The Last Archive

Elon Musk is portrayed as a modern-day kingmaker, shaping technology and society's future. The podcast delves into his childhood in South Africa and how his love for Douglas Adams’ work inspired his entrepreneurial spirit. It contrasts economic disparities depicted in 'The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy' with apartheid's realities, highlighting how oppressive environments shape innovators. The origins of technocracy and its implications for governance are also explored, along with the transformation of X.com into PayPal, revealing Musk's libertarian influences.

Elon Musk’s origin story keeps changing. First, he was Tony Stark, or Iron Man. Not too long ago, he compared himself to Batman. Arguments started online over whether or not Musk is a real-life Bruce Wayne. In this episode, Jill Lepore looks at the original ‘Caped Crusader’, created back in 1939. Batman’s origin story is bound up with fascism. And every time Musk is compared to Batman it raises a very old question about the Dark Knight: is Batman fighting fascism, or is Batman — a brooding, fabulously wealthy vigilante — somehow, himself a fascist?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 1960s, a right-wing organization led by a former candy tycoon rose to fame in America for their anti-communist campaigns. They called themselves the John Birch Society. Then, they tried to take over the Parent-Teacher Association. This week, what the battle between the two organizations tells us about the fate of American politics, and the history of your Halloween candy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on the show, Leon Neyfakh, co-creator of the hit podcasts Slow Burn and Fiasco, discusses his season on the aftermath of the 2000 election between Al Gore and George W. Bush. You can listen to the full season of Fiasco now.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jesse Owens spent the rest of his life retelling the story of the 1936 games and his encounter with Luz Long. We trace the evolution of a tall tale, discovering the hidden life of one of America’s iconic sports heroes. This is part two of a two-part crossover from Revisionist History’s ‘Hitler’s Olympics’ series. To listen to the whole series, head over to the Revisionist History show page.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The most famous athlete in 1936 Olympics in Nazi Germany was the American sprinter Jesse Owens, and one of the most famous stories from those Games was the unexpected, heartwarming encounter Owens had with the German long jumper Luz Long. The friendship between the two athletes would serve as a symbol of how sports can overcome national antagonisms. We wonder: What really happened at the long jump pit that day?  This is part one of a two-part crossover from Revisionist History’s ‘Hitler’s Olympics’ series. To listen to the whole series, head over to the Revisionist History show page.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jill Lepore and Ben Naddaff-Hafrey discuss the AI-powered recreation of Brown v. Board cases. Kenneth W. Mack shares insights on the case's enduring significance. Topics include historical voices, technological innovations in healthcare, societal reactions to the Supreme Court's decision, and the potential use of AI in interpreting historical texts.

In this podcast, Jill Lepore discusses the post-truth moment and its impact on the 2024 election, evolution of polling accuracy, chaos and misinformation on election night, public vs private political discourse, lack of diverse candidates in the Democratic Party nominations, challenges of student debt forgiveness, navigating political pressures in the Republican Party, importance of civic participation, and understanding opposing ideas for a better future.

Jill Lepore, a historian at the forefront of blending history with contemporary politics, delves deep into the turbulent intersections of past and present. She explores the fascinating Iron Mountain hoax from the 1960s and its surprisingly relevant link to the January 6th Capitol insurrection. The conversation reveals how misinformation shapes extremist ideologies and the crisis of trust plaguing democracy today. Lepore also ties historical narratives to the challenges of modern governance, ultimately prompting listeners to reflect on the truth in our society.

Explore how Rush Limbaugh revolutionized talk radio and influenced the conservative movement in the 1980s. Delve into the rise of controversial radio commentary, tracking the shift from independent stations to corporate giants. Understand the Fairness Doctrine's impact on media and the emergence of political talk radio. Discover the role of conservative figures during Obama's presidency and the complex dynamics introduced by Trump's rise. Reflect on the evolution of political discourse in an increasingly polarized environment.