Stuff You Should Know Short Stuff: Obituaries
Dec 18, 2019
Explore the fascinating world of obituaries, where life's stories are celebrated with humor and depth. Discover how these tributes evolved from simple death notices to intricate narratives that capture personal legacies. Dive into the historical context, from the Civil War to today's candid profiles, revealing societal shifts and the impact of technology. Uncover the role of AI in genealogy and the humorous side of ageism in readership, showcasing the dynamic nature of remembering those we've lost.
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Obituary Reading Habits
- Chuck and Josh discuss their obituary-reading habits.
- Josh jokes that Chuck doesn't read obituaries because he's "under 80."
Obituaries and Genealogy
- Obituaries are valuable genealogical resources, listing family members.
- Genealogy websites use AI to create obituaries, some dating back to the 1750s.
Early Obituaries
- Early obituaries primarily featured famous people.
- This was partly due to the labor-intensive process of typesetting before the Linotype machine.