6 chapters across the catalog
Les Enragés, Jordan Peterson, and Lobster Neurochemistry
A historical reference to "Les Enragés" from the French Revolution is linked to modern political anger. Dr. Jordan Peterson's lecture on the neurochemistry of lobsters is used to explain human dominance hierarchies and the role of serotonin. The discussion details how trauma and defeat can lead to a shrunken hippocampus and a permanently enlarged amygdala, increasing emotional sensitivity.
ISIS as a Revolutionary Movement and Africa Expansion
An analyst on RT compares ISIS to historical revolutionary movements like the French and Bolshevik Revolutions, noting their use of terror to preserve their ideology. Despite losing territory in Syria and Iraq, ISIS is reportedly taking root in unstable regions of Africa and Central Asia, following a strategy detailed in their manual, "The Management of Savagery."
The hosts discuss the historical necessity of the guillotine as an automation tool for mass executions during the French Revolution. Between 15,000 and 40,000 people were beheaded, a volume that exceeded the physical capacity of executioners using swords. The segment explores the origins of the phrase "going to hell in a handbasket."
Culinary Uses of Marjoram, French Revolution Rat Recipes
A discussion on herbs focuses on the versatility of marjoram compared to the potential bitterness of oregano. The conversation shifts to historical survival tactics, noting that during the French Revolution, recipes were developed for preparing rats as a protein source. The hosts debate the cultural taboos surrounding different types of meat.
The Ascent of Money, French Revolution and John Law
The Channel 4 documentary series The Ascent of Money details how Scotsman John Law established the first French central bank and triggered a massive financial bubble in the early 1700s. Law's use of paper shares and the subsequent collapse of the Mississippi Company mirror modern economic crises. The historical parallels include the East India Company's role in the development of the first stock markets in Amsterdam.
UK Telethons, Executive Bailout Resentment
The success of UK charity telethons like "Children in Need" is contrasted with the massive 600 billion euro bank bailouts funded by taxpayers. There is a warning that continued abuse of the system by wealthy executives could lead to civil unrest similar to the French Revolution, where the public "storms the mansions."
