The Gangs of New York (yes the movie) was inspired by a book written by Herbert Asbury called, The Gangs of New York: An Informal History of the Underworld. This book documented the rise and fall of 19th century gangs in Lower Manhattan, in a slum known as the Five Points. This was also home to some notorious gangs, such as the Bowery Boys, led by Bill the Butcher, and their rivals, the Dead Rabbits. These were wild and brutal times, and in all honesty, depicts parts of human nature that have not changed all that much! Listen and enjoy!
From simple simulations, to coin-operated arcade games, to consoles, this episode covers the evolution of video games. From the video game crash of 1983, to console wars, we had a great time uncovering the art of video games and game design. We also reminisce on some of the video games that shaped our childhood and, today, scream nostalgia.
You've heard of the Hearst Castle, but how did this estate come to be? In this episode, Chad and I cover the Hearst family, their humble beginnings, and how they built their wealth, starting with George Hearst and his son, William Randolph Hearst. We also cover the kidnapping of Patty Hearst performed by the Symbionese Liberation Army. Lot's to unpack! Have a listen and enjoy!
Don't step on a crack. It's bad luck to open an umbrella indoors. Don't spill the salt. Sound familiar? We've grown up with these guidelines or ideas that have shaped our behavior since we were children. But where did these ideas comes from? In this episode, we discuss the origins of common superstitious beliefs! Have a listen and enjoy discovering where you land on the superstition chart!
The Gangs of New York (yes the movie) was inspired by a book written by Herbert Asbury called, The Gangs of New York: An Informal History of the Underworld. This book documented the rise and fall of 19th century gangs in Lower Manhattan, in a slum known as the Five Points. This was also home to some notorious gangs, such as the Bowery Boys, led by Bill the Butcher, and their rivals, the Dead Rabbits. These were wild and brutal times, and in all honesty, depicts parts of human nature that have not changed all that much! Listen and enjoy!
If you are a fan of Hip Hop, you are likely a fan of sampling. Listen to this episode to understand why sampling is so prevalent in Hip Hop... and most pop music for that matter! We had a good time talking about some of the earliest methods of sampling, including the concept of sound art within Musique Concrete - which dates back to the 1940s by the way! We also cover some of the controversies and infringement that may have occurred as a result of early samples. We had fun with this one, so please enjoy!
With television shows like Breaking Bad and Ozark, we are all somewhat familiar with Money Laundering and what it entails. But when did it start? Why are strip clubs a perfect business for laundering money? In this episode we discuss some of the key figures and events that created the need for laundering in organized crime, such as Al Capone and Pablo Escobar, and everyone in between! We also highlight events such as the War on Drugs and September 11th that resulted in strict anti-money laundering legislation. Enjoy!
This is the first episode that Ty did not conduct the research for... and we had a blast! For this episode, Bernard put together a great outline on some interesting subject matter, Sumo Wrestling! We cover topics ranging from the origins of Sumo, Shintoism, and even some potential match fixing due to the influence of the Yakuza! Enjoy!
As a kid I convinced myself that I couldn't play guitar, but somehow, I knew I could play bass! In this episode I lay out the humble beginnings of the bass guitar and how this powerful instrument helped change music! We cover the history starting from the double bass, to Rickenbacher, to the Fender Precision Bass, and we cover the musicians and innovators that acted as a catalyst for the popularity of the instrument. Enjoy!
The American West, the American Frontier, the Old West, or the Wild West, was a time of lawlessness and disorder that has resulted in amazing Western folklore. But how did it earn its reputation. We discuss how the aftermath of the Civil War directly impacts the behavior and actions of outlaws like Jesse James. We have all heard of the Bowie knife, but what infamous duel made it an iconic symbol for America? Listen and find out!
In this episode we discuss the history of freeways in America. It can be argued that most people use freeways on a regular basis, but it can also be argued that most people are ignorant when it comes to the negative impact that freeway construction and "progress" has had on minority communities. However, this episode was not a complete bummer, we also cover the iconic Route 66 and America's first federally funded highway, the National Highway, and we debunk some myths commonly associated with the Interstate System. Have a listen and, as always, enjoy!
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