For the Love of History - world history, women’s history, weird history

• How Big Tech Inherited Eugenics: Anita Say Chan on Algorithmic Bias, Data Colonialism & Techno-Eugenics

  In this powerful episode of For the Love of History, host TC is joined by scholar and author Dr. Anita Say Chan to explore the unsettling historical roots of modern data science and artificial intelligence. Drawing from her groundbreaking book Predatory Data: Eugenics in Big Tech and Our Fight for an Independent Future, Anita uncovers how today's predictive algorithms trace back to 19th-century eugenics. Yes, really. Statistical regression—the backbone of online recommendation engines—was developed by a eugenicist. And that’s just the beginning. We unpack how algorithmic bias, data colonialism, and techno-eugenics operate in today’s platforms—from Facebook’s role in global violence to the AI industry’s resistance to regulation. If you’re curious about the intersections of technology, race, gender, and power, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for. 📌 Key Topics Covered: The hidden eugenic origins of data science and regression analysis How algorithms are modern tools of social control The racist, classist history of “fitness” in academic institutions What “techno-eugenics” looks like today—from content moderation failures to AI bias Case studies: Facebook’s role in violence in India and Myanmar Why Big Tech underinvests in safety protocols outside the West How tech elites bypass democratic institutions for unchecked influence 📚 About Our Guest:Dr. Anita Say Chan is an Associate Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and founder of the Community Data Clinic. Her research focuses on feminist, decolonial approaches to tech and global information justice. 📖 Featured Book:Predatory Data: Eugenics in Big Tech and Our Fight for an Independent Future by Anita Say Chan 📍 Timestamps (For Better UX + SEO): 00:01 — Meet Dr. Anita Say Chan 04:00 — Eugenics and the invention of data prediction 10:15 — U.S. universities and the rise of eugenic policy 17:45 — Techno-eugenics: What it means today 24:30 — Case study: Facebook in India and Myanmar 30:00 — Tech elites, lobbying, and the erosion of democracy 35:00 — The fight for global data justice 🎯 Call to Action: Enjoyed this deep dive into the dark roots of data? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Share this episode with a friend who's still not questioning the algorithm—and grab a copy of Predatory Data to keep the conversation going. ✨ Want more delightful brain food? Support the pod and get bonus goodies over on [⁠Patreon⁠] ( 👉 Don’t forget to rate, review, and tell your cat about us. It helps more history nerds find us! 🐈‍⬛ ⁠Patreon⁠  ⁠Instagram⁠  ⁠Website⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠ ⁠Merch Store⁠ ⁠YouTube 🧠 SEO Keywords Integrated: Big Tech and eugenics history of data science algorithmic bias in tech techno-eugenics explained AI and racial bias Anita Say Chan interview Predictive algorithms and inequality data colonialism podcast on tech ethics podcast on eugenics history Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Hypatia: Math, Murder, and Misogyny

  🎙 Sisters in STEM: The Truth About Hypatia (No, She Wasn’t a Math Babe Martyr) Who really was Hypatia of Alexandria? A fourth-century philosopher. A math editor. A teacher who handed out celestial knowledge like candy—and nope, she wasn’t some toga-clad sex symbol seducing her students for extra credit. (We’re looking at you, 19th-century fanfic bros.) In this season finale of For the Love of History, your charmingly chaotic guide TK unpacks the real story behind one of the most misunderstood women in STEM history. We travel back to the golden—er, blood-stained—streets of ancient Alexandria, where academic clout could literally get you killed. (Spoiler alert: it did.) This episode dives into: ⭐ Why Hypatia was the original SparkNotes queen of ancient math 🌟 The messy political stew that led to Hypatia’s brutal death (hint: it wasn’t religion) 🌟 The manipulation and exaggeration of her character 🌟 And yes… that iconic tampon mic drop moment 💅 So if you’re into the history of women in STEM, Alexandria drama, or just love a good ancient scandal, this one’s for you. ✨ Want more delightful brain food? Support the pod and get bonus goodies over on [Patreon] ( 👉 Don’t forget to rate, review, and tell your cat about us. It helps more history nerds find us! 🐈‍⬛ Patreon  Instagram  Website TikTok Merch Store YouTube Target SEO Keywords: Hypatia of Alexandria history of women in STEM ancient women philosophers women in science history Neoplatonism explained Library of Alexandria Alexandria history ancient math history Hypatia podcast Hypatia the philosopher Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• 5th Year Anniversary Live Q&A

