Tides of History

Why Do Ordinary People Do Terrible Things? Daniele Bolelli and Patrick Discuss

Mar 14, 2024

Delve into the complexities of human behavior in history, exploring why ordinary people commit terrible acts. Discuss the moral implications of societal structures and the strategies individuals use to rationalize heinous actions. Explore the intersection of historical forces and personal choice, touching on clan rivalries in LBK culture and the complicated relationship with empire.

51:16

Episode guests

Daniele Bolelli

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Individual choices under societal pressures shape actions in historical contexts.

Limited resources and pressures can drive extreme actions within cultural groups.

Practicing accountability and aligning actions with moral values foster integrity in decision-making.

Deep dives

Individual Choices Amid Historical Forces

Individuals making choices in historical contexts and amid societal pressures shapes their actions. Examining stories like Cortez's Spaniards illustrates how individuals from similar backgrounds may make different choices.

Introduction

3min

The Complexities of Human Behavior in History

14min

The Complicated Relationship with Empire

5min

The Moral Implications of Ordinary People Committing Terrible Acts

17min

Exploring Strategies Used to Rationalize Terrible Acts

2min

Identifying Clan Rivalries in LBK Culture

12min

Exploring the Intersection of Historical Forces and Personal Choice

3min

History is littered with terrible deeds and atrocities: conquest, genocide, mass enslavement, forced displacement, crimes of all sorts. Why do people agree to participate in these actions? Daniele Bolelli, host of the History on Fire podcast, joins me to discuss the topic and an essay I wrote on my Substack page, which you can find here: https://patrickwyman.substack.com/p/ordinary-people-do-terrible-things

Patrick's book is now available! Get The Verge: Reformation, Renaissance, and Forty Years that Shook the World in hardcopy, ebook, or audiobook (read by Patrick) here: https://bit.ly/PWverge. And check out Patrick's new podcast The Pursuit of Dadliness! It’s all about “Dad Culture,” and Patrick will interview some fascinating guests about everything from tall wooden ships to smoked meats to comfortable sneakers to history, sports, culture, and politics. https://bit.ly/PWtPoD

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