#1019 - Finn Taylor & Horatio Gould - History is a Freakshow
Timestamps are as accurate as they can be but may be slightly off. We encourage you to listen to the full context.
Podcast Summary
In this fascinating deep dive with British comedians and podcasters Fin Taylor and Horatio Gould, hosts of the history podcast "Fin Versus History," we explore everything from Japan's historical obsession with seppuku to post-war Britain's political chaos, the dark evolution of scientific racism, and whether life was actually better in the past (spoiler: it wasn't). (00:51)
- Main themes: Historical perspective as comfort, the dangerous intersection of science and racism, and how understanding the past can provide much-needed context for modern anxieties
Speakers
Fin Taylor
Fin Taylor is an English comedian, writer, and podcaster who has become something of an accidental historian. With a history degree from Bristol University and a family background steeped in historical education (his aunt ran photography at the Imperial War Museum), Taylor combines comedic sensibility with genuine historical curiosity. He co-hosts "Fin Versus History," a comedy-history podcast that has reached the 26th spot on Patreon worldwide.
Horatio Gould
Horatio Gould is an English comedian, writer, and podcaster who partners with Taylor on their historical adventures. Together, they've carved out a unique niche in the podcast world, blending humor with deep dives into obscure historical periods. Their approach makes history accessible while maintaining comedic integrity, never letting the educational aspect overshadow the entertainment value.
Key Takeaways
History as Therapy for Modern Anxiety
Rather than viewing current events as uniquely catastrophic, understanding history provides remarkable perspective and comfort. (00:32) As Taylor explains, "It's made me calmer about it. It's just always fucked." This isn't nihilism - it's liberation from the anxiety of thinking we're living through uniquely terrible times. The 1970s in Britain featured three-day work weeks due to energy crises, food shortages so severe that Idi Amin offered to send aid, and political chaos that makes Brexit look manageable.
Cultural Isolation Creates Uniqueness (But Also Weirdness)
Japan's 300-year period of isolation created one of the world's most distinct cultures, but also contributed to practices like widespread seppuku and later kamikaze missions. (04:43) This isolation allowed Japan to selectively absorb outside influences while maintaining cultural purity - they invented octopus pornography in the 1800s to circumvent obscenity laws. The lesson: complete cultural isolation breeds both innovation and extremism.
Scientific Authority Can Enable Dangerous Ideas
The most educated people of the Victorian era were often the most racist, using scientific language to justify eugenics and racial hierarchies. (43:15) Francis Galton, who invented weather maps and the dog whistle (literally), also pioneered eugenics. This shows how scientific credibility can be weaponized to legitimize harmful ideologies - a lesson particularly relevant in our current era of "following the science."
Irony Without Earnestness Becomes Meaningless
While ironic speech serves as social bonding, excessive irony without any sincere foundation creates a world where nothing has meaning. (60:05) The challenge is distinguishing between authentic irony (which knows what it's doing) and performative insincerity that prevents real human connection. Balance is key - some earnestness is necessary for genuine relationships and meaningful discourse.
Parental Control is an Illusion Worth Abandoning
The emerging world of genetic selection for children represents a dangerous extension of parental control fantasies. (84:58) As a parent, accepting that "you don't have any control" is actually liberating and leads to better outcomes. The magic of parenting comes from unconditional love for whoever your child turns out to be, not from engineering them to meet your specifications.
Statistics & Facts
- Japan remained isolated for 300 years with no internal wars, which Taylor and Gould argue is "very rare in history" and contributed to their unique cultural development. (04:43)
- During Britain's 1974 crisis, the country implemented a three-day work week, with TV ending at 10PM and football matches moved to daytime to conserve energy during the OPEC crisis. (23:32)
- California performed the most involuntary sterilizations in America during the eugenics era, with American eugenics policies directly influencing and being copied by Nazi Germany. (77:05)
