Episode 35. Privacy (Feat. Ben Silver)

Episode 35. Privacy (Feat. Ben Silver)

Online privacy isn’t just about your cookie settings. Corporations like Facebook have filed some truly creepy patents that reveal their ability to track everything from dust on your camera lens to who you talked to the most at a party. Target may even know you’re pregnant before you do… Kate and Larkin are joined by Ben Silver, who made them stutter, hide, and nearly walk away as he reveals all the information companies have about us. Grab your tinfoil hats and prepare to be unsettled.  About Ben Silver: Ben holds an undergraduate degree in Computer Science and Math from the University of Hartford, a master’s degree in Instructional Technology and Media from Columbia University, and is currently at Columbia working on his second master’s in Data, Learning, and Society. His research has focused on technology, education, accessibility, culture, and ethics. As a creator, Ben rides the waves of his unreliable brain chemistry… it’s a fun ride, if you’d like to follow along. He lives in New York City with several dead houseplants, he loves the moon, and he wants you to drink more water. You can follow him on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thisisbensilver] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thisisbensilver/]. To take action against the proposed federal rule: Leave a public comment on the proposed rule attempting to erase trans and non-binary people: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/29/2026-10817/regulation-for-federal-financial-assistance [https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/29/2026-10817/regulation-for-federal-financial-assistance] Kate’s language, if you want to base your comment off hers: “This proposed rule is an insidious attempt to smuggle anti-trans and non-binary sentiment into government funding. It allows for a politically appointed reviewer to deny funding based on ‘denial by the recipient of the sex binary in humans or the notion that sex is a chosen or mutable characteristic.’ § 200.205(b)(ii).  §200.205(b)(i) also allows for denial of funding if an organization uses ‘Racial preferences or other forms of racial discrimination by the recipient, including activities where race or intentional proxies for race will be used as a selection criterion for employment or program participation.’ This is incredibly broad and is clearly meant to penalize any organization that dares to focus on the issues faced by non-white communities.  Denial of funding based on these parameters is atrocious. It will affect not only the communities it attempts to erase, but anyone who hopes to receive help from hospitals or other organizations that may be denied funding based on these sweeping standards. It is, in a word, fascism. If this rule is to move forward, it should eliminate the portions allowing for witholding of funding based on an organization's acknowledgement of trans and non-binary individuals, and support of non-white communities. As an attorney and as a citizen, I strongly condemn the language in this proposed rule. The attempted erasure of transgender, non-binary, and non-white individuals by this administration is abhorrent and downright un-American.” Erin in the Morning article about the above-mentioned proposed rule: https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/fascismnew-federal-rule-would-require [https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/fascismnew-federal-rule-would-require] References Patent: Inferring relationship statuses of users of a social networking system https://patents.google.com/patent/US20150356180A1/en [https://patents.google.com/patent/US20150356180A1/en] Patent: Associating cameras with users and objects in a social networking system https://patents.google.com/patent/US20150124107A1/en [https://patents.google.com/patent/US20150124107A1/en] Patent: Techniques for emotion detection and content delivery https://patents.google.com/patent/US20150242679A1/en [https://patents.google.com/patent/US20150242679A1/en] Patent: Systems and methods for utilizing wireless communications to suggest connections for a user https://patents.justia.com/patent/10111059 [https://patents.justia.com/patent/10111059] Your phone isn’t secretly listening to you, but the truth is more disturbing https://newatlas.com/computers/smartphone-listening-conversations-ads-facebook/ [https://newatlas.com/computers/smartphone-listening-conversations-ads-facebook/] Here’s the Pitch Deck for ‘Active Listening’ Ad Targeting https://www.404media.co/heres-the-pitch-deck-for-active-listening-ad-targeting [https://www.404media.co/heres-the-pitch-deck-for-active-listening-ad-targeting] How Target Figured Out A Teen Girl Was Pregnant Before Her Father Did https://www.forbes.com/sites/kashmirhill/2012/02/16/how-target-figured-out-a-teen-girl-was-pregnant-before-her-father-did/?sh=208c9bd76668 [https://www.forbes.com/sites/kashmirhill/2012/02/16/how-target-figured-out-a-teen-girl-was-pregnant-before-her-father-did/?sh=208c9bd76668] How Companies Learn Your Secrets http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/19/magazine/shopping-habits.html [http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/19/magazine/shopping-habits.html] (Archived) https://archive.is/20120910190622/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/19/magazine/shopping-habits.html [https://archive.is/20120910190622/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/19/magazine/shopping-habits.html] Facebook Now Suggesting Friends Found in Imported Contact Lists? https://www.adweek.com/performance-marketing/facebook-now-suggesting-friends-found-in-imported-contact-lists/ [https://www.adweek.com/performance-marketing/facebook-now-suggesting-friends-found-in-imported-contact-lists/] Social Media Patents & Privacy Data https://www.metaverselaw.com/facebook-patents-and-privacy-new-ways-to-mine-personal-information/ [https://www.metaverselaw.com/facebook-patents-and-privacy-new-ways-to-mine-personal-information/] Facebook Knows How to Track You Using the Dust on Your Camera Lens https://gizmodo.com/facebook-knows-how-to-track-you-using-the-dust-on-your-1821030620 [https://gizmodo.com/facebook-knows-how-to-track-you-using-the-dust-on-your-1821030620] Uber State Interference https://www.nelp.org/insights-research/uber-state-interference/ [https://www.nelp.org/insights-research/uber-state-interference/] If you know something we can ruin, send the topic and a brief hint at how it's ruined to nowitsruined@gmail.com. Let us know if you'd like us to credit you if we choose your topic! Follow us on Patreon [https://patreon.com/nowitsruined?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink] for updates, video episodes, and lots of fun bonus content (even for unpaid members). You can also follow us on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@NowItsRuined] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nowitsruined/]. You can also follow Kate and Larkin! Kate is on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@bridalpartyof5?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bridalpartyof5/], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Bridalpartyof5]. Larkin is on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@larkyloops]and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/keichanharringtong/]. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode 34. Computers (Pride Special)

Happy Pride! In the spirit of the season, Kate tells the story of Alan Turing. During World War II, Turing designed a machine that could decrypt tens of thousands of Nazi communications per month, likely shortening the war by several years and saving millions of lives.  He was lauded as a hero… until it was revealed he was gay. His conviction for “gross indecency” led to the tragic end of a brilliant visionary who pushed computer science forward by leaps and bounds.  Kate also gives a very high-level overview of the history of computers through the mid-20th century, and discusses the shady Nazi dealings of IBM and its president, Thomas Watson.  Content Warning: Suicide References History of Computers https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/computer [https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/computer] https://www.math.buffalo.edu/mad/Ancient-Africa/lebombo.html [https://www.math.buffalo.edu/mad/Ancient-Africa/lebombo.html] https://afrolegends.com/2019/05/17/the-lebombo-bone-the-oldest-mathematical-artifact-in-the-world/ [https://afrolegends.com/2019/05/17/the-lebombo-bone-the-oldest-mathematical-artifact-in-the-world/] https://mathigon.org/timeline/ishango [https://mathigon.org/timeline/ishango] https://old.maa.org/press/periodicals/convergence/mathematical-treasure-ishango-bone [https://old.maa.org/press/periodicals/convergence/mathematical-treasure-ishango-bone] https://kb.osu.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/5ec33729-835c-5b97-8993-f6ea84bd7617/content [https://kb.osu.