AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Intelligence Squared
Humans: A Monstrous History
Feb 17, 2025
In this engaging conversation, historian Surekha Davies dives into the intriguing concept of monstrosity and its ties to societal fears. She discusses how narratives about monsters reflect our values and history, exploring figures who embody ‘otherness’ and the implications for race and gender. The chat also touches on the potential of alien life and how our understanding of humanity shifts in light of AI advancements. With historical context, Davies highlights the dangers of discrimination and the need for advocacy against harmful narratives.
38:39
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Monsters symbolize the fluidity of identity and highlight societal tendencies to marginalize those who defy traditional classifications.
- The history of monster-making reveals societal attitudes toward the 'other,' illustrating how narratives are controlled to perpetuate stereotypes and dehumanization.
Deep dives
The Concept of Monsters and Human Categories
Monsters are defined as categories that transcend traditional classifications, representing stories rather than actual beings. This idea emphasizes the fluidity of identities, as individuals or creatures that defy standard definitions often become marginalized and labeled as monstrous. Examples like Frankenstein's monster and werewolves illustrate how these entities break boundaries—Frankenstein straddles the line between life and death, while werewolves merge human and animal characteristics. The ongoing process of labeling individuals as monsters reflects societal norms and reveals deeper issues about inclusion and acceptance within human communities.
Get the Snipd
podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any
moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share
& Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode