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PopStuff Show Notes: Episode 131: Anti-Christmas Movies
by Tracy V. Wilson | December 24, 2012
You know how sometimes it’s Christmastime, and maybe you don’t celebrate, or maybe you’re just over it, and you want to see something different … but without turning your back completely on the holiday? OK, maybe it’s just us. But we thought we’d talk about some of those movies that happen at Christmas but just aren’t “Christmas movies.”
War on Christmas? What about the war on KRAMPUS?
by Robert Lamb | December 21, 2012
Since the Nazis were all about casting out Christianity and embracing the old gods, you’d think that German-speaking socialists of the 1930s would be cool with nasty old Krampus. But not so, according to a Dec. 23, 1934 New York Times article headlined “Krampus Disliked in Fascist Austria.”
Now remember, Nazi Germany didn’t roll up Austria till 1938. Austrofascism was the rule of the day and, unlike the Nazis, they were heavily Catholic.
According to the NYT article, the Austrian government outlawed Krampus entirely — who, according to the article, had virtually usurped the role of prime gift giver from Santa at the time. It was the demon, not the old man, who mad the rounds with sweets and gifts.
Christmas Mixes To Combat Decision Fatigue
by Robert Lamb | December 14, 2012
What holiday coffee should I order? What gifts should I buy? What holiday treats should I bake? All those little choices add up, depleting your ego and leaving you incapable of tackling bigger problems in your life. It’s called Decision fatigue and it sucks you dry.
So just as I advised you on Halloween mixes to combat decision fatigue, I thought I’d dish out some Christmas choices as well.
Did Ebenezer Scrooge take a mountain of DMT?
by Robert Lamb | December 7, 2012
Christmas is magic.
Christmas is transformative.
And since we’re dropping two episodes on the psychedelics, science and shamanism the week of Dec. 25, I keep wondering if everyone’s favorite holiday curmudgeon didn’t smoke DMT on that fateful Christmas Eve.
Because what happens in “A Christmas Carol?”
Why, a self-centered old miser barricades himself in an empty house and experiences a ghostly visitation from a dead friend. Next, three outlandish spirit entities arrive and take him on a mind-rending journey through time and space.
At the end of that journey, Scrooge re-engages the world with a profoundly increased sense of openness — which brings us to DMT.
PopStuff Show Notes: Episode 26, PopStuff’s Pop Culture Wish List
by Tracy V. Wilson | December 21, 2011
‘Tis the season for giving, but Holly and I are all about asking, wishing and taking in this episode. It comes down to our wish lists — both physical, tangible consumer goods and more abstract wishes for our own entertainment.
Americans bought around 2 billion Christmas cards in 2010, according to the Greeting Card Association. Despite women making 85 percent of greeting card purchases these days, we send and receive Christmas and holiday cards thanks to a British fellow (kind of like how men invented high heels).
PopStuff Show Notes: Episode 25, PopStuff’s Holiday Favorites
by Tracy V. Wilson | December 19, 2011
Christmas movies, made-for-TV Christmases, Christmas episodes of our favorite shows … there are so many other holidays in December, but Christmas gets the vast majority of entertainment face time. Here’s what we loved, hated or used to love but are now a little over it.
Robert and Julie’s Amazing Stuff to Blow Your Mind Christmas
by Robert Lamb | December 16, 2011
There’s absolutely no denying that it’s Christmas. Heck, it’s apparently been Christmas for months here in Atlanta, where the MARTA train service pipes in horrific holiday music as if a high enough dosage will inoculate us against unknown ailments while we wait for the train. Meanwhile, there’s extra snack food in the HSW break room, holiday celebrations abound and SOMETHING WEARING JINGLE BELLS moves around in the walls.
Strange Souvenirs: Catalonia’s el Caganer
by Amanda Arnold | October 24, 2011
Let’s just say that Catalans are comfortable with poop.
If you ever visit the Catalonia region of Spain, you may find yourself face-to-face with a figurine called “el Caganer” — or “the great defecator.” He’s not exactly a religious figure. He’s more just a guy who’s pulled his pants down, squatted and right now is doing a No. 2. In front of you.
How to Ensure Unblinking Eyes in Christmas Photos
by Jessika Toothman | December 22, 2010
While researching for a recent blog post detailing the nomination process for the Ig Nobel Prizes, the research of two particular winners caught my eye. The scientists who received the 2006 prize in mathematics — Nic Svenson and Piers Barnes — studied how many photographs a person needs to take to ensure he or she will get at least one blink-free shot.
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