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    True stories of survival cannibalism!

    enMay 11, 2016

    Podcast Summary

    • Comparing Squarespace and Ferguson's OfferingsSquarespace empowers businesses with analytics tools for growth, while Ferguson assists with home projects from selection to delivery.

      Both Squarespace and Ferguson offer valuable solutions for businesses and individuals in different ways. Squarespace provides business owners with effective analytics tools to help grow their businesses through insights on site visits, sales, and marketing strategies. Ferguson, on the other hand, offers expertise and assistance in home projects, from product selection to delivery coordination. Meanwhile, the hosts of Stuff You Should Know discussed the topic of cannibalism, sharing stories of survival situations like the Uruguayan rugby team crash in the Andes, where extreme circumstances led people to consider cannibalism as a means of survival. It's important to note that the discussion of cannibalism contains graphic and grisly content, so listener discretion is advised.

    • A Plane Crash in the Andes Mountains: Surviving Against All OddsA violent drop due to strong air currents caused a plane crash in the Andes Mountains, leaving survivors to face extreme temperatures and limited supplies, ultimately leading to a rescue after 72 days, emphasizing the importance of preparation and resilience.

      The Andes Mountains, despite being relatively narrow, present a significant challenge due to their extreme height. In 1972, a plane named Fairchild carrying 45 people attempted to fly over the mountains but encountered unexpected strong air currents, causing a violent drop and the plane's disintegration. Of the 45 passengers, only 27 survived the initial crash. The survivors faced extreme temperatures and limited supplies, and an avalanche later buried the plane and killed eight more people. Despite the initial misfortune, the survivors' will to survive led them to ration their limited supplies and eventually be rescued after 72 days. The incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the mountains and the importance of careful planning and preparation.

    • Survival and Ethical Dilemmas: The Rugby Team's Cannibalism in the AndesIn extreme survival situations, people may make difficult ethical decisions to ensure their own and others' survival, as seen in the story of the rugby team's potential cannibalism in the Andes, and the archaeological evidence from Jamestown.

      Survival in the face of extreme adversity can lead people to make difficult ethical decisions. The story of the rugby team trapped in the Andes Mountains illustrates this, as they resorted to cannibalism in order to survive. Despite their religious objections, they made pacts to be eaten by their surviving teammates if they died. This was just one aspect of their survival efforts, which also included finding fresh water and eventually being rescued. The incident was controversial, with some historians dismissing accounts of cannibalism as hyperbole. However, recent archaeological discoveries at Jamestown have provided evidence supporting these claims. The survival of 16 people in such harsh conditions is a testament to their resilience and determination. It's a reminder that when pushed to the limit, humans can do remarkable things. The story of the rugby team and the potential cannibalism at Jamestown are stark reminders of the lengths people will go to survive.

    • Evidence of Cannibalism at JamestownDuring the 'starving time' at Jamestown, desperate European colonists resorted to cannibalism, as evidenced by the discovery of a 14-year-old English girl's remains with hesitant butcher marks, suggesting an inexperienced butcher.

      The archaeological findings at Jamestown reveal evidence of cannibalism among the starving European colonists in the late 17th century. A 14-year-old girl, known as "Jane," was identified through 3D reconstructions and isotope studies, which revealed she was likely from a high-status English family and had not been in Jamestown long. Her skull, found in a trash heap, showed hesitant butcher marks on the forehead and more confident marks on the back of the head, indicating that the person responsible for harvesting her flesh was not an experienced butcher. The colonists were suffering from disease and starvation during this period, known as the "starving time," when they turned to cannibalism as a desperate measure.

    • Effects of Childhood Diet and Social Media on Future LifeEating unusual sources during childhood can impact future life, safe social media interactions are essential for kids, and resourcefulness and determination are crucial in overcoming adversity.

      The food consumed during childhood can have lasting effects on a person's life. This was demonstrated in the discussion about the Starving Time in Jamestown, Virginia, where people resorted to eating unusual sources of food to survive. Additionally, the importance of safe and positive social media interactions for children was emphasized through the mention of Zigazoo, a social media platform designed specifically for kids. Furthermore, the discussion highlighted the creativity and ease of use offered by Squarespace's Fluid Engine for designing and customizing websites. Finally, the intriguing story of the sinking of the yacht Minionet and the survival of cabin boy Richard Parker was shared, demonstrating the importance of resourcefulness and determination in the face of adversity.

    • An old seafaring tradition led to a tragic event on a lifeboatPeople may go to extreme lengths to survive, including sacrificing the weak or even consuming human flesh

      The custom of the sea, an old seafaring tradition, led to a tragic event on a lifeboat where a weak and malnourished cabin boy named Richard Parker was considered for sacrifice due to their dire circumstances. However, the captain, Thomas Dudley, decided against drawing lots and instead took it upon himself to make the difficult decision. Parker was killed with a pen knife, and the survivors consumed his blood to stay alive. They were later rescued but faced trial and conviction for murder. The coincidental similarities between this real-life incident and Edgar Allan Poe's short story "Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket," which featured a character named Richard Parker who was killed and eaten, add an intriguing layer to the tale. This event serves as a stark reminder of the extreme lengths people may go to in order to survive.