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/5ec33729-835c-5b97-8993-f6ea84bd7617/content] https://www.computerhistory.org/timeline/computers/ [https://www.computerhistory.org/timeline/computers/] https://www.britannica.com/technology/computer/History-of-computing [https://www.britannica.com/technology/computer/History-of-computing] https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/analog-vs-digital/all [https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/analog-vs-digital/all] https://control.com/textbook/digital-data-acquisition-and-networks/digital-representation-of-numerical-data/ [https://control.com/textbook/digital-data-acquisition-and-networks/digital-representation-of-numerical-data/] https://www.paleotechnologist.net/?p=5264 [https://www.paleotechnologist.net/?p=5264] https://www.forbes.com/sites/kevinknudson/2017/01/21/the-humble-logarithm/ [https://www.forbes.com/sites/kevinknudson/2017/01/21/the-humble-logarithm/] https://www.nps.gov/long/blogs/a-gunter-scale-used-for-navigation-and-mathematics.htm [https://www.nps.gov/long/blogs/a-gunter-scale-used-for-navigation-and-mathematics.htm] https://web.mit.edu/2.972/www/reports/slide_rule/slide_rule.html [https://web.mit.edu/2.972/www/reports/slide_rule/slide_rule.html] https://sites.imsa.edu/hadron/2024/04/02/decoding-the-digital-age-how-binary-code-rules-our-world/ [https://sites.imsa.edu/hadron/2024/04/02/decoding-the-digital-age-how-binary-code-rules-our-world/] http://scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/jacquard-loom [http://scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/jacquard-loom] https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/charles-babbages-difference-engines-and-science-museum [https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/charles-babbages-difference-engines-and-science-museum] https://www.computerhistory.org/babbage/engines/ [https://www.computerhistory.org/babbage/engines/] https://www.computerhistory.org/babbage/adalovelace/ [https://www.computerhistory.org/babbage/adalovelace/] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666389920301598 [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666389920301598] Thomas Watson and IBM https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/theymadeamerica/whomade/watson_hi.html [https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/theymadeamerica/whomade/watson_hi.html] https://www.browndailyherald.com/article/2021/02/carroll-21-and-meirowitz-22-why-is-brown-celebrating-a-nazi-honoree-rename-the-watson-cit [https://www.browndailyherald.com/article/2021/02/carroll-21-and-meirowitz-22-why-is-brown-celebrating-a-nazi-honoree-rename-the-watson-cit] https://www.nytimes.com/1940/06/07/archives/1937-hitler-decoration-is-returned-by-watson.html [https://www.nytimes.com/1940/06/07/archives/1937-hitler-decoration-is-returned-by-watson.html] https://chsi.harvard.edu/harvard-ibm-mark-1-about [https://chsi.harvard.edu/harvard-ibm-mark-1-about] IBM and the Holocaust: The Strategic Alliance Between Nazi Germany and America’s Most Powerful Corporation: https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=ICISEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP8&dq=thomas+j+watson,+Ibm,+and+nazi+germany&ots=dvygruNeA_&sig=pGtz198U3coJnEUA8E6qVvABOzQ#v=onepage&q=thomas%20j%20watson%2C%20Ibm%2C%20and%20nazi%20germany&f=false [https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=ICISEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP8&dq=thomas+j+watson,+Ibm,+and+nazi+germany&ots=dvygruNeA_&sig=pGtz198U3coJnEUA8E6qVvABOzQ#v=onepage&q=thomas%20j%20watson%2C%20Ibm%2C%20and%20nazi%20germany&f=false] Alan Turing https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-18419691 [https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-18419691] https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/articles/zhwp7nb#zbmwcxs [https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/articles/zhwp7nb#zbmwcxs] 15-year-old Alan: https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/976xn/p02ck8fl.jpg.webp [https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/976xn/p02ck8fl.jpg.webp] https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alan-Turing [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alan-Turing] https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/enigma-codebreaker-alan-turing-two-jewish-refugees/ [https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/enigma-codebreaker-alan-turing-two-jewish-refugees/] https://www.cia.gov/stories/story/the-enigma-of-alan-turing/ [https://www.cia.gov/stories/story/the-enigma-of-alan-turing/] https://www.mub.eps.manchester.ac.uk/science-engineering/2024/06/18/an-indicted-hero-honouring-alan-turing-as-a-gay-man-failed-by-society-pride-month-2024/ [https://www.mub.eps.manchester.ac.uk/science-engineering/2024/06/18/an-indicted-hero-honouring-alan-turing-as-a-gay-man-failed-by-society-pride-month-2024/] If you know something we can ruin, send the topic and a brief hint at how it's ruined to nowitsruined@gmail.com. Let us know if you'd like us to credit you if we choose your topic! Follow us on Patreon [https://patreon.com/nowitsruined?