Forbidden Histories on Youtube: The First Episode is Online!

by

When I knocked together the short movie-style teaser currently featured on the Welcome page, I had only the faintest ideas of concrete challenges involved in the production of the planned full video episodes. So with other work to deal with, it took me much longer than anticipated to shoot and edit the first full episode for our Youtube channel, which you can finally watch now. Apologies for letting you wait, and I really hope you enjoy it.

While I practise my intonation (and pronunciation of “debate” and other words I always thought I had right – until I watched that video!), please let me know where you see room for improvement. This is a constant work in progress and the plan is to produce as many videos as possible. I hope to get constantly better at the nitty-gritty of writing scripts and editing videos, and more comfortable speaking into the camera as I continue producing new episodes, and your feedback will help me.

The first video provides an overview of some of the topics and questions which I will address in future episodes: From Francis Bacon’s views on ‘natural magic’ to Robert Boyle’s sponsorship of research into apparitions and poltergeist phenomena; from the supposed decline of magic during the Enlightenment to the persistence of mesmerism beyond the nineteenth century; from the ‘other Darwin’ Alfred Russel Wallace to psychologists like William James investigating spiritualist mediums: these will be just some of the topics addressed in future videos.

However, if there’s something you’re missing or are interested in specifically, please don’t hesitate to let me know. Just drop a request below or write a comment on Youtube, and I will do my best to respond.

If you enjoyed the first video and know others who might be curious, as always please consider spreading the word. The last thing I want is just to preach to the choir, and I need your help to reach the right audience. Folks like you, who appreciate differentiating approaches to the history of scientific controversies, and who are not out for easy answers.

Thanks and my best to all of you,

Andreas Sommer

Help us Promote Historical Literacy!
Become a patron at Patreon!

16 thoughts on “Forbidden Histories on Youtube: The First Episode is Online!”

  1. “I practice my intonation”

    Try changing as many s to z, it cuts over- sibilance. Iz rather than Is, Izaac instead of Isaac. Trick to overcome a common problem. No one will notice, commonly used by actors or indeed actorz.

    Hissy s and over- hitting consonant’s B, P, T etc. at the start words are common issues to look out for.

      • Its easy advice to give (they are two of the basics) difficult to put into practice even the most seasoned pro gets voice notes, you do not always pick them up. Its not a natural way to speak takes time.

        You learn to live and stay relaxed when dealing with error.

        As with everything related to performance relaxing is the most important thing. Muscular stress seriously alters the nature of projected sound (partly responsible for these common issues) .

        Shakespeare is good to listen to here as the speech is exaggerated, easy to catch and the methods are used here. Good place to get a sense of what is going on, and what to be aware of.

  2. What a great project, to make these videos, Andreas! I am already looking forward to using future ones in my teaching.

    Topics to treat of? So many! A single video on each of the persons looked into here would already be great.

    If you would find that interesting, interdisciplinary work (together with anthropologists, philosophers, religious studies researchers, etnobiologists, etc. etc.) could be great as well. Would you like to email about that?

    As to the presentation and editing – I like the captions and the images and the whole composition very much. As to your speech it functions well and is good to listen to. Maybe a bit fast now and then, as it all is meant to be introductory – you might use slightly longer pauses between sentences (think David Attenborough).

    Keep on the good work! Angela.

    • Many thanks, Angela. Yes, I’d very much like to do some interdisciplinary work, so let’s talk! And I’ll definitely say more about each of the figures sketched in the intro in future videos, and take on board your recommendation re pauses between sentences.

  4. Fabulous! I enjoyed this first iteration of this excellent project and also look forward to further episodes.

    And by the way: It’s nice to see you again after quite some time. 🙂

  5. Great video! Makes me want to get round to going back to Schelling and Fichte’s treatment of the paranormal. Congratulations on all your achievements. I’d agree with the previous comment about maybe speaking a little bit slower and maybe a bigger pause between (some) sentences. But I like the cartoons and the varied presentation. Exciting to be doing something so different from the norm, no doubt (in every sense!!).

    • Thanks and great to hear from you, Fiona! If you ever want to write a short guest post on Fichte, Schelling and occult correspondences in their Naturphilosophie, let me know. 🙂

  6. Excellent video! Seeing the face and hearing the voice behind the text breathes expression into present and future articles. The reader can now imagine you literally speaking what is read..
    The only suggestion I can think of is to slow the pace down just a hair, but only by a hair. The fast-paced style and complementary graphics keeps the viewers attention focused on the topic being discussed. It becomes obvious right out of the gate that this is not going to be some dull lecture.

    While I’m at it, I might as well make a topic suggestion. The counselor / client relationship and eventual friendship between Wolfgang Pauli and Carl Jung has always fascinated me. It was definitely centered around resolving spirituality vs. science dilemmas.

  8. Interesting introductory video. The style and delivery is very good, a perfect pace for me. I would say your English is also at a very good level, Intermediate becoming Advanced!!.

Comments are closed.