  I can't thank this community enough, thank you for giving me a voice, thank you for helping me give a voice to the voiceless of the past, and thank you for joining me for the last 5 years as I talk about the weirdest shit in history! I love you always and don't forget to drink your water 💙💛 TK 🍩 💙💛 Links & Housekeeping 🎤 Love for the Love of History? Rate, review, and share this episode! 🤩App Info🤩 ______________________________________ Want more For the Love of History? Patreon Instagram Website TikTok Spotify Merch Store Book Club Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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  1:22:34
• The Worst Jobs in History | Groom of the Stool, Tosher, Match Stick Girl

  🛑 Step away from the keyboard, put down your lukewarm coffee, and get ready for a journey through the most stomach-churning, backbreaking, and downright horrifying jobs in history! This week, we’re diving into the roles that made people question their life choices—often while covered in filth, plague, or both. What’s Inside This Episode? 💩 Tosher – Because someone had to shovel Victorian human waste (spoiler: it was as bad as it sounds) 🔥 Sin Eater – the poor unfortunate souls that ate bread and took one for the team (self-inflicted eternal damnation) 🪱 Leech Catchers – keeping up with leech demand was a full-time job 🤿 Can Oppeners – it is not at ALL what you think it is, think boom boom balloons underwater 🤮 And so much more Why You’ll Love It: If you’ve ever thought your job was bad, this episode will make you grateful for ergonomic chairs and lunch breaks. We’re talking about professions that were dangerous, disgusting, and (somehow) still essential to society. History has never smelled worse—and we’re here to tell you all about it! What It Was Like to Be a Body Collector During the Black Plague Resurrectionists: The Body Snatchers that Built Modern Medicine The Worst Jobs In History with Tony Robinson S02E01 Urban Links & Housekeeping 🎤 Love history with a side of absurdity? Rate, review, and share this episode! 🤩App Info🤩 📚 Resources 📚 ______________________________________ Want more For the Love of History? Patreon Instagram Website TikTok Spotify Merch Store Book Club Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• The Ghost Brush | Hokusai's Daughter and Hidden Collaborator Katsushika Oi

  It's time for some hidden history, dear one!! Did you know one of Japan’s most famous artists had a secret weapon? And no, it wasn’t just his paintbrush! In this episode, we uncover the fascinating, overlooked story of Katsushika Oi, the daughter (and possible secret collaborator) of the legendary Hokusai! Oi wasn’t just any artist—she was a bold, brilliant painter who worked in the shadow of her famous father. Her work, including the stunning 'Night Scene in the Yoshiwara,' showcased her mastery of light and color. But was she merely an assistant, or did she play a far bigger role in Hokusai’s masterpieces? Join us as we dive into her life, her art, and the reasons history nearly erased her. Spoiler: This is hidden women’s history at its finest! What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 🎨 Who was Katsushika Oi, and why was she so important?👻 The inspiration behind The Ghost Brush and Oi’s mysterious legacy 🖌️ Why her work was overshadowed—and how modern scholars are changing that 📜 The hidden women’s history behind Japan’s Edo-era art scene, including other overlooked female artists of the period Love untold stories of incredible women? Support the podcast and unlock exclusive content—like behind-the-scenes insights, bonus episodes, and more—by joining us on Patreon! Want to experience history with me in real life? Join the History BFF Trip this August and explore Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara while we celebrate history, culture, and maybe even some birthday karaoke chaos. Spots are filling up—grab yours before they’re gone! https://trovatrip.com/trip/asia/japan/japan-with-tehya-nakamura-aug-2025 Until next time, drink your water (yes, now), and remember: the gods may be immortal, but so is defiance. 🎙️✨ NHK Show https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/shows/3018009/ 🤩App Info🤩 📚 Resources 📚 ______________________________________ Want more For the Love of History? Patreon Instagram Website TikTok Spotify Merch Store Book Club Keywords: Hidden women’s history, Katsushika Oi, Hokusai’s daughter, The Ghost Brush, Edo period art, Japanese women artists, forgotten female artists, history podcast, art history Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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