Digest

The Past Times Podcast begins with a discussion about a 1909 Washington Post article that details the death of a doctor who died in his bed. The article also features stories about three educated men who committed suicide, including a Russian Red Cross secretary, a former clerical student, and a man who hanged himself. The podcast then delves into a letter to the editor complaining about the monotony of Pennsylvania troops in the inaugural parade, with the writer suggesting that the parade would be more entertaining if it included civic clubs with unique costumes. The episode concludes with a bizarre story about a possum named Taft who is the unquestionable monarch of the possum society at the Bronx Zoological Gardens. Taft, a possum of great size and beauty, was presented to the gardens by a friend of the president-elect and has since been reminding the other possums of their lowly status. The anteater, a recent arrival from South America, is described as not a pre-processing animal and is without pretension. The podcast ends with a discussion about the anteater's arrival and the possums' reaction to him. The anteater, a recent arrival from South America, is described as not a pre-processing animal and is without pretension. The podcast ends with a discussion about the anteater's arrival and the possums' reaction to him. The anteater, a recent arrival from South America, is described as not a pre-processing animal and is without pretension. The podcast ends with a discussion about the anteater's arrival and the possums' reaction to him.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction

This Chapter introduces the Past Times Podcast, where each week they go through an old newspaper from a random date in history. This week's guest is Corey Ryan Forrester, a comedian and podcast host.

00:00:04

Guessing the Year

This Chapter involves the hosts and guest guessing the year of the newspaper article they will be discussing. They make their guesses based on their assumptions about the content and historical context.

00:07:41

The Doctor's Death

This Chapter focuses on the first article in the newspaper, which details the death of a doctor who died in his bed. The article mentions that the doctor struggled to make a living in New York and had threatened to kill himself. The hosts discuss the doctor's struggles and the unusual circumstances surrounding his death.

00:17:49

Suicides in New York

This Chapter explores the second article in the newspaper, which reports on three educated men who committed suicide in New York. The hosts discuss the reasons behind these suicides and the social context of the time.

00:21:59

The Monotony of Parades

This Chapter focuses on a letter to the editor complaining about the monotony of Pennsylvania troops in the inaugural parade. The writer suggests that the parade would be more entertaining if it included civic clubs with unique costumes. The hosts discuss the writer's perspective and the changing nature of parades.

00:31:52

King Possum Taft

This Chapter delves into a bizarre story about a possum named Taft who is the unquestionable monarch of the possum society at the Bronx Zoological Gardens. The article describes Taft as a possum of great size and beauty who has been reminding the other possums of their lowly status. The hosts discuss the absurdity of the story and the social commentary it might represent.

00:57:01

Anteater vs. Possum

This Chapter focuses on a story about an anteater who was put in a cage with Taft, the possum who is the unquestionable monarch of the possum society at the Bronx Zoological Gardens. The anteater, a recent arrival from South America, is described as not a pre-processing animal and is without pretension. The podcast ends with a discussion about the anteater's arrival and the possums' reaction to him. The anteater, a recent arrival from South America, is described as not a pre-processing animal and is without pretension. The podcast ends with a discussion about the anteater's arrival and the possums' reaction to him. The anteater, a recent arrival from South America, is described as not a pre-processing animal and is without pretension. The podcast ends with a discussion about the anteater's arrival and the possums' reaction to him.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the main topic of the newspaper article discussed in this episode of the Past Times Podcast?

  The article discusses the death of a doctor who died in his bed after struggling to make a living in New York. It also features stories about three educated men who committed suicide, a letter to the editor complaining about the monotony of Pennsylvania troops in the inaugural parade, and a bizarre story about a possum named Taft who is the unquestionable monarch of the possum society at the Bronx Zoological Gardens.

• What are some of the reasons why the three educated men in the article committed suicide?

  The article suggests that the men's suicides were caused by a combination of factors, including discouragement at their inability to find employment, grief over the death of loved ones, and a sense of pride that prevented them from accepting help.

• What is the main complaint of the letter to the editor about the inaugural parade?

  The writer complains that the parade is too monotonous, with only Pennsylvania troops marching for hours. He suggests that the parade would be more entertaining if it included civic clubs with unique costumes.

• What is the significance of the story about the possum named Taft?

  The story is a bizarre and humorous anecdote that highlights the absurdity of social hierarchies and the unexpected ways in which animals can assert their dominance.

• What is the overall tone of this episode of the Past Times Podcast?

  The episode is lighthearted and humorous, with the hosts and guest making jokes and observations about the newspaper articles. However, the episode also touches on serious themes such as suicide, social inequality, and the changing nature of society.

• What happened when the anteater was put in the cage with Taft?

  The anteater, despite being smaller than Taft, fought back and defeated Taft in a short but intense battle.

• What is the significance of the anteater's victory over Taft?

  The story highlights the unexpected ways in which animals can assert their dominance and challenge established hierarchies. It also provides a humorous commentary on the nature of competition and the unpredictable outcomes of conflict.

• What is the main point of the discussion about Michael Vick?

  The hosts discuss the double standard that exists when it comes to animal fighting, with humans being punished more severely than animals. They also discuss the potential for entertainment value in animal fights, but ultimately conclude that it is not ethical.

Show Notes