On this Live Show Beg-a-Thon, recorded on May 17, we discuss the pop culture phenomenon and appeal of pseudoarchaeology in its many forms, from fraudulent alternative history books like Erich von Däniken's 1968 book, Chariots of the Gods? Unsolved Mysteries of the Past, to television series like "Ancient Aliens" and "Ancient Apocalypse."

Alongside guest Dr. David S. Anderson, we discuss how phony "what if?" theories often go beyond the goofy, guilty pleasure premises of extraterrestrial visitors and lost civilizations to promote Eurocentric, racist pap and a mindless distrust of "the scientific establishment" in the stupidest and least productive way possible.

Live Show Beg-A-Thon: The Very Real Social Brain Rot of Ancient Aliens and Ancient Apocalypse

Citations Needed is a podcast about the media, power, PR, and the history of bullshit. It is hosted by Nima Shirazi and Adam Johnson, and produced by Florence Barrau-Adams.

Shadowplay is a rock/alternative band based in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey. The roots of the group can be traced back to playing music in the year 2006, at the age of 14. Together  Lead Singer Andrew Corkery, and Guitar player, Dan Holden, officially founded Shadowplay in 2009. Since then they have been going non-stop in the music scene, gaining traction and sustaining success ever so rapidly. In 2011 they released their official "Ghost Train" EP, featuring the respectively named single and 7 other songs. These tracks would later be rerecorded in addition to newer material for the release of their first album "Visions", which would be released in 2012. The local and personal success of constant performing of the groups early material at the time got them connected with Ted Richardson in Philadelphia, PA, with whom they produced the single "Sandy Eyes" in 2013, in response to Hurricane Sandy which tore through the bands home the year prior. Now after four years of working on new music, touring, and working hard, the band has once again teamed up with Ted to release their second full length LP. The album is titled "Almost Lifelike" and was recently released be on June 21st, 2016. It brings out a much more mature level of craftsmanship in relationship to the bands early work, and they are eager for everyone to hear it. The first single "Empty Skeleton" has been made available for streaming along with the album here on SoundCloud. 

Live Show Beg-A-Thon: The Very Real Social Brain Rot of Ancient Aliens and Ancient Apocalypse

Citations Needed Podcast