Making Sense Of 2020

Dec 18, 2020

Guest

Wang Hung

Laura Spinney, a science journalist and author, discusses the parallels between the 2020 pandemic and the 1918 Spanish flu, highlighting humanity's resilience. Daniel Streicker, an ecologist, sheds light on bats as reservoirs for viruses, particularly rabies. Jonny Sun, a writer and artist, explores themes of loneliness and the search for connection during isolation. Wang Hung offers insights on cultural responses to COVID-19, contrasting collectivism in China with individualism in the U.S., raising questions about societal norms in crises.

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ANECDOTE

Charlie Chaplin Film Premiere

During the 1918 flu pandemic, Charlie Chaplin's film "Shoulder Arms" premiered in New York City.
Despite the pandemic's severity, people risked their lives to see it, highlighting the human desire for normalcy.

INSIGHT

Ancient Human Reactions

While each pandemic is unique, human responses remain consistent throughout history.
Both good and bad behaviors, like hysteria and resilience, have been observed since ancient times.

INSIGHT

Three Waves of Spanish Flu

The 1918 Spanish flu pandemic occurred in three waves.
The second wave was the deadliest, highlighting the unpredictable nature of pandemics.

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everyone's a aliebn when ur a aliebn too

a book

Jonny Sun

This book follows jomny, an alien sent to Earth to research humans, as he befriends various creatures and uncovers complexities of life. Through simple yet profound storytelling, Sun addresses themes like anxiety, loss, and identity, making readers feel less alienated. The narrative is both humorous and heartfelt, offering a unique perspective on the human condition.

Of the Epidemics

Hippocrates

Hippocrates' "Of the Epidemics" is a collection of case studies and observations on various diseases prevalent in ancient Greece. It provides insights into the understanding of disease at the time, including descriptions of symptoms, progression, and outcomes. The work is significant for its detailed clinical observations and its emphasis on the importance of careful observation and detailed record-keeping in medical practice. It also reflects the holistic approach to medicine that characterized Hippocratic thought, considering environmental factors and lifestyle in the context of health and disease. The book's enduring legacy lies in its contribution to the development of clinical medicine and its emphasis on the ethical responsibility of physicians.

Pale rider

The Spanish Flu of 1918 and How It Changed the World

Laura Spinney

In this gripping narrative history, Laura Spinney recounts the story of the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, which infected a third of the world's population and caused between 50 and 100 million deaths. The book explores how the virus traveled globally, exposing human vulnerability and driving innovation in medicine, religion, and the arts. It also examines the pandemic's significant social and political impacts, including its role in pushing India to independence, South Africa to apartheid, and Switzerland to the brink of civil war. Spinney draws on research in history, virology, epidemiology, psychology, and economics to masterfully recount this little-known catastrophe that forever changed humanity.