Stuff You Should Know Short Stuff: Third Man Syndrome
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Nov 12, 2025 Explore the eerie phenomenon of Third Man Syndrome, where people in dire situations sense a guiding presence urging them to survive. Hear tales from Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition and how T.S. Eliot's poetry shaped the experience's name. Discover accounts from climbers and 9/11 survivors, showcasing this strange sensation across various life-or-death events. The discussion delves into possible explanations, including hardwired instincts and theories about the mind, all while reflecting on the comfort of having an internal companion in crises.
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Shackleton's Guiding Presence
- Ernest Shackleton and two companions felt a fourth presence urging them during an 800-mile survival voyage and a final 36-hour trek to safety.
- All three later reported the same tangible sense of another person walking beside them during the worst stretch.
Mountaineers Report Tangible Guides
- Frank Smythe nearly offered food to an imagined climbing partner near Everest's summit before realizing no one was there.
- Joe Simpson credited a guiding voice with directing him to safety after he broke his leg in the Peruvian Andes.
Follow The Guiding Voice
- If you ever sense an urging voice in a survival situation, follow its guidance because many report it leads to safety.
- The hosts explicitly advise obeying the voice based on collected survivor stories.
