The Power Dynamics of Ancient Aliens in Science Fiction

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There's this whole element of like forced labor slaves built the pyramids or you know how like if you throw thousands of bodies over many many years into doing something that's another thing that is then written away. The ancient aliens continues in science fiction through the 20s and the 30s pulp fiction writers are writing about it regularly in the 40s and 50s comic book writers start picking up the whole idea that humans were guided by aliens.

On this Live Show Beg-a-Thon, recorded on May 17, we discuss the pop culture phenomenon and appeal of pseudoarchaeology in its many forms, from fraudulent alternative history books like Erich von Däniken's 1968 book, Chariots of the Gods? Unsolved Mysteries of the Past, to television series like "Ancient Aliens" and "Ancient Apocalypse."

Alongside guest Dr. David S. Anderson, we discuss how phony "what if?" theories often go beyond the goofy, guilty pleasure premises of extraterrestrial visitors and lost civilizations to promote Eurocentric, racist pap and a mindless distrust of "the scientific establishment" in the stupidest and least productive way possible.