Vintage vaccine skeptics thought medicine would turn kids into demon cows
In the latest episode of *The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week*, the Popular Science podcast delves into some truly bizarre and thought-provoking topics that highlight the intersection of science, history, and human behavior. The episode features a fascinating exploration of the origins of the anti-vaccine movement, tracing back to the time of Edward Jenner, who developed the first smallpox vaccine in 1798. Despite the scientific breakthrough, skepticism was rampant, with critics spreading outlandish claims that the vaccine would transform children into cow-like demon creatures. This historical anecdote serves as a striking parallel to contemporary vaccine skepticism, reminding listeners that fear and misinformation have long influenced public health discourse. The episode includes humorous political cartoons from the era, illustrating the absurdity of the fears surrounding vaccination and providing context for the ongoing debates about vaccines today.
In addition to vaccine history, the episode also highlights the peculiar behaviors of wildlife, featuring a remarkable story about the greater noctule bat. Scientists in Spain recently observed this rare bat, known for its impressive wingspan, engaging in an unexpected behavior: while soaring at an altitude of 4,000 feet, it caught and consumed a small robin mid-flight, taking an astonishing 23 minutes to finish its meal. This unusual feeding behavior challenges previous assumptions about the bat’s diet and raises intriguing questions about animal behavior and adaptation. Listeners can even hear the sounds of this unique dining experience, thanks to the use of specialized sound equipment attached to the bat.
Lastly, the episode shifts gears to explore the psychology of horror movie fans, revealing that they may actually be more empathetic than one might expect. Contrary to earlier studies that linked horror fandom with low empathy, new research suggests that horror enthusiasts tend to score higher in cognitive empathy and compassion. The thrill of watching horror films allows viewers to confront their fears and vulnerabilities in a controlled setting, fostering a deeper emotional connection with the characters and their predicaments. This insight into the minds of horror fans adds another layer of complexity to our understanding of human emotions and reactions to fear. Overall, this episode of *The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week* promises an entertaining and enlightening journey through the quirks of science and human nature, making it a must-listen for anyone curious about the world around them.
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FACT: Vintage anti-vaxxers thought medicine would turn kids into demon cows
By Rachel Feltman
In this week’s episode of
The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week
, I explore the origins of the first anti-vaccine movement. Edward Jenner was able to formulate a
makeshift smallpox vaccine
all the way back in 1798, but even back then, people weren’t very normal about it. Skeptics spread alarming propaganda, claiming the medicine (which did protect many people from falling dangerously ill) would turn children into cow-like demon creatures and make them very sick.Â
It’s quite a heartening parallel to the anti-vaxxers we see even still today. Tune in to hear the full story, which includes some hilarious political cartoons and the complex legacy of vaccine skepticism.Â
FACT:Â This bat ate a meal on the go
By Sara Kiley Watson
Bats are some of the strangest and most interesting creatures that fly and roost across the planet. Most of them spend a decent chunk of time nibbling on beetles, moths, mosquitoes, and the like. In the past, scientists thought this was the case for the greater noctule bat, a rare tree-dwelling creature with a wingspan of 16–18 inches that lives all across the European continent from the Iberian Peninsula to the Bosporus region of Turkey. But recently,
scientists in Spain
got a gruesome reminder that nature doesn’t play by our rules. In this case, our understanding of an on-the-go meal is pretty tame compared to what one greater noctule bat got up to while flying at some 4,000 feet up in the air. This hungry little creature snagged a snack in the form of a small robin, chewed on it for a whopping 23 minutes while still moving through the night sky, and thanks to a tiny backpack of sound equipment, scientists (and you, if you dare)
can listen to the whole thing
.
FACT: Horror movie fans are actually some of the most empathetic people you’ll meet
By Coltan Scrivner
If you had to take a guess, would you think horror enthusiasts would be more or less empathetic? The research might surprise you.Â
While early studies and meta analyses pointed to a link between horror fandom and low empathy, a deeper look shows that horror enthusiasts actually score higher in cognitive empathy and compassion. Horror movies, at their core, explore vulnerability and
fear
. If viewers can empathize with characters facing terrifying situations, they’re bound to find the films more scary, and ultimately enjoy them more. Additionally, many horror fans experience higher anxiety levels but seek out these films to confront and overcome their
fears
in a safe environment. Check out this week’s full episode to get the full deep dive into the brain of the horror genre enthusiast!Â
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Vintage vaccine skeptics thought medicine would turn kids into demon cows
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