Historical Blindness

In the first installment of what may be a lengthy series, I tackle the granddaddy of all conspiracy theories: the JFK assassination. However, unlike most conspiracist takes, I focus the largely overlooked life of Lee Harvey Oswald, demonstrating the veracity of the lone gunman theory.  Pledge support on Patreon and get every new episode free, plus exclusive episodes, for just a buck a month, and u...

In the conclusion of my series on the Wilmington Coup, I describe the voter intimidation and fraud that White Supremacists engaged in before perpetrating an outright massacre of the Black residents of the city and overthrowing the lawfully elected city government at gunpoint, as well as the structures of systemic racism they established after seizing power, all in an effort to show that the orches...

One year having passed since the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, 2020, I talk about the post-election white supremacist coup in Wilmington, NC, 1898, as a cautionary tale against failing to hold the orchestrators of such an insurrection responsible today. If this topic interests you, buy and read my principal source: the Pulitzer Prize-winning Wilmington's Lie by David Zucchino. P...

In this 4th annual Christmas special, I delve into the misconceptions, myths, and little known history surrounding several well-known Christmas carols.  Check out my novel, Manuscript Found!  And check out the new show merch! Makes a great present! Further support the show by giving a one-time gift at paypal.me/NathanLeviLloyd or finding me on Venmo at @HistoricalBlindness, or by signing up for a...

In this follow-up to my episode on curriculum controversies in American history, I talk about the New York Times Magazine's 1619 Project, the far left's criticism of it, the reservations some historians have over specific claims in it, and how this pushback was presented as discrediting the project entirely by conservatives afterward kicking up a controversy over it. Pledge support on Patreon for...

Taking the Right's obsession with Critical Race Theory as a starting point, I look at the history of reactionary protest to progressive curriculum as indoctrination, along the way discussing National History Standards, the Kanawha County Textbook War, opposition to supposedly communistic curriculum by the HUAC and the American Legion, and lastly, the United Daughters of the Confederacy's efforts t...

In this Halloween episode, I examine the long history of claims about demonic possession and the practice of exorcism, revealing a phenomenon that is dark and evil in a different way that one might imagine.  Pledge support on Patreon to get exclusive access to patron episodes, early access to episodes, and ad-free content. Check out my novel, Manuscript Found!  And check out the new show merch!  ...

In another attempt to address and refute current anti-vax arguments, I address the conspiracy theory that the Covid vaccine or vaccination records are a fulfillment of the prophecy of the Mark of the Beast in Revelation. In the process, I look at interpretations of this scriptural passage throughout history.  Pledge support on Patreon and get access to an ad-free feed with exclusive mini-episodes....

In part two of this series on conspiracy theories about the Jesuits, I discuss the order's suppression and restoration, the conspiracy theories about them spread by the Left in France during the Bourbon Restoration, and elsewhere during the 19th and 20th centuries through to today. Pledge support on Patreon for ad-free episodes and exclusive minisodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found!  And ch...

I once more journey into the madness of a grand unifying conspiracy theory, this one rooted in anti-Catholicism, tracing the conspiracy theories surrounding the Jesuits to the Counter-Reformation and examining assassination plots attributed to them, like the Gunpowder Plot, as well hoaxes and forgeries, like the Popish Plot and the Secret Instructions and Jesuit Oath.  Pledge support for the show...

In the conclusion of this Royal Blood Mystery, I look at the case for Ludwig II's madness as well as the competing theories of murder and conspiracy explaining his death.  Support the show by pledging on Patreon and get access to ad-free episodes and exclusive minisodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found!  And check out the new show merch!    Further support the show by giving a one-time gift a...

It's time again to enter the opulent and enigmatic world of royalty in another Royal Blood Mystery. Perhaps no story takes place in more sumptuously lavish setting or provides more mystery than that of Ludwig II of Bavaria, whose death in Lake Starnberg in 1886 remains a historical mystery. This is the story of a young German king with his head in the clouds, whose preoccupation with medieval roma...

Here it is: the extra-long conclusion of my series on UFO lore and the disinformation activities of US government intelligence services. In this finale, after a weird sojourn into the world of cattle mutilation, I share the story of Rick Doty and Bill Moore's psychological operation against government contractor Paul Bennewitz as convincing evidence of the disinformation U.S. intelligence has fed...

