64 - Urban Legends

In the spirit of the Octobermonth season, Jaye discusses urban legends, particularly three stories voted on by listeners, and provides historical and social context for their spread. What are some common themes in these urban myths? Why do these stories persist, even in the information age? And - are these often frightful tales real?

Featured Podcast: Divisive Issues Website: http://frondsradio.com/divisiveissues

Twitter: @potstirrercast IG: @potstirrerpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/potstirrerpodcast/ Website: PotstirrerPodcast.com

Flying Machine Network: http://flyingmachine.network Patreon: http://flyingmachine.network/support

Source Texts and Links:

Best, Joel, and Gerald T. Horiuchi. 1985. “The Razor Blade in the Apple: The Social Construction of Urban Legends.” Social Problems. 32:5, pp. 488-499. https://www.jstor.org/stable/800777

Brunvand, Jan Harold. 1999. Too Good to Be True: The Colossal Book of Urban Legends. New York: W. W. Norton & Company.

Brunvand, Jan Harold. 2001. The Truth Never Stands in Way of a Good Story. University of Illinois Press.

Putnam, Robert. 2000. Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. New York: Simon & Schuster.

Soltero, Gonzalo. 2016. “The Mexican Transmission of ‘Lights Out!’” Journal of Folklore Research. 53:3, pp. 115-135.

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/pins-and-needles/ https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/halloween-non-poisonings/ https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/lights-out/ https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/the-killer-in-the-backseat/ https://www.snopes.com/what-are-urban-legends/ https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/verify/verify-no-the-flashing-headlights-gang-initiation-warning-is-not-legit/65-622982337 https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2014/11/30/detroit-police-fight-carjacking-crime/19671313/ https://www.thoughtco.com/flash-your-headlights-and-die-3299113 https://www.nbcchicago.com/entertainment/celebrity/Do_Strangers_Really_Tamper_with_Halloween_Candy.html

Music:

Potstirrer Podcast Theme composed by Jon Biegen from Stranger Still http://strangerstillshow.com/

Rescuer composed by Dan Mason https://danmason.bandcamp.com/album/infinite-failure

Something's Here composed by The Whole Other

Heaven and Hell composed by Jeremy Blake

Tragic Story composed by Myuu

Schizo composed by Anno Domini Beats