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[@ChrisWillx] History is a Freakshow - Fin Taylor & Horatio Gould

· 6 min read
[@ChrisWillx] Summarizer
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@ChrisWillx - "History is a Freakshow - Fin Taylor & Horatio Gould"

Link: https://youtu.be/lY8MpG5Us9o

Short Summary​

This podcast episode features comedians discussing history, particularly British post-war politics and the appeal of historical narratives, despite having no formal credentials. They also touch on topics ranging from Japan's unique culture to eugenics and modern parenting, humorously exploring societal trends and the blurry lines between irony and sincerity online.

Key Quotes​

Here are 5 quotes from the YouTube transcript that I found particularly insightful or interesting:

  1. "This is the best it's ever been." (This is in response to the common nostalgic sentiment of "back in the day," and the speaker expresses a contrary opinion - the present is pretty good.)

  2. "It's like history is like a pyramid leading towards the big atomic explosion. So that's like and then everything's been a fallout since then, right? That's how so I think World War II is just if you like history, it's it's the big it's the season finale, right?" (This is an interesting meta-analysis of history, positing that it builds to a climax in WWII, and afterwards, we are in the fallout.)

  3. "Basically Darwin was looking at bugs and writing in his little notebook and everyone was like brilliant. Uh let's rank races." (A dark and cynical quote summarizing the history of Darwin's scientific influence that led to scientific racism and eugenics. It highlights the dangerous application of scientific theories.)

  4. "There's something so funny about the esteem of scientists when the science is completely wrong. That is what do you mean? Well, the smartest people in that age were the most racist." (This highlights how even intelligent people can be blinded by the biases of their time and contribute to problematic theories and practices.)

  5. "If you had bought a genius, I would be so livid. But because the fact that she's at least not pooing on the floor, I'm proud of her." (This anecdote serves to humorously highlight that buying a 'genius' child won't guarantee satisfaction, and that you should celebrate small, achievable milestones instead.)

Detailed Summary​

Here's a detailed summary of the YouTube video transcript in bullet points:

Overall Themes:

  • Comedy and History: The podcast blends comedy with historical discussion, acknowledging that they are primarily comedians, not historians.
  • British Perspective on American Culture: Explores the fascination with British accents and suits in America, enabling them to "get away with" more.
  • Eugenics and Darker History: Acknowledges that eugenics has an interesting history and racist science is often ignored because of the tragic ending with the Nazi regime.
  • Parenthood and Control: Discusses the concept of controlling parenthood, and also of not controlling aspects of it.
  • Ironic vs. Earnest Communication: Discusses being real online vs. having an ironic persona.

Key Topics and Arguments:

  • Manosphere's Embrace of Academics: The hosts comment that the manosphere and similar podcasts are scraping the bottom of the barrel by interviewing them (as historians/comedians).
  • Past vs. Present: Using history to gain perspective and find comfort in the modern world, arguing that despite current problems, things have been far worse in the past.
  • Newtonic Age: The discussion references the "Newtonic age," suggesting it's a time of great advancement, symbolized by coffee ( readily available today).
  • Golden Era Nostalgia: The "golden era" of the 80s and 90s when living standards in the UK and America increased is discussed.
  • Japanese Culture: Japan is described as an "autistic culture" due to its long period of isolation. Discusses cultural practices like Seppuku and their potential links to Kamikaze pilots.
  • World War II and the Atomic Bomb: Discusses the American decision to use atomic bombs on Japan, the estimated casualties of an invasion, and the operation plans.
  • Credentials of the Hosts: Addressing the listeners' concerns about their expertise, they emphasize their comedic background and limited formal historical training.
  • Political History (UK Post-War): Discussing Clement Atlee and Margaret Thatcher's impact on British identity.
  • Modern Wisdom's take on post war Prime Ministers in the UK: The podcast does a massive series on the postwar Prime Ministers and are then asked why they didn't get into fashion?
  • Harold Wilson's Second Term: A humorous discussion of Prime Minister Harold Wilson's second term and relationship with his private secretary.
  • British Politics in 1974: Reminiscing about the energy crisis, the 3-day week and Uganda dictator sending reverse reparations to Britain.
  • Hitler's Fragile Masculinity: Discussing attempts to "trans" Hitler by using female sex hormones in the vegetables that were going to be delivered to him.
  • Influence of Bad Fathers: Questioning how bad fathers might influence leaders (Stalin, Mao, Hitler) and questioning how fathers interact in the modern day.
  • The Hosphere: An online phenomena where online communities have pro-hitler views.
  • The Great Dictator: Discussing Chaplain making fun of Hilter and breaking his heart.
  • Charlie Kirk: Whether Charlie Kirk's persona is a rage bait shtick.
  • Phrenology: Returning of the caliper in modern-day science.
  • Embryo Selection: discussing the world of eugenics coming back due to what we can do in fertility clinics.
  • Dads Today: Comparing the available dads of today versus the absentee fathers 50 years ago.

Specific Information & Examples:

  • Graeme Hancock's frequent podcast appearances.
  • Japan closing doors for 300 years: Isolation led to a unique but potentially odd culture.
  • Japanese octopus porn and obscenity laws.
  • Japanese suicide traditions and honor culture.
  • Shinto, Confucianism, and Buddhism influence detachment from everyday life.
  • Night Night Bomb and land invasion.
  • Imperial War Museum connection.
  • British influence on America (Russell Brand, James Cordon).
  • Graeme Hancock's suggestion of psychedelic drug use for US presidential candidates.
  • Atlee's shock victory over Churchill at Potdam.
  • American-funded nuclear arms development in Britain.
  • Howard Wilson and Marcia (private secretary).
  • Ted Heath's misogyny and the longest sulk in history.
  • Three-day work week in Britain due to miner strikes.
  • Uganda dictator sending charitable donations to Britain.
  • The "Dirty Tricks Department" book.
  • Failed plan to trans Hitler through vegetable injections.
  • Churchill's alcoholism and potential depression.
  • Star Wars influence from WWII aesthetics.
  • There are videos of Hitler playing with his dog.
  • The Aztecs using a guy dressed as an owl in battle.
  • The festival of blood where they killed 80,000 people.
  • The dancing plague of 1518.
  • Darwin influenced scientific racism.
  • Francis Golton invented the weather map but also was a Eugenics scientist.
  • There are people sterilized by themselves with a misspelled sign.

Podcast Promotion:

  • Patreon benefits (bonus episodes, early access, ad-free listening).
  • Tour details (sold out).
  • Mention of the "Internet" show.