In Part Two of my series delving into UFO lore and its connection to psychological warfare programs and the disinformation activities of the intelligence community, I look at the "granddaddy of all UFO sightings," over the U.S. capital in 1952, the activities of the CIA in its wake. Pledge support on Patreon for exclusive content and ad-free episodes!  Check out my novel, Manuscript Found!  And ch...

In anticipation of the recently released Pentagon UFO report, I embarked on an investigation into modern UFO lore and fallen down a rabbit hole into the underground world of US military intelligence and their use of the UFO myth for disinformation purposes. Strap in for part one of a wild ride. Pledge support on Patreon! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found!  And check out the new show merch!    F...

In 1836, a prostitute is murdered, a young man is arrested, a newspaperman becomes obsessed with the case, and mobs of rowdy youth choke the streets, convinced there is a conspiracy at work. This is the story of the sensational Robinson-Jewett murder trial.  Pledge support on Patreon for ad-free episodes and extra content! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found!  And check out the new show merch!   ...

While in the past I've discussed newspaper hoaxes as a historical forerunner of today's "fake news," in this episode I go deeper into the history of American journalism, looking at the party press era and yellow journalism to seek historical insight into journalistic bias and search for any example of the kind of propaganda we see in conservative news outlets today. Check out my novel, Manuscript...

In place of the full-length second part of my history of astronomical discovery, Hidden Bodies, which has been reserved exclusively for my patrons on Patreon, please enjoy this bonus Blind Spot about media hoaxes related to some of the erroneous astronomical observations discussed in the last episode. Patrons on Patreon had access to this minisode more than a week ago. It's a good example of the c...

Backward notions of our place in the universe, illusory signs of extraterrestrial life, phantom planets--In this episode, I survey the development of our understanding of the solar system and beyond, learning how erroneous ideas, even those that were popular for a long time, are eventually overturned, revealed to be false by the light of science.  Pick up my principal source for this episode, Disp...

In this episode, I explore the long history of vaccine criticism and anti-vaccination rhetoric in order to dispel myths and misconceptions about this historic medical breakthrough and to encourage vaccination against Covid-19.  Find out where you can get vaccinated if you are a U.S. resident.  Check out my novel, Manuscript Found!  If you are thinking of starting a podcast or want some help with t...

Hi Patrons! Ahead of International Transgender Day of Visibility, I want to talk about trans persons in history, and how academia handles trans history, with a special focus on the incredible story of Chevalier d'Eon, a story of mystery and intrigue with enough twists that it would make for a compelling film.  Pledge support at www.patreon.com/historicalblindness. Check out my novel, Manuscript Fo...

Following up my series on the Lost Tribes of Israel, we look at the rich American tradition of archaeological frauds claimed as evidence of Pre-Columbian Trans-Oceanic Contact, the "Mound Builder Myth," and Mormon beliefs about American prehistory. Pledge support on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/historicalblindness  Check out my novel, Manuscript Found!   If you are thinking of starting a pod...

In part 2 of my series on the legend of the Lost Tribes, we see how this historical myth has evolved in different eras as the basis for numerous insidious theories of racial origin. Here again are many of the hallmarks of subjects I cover on the podcast: bad etymology, pseudo-archaeological hoaxes, outrageous interpretations of scriptures, and people holding up false history as justification for h...

The first part of a 2-part series on the Lost Tribes of Israel. This topic contains a lot of the hallmarks of this podcast's most interesting subjects: myth, legend, apocryphal scripture, texts of uncertain authorship, literary hoaxes, anti-Semitic conspiracy theory, faulty scholarship, and dubious religious beliefs.  If you are thinking of starting a podcast or want some help with the podcast you...

A look at Presbyter Johannes, or Prester John, a legendary Christian king of a faraway land filled with wonders. Who authored the hoax that propagated his legend, and how valid are the various theories of his historical identity?  If you are thinking of starting a podcast or want some help with the podcast you already make, visit The Podcast Professor at www.profpodcast.com or email profpodcasting...