The Midnight Seminar

Killer Plants (Part 2)

To the Cold War and beyond! In Part 2, Doug and Tara cover the iconic plant monsters of the midcentury and ponder the meaning of the plant-human hybrid trope, what it's like to be a plant, and what might be coming next in plant horror.   Sources:   T. S. Miller, “Lives of the Monster Plants: The Revenge of the Vegetable in the Age of Animal Studies,” The Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts 23.3 (2012): 460-479.   Victoria Brown, "The Roots of Evil: Botanical Horror" at https://www.thefrightclubni.com/post/the-roots-of-evil-botanical-horror [https://www.thefrightclubni.com/post/the-roots-of-evil-botanical-horror]    Peter V. Minorsky "The 'Plant Neurobiology' Revolution" at https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11085955/#abstract1 [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11085955/#abstract1]

Killer Plants (Part 1)

Your hosts start discussing killer plants in mythology, history, and popular culture. Part 1 covers the roots (literal and figurative) of the genre of "botanical horror" as it developed from ancient times through the nineteenth century. There's much to ponder about the possibilities, perils, and power of plants! Part 2 will pick up with the iconic Cold War literary and silver screen plant monsters.    References:  The Secret Life of Plants by Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird The Occult, Witchcraft & Magic: An Illustrated History by Christopher Dell A History of Magic, Witchcraft & the Occult by Suzannah Lipscomb, Sophie Page, Thomas Cussans, John Farndon, Ann Kay, and Philip Parker Library of Congress Blogs: Green Man (https://blogs.loc.gov/folklife/category/green-man/?loclr=blogflt [https://blogs.loc.gov/folklife/category/green-man/?loclr=blogflt])  The History of the Great Irish Famine of 1847, with Notices of Earlier Irish Famines by the Rev. John O'Rourke, P.P., M.R.I.A. (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14412 [https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14412])

Caves: Spooks, Survival, and Science

Doug is out but will return soon; Tara is instead joined by her awesome friend Jesse, who knows all about caves. They discuss what makes caves creepy for loads of people, from mummified bats and myths of monsters who lurk in the dark to the realities of complicated rescue missions. They also talk about why caves should be appreciated and respected as places of awe and wonder, inspired science, and longstanding cultural importance. Don't listen to this one in a cramped, dark space (or do)! Resource: https://nckri.org/caves/ [https://nckri.org/caves/] (National Cave and Karst Research Institute)

Cannibalism

This time, Tara and Doug talk about cannibalism. It's a topic filled with myth and misunderstanding, but there are important lessons along the way. The meandering conversation covers ritual cannibalism, so-called medicinal cannibalism, survival cannibalism, criminal cannibalism, and what might be considered "curious" cannibalism, plus gray areas you probably haven't pondered.    References: Books: Cannibalism: A Perfectly Natural History by Bill Schutt In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors by Piers Paul Read Miracle in the Andes: 72 Days on the Mountain and My Long Trek Home by Nando Parrado (with Vince Rause)   Podcast: You're Wrong About (with host Sarah Marshall): Flight 571: Survival in the Andes with Blair Braverman

BONUS: Which Is Scarier?

Join Tara and Doug for a game of "Which Is Scarier?" Highlights include Doug's diatribe on snakes and Tara's admission of donating a potentially haunted doll. Play along for maximum enjoyment!