
The History of Being Human
History, anatomy and physiology, philosophy, psychology, anthropology. The podcast that attempts to resurrect sense and meaning from the dust of a billion factoids.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-history-of-being-human--5806452/support.
Latest episodes

May 30, 2022 • 49min
HBH 34: The Radioactive KGB Yeti UFO Bear on the Mountain of Death
This is actually the story of the Dyatlov Pass deaths of 1959 -- an event that remains mysterious and controversial to this day. 9 healthy Russian Athletes on a ski trip die under stange circumstances. The location and conditon of the bodies is both distrubing and bizarre. Many conspiracy, supernatural, and naturalistic explanations have been attempted with varying levels of acceptance. None accounts for every fact. Today, the events and people in this riveting mystery. Next episode, the theories and explanations. See the group's pictures and read their diaries. View maps and 3D models of the scene. Check the timeline. This website is an excellent and enthralling resource: https://dyatlovpass.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-history-of-being-human--5806452/support.

Apr 12, 2022 • 34min
HBH 33 The Fundamental Nature of Physical Reality
There are some things you just have to know to keep up with the headlines. Things that, in some cases, provide crucial insights into who we are and how we and the universe we are part of work. It might be that a big picture concept of the fundamental building blocks of reality is one of those things. If you, like me, really want to understand something about physics, but find yourself thwarted at every turn by boring, overly-technical, confusing, and poorly organized presentations, allow The History of Being Human Podcast to throw its hat into the ring. What follows is my own boring, confusing presentation of some key ideas, presented as only a naive mind can. All I can say in my defense is that you really just have to know this. Or not.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-history-of-being-human--5806452/support.

Feb 6, 2022 • 1h 2min
HBH 32: The Texas Tower Tumor of Terror
Today we cover the story of Charles Whitman, the erstwhile normal and successful young scout, altar boy, and marine sharpshooter who, in the course of 24 hours, killed his mother and wife, climbed the tower at UT Austin, and sniped at innocent civilians for an hour and a half. After he was killed, his autopsy revealed, possibly, a structure that might or might not bear on one of the biggest mysteries about humanity -- are we free to choose our own actions, or are our actions decided by factors outside our voluntary control? A somewhat disturbing story about the evil perpetrated by one very disturbed young man, so caveat auditor. https://youtu.be/Q1uTdkQwsBkBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-history-of-being-human--5806452/support.

Jan 15, 2022 • 47min
HBH 31: The Terror of Torquemada
A late entry into the worst people ever compendium, Tomas de Torquemada, the first and greatest Grand Inquisitor of The Spanish Inquisition. A man who began with a broad national mandate to root out heretics and insincere converses, and ended so loathed by everyone in Spain that he needed armed escorts wherever he went. A zealot so intransigent that the Pope tried to find a way to get rid of him. This is the story of Torquemada and the beginnings and glory days of The Spanish Inquisition. Our last episode on the Inquisition, and good riddance to it! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-history-of-being-human--5806452/support.

Dec 12, 2021 • 56min
HBH 30: Three Trials of Joan of Arc
In this episode we conclude our series on the inquisition with the story of Joan of Arc with her three "trials:" 1. The Examination at Poitiers (link to a summary: https://www.jeanne-darc.info/trials-index/the-examination-at-poitiers/) 2. The 1431 Trial of Condemnation before the Inquisition (link to fulll transcripts: https://www.jeanne-darc.info/trial-of-condemnation-index/) 3. The Trial of Nullification in the 1450s (link to full transcripts: https://www.jeanne-darc.info/trial-of-nullification/) Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-history-of-being-human--5806452/support.

Nov 9, 2021 • 1h 4min
HBH 29: The Short, Astonishing Life of Joan of Arc
Here it is: the pious childhood, the voices, the missions, the uncanny miraculous insights, the fearless warring, the taunting and threatening, the temper, the visions and prophesies, and the prodigious feats of the Maid of Orleans. According to Twain, this was far and away the most amazing human being to ever live, and that is saying an awful lot. Wherever she stands on the ladder of greatness, Joan was a force wholly new and utterly unique in nature. One for the Ages. This is her life.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-history-of-being-human--5806452/support.

Oct 10, 2021 • 42min
HBH 28: The Life and Trials of Joan of Arc
In this episode we set the stage for the story of Joan of Arc, one of the most enigmatic and fascinating people in history. To understand Joan we have to understand the Hundred Years' War, the festering quagmire into which she was born, and which she helped put an end to. Herein are dragons and whirlwinds, blood-soaked Vikings, slaughtered monks, broken treaties, lunatic kings, conquering dukes, glorious victories and crushing defeats, assassinations and treachery, conniving men and women, and war, war, war. In short, it was the last world you would expect a peasant girl to rise to greatness in. But rise she would... Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-history-of-being-human--5806452/support.

Aug 26, 2021 • 59min
HBH 27: The Knights Templars' Humble Beginnings and Horrific End
They are one of the two most implicated groups in the history of conspiracy theories. But their real history is, if less mysterious and ominous, just as unsettling. From a humble beginning, to becoming the richest order in Christendom, to being imprisoned, tortured, persecuted and executed. This is the story of the Knights Templar.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-history-of-being-human--5806452/support.

Jul 20, 2021 • 34min
HBH 26: Mother and Infant Down the Rocks
We continue our series on the Inquisition with the campaigns to suppress the Waldensians. These "Poor Men (and Women!) of Lyon" were known for their sandals and their beards; but mostly for their Christian piety, humility, and charity. So of course they had to die. And die they did, in the tens, hundreds, and thousands. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-history-of-being-human--5806452/support.

Jun 29, 2021 • 48min
HBH 25: Kill Them All and God Will Know His Own
In this episode we begin a full immersion experience into that most infamous of offices, The Inqusition. From the forces at play in the persecution society where it began, through a few early burnings, to the papal bull that started it all, we refuse to shrink from staring it in all its repressive sanctimony. We also cover some of the early heretical movements and groups that caught the -- very unwanted -- attention of the ecclesiastical inquisition. Finally, the Albigensian Crusade gets off to a brutal and sadistic start, as the Pope calls another crusade, this time against the Cathars -- in what historians call the first ideological genocide in history. Artwork by Ian ArmstrongBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-history-of-being-human--5806452/support.