Bitesize Episode 102 - 10 Million Brits Believe in This Monster—Here’s Why
Jun 12, 2025
Dive into the murky depths of Loch Ness and explore the legendary Loch Ness Monster! Discover how beliefs in Nessie date back to 565 A.D., shaped by children's literature and sensational newspaper reports. Uncover the truth behind famous hoaxes, including a prank involving a plastic model. Learn about the fascinating history of the Loch Ness Investigation Bureau and what modern science says—spoiler alert: it’s mostly eels! This captivating exploration questions our love for myths and why they endure.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Saint Columba's Beast Encounter
In 565 AD, Saint Columba reportedly saw a water beast in the River Ness and commanded it to retreat with a prayer.
This early medieval account is one of the first written mentions of a mysterious creature in these waters.
question_answer ANECDOTE
1933 Sighting Sparks Craze
The 1933 sighting reported by Alex Campbell sparked a media frenzy and dubbed the creature a 'monster'.
Tourists flocked to Loch Ness, eager to find and photograph Nessie, launching global interest.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Surgeon's Photo Hoax Revealed
The 1934 'surgeon's photograph' seemed to provide proof of Nessie, showing a slender neck skimming the surface.
This image fueled decades of belief before being revealed as a hoax in 1993.
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A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI
Yuval Noah Harari
In 'Nexus', Yuval Noah Harari delves into the long-term history of information networks, examining how the flow of information has made and unmade our world. The book takes readers from the Stone Age through significant historical events like the canonization of the Bible, early modern witch-hunts, Stalinism, Nazism, and the resurgence of populism today. Harari discusses the complex relationship between information, truth, bureaucracy, mythology, wisdom, and power, and addresses the urgent choices humanity faces as non-human intelligence threatens our existence. He argues that information networks are the primary driving force shaping human societies and that AI represents a new and critical phase in this history[2][3][5].
Join Charlie as he explores one of Britain’s most enduring legends: the Loch Ness Monster. From ancient sightings in 565 A.D. to modern-day hoaxes and government-funded sonar scans, discover why nearly 10 million Brits still believe in Nessie. Along the way, you’ll learn natural British expressions and cultural references—all while questioning what really lurks in the murky depths of Loch Ness.
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