Cutting Class

Latest Episodes:

87- Eugenics: Science Runs Amok! Jun 19, 2019

Show notes

Eugenics was cutting edge science in early the 20th century. All the educated elite were aware of it’s implications and goals. Popular authors, actors, and even politicians lobbied for it. Now it’s synonymous with death, forced sterilizations, and even Nazism. What happened and why is it coming back into conversations as a possibility in 2019? Find out today as we dive into the early Eugenics movement in America and the Carrie Buck story.
Special shout out to our fellow cutter of classes, Isabel Wilson, who requested the show! Thanks Isabel!

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86- Rottnest Island: A Vacation Site of Death Jun 12, 2019

Show notes

Today it’s a beautiful island for biking, snorkling, and nature walks with cute little critters called quokkas. But this island has a dark past that should be learned. When indigenous peoples became problematic to British settlers in Western Australia they were sent to Rottnest Island and subsequently died by the hundreds. Today we dive in to this request story from follower and fellow Podcaster Nate Toppings!
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Quokka , Indigenous Incarceration , Art described

85- A Communist led Ukrainian Genocide? Jun 05, 2019

Show notes

Ever heard of the Holodomor? Most Americans haven’t! It refers to a debated “genocide” that took place in Ukraine in the early 1930’s. The stories of Communist collectivization and control of the food are shocking and heartbreaking. Thus only proves once again our bias against Stalin as one of the worst humans in history. Between 3 and 10 million Ukrainians died in the Holodomor, but it is often overshadowed by the upcoming histories of WW2 and the Holocaust. But oddly enough, even today this event is still debated. Russia still denies it was an intentional genocide while many Ukrainians insist that it is. The United States didn’t recognize this as an actual genocide until 2018! Listen in, decide for yourselves, and let us know what you think!
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84- Floating to Freedom May 29, 2019

Show notes

Imagine floating thousands of feet in the air with your spouse and small children in a hot air balloon you built in your garage with scrap parts. Oh yeah, and the Western German police will arrest you or maybe even kill you if they catch you doing it. This is exactly what happened in 1979 when two families desperately tried to escape to West Germany and things didn’t always work out for the best. It’s an incredible story of struggle, innovation, and communism! This is a must hear story!
Pictures- Sewing machine – Peter Strelzyk’s Amazing Sweater – Gunter & Family – Sketchy Propane Burners – The Metal Gondola – The Final Balloon – A Hole in the Roof – Crash Landing 1 – Crash Landing 2 – At Your Own Movie
Video- 1982 Night Crossing Trailer – 2018 Balloon Film Trailer
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83- Was Hiss a Snake? May 22, 2019

Show notes

In 1950 a man by the name of Algier Hiss was found guilty of perjury. He reportedly lied under oath about his involvement in a Soviet spy ring that was operating before and during WWII….Hiss would go on to serve about 4 years of jail time and spend the rest of his life maintaining his innocence. Today Joes weaves us a tale of Cold War Spies and a coincidentally, a new use for Pumpkins!
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82- State Testing is a Travesty May 15, 2019

Show notes

Jess and Joe deliver a special episode on State Testing using Tennessee as an example of how this seemingly innocuous practice ruins learning in the classrooms. If you’re not interested, then join us next week for another exciting show. But if you’d like to hear why teaching history and learning history in state schools is awful and some strategies on how we could fix it then listen in! We’d love to hear your feedback and experiences with this system or other ones you think would be better.

81- A Brief look at Scientology May 08, 2019

Show notes

In a special dedication episode, Joe takes us into the History of Scientology discussing some of the core beliefs of this bizarre religion. Not only this, but he covers Operation Snow White in which the church infiltrated the US Government in order to spy on those spying on them! Finally, we discuss a bit of Scientology’s War on Drugs program labeled Narcanon.
Check out the Scientology Building

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80- Accidentally Nuking Spain May 01, 2019

Show notes

In today’s episode we look at the 1966 Palomares incident in which the US accidentally dropped 4 Hydrogen bombs over the little town of Palomares Spain. Why did this happen and how have I not heard about this before!? Find out on today’s show!

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Stratofortress refueling

The “Swim Party” photo

Wreckage amongst the Crops

79- What the Falklands? Apr 24, 2019

Show notes

We’ll take a short break from our Moral Panic Series to bring you some fun tales we’ve been individually cooking up. On today’s episode Joe dives into the lesser-known Falklands war of 1982. Britain’s first invasion since WW2 ends up with a smack down on Argentina in these practically deserted islands off of the coast of South America. Turn’s out Margaret Thatcher doesn’t take too kindly to losing land. Find out the scoop on today’s show!
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78- Dungeons and Dragons is the Devil! Apr 17, 2019

Show notes

Today Jess delivers us our third tale of moral panic on Dungeons and Dragons itself. in the 1970s and 1980’s as this game was growing in popularity there were many who believed it may lead kids down a path of delusion and devil worship. Today’s epic of an episode covers the origins of D&D, the first big cases associated with the game, and the evangelical backlash that connected the game to Satan himself. You have to investigate the wild videos referenced in today show so we’ll attach them to the notes too!
Special Shout out to Liar City and numerous other podcasts for helping guide the research!

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