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink] for updates, video episodes, and lots of fun bonus content (even for unpaid members). You can also follow us on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@NowItsRuined] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nowitsruined/]. You can also follow Kate and Larkin! Kate is on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@bridalpartyof5?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bridalpartyof5/], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Bridalpartyof5]. Larkin is on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@larkyloops]and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/keichanharringtong/]. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode 33. Patreon Upcycle: Nessie

Kate acts as the Scully to Larkin’s Mulder as Larkin walks her through the evidence (of varying credibility) for Nessie’s existence. And like Scully, Kate winds up being less skeptical than when she started.  We weren't intending to upcycle this week, but we had a guest drop last-minute and didn't have time to put something else together in a thoughtful way. We'll be back all new on the next one with a (sad) story for Pride! References https://www.nature.scot/landscapes-and-habitats/habitat-types/lochs-rivers-and-wetlands/freshwater-lochs [https://www.nature.scot/landscapes-and-habitats/habitat-types/lochs-rivers-and-wetlands/freshwater-lochs] https://www.historyhit.com/painted-people-who-were-the-picts/#:~:text=Before%20the%20Romans%20came%20to,which%20later%20evolved%20into%20Scotland. [https://www.historyhit.com/painted-people-who-were-the-picts/#:~:text=Before%20the%20Romans%20came%20to,which%20later%20evolved%20into%20Scotland.] https://www.digitscotland.com/scottish-archaeology-and-the-loch-ness-legend/ [https://www.digitscotland.com/scottish-archaeology-and-the-loch-ness-legend/] https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-14881753 [https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-14881753] https://www.scotclans.com/pages/the-loch-ness-monster [https://www.scotclans.com/pages/the-loch-ness-monster] https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/the-library/online-exhibitions/mary-anning-and-the-geological-society/reconstruction-of-life/plesiosaurus-dolichodeirus/ [https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/the-library/online-exhibitions/mary-anning-and-the-geological-society/reconstruction-of-life/plesiosaurus-dolichodeirus/] https://www.britannica.com/animal/plesiosaur [https://www.britannica.com/animal/plesiosaur] Images from sonar and imaging study in the 70s: https://www.reddit.com/r/Cryptozoology/comments/n99p51/photos_from_the_mit_sonar_and_imaging_study_of/ [https://www.reddit.com/r/Cryptozoology/comments/n99p51/photos_from_the_mit_sonar_and_imaging_study_of/] https://www.technologyreview.com/2007/10/15/223418/the-nessie-quest/ [https://www.technologyreview.com/2007/10/15/223418/the-nessie-quest/] If you know something we can ruin, send the topic and a brief hint at how it's ruined to nowitsruined@gmail.com. Let us know if you'd like us to credit you if we choose your topic! Follow us on Patreon [https://patreon.com/nowitsruined?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink] for updates, video episodes, and lots of fun bonus content (even for unpaid members). You can also follow us on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@NowItsRuined] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nowitsruined/]. You can also follow Kate and Larkin! Kate is on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@bridalpartyof5?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bridalpartyof5/], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Bridalpartyof5]. Larkin is on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@larkyloops]and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/keichanharringtong/]. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

32. Olive Oil

