Topic: Era

A viral clip from a Black Studies professor claims that during the Victorian era, white Europeans ate Egyptian mummies by the hundreds to "embody their progression." The professor argues that mummified remains were turned into medicine known as "mummia." The hosts react with skepticism to the historical claims presented in the video.

President Biden made a surprise announcement affirming that the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) has met the requirements to be added to the US Constitution. However, the National Archivist, Colleen Shogan, has declined to certify the amendment, citing a 1982 ratification deadline that expired decades ago. The legal debate centers on whether Congress has the authority to retroactively remove deadlines from constitutional amendments that were not fully ratified in time.

The historical opposition to the Equal Rights Amendment was led by Phyllis Schlafly, who argued that the amendment would strip women of protected status and make them subject to the military draft. Her effective debating style is credited with preventing the amendment's passage in the 1970s and 80s. The current push to revive the ERA faces a different political landscape where many of Schlafly's specific legal concerns have been addressed by other statutes.

Viscountess Dame Meowdison provides "boots on the ground" regarding Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, addressing rumors of "witchcraft" in her performances. Another producer, Dave from Ohio County, sends a humorous "Opposite Day" donation note, sarcastically claiming the show is terrible and Joe Biden is mentally healthy.

Science reports suggest Taylor Swift fans are experiencing "transient global amnesia" due to sensory overload and emotional stress during concerts. The hosts compare this to their own experiences at high-intensity events, with one host recounting seeing Jimi Hendrix six times. They suggest the "Swift Op" involves mind control through strobe lights and rapid costume changes to influence young voters.

Seismologists reported that fans at a Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert in Seattle's Lumen Field generated seismic activity equivalent to a 2.3 magnitude earthquake. Professor Jackie Kaplan-Auerbach analyzed data showing identical rhythmic patterns over two nights, attributed to the crowd's synchronized dancing and jumping. The hosts express skepticism regarding the timing of the report, suggesting the "SwiftQuake" narrative may be a recycled media gimmick used for concert promotion.

Reports have surfaced of Taylor Swift fans experiencing "amnesia" after attending her Eras Tour concerts, claiming they cannot remember large portions of the performance. While some attribute this to sensory overload and high emotional states, others jokingly suggest "MKUltra" style hypnosis. The phenomenon is also viewed as a potential marketing tactic to increase the mystique of the live experience.

The California task force on reparations is considering a plan to provide $50,000 to eligible Black residents, though some advocates are pushing for amounts as high as $5 million. The proposal includes reviving a Reconstruction-era agency to oversee the distribution of funds and address historical atonement. Critics mock the plan, suggesting that in the current economic climate, the reparations might end up being paid in worthless Silicon Valley Bank stock.

NBC's Richard Engel reported from the front lines in Ukraine, where tank commanders are rationing ammunition due to severe shortages. NATO has warned that Ukraine's consumption rate exceeds Western production capacity, with new orders potentially taking two years to fulfill. Meanwhile, Ukrainian mechanics are forced to scavenge parts from destroyed Russian tanks to keep their aging equipment operational.

A Jeopardy clip revealed that Kraft Macaroni and Cheese was introduced in 1937 as a Depression-era convenience food. The product combined pasta and processed cheese in a single box for 50 cents. The hosts briefly discussed the longevity and health perceptions of the iconic American food product.

A discussion on the Russian cultural affinity for high-quality surveillance recordings links back to the Soviet era. The official Joint Investigative Team (JIT) report on MH17 is criticized for its slow progress and reliance on findings from the blogging collective Bellingcat. The hosts suggest the debate in the Netherlands has been suppressed by political interests.

Conservative icon Phyllis Schlafly died at age 92, leaving a legacy defined by her successful campaign to stop the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). Schlafly argued that the ERA would actually disadvantage women by subjecting them to the military draft and eliminating legal protections based on gender differences. Despite being a polarizing figure, she is credited with mobilizing the grassroots conservative movement that reshaped the Republican Party.

A quote from Zbigniew Brzezinski’s book "Between Two Ages" describes the manipulation of uncoordinated citizens by magnetic personalities using communication techniques. The hosts apply this theory to the high engagement levels of modern YouTube stars and the general trend of data distraction. A brief mention is made of Ted Kaczynski's writings on technology.

The hosts track the cultural resurgence of macaroni and cheese, noting its inclusion in Michelle Obama's "healthy" White House recipes. They discuss the dish's origins as a Depression-era "dinner" made of cheap starch and grease. The segment also explores the business potential of stationary food trucks in Austin and San Francisco.

In a formal segment, the hosts perform a "knighting ceremony" for listeners who have donated $1,000 or more to the show. Sir Era Dardarian, Sir Larry Stewart, and Sir Charles Jordan are officially recognized. The hosts reiterate their commitment to the "Value-for-Value" model, which eschews traditional advertising in favor of direct listener support.