Decay of Discourse

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Latest Episodes:

E36: Ashes to Ashes - Burial Practices and the Chemistry of Death Aug 15, 2019

Show notes

"Death is not an unaltering state." On this episode, I intend to explain what that means by discussing the chemical processes of death and decomposition. This will serve as the introduction for our discussion on Burial Practices and how we treat the dead. Thank you as always to our supporters on Patreon Billy Littlefield Alicia Woods & Ronnie New If you value the show as an educational resource, consider supporting the show on Patreon. Patreon.com/dirtyhistory Thank you, and enjoy the show!

E35: Why We Teach History the Way We Do: Religion and Politics (What Not to Say At Parties) Jul 24, 2019

Show notes

On this episode, I try to figure out how we teach history and what pieces get left out. I also look into topics you shouldn't mention at your next dinner party. I hope this episode challenges you to disagree with my guest Mark Elsico or I and formulate a response, critique, or defense of our positions because that is learning in one of its purest forms. If you value the show as an educational resource—support it on Patreon. Patreon.com/dirtyhistory Dirty History is powered by Patrons like: Billy Littlefield Andrew Henley Alicia Woods & Ronnie New

E34: Pubic Hair, Cleanliness, and Just A Touch of Porn and Power Jul 09, 2019

Show notes

On this episode, I was joined by Lyndsey Craig, a researcher and Ph.D. student of Anthropology at UNLV. She recently penned a paper titled, “Pubic Hair Removal Practices in Cross-Cultural Perspective”, Needless to say, as soon as I read it I wanted to talk to her. This is that conversation. Please welcome, Lyndsey Craig! Twitter: @lyndseykcraig Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lyndsey.craig.92 Find the Study @ https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1069397118799298 This episode was supported by Alicia Woods Andrew Henley Billy Littlefield Ronnie New

E33: Executioners and Torture-Executions: A Dirty History of Social Ostracism Jun 20, 2019

Show notes

On this episode of Dirty History, we will discuss why executioners were shunned and feared by middle ages society, and how they coped with it. Also, there is the obligatory recounting of brutal torture executions, a few asides on torture, how to verify death, the various dirty jobs an executioner had to perform, and a rumination on mob violence. This episode does get a touch graphic, but that is to be expected because this is Dirty History.

E30: Body Snatchers and Barber-Surgeons: A Dirty History of Pre-Antiseptic Surgery May 21, 2019

Show notes

On this episode of Dirty History, we'll explore the surgical theaters and barber shops of pre-antiseptic medical practitioners. I ask that going forward in this episode we check the easily obtainable notion that what was happening to obtain human donors was, yanno, "wrong". Instead let us focus on the structures that led the researchers and surgeons to resort to these less than savory methods.

E28: The Silent Teacher W/ Aaron Fried Apr 16, 2019

Show notes

This week I sit down with Aaron Fried to discuss the ethical considerations of how Nazi anatomists sourced their human donors—along with a broader conversation on anatomy, dissection, and medical history. Put that sandwich down, strap in, and learn a few things. I'm Thomas Thompson and this is Dirty History Find out more about Aaron and his hunt for Pernkopf Atlases at https://www.mvccanatomy.org/

E3: Slaughterhouses Part III - Two a Week Sep 04, 2018

Show notes

In the conclusion of our series on slaughterhouses, we explore conditions today and assess how much things have actually improved.

E2: Slaughterhouses Part II - They Had Pickled Hands! Aug 28, 2018

Show notes

In the second part of our slaughterhouse trilogy, we take a tour of the Union Stockyards and gauge the public perception of animal slaughter prior to The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. Strap in and put down that sandwich!

E1: Slaughterhouses Part 1 - The Most Admirable Stench Aug 21, 2018

Show notes

In the first episode of Dirty History, we will explore the context in which Upton Sinclair wrote his seminal work, The Jungle.

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