    • The Controversial Tale of Alfred Packer: Survival and Suspicion in the Old WestAlfred Packer, a gold prospector, survived a storm in the Colorado mountains but left his group, raising suspicions of cannibalism. His story changed, leading to a manslaughter conviction and 40-year sentence, yet he remains a beloved figure.

      The story of Alfred Packer, a gold prospector from the Old West, is one of survival and controversy. In February 1874, Packer and his group set out to find gold in the high mountains of Colorado, but during their journey, a storm hit, and they became stranded. Packer continued on alone, leaving behind his companions. When he was eventually found, he had their belongings, leading to suspicions of cannibalism. Packer's story kept changing, and he was eventually convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 40 years in prison. Despite this, Packer has become a beloved figure, with a statue on the campus of UC Boulder and a musical inspired by him. The story raises questions about survival, morality, and the nature of truth. It's a reminder that sometimes, the line between hero and villain can be blurry.

    • Spring Break Sharing and Easter Meat InsightsZigazoo app promotes safe sharing during spring break, while CVS offers Easter meat revelations about dark vs light meat origins. History reveals poor food preservation led to Franklin Expedition's downfall.

      Zigazoo, an app focused on fun, allows kids to share vacation experiences safely during spring break. Meanwhile, CVS makes Easter shopping convenient with free in-body revelations about meat consumption were shared, explaining that dark meat is muscle used more frequently, leading to its darker color. In history, Sir John Franklin's Northwest Passage expedition, consisting of 134 experienced men, disappeared with five years' worth of food provisioned by a hired supplier named Steven Goldner. Despite the urgency, the soldering job on the food containers was subpar.

    • The Franklin Expedition: A Mystery of Desperate Measures and Unknown AbandonmentThe Franklin Expedition, despite having advanced ships and sufficient supplies, faced unknown circumstances leading to desperate measures and eventual abandonment, possibly due to lead exposure from their daily lives or poor decision making clouded by it.

      The Franklin Expedition, which took place in the late 1800s, remains a mystery due to the unexplained abandonment of their ships, the HMS Terror and HMS Erebus. Despite having sufficient supplies for five years, the crew resorted to desperate measures, including cannibalism. Some theories suggest that lead poisoning from poor soldering work may have clouded their judgment, but recent findings suggest that the crew may have been exposed to lead throughout their lives. The ships were well-equipped with advanced features for their time, such as internal heat and iron cladding, but they were ultimately trapped in ice and abandoned. The mystery deepens as the reason for their abandonment remains unclear, and the discovery of their remains, some of which show evidence of cannibalism, adds to the intrigue.

    • The Siege of Leningrad: 3.3 Million Dead, 800,000 Due to StarvationDuring the Siege of Leningrad, over 800,000 people died from starvation, leading to desperate measures like cannibalism, while the truth was concealed for decades.

      During the Siege of Leningrad, which lasted for three years, approximately 3.3 million people died, with 800,000 of those deaths being due to starvation. The situation was so dire that people resorted to eating inedible substances, such as wallpaper paste and tobacco shavings, for their meager calories and vitamins. The desperation led to a rise in crime, including cannibalism, with thousands arrested and executed for such acts. Despite the horrifying details, the truth was hidden for many years due to Soviet denial. It's a stark reminder of the depths people will go to survive, and the devastating impact of war on civilians.

    • Discussing food, comedy, and lost itemsJerry Seinfeld entertained social media questions with humor and shared personal anecdotes, discussing food preferences, appreciation for comedy actors, and lost items.

      The discussion covered a range of topics from food preferences to appreciation for comedy actors and even lost items. Jerry Seinfeld entertained social media questions with humor and shared personal anecdotes. One question revolved around the food choice of eating one food for the rest of one's life, with Jerry and other participants favoring Indian or Japanese curries. Another question focused on the lack of comedic recognition for John Candy, with Jerry expressing his agreement and admiration for the late actor. A cat lover shared his favorite breeds, and a question about Chuck's hat loss led to a humorous exchange. A viewer asked Jerry about his favorite car, with Jerry sharing his fondness for the AMC Pacer and the VW Beetle. A debate ensued about whether ketchup is a sauce or a condiment, with Jerry noting its Vietnamese origin. Overall, the conversation showcased Seinfeld's engaging personality and his ability to connect with his audience through social media.

    • The Origins of Ketchup and Social Media for KidsKetchup's history includes unique ingredients and a fish sauce base, while modern ketchup includes vinegar as a preservative. Social media platform Zigazoo ensures safety for kids online, and Easter preparations are made easy with CVS's free and store pickup options.

      Ketchup, a popular condiment, has an interesting history. Originally, it was made using various ingredients like walnuts, anchovies, and mushrooms, with a fish sauce base. The introduction of tomatoes in the late 19th century led to the modern version of ketchup that we know today, which includes vinegar as a preservative. Another interesting fact shared during the discussion was that neither of the speakers, Caleb and Sarah, have any intention of running for public office due to personal reasons and potential past transgressions. Moving on, a mention of the social media platform Zigazoo was made, which is designed specifically for kids, ensuring a safe and verified community. The speakers also reminded listeners that Easter is coming up soon, and CVS makes it easy to prepare for the holiday with their free and store pickup options. In conclusion, the discussion covered various topics, from the history of ketchup to the importance of social media safety for kids and the upcoming Easter holiday.

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