Last Podcast On The Left
Last Podcast On The Left
"We're fat. And we're making the most of it." — Unknown Speaker (Motto of the Fat Men's Association of New York City)
The episode delves into historical societal norms, beginning with a segment on the "fat movement" of the mid-1800s, where organized "fat men's clubs" like the New England Fat Men's Club and the Jolly Fat Men's Club celebrated larger body types. These clubs provided a social outlet for members, with townspeople sometimes looking forward to their gatherings. The discussion then pivots to contemporary anxieties, including reports of unexplained needle attacks occurring in nightclubs across France, where hundreds of individuals have reported being pricked, sometimes experiencing adverse reactions. Theories range from GHB to other substances, raising concerns about personal safety in public spaces. The conversation then moves to the intriguing phenomenon of "phantom hums," described as low, oscillating sounds that can plague individuals, particularly in quiet environments. Listener accounts from off-the-grid locations are discussed, alongside historical instances like the Taos Hum in New Mexico, with various theories ranging from atmospheric conditions to technological interference and even extraterrestrial activity.
The episode also touches upon several crime-related stories. A segment discusses the perplexing case of Alex Murdaugh, focusing on the death of his housekeeper and the ongoing investigations. The podcast also covers a potential murder-for-hire scheme linked to an oil deal, involving Gregory Davis, Jerry Banks, and Aaron Lee, highlighting the complexities and motivations behind such crimes. In a lighter, yet concerning, segment, the podcast discusses an incident at a Queens restaurant, "Four Choices and a Soup," where a patron, described as having mental health issues, vandalized the establishment after an earlier incident. The discussion touches on the challenges and compassion involved in dealing with individuals with mental health challenges within small businesses. Finally, the episode concludes by celebrating animal heroes, featuring a rat trained to carry communication devices into earthquake debris and a 500-pound pig named Hamilton credited with saving its owner from an apartment fire by closing a door to slow the blaze, contrasting these with historical instances of animals being punished for crimes.