Join Ender Darling, the infamous "Tumblr Bone Witch," alongside TikToker John's Bones, and former morgue manager Cedric Lodge as they dissect the gripping tale of online human remains trading. They discuss the ethical quandaries surrounding bone collecting and how it connects to colonial exploitation. Caitlin Doughty offers her insights on death rituals, while the group unpacks the chaotic fallout from Ender's controversial actions and the strange intersection of social media and spiritual practices. It's a spooky dive into bone theft and cultural complexities!
The Tumblr bone witch saga ignited intense debates on the ethics of bone collecting and individual rights amid a digital culture shock.
Influencers like John Pachea Ferry highlight the troubling commodification of human remains, raising serious ethical concerns about consent and provenance.
Recent scandals and legislative changes, such as the Louisiana Human Remains Protection and Control Act, spotlight the urgent need for regulatory reform in the bone trade.
Deep dives
The Rise of Bone Collecting on Social Media
The emergence of bone collecting as a practice has gained traction on social media platforms like TikTok, where influencers like John showcase their collections and share their experiences. John Pachea Ferry, also known as John's Bones, has amassed a following by exhibiting human bones, raising questions about the ethical implications of such practices. His content includes casual presentations of human remains, which some viewers find unsettling due to the unclear provenance of the bones featured. This phenomenon reflects a broader cultural fascination with death and the macabre, challenging traditional views on mortality and human remains.
Ethical Concerns in the Bone Trade
The trade of human bones raises significant ethical issues, particularly regarding consent and the history of the bodies being sold. Many bones available in the market, including those sold by influencers like John, are often acquired from marginalized communities, raising concerns about exploitation. The lack of federal regulations in the United States allows for the legal sale of human remains, leading to a commodification of death that disproportionately affects poorer populations. This ongoing issue is a stark reminder of the colonial history tied to the acquisition and display of human remains, particularly Indigenous and marginalized bodies.
The Controversy of Selling Human Bones
Sales of human bones for medical and educational purposes have become increasingly common, but they invite scrutiny over the legitimacy and ethical sourcing of these remains. John claims to sell bones primarily for medical use, yet he also caters to private collectors without adequate oversight, complicating the narrative of ethical sales. The price tags attached to some of these bones, such as a $4,000 adolescent skull, provoke questions about who truly benefits from these transactions. This reflects a troubling trend of treating human remains as commodities, further entrenching issues of race and class in the bone trade.
Legislative Responses to Human Remains Trade
Recent scandals involving individuals trafficking human remains have prompted calls for legal reform in the United States. For instance, the case of Cedric Lodge from Harvard University, who was implicated in a scheme selling body parts, highlighted the inadequacies of current regulations governing the sale of human remains. In response to growing concerns about ethical treatment and the sourcing of bones, new legislation like the Louisiana Human Remains Protection and Control Act was introduced to address these issues. This legislative shift recognizes the need to prevent the exploitation of human remains and to protect the dignity of those who have passed.
Cultural and Spiritual Implications of Bone Practices
Cultural views on death and the use of bones in spiritual practices vary widely, adding complexity to the discussion surrounding body collection and display. Some practitioners incorporate bones into rituals as a means of connecting with ancestors or utilizing their energy, which can clash with modern interpretations of ethical treatment of human remains. Instances like Ender Darling's controversy over claiming bones for magical practices underscore the tension between personal beliefs and societal ethics regarding human remains. As conversations around necromancy and the use of bones gain attention, the need for respectful discourse on these practices and their implications becomes increasingly important.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN, MOTHERFUCKERS! This week, we’re diving deep into the Tumblr bone witch saga, the epic 2015 tale of internet-age graverobbing that all but exploded the internet.
In late 2015, a witch named Ender Darling posted that they’d found some human bones in a New Orleans graveyard, and offered to mail them to other witches in a Facebook group called the Queer Witch Collective. What followed was bedlam – a debate on the ethics of private safe spaces, on bone thievery in New Orleans, and a story that led all the way to court. Spoiler alert: grave robbing isn’t as illegal as you think! Tune in, dear listeners, to the scariest episode of Sixteenth Minute of all time.