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
Gesamtlänge aller Episoden: 4 days 18 hours 15 minutes
Mohism I: Ancient Chinese Leftists - Chinese History
They were the chief rivals of the Confucians in their early days, but today no one has heard of them. Meet the Mohists: a faction of hard-headed, big-hearted philosophers whose ideas would fit right in to modern leftist politics, but which were scorned at the time. Be sure to support the show at www.patreon.com/deadideaspod to get your portrait drawn! Music and graphic design by Rachel Westhoff. Maps, pics, references and more at www.deadideas.net.
Christmas Ghost Stories: Glámr the Icelandic Draugr, and 13 Candles – Viking History
More ghost stories! This year we hear a spooky tale from 13th-cen. Iceland: the story of Glámr the draugr! And as a bonus, Andre Sólo appears to read an original story of his own called "13 Candles." And don't forget you can get yourself drawn as a comic book character by supporting the show at: www.patreon.com/deadideaspod
Christmas Ghost Stories: Glámr the Icelandic Draugr and 13 Candles - Viking History
More ghost stories! This year we hear a spooky tale from 13th-cen. Iceland: the story of Glámr the draugr! And as a bonus, Andre Sólo appears to read an original story of his own called "13 Candles." And don't forget you can get yourself drawn as a comic book character by supporting the show at: www.patreon.com/deadideaspod
Self-mummification III: A Japanese Abelard and Heloise – Japanese History
To conclude our series, here's a a self-mummified monk whose bawdy tale could be called a Japanese Abelard and Heloise (i.e. the story Romeo and Juliet was based on, but with more genital mutilation). We also hear how self-mummification died, and even about a 20th-century self-mummified monk. Be sure to support the show at www.patreon.com/deadideaspod to get your portrait drawn! Music and graphic design by Rachel Westhoff. Maps, pics, references and more at www.deadideas.net.
Self-mummification II: The Perfect Samurai and the Farmer Fuck-up – Japanese History
It's story time! Today we hear two stories of monks who self-mummified, one starting out as the perfect samurai, the other as a not-so-perfect farmer in samurai-era Japan. Be sure to support the show at www.patreon.com/deadideaspod to get your portrait drawn! Music and graphic design by Rachel Westhoff. Maps, pics, references and more at www.deadideas.net.
The Merry Thanksgiving of the Burglar and Plumber, 1895 – PDT3K – American History
Our craziest Thanksgiving special yet! This unexpectedly weird story tells of a lone woman who hates union plumbers, who gets an unexpected visitor in the night. Featuring guest co-host Jon. Don't forget to contribute at www.patreon.com/deadideaspod to get your portrait drawn! Music and graphic design by Rachel Westhoff. Maps, pics, references and more at www.deadideas.net.
Self-mummification I: Buddhist Mummies of Japan – Japanese History
That's right: *self*-mummification, mummifying yourself through a special 3000-day diet and regimen of spiritual exercises which will lead to your death but, if you do it correctly, will mummify your body and make you a sokushinbutsu or "Buddha in the Flesh." I witnessed many of these mummies personally while living in Japan. This is their story. Be sure to support the show at www.patreon.com/deadideaspod to get your portrait drawn! Maps, pics, references, and more at www.deadideas.net.
Halloween in Scotland and at Sea in 1886 – PDT3K – Scottish History
Curious who your future lover will be? Or what it's like to celebrate Halloween at sea in the 19th century? Then you better check out this special Halloween episode. We finish last year's article, and learn about Scottish Halloween divination methods, like the kaling! And we hear about Halloween on a trans-oceanic ship. And joining us once again are Pete and Meagan! Don't forget to support us at www.patreon...
Titoism Epilogue: Another Personal Reflection – Balkan History
In the end, Titoism bit the dust, but did it really have to die? And what does all this mean for ethnicity, nationalism, and family? That's how we're concluding this series, which is officially our longest yet. Be sure to support the show at www.patreon.com/deadideaspod to get your portrait drawn! Music by Rachel Westhoff. Maps, pics, references, and more at www.deadideas.net.
Titoism VII: The National Question: An Interview with Alex Cruikshanks – Balkan History
What was the deal with all the ethnic divisions that eventually erupted in the Yugoslav War, and did that rivalry really disappear while Tito was in power? Today we talk to Alex Cruikshanks, host of the History of Yugoslavia podcast, to get to the root of the matter. Check out Alex's show at www.historyofyugoslavia.libsyn.com. Be sure to support our show at www.patreon.com/deadideaspod to get your portrait drawn! Music by Rachel Westhoff. Maps, pics, references, and more at www.deadideas.net