Extra virgin olive oil is one of the most useful, healthy substances on earth. Eating just two tablespoons a day can help prevent heart problems, cancer, and even Alzheimer’s.  But that’s assuming you have real EVOO, which… you probably don’t. And you might have paid the mafia for the knockoff sitting on your shelf. Kate, now an olive oil obsessive, enlightens Larkin on the incredible history and science behind olive oil, before discussing the issue of oil fraud that plagues the industry. Then, she gives some tips on how to find good oil from Tom Mueller, author of Extra Virginity: The Sublime and Scandalous World of Olive Oil.  Plus, she and Larkin discuss the uncomfortable romanticization of the mafia.  We want to emphasize that we are NOT trying to turn you off olive oil! We just want to help you maximize the benefits by making sure you find the good stuff.  References Tom Mueller, Extra Virginity: The Sublime and Scandalous World of Olive Oil, Atlantic Books, 2012  [https://www.tommueller.co/extravirginigy] Tom’s article in the New Yorker: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2007/08/13/slippery-business [https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2007/08/13/slippery-business] Tom’s Website: https://www.tommueller.co/extravirginigy [https://www.tommueller.co/extravirginigy] https://www.oliveoiltimes.com/world/mafia-olive-oil-on-60-minutes/50203 [https://www.oliveoiltimes.com/world/mafia-olive-oil-on-60-minutes/50203] https://www.oliveoilsource.com/info/history-of-the-olive [https://www.oliveoilsource.com/info/history-of-the-olive] https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/celebrations/article/hanukkah [https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/celebrations/article/hanukkah] https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/add-antioxidants-to-your-diet/art-20546814 [https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/add-antioxidants-to-your-diet/art-20546814] https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/good-food/olive-oils-health-benefits-and-why-you-should-add-it-to-your-diet/2024/04 [https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/good-food/olive-oils-health-benefits-and-why-you-should-add-it-to-your-diet/2024/04] https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/what-are-free-radicals-a-dietitian-explains.h00-159699912.html [https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/what-are-free-radicals-a-dietitian-explains.h00-159699912.html] https://history.state.gov/countries/italy [https://history.state.gov/countries/italy] https://time.com/4788671/hunger-italy-food-culture/ [https://time.com/4788671/hunger-italy-food-culture/] https://www.foodnavigator.com/Article/2025/05/08/olive-oil-a-major-target-for-food-fraud/ [https://www.foodnavigator.com/Article/2025/05/08/olive-oil-a-major-target-for-food-fraud/] https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mafia [https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mafia] https://people.howstuffworks.com/mafia.htm#pt1 [https://people.howstuffworks.com/mafia.htm#pt1] https://kottke.org/07/11/the-mafias-ten-commandments [https://kottke.org/07/11/the-mafias-ten-commandments] https://theweek.com/crime/italian-mafia-why-is-murder-and-extortion-going-out-of-fashion [https://theweek.com/crime/italian-mafia-why-is-murder-and-extortion-going-out-of-fashion] Toxic Oil Syndrome: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1240833/ [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1240833/] Get Gotti on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/watch/81712582 [https://www.netflix.com/watch/81712582] Fear City: New York vs. The Mafia on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/80218338 [https://www.netflix.com/title/80218338] If you know something we can ruin, send the topic and a brief hint at how it's ruined to nowitsruined@gmail.com. Let us know if you'd like us to credit you if we choose your topic! Follow us on Patreon [https://patreon.com/nowitsruined?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink] for updates, video episodes, and lots of fun bonus content (even for unpaid members). You can also follow us on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@NowItsRuined] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nowitsruined/]. You can also follow Kate and Larkin! Kate is on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@bridalpartyof5?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bridalpartyof5/], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Bridalpartyof5]. Larkin is on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@larkyloops]and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/keichanharringtong/]. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

31. Weed

