

Citation Needed
Citation Needed Media
The podcast where we choose a subject, read a single Wikipedia article about it, and pretend we’re experts. Because this is the internet, and that’s how it works now.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 24, 2025 • 40min
History's Most Expensive Party
The 2,500-year celebration of the Persian Empire,[1] officially known as the 2,500-year celebration of the Empire of Iran (Persian: جشنهای ۲۵۰۰ ساله شاهنشاهی ایران, romanized: Jašn-hây-e 2500 sale’ šâhanšâhi Irân), was hosted by the Pahlavi dynasty in the Imperial State of Iran in October 1971. Concentrated at Persepolis, it consisted of an elaborate set of grand festivities that sought to honour the legacy of the Achaemenid Empire, which was founded by Cyrus the Great in 550 BC.[2][3] The event was aimed at highlighting ancient Iranian history and also showcasing the country's contemporary advances under Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who had been reigning as the Shah of Iran since 1941.[4][5] The site brought sixty members of royalty and heads of state from abroad.[6]

Sep 17, 2025 • 48min
ChatGPT convinced a guy that he's a superhero
Over 21 days of talking with ChatGPT, an otherwise perfectly sane man became convinced that he was a real-life superhero. We analyzed the conversation. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/08/technology/ai-chatbots-delusions-chatgpt.html

Sep 10, 2025 • 31min
Victorian Mummy Mania and Sundry Weirdness
Mummia, mumia, or originally mummy referred to several different preparations in the history of medicine, from "mineral pitch" to "powdered human mummies". It originated from Arabic mūmiyā "a type of resinous bitumen found in Western Asia and used curatively" in traditional Islamic medicine, which was translated as pissasphaltus (from "pitch" and "asphalt") in ancient Greek medicine. In medieval European medicine, mūmiyā "bitumen" was transliterated into Latin as mumia meaning both "a bituminous medicine from Persia" and "mummy". Merchants in apothecaries dispensed expensive mummia bitumen, which was thought to be an effective cure-all for many ailments. It was also used as an aphrodisiac.

Sep 3, 2025 • 40min
The Vasa
Vasa (previously Wasa) (Swedish pronunciation: [²vɑːsa] ⓘ) is a Swedish warship built between 1626 and 1628. The ship sank after sailing roughly 1,300 m (1,400 yd) into her maiden voyage on 10 August 1628. She fell into obscurity after most of her valuable bronze cannons were salvaged in the 17th century, until she was located again in the late 1950s in a busy shipping area in Stockholm harbor. The ship was salvaged with a largely intact hull in 1961. She was housed in a temporary museum called Wasavarvet ("The Vasa Shipyard") until 1988 and then moved permanently to the Vasa Museum in the Royal National City Park in Stockholm. Between her recovery in 1961 and the beginning of 2025, Vasa has been seen by over 45 million visitors.[2]

Aug 27, 2025 • 40min
Exxon Valdez
The Exxon Valdez oil spill was a major environmental disaster that occurred in Alaska's Prince William Sound on March 24, 1989. The spill occurred when Exxon Valdez, an oil supertanker owned by Exxon Shipping Company, bound for Long Beach, California, struck Prince William Sound's Bligh Reef, 6 mi (9.7 km) west of Tatitlek, Alaska at 12:04 a.m. The tanker spilled more than 10 million US gallons (240,000 bbl) (or 37,000 tonnes)[1] of crude oil over the next few days.[2]

Aug 20, 2025 • 59min
How I Survived a Wedding in a Jungle That Tried to Eat Me Alive
https://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/essays/jungle-wedding/

Aug 13, 2025 • 34min
Olestra / Olean
Explore the wild world of Olestra, a fat substitute that promised guilt-free snacks but delivered digestive chaos. The hosts dive into its controversial history and the absurdity of fad diets, sharing hilarious anecdotes that critique past dietary trends. A mock focus group for 'Poison' chips brings out even more outrageous tales of digestive disasters. With a blend of humor and insightful commentary, the discussion highlights the challenges of food regulation and consumer safety, all while keeping the laughs coming.

Aug 6, 2025 • 40min
Pluto
Pluto (minor-planet designation: 134340 Pluto) is a dwarf planet in the Kuiper belt, a ring of bodies beyond the orbit of Neptune. It is the ninth-largest and tenth-most-massive known object to directly orbit the Sun. It is the largest known trans-Neptunian object by volume by a small margin, but is less massive than Eris. Like other Kuiper belt objects, Pluto is made primarily of ice and rock and is much smaller than the inner planets. Pluto has roughly one-sixth the mass of the Moon and one-third its volume. Originally considered a planet, its classification was changed when astronomers adopted a new definition of planet.

Jul 31, 2025 • 9min
Patreon Bonus Episode Teaser - July Bonus - My Immortal Fan Fiction
Dive into the wacky world of fan fiction with hilarious takes on the infamous 'My Immortal.' The hosts discuss chaotic narratives, outrageous character crossovers, and time travel shenanigans. Expect absurd plots and humorous commentary on quirky twists, like seductive encounters and coffin rendezvous. This whimsical exploration also features pop culture icons in unexpected romantic escapades, including a concert date with Voldemort. It's a wild and entertaining ride through the most eccentric corners of fan fiction!

Jul 30, 2025 • 36min
Defenestration
Discover the absurdity of defenestration, from its historical roots in Prague's political turmoil to the outrageous stories of rulers being tossed from windows. The hosts blend humor with tales of violent political intrigue, including biblical downfall and the Medici family’s schemes. Dive into darkly funny historical punishments and learn about accessing K-dramas through VPNs. The podcast wraps up with a lively quiz, mixing a quirky history of violent exits with lighthearted banter, ensuring history never felt this entertaining!