KERA's Think
Actor Ed Helms on history’s biggest screw ups
May 2, 2025
Ed Helms, comedian and actor known for his roles in The Office and The Hangover, dives into history's biggest blunders. He shares the wild story of cats trained as spies in the CIA's Operation Acoustic Kitty, and an absurd Cold War plan to nuke the moon. Helms also discusses the accidental nuclear bomb drop in South Carolina and the ambitious yet flawed Biosphere 2 project. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes humor's role in coping with humanity's mistakes and reflects on our fascination with history's screw-ups.
45:11
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Quick takeaways
- Historical failures reveal humanity's resilience and ability to learn from mistakes, countering the belief that current times are the worst.
- Humor serves as a vital coping mechanism that fosters connection and critiques societal issues, particularly in reflecting on human absurdities.
Deep dives
The Optimistic Side of Historical Mistakes
Researching and recounting historical failures offers an oddly comforting perspective, as it highlights humanity’s capacity to endure and learn from past mistakes. While many believe that current times are the worst, these historical anecdotes reveal the consistent folly of human decision-making that has been present throughout history. The idea that individuals have faced monumental screw-ups yet continued to thrive instills a sense of hope. Such examinations allow people to recognize that errors are part of the human experience, encouraging resilience against future setbacks.
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