Happy 4/20! In honor of the informal holiday, we’re giving you this episode two entire days early! If you celebrate, grab your favorite means of ingestion and listen as Larkin talks all things sticky and icky, breaking down the history of how cannabis was used as an excuse for racism and anti-immigrant sentiment, eventually leading to its criminalization. The movement against this hearty “herb” has fueled oppression, fed the prison-industrial complex, and stalled research about the potential benefits. Plus, the formerly social drug is now increasing social isolation among 1 in 15 American adults.  References Kursgesagt - In a Nutshell “You Need to Quit Weed” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Brm71uCWr-I [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Brm71uCWr-I] TIME Magazine article “420 Day: Why There Are So Many Different Names for Weed” Katy Steinmetz. April 20, 2017 https://time.com/4747501/420-day-weed-marijuana-pot-slang/ [https://time.com/4747501/420-day-weed-marijuana-pot-slang/] PBS Eons - “The Hazy Evolution of Cannabis” https://www.pbs.org/video/the-hazy-evolution-of-cannabis-cyjdln/ [https://www.pbs.org/video/the-hazy-evolution-of-cannabis-cyjdln/] Science Advances research article: “Large Scale Whole-Genome resequencing unravels the domestication history of Cannabis sativa” 16 Jul 2021 Vol 7, Issue 29 https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abg2286 [https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abg2286] NPR Codeswitch: The Mysterious History Of 'Marijuana' Matt Thompson July 22, 2013 https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2013/07/14/201981025/the-mysterious-history-of-marijuana [https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2013/07/14/201981025/the-mysterious-history-of-marijuana] The MIT Press Reader: ‘Cannabis Through the Ages’ Linda A. Parker  https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/cannabis-through-the-ages/ [https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/cannabis-through-the-ages/] The MIT Press Reader. ‘A Brief Global History of the War on Cannabis’ Ryan Stoa https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/a-brief-global-history-of-the-war-on-cannabis/ [https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/a-brief-global-history-of-the-war-on-cannabis/] Dictionary definition “Marijuana” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marijuana [https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marijuana] The University of Sydney: Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics “History of Cannabis https://www.sydney.edu.au/lambert/medicinal-cannabis/history-of-cannabis.html [https://www.sydney.edu.au/lambert/medicinal-cannabis/history-of-cannabis.html] HISTORY.com Authors: Marijuana https://www.history.com/articles/history-of-marijuana [https://www.history.com/articles/history-of-marijuana] Lee, Martin A. “Smoke Signals: A Social History of Marijuana – Medical, Recreational and Scientific” Scribner, August 13, 2013 Anslinger Testimony  https://www.hempology.org/ALL%20HISTORY%20ARTICLES.HTML/1937%20ANSLINGER%20TESTIMONY.html [https://www.hempology.org/ALL%20HISTORY%20ARTICLES.HTML/1937%20ANSLINGER%20TESTIMONY.html] ACLU Stats https://www.aclu.org/the-war-on-marijuana-in-black-and-white [https://www.aclu.org/the-war-on-marijuana-in-black-and-white] https://www.aclu.org/the-war-on-marijuana-in-black-and-white [https://www.aclu.org/the-war-on-marijuana-in-black-and-white] Brownie Mary  https://www.sfweekly.com/archives/the-legacy-of-brownie-mary/article_b9ac6c31-dd01-5228-8d63-f0418aed36dd.html [https://www.sfweekly.com/archives/the-legacy-of-brownie-mary/article_b9ac6c31-dd01-5228-8d63-f0418aed36dd.html] Missouri Independent “Why some people believe ‘marijuana’ is a racist word, and why it doesn’t offend me: Latin American History Professor Isaac Campos recently published findings online of his study on the history of cannabis terminology” Rebecca Rivas. May, 2023 https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/02/why-some-people-believe-marijuana-is-a-racist-word-and-why-it-doesnt-offend-me/ [https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/02/why-some-people-believe-marijuana-is-a-racist-word-and-why-it-doesnt-offend-me/] If you know something we can ruin, send the topic and a brief hint at how it's ruined to nowitsruined@gmail.com. Let us know if you'd like us to credit you if we choose your topic! Follow us on Patreon [https://patreon.com/nowitsruined?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink] for updates, video episodes, and lots of fun bonus content (even for unpaid members). You can also follow us on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@NowItsRuined] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nowitsruined/]. You can also follow Kate and Larkin! 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