13: The Happiest Place on Earth pt.1: The Finnish Line
Aug 9, 2023
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The podcast explores the mysteries of Scandinavia, including the Finland Conspiracy theory. They discuss the continuation war and Finland being declared the happiest country in the world. They also explore unusual sports and the perception of Finland, and delve into the conspiracy theory that Finland doesn't exist. The hosts engage with listeners, discuss listener feedback, and apologize for previous jokes about Finland.
Finland has been declared the world's happiest country for six years in a row, emphasizing their casual work culture, love for nature, and unique traditions.
The conspiracy theory that Finland doesn't exist originates from the belief that it was fabricated by Japan and the Soviet Union to keep fishing spots to themselves, and the theory is fueled by claims of lack of recognized Finnish celebrities and supposed evidence of a cover-up.
Deep dives
The Strange Story of a Finnish Soldier and Methamphetamine
During the Continuation War, a Finnish soldier named Imo Alan Kuybunen consumed the entire supply of Pervitin, a type of methamphetamine, to stay awake and alert while escaping the Soviets. This made him the first documented case of a soldier overdosing during combat. Despite multiple challenges and injuries, Imo survived and lived to the age of 71.
Finland: The Happiest Country on Earth
Finland has been declared the world's happiest country for six years in a row based on various factors such as life expectancy, GDP per capita, social support, low corruption, and generosity in the community. The Finnish people have a casual work culture and a strong emphasis on nature, with 75% of the country being forest. They also have unique traditions such as wife carrying competitions, rubber boot throwing, and even an air guitar World Championship. Finland is known for its high coffee consumption and the invention of the Molotov cocktail. Overall, Finland has a reputation for promoting transparency, equality, and well-being among its citizens.
The Finland Conspiracy: Is Finland Real?
The podcast episode explores the conspiracy theory that Finland doesn't exist. According to the theory, Japan and the Soviet Union shared a secret during the Cold War and spread the rumor that Finland is a fictional country to keep fishing spots to themselves and avoid international fishing regulations. The theorists believe that most of Finland's population is actually dispersed in small towns in eastern Sweden, northern Estonia, and western Russia, while Helsinki is said to exist in eastern Sweden. The podcast delves into the origins of the conspiracy theory, the reasons why some people believe it, and the addictive nature of conspiracy theories in general.
The Ridiculous Claims and Debunking of the Finland Conspiracy
The podcast episode discusses some of the claims made by believers of the Finland conspiracy theory. These claims include the lack of universally recognized Finnish celebrities, the idea that Finland's success as a country is too good to be true, and the belief that maps, satellite images, and airline pilots are all part of the conspiracy to hide the truth. The podcast also addresses the addictive nature of conspiracy theories, noting that they can provide a sense of superiority, structure, and an outlet for challenging mainstream beliefs. The hosts share their own thoughts on the theory and offer an apology to the Finnish people for making jokes about it.
Maia tells Grant about the mysteries that do (or don't) exist in the magical land of Scandinavia. Your new favorite conspiracy theory, or your next vacation destination. It depends on who you ask. Thank you to our listener, Paula from Finland, who submitted the topic idea, the Finland Conspiracy originating from Reddit.
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