A Citations Needed Live Show Beg-A-Thon: The Very Real Social Brain Rot of Ancient Aliens and Ancient Apocalypse
Added 2023-05-24 14:39:35 +0000 UTCOn this Live Show Beg-a-Thon, recorded on May 17, we discuss the pop culture phenomenon and appeal of pseudoarchaeology in its many forms, from fraudulent alternative history books like Erich von Däniken's 1968 book, Chariots of the Gods? Unsolved Mysteries of the Past, to television series like "Ancient Aliens" and "Ancient Apocalypse."
Alongside guest Dr. David S. Anderson, we discuss how phony "what if?" theories often go beyond the goofy, guilty pleasure premises of extraterrestrial visitors and lost civilizations to promote Eurocentric, racist pap and a mindless distrust of "the scientific establishment" in the stupidest and least productive way possible.
Guest
Dr. David S. Anderson is an archaeologist and assistant professor at Radford University in Virginia. He specializes in the study of public archaeology and the conceptions of heritage, the Formative Period of Maya and Mesoamerican culture, the origins and development of sociopolitical complexity, and academic engagement with pseudoscience and pseudoarchaeology. Dr. Anderson is currently working on a book entitled, Weirding Archaeology: Unearthing the Strange Influences on the Popular Perception of Archaeology.
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Show Notes
The Strange and Dangerous Right-Wing Freakout Over Ancient Apocalypse
Jason Colavito | December 5, 2022 | The New Republic
Why Archaeologists Are Fuming Over Netflix’s Ancient Apocalypse Series
Sarah E. Bond | January 4, 2023 | Hyperallergic
Did Aliens Build the Pyramids? And Other Racist Theories
Stephanie Halmhofer | October 5, 2021 | Sapiens
With Netflix’s Ancient Apocalypse, Graham Hancock has declared war on archaeologists
Flint Dibble | November 18, 2022 | The Conversation
I Watched Ancient Apocalypse So You Don't Have To
Milo Rossi | April 2023 | Miniminuteman
Mysterious Ancient Mysteries And The Problems With Archaeology Made For TV
David S. Anderson | December 31, 2018 | Forbes
Pseudoarchaeology and the Racism Behind Ancient Aliens
Sarah E. Bond | November 13, 2018 | Hyperallergic
"Chariots of the Gods" at 50: An Early German Review
Jason Colavito | February 24, 20218 | Jason Colavito Blog
Close Encounters of the Racist Kind
Alexander Zaitchik | January 2, 2018 | Southern Poverty Law Center
Why Tucker Carlson loves UFOs: Jason Colavito on the hidden links between conspiracy theories
Chauncey Devega | June 21, 2021 | Salon
Tent-Maker Claims Love of Pyramids Was Spread by Ancient Sailors Blown Across Oceans
Jason Colavito | August 23, 2016 | Jason Colavito Blog
Samuel Mather and Colonial-Era Diffusionist Pseudo-History
Jason Colavito | October 1, 2015 | Jason Colavito Blog
Open letter to express concern over the series Ancient Apocalypse [PDF]
Daniel H. Sandweiss | November 22, 2022 | Society for American Archaeology
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Transcript
For a full transcript of this episode, go here. You can find transcripts of past episodes and News Briefs here.
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Citations Merch
Remember that the Citations Needed merch store is open! Please consider further supporting the show by picking up a t-shirt, tank top, sweatshirt, tote or coffee mug for yourself or your favorite Citations fan (or everyone you know!).
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Credits
Senior Producer: Florence Barrau-Adams
Producer: Julianne Tveten
Production Assistant: Trendel Lightburn
Newsletter: Marco Cartolano
Transcription: Morgan McAslan
Music: Grandaddy
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Comments
You guys are great - I share this podcast constantly. You speak to critical thinkers and I just wish more people listened to you
HenrytheWorst
2023-05-31 19:07:40 +0000 UTCi made my bf listen with me and he really enjoyed it! i donated by raising my patreon subscription amount, but i cant actually budget it in every month :/ not to tell you what to do, i'm sure you've considered the options, but you guys should try a donation link next beg-a-thon bc i def would've sent money through there too!
natfos 💌
2023-05-27 11:30:20 +0000 UTCI have an anthropology degree and every time I tell a stranger that there's an 80% chance they bring up one of these damn shows
Rapture Helmet
2023-05-25 17:44:57 +0000 UTCYet again, I've looked at the topic you're going to cover, and thought 'how are they getting anything out of this?', and yet again, you've made it all made sense! Really excellent episode.
Ciaran Colley
2023-05-25 04:59:40 +0000 UTCThis was a good one. My soon to be ex-landlord is really into these dopey TV programs about alien archaeologists etc. 97% of the time aliens were involved in some old major event. Plus those programs all seem to be made in 2013-2019 (no HD) and are now repeated ad nauseum. Somehow bizarre and boring. Also this episode really shows that your interviews and chats with actual professionals and activists etc. are way more informative, useful and engaging than with any Jacobin op-ed guy.
Tom Kelly
2023-05-24 21:56:22 +0000 UTC
