turns out ghost stories were big on Christmas in British culture. So today, we are telling ghost stories from around the world: Sweden, Appalachia, and Japan! And don't forget: This is your last chance to get yourself drawn as a comic book character for free in exchange for an honest review before the portraits move to a Patreon model on Jan. 1st! Become our patron on Patreon at www.patreon...


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 December 25, 2016  57m
 
 

Hypnotism: Dangers and Advantages in 1888 – PDT3K – French History


Can you be hypnotized to commit a crime? Is the Cabinet of Dr. Caligari a real danger? Hear about this and much more from Dr. Tourette - yes, the man who discovered Tourette's Syndrome - as we read an article of his from 1888, entitled "The Wonders of Animal Magnetism." And don't forget to review us on iTunes, Stitcher, or social media to get yourself drawn as a comic book character! Become our patron on Patreon at www.patreon.com/deadideaspod. Maps, pics, references, and more at www.deadideas...


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 December 18, 2016  1h1m
 
 

Hysteria II: The Women of Dr. Charcot’s Hospital – French History


Warning: This episode includes frank depiction of sexuality. Who were the women diagnosed with hysteria in Dr. Charcot's 19th-century hospital in Paris? Find out, as we focus in particular on two patients: Blanche, the "Queen of Hysterics", and Genevieve, the Saint-Hysteric. And be sure to review us so you can get your picture drawn in the historical time period and culture of your choosing! Become our patron on Patreon at www.patreon.com/deadideaspod. Maps, pics, references, and more at www...


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 December 11, 2016  1h11m
 
 

Hysteria I: Women and Technology in Belle Époque France – French History


Warning: This episode includes frank depiction of sexuality. It's one of the oldest diagnoses on record: hysteria, the medical condition that for millennia attributed anything men found uncomfortable about women's behavior to their womb wandering around their body...


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 December 4, 2016  1h10m
 
 

Bicycle Face: A Lady Cyclist Medical Scare in the 1890s – Women’s History


What in the h*** was "bicycle face", why were 1890s doctors afraid of it, and what does it have to do with feminism? Find out today in this single-episode series! Become our patron on Patreon at www.patreon.com/deadideaspod. Maps, pics, references, and more at www.deadideas.net. Music and graphic design by Rachel Westhoff.


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 November 27, 2016  44m
 
 

Miraculous Susan: A Thanksgiving Story from 1893 – PDT3K – American History


Hear the tale of Miraculous Susan of Quaker Hill! What will this reveal about how people thought about Thanksgiving in 1893? Find out in this special episode featuring new guest co-host Jon! And don't forget to review us on iTunes, Stitcher, or social media to get yourself drawn as a comic book character! Become our patron on Patreon at www.patreon.com/deadideaspod. Maps, pics, references, and more at www.deadideas.net. Music and graphic design by Rachel Westhoff.


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 November 20, 2016  1h8m
 
 

The Hammer of Witches (Malleus Maleficarum) – PDT3K – Women’s History


Can witches make men's junk disappear? Find out as we read the text that started the whole witch-burning craze: The Malleus Maleficarum! Fair warning: This is a complete trainwreck of a book! And don't forget to review us on iTunes, Stitcher, or social media to get yourself drawn as a comic book character! Become our patron on Patreon at www.patreon.com/deadideaspod. Maps, pics, references, and more at www.deadideas.net. Music and graphic design by Rachel Westhoff.


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 November 13, 2016  1h1m
 
 

Anti-Witches II: Inquisition Trials and Eastern European Lore – Italian History


In this episode, Nick delivers stories from the inquisition trials of the Benandanti, and also goes into related lore from Livonia, Slovenia, Serbia, and more! Find out why the zduhać, or storm wizard, is the most bad-ass Dungeons & Dragons character class you'll ever play! And be sure to review us so you can get your picture drawn in the historical time period and culture of your choosing! Become our patron on Patreon at www.patreon.com/deadideaspod. Maps, pics, references, and more at www...


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 November 6, 2016  1h9m
 
 

Anti-Witches I: The Benandanti and the Inquisition in Renaissance Italy – Italian History


Happy Halloween! This new series is related to witches but not witches - it's the Anti-Witches! What was up with the Benandanti of Renaissance Italy? Why did they use fennel stalks to fight witches armed with sorghum sticks? And what did the Inquisition have to do with it? All this and more today on Dead Ideas! And be sure to review us so you can get your picture drawn in the historical time period and culture of your choosing! Become our patron on Patreon at www.patreon.com/deadideaspod...


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 October 30, 2016  1h11m