Cabinet of Curiosities: "Phishing"

Podcast: Aaron Mahnke’s Cabinet of Curiosities
Host: Aaron Mahnke
Episode Date: October 14, 2025
Theme: Exploring two curious stories—one about an internet-age urban legend of a hidden Swedish city and another about the overlooked legacy of a Viking queen.

Overview

This episode of "Cabinet of Curiosities" delves into the nature of misinformation and historical erasure through two captivating tales. The first story examines the viral 2009 hoax of an all-women city in Sweden—a case study in how fake news can enchant and mislead in the digital age. The second story brings light to Tyra, a forgotten Viking queen, revealing how new archaeological methods can uncover lost legacies even when mainstream history has overlooked them.

Story 1: The Swedish "Secret Lesbian City" Hoax

[01:10–05:29]

Key Discussion Points

• The Unbelievable Tale:

  • In October 2009, Chinese news agencies reported on a mysterious city in northern Sweden—Shakabo—allegedly populated only by women, with men strictly forbidden.
  • The “founder," a wealthy widow from 1820, purportedly sought to create a male-free sanctuary. Women leaving the city for relationships with men had to "wash themselves" before returning.
  • The city’s residents reportedly worked in woodworking and forestry, with some sources describing the city as Sweden's "secret lesbian city."
  • The viral story crashed Swedish tourism websites with requests for verification.

• Debunking the Myth:

  • The Swedish government ultimately debunked the myth, confirming no such city existed.
  • Aaron notes the ease with which the story aligned with "a laundry list of cliches," calling it, “the sort of fantasy that feels like it was dreamed up by a lonely single guy.” (Aaron Mahnke, 04:30)

• Misinformation in the Modern Era:

  • Despite the official debunking, the internet enthusiastically adopted the hoax: communities created flags, web comics, and even a short film about the fictional city.
  • The story is framed as an early example of the virality of false information, before the current content-saturated internet environment.
  • Mahnke reflects, “Misinformation is no longer the exception. Sadly, it’s the rule.” (Aaron Mahnke, 05:25)

Memorable Moments

• Quote:
  • “A town full of women who work as lumberjacks all day, who only know the touch of a man when they went on holiday. It’s the sort of fantasy that feels like it was dreamed up by a lonely single guy.” (Aaron Mahnke, 04:30)
• Cultural Impact:
  • Creation of a flag, viral web content, and a 2010 short film inspired by a city that never existed.

Story 2: The Forgotten Viking Queen

[07:07–11:52]

Key Discussion Points

• Trivia with Historical Depth:

  • The segment opens with trivia about Bluetooth technology’s namesake: Harald Bluetooth Gormson, a Viking king known as a great unifier, from whom the wireless technology takes its name and logo.
  • Mahnke pivots to highlight an even more commemorated Viking—Harald’s mother, Tyra (sometimes spelled Tira or Thyra), dubbed "the forgotten Viking queen."

• Rediscovering Tyra’s Legacy:

  • Tyra is referenced on more Viking runestones in Denmark than any contemporary, yet her story is largely lost due to oral histories and male-dominated historical narratives.
  • Recent archaeological research utilized 3D scanning and forensic analysis of runestones dated to her era.
  • Findings showed that four stones—across different locations—were likely carved by the same person, and all celebrated the same Queen Tyra, emphasizing her prominence.
  • Titles and inscriptions identified her as "Denmark’s strength and salvation," highlighting her key role in unifying Denmark and constructing the Danevirke fortifications.

• Historical Erasure and Gender:

  • Discusses how Tyra’s achievements were overshadowed due to the male-dominated focus of 19th-century historians.
  • Reinforces that Viking women often enjoyed more freedom and power compared to their contemporaries, but Western narratives still marginalized them.
  • Mahnke states, “Marriage gave her the title of queen, a title carved in stone. But her accomplishments, it seems, are what carved her place in history.” (Aaron Mahnke, 11:46)

Memorable Moments

• Quote:
  • “If Tyra was so beloved, why don’t we remember her story today?” (Aaron Mahnke, 11:30)
  • “What proves this legacy most is the fact that two of her runestones were commissioned by her husband and her son. They wanted to immortalize her legacy.” (Aaron Mahnke, 11:23)

Notable Timestamps

• 01:10 — Intro to Shakabo City hoax
• 03:00 — Details of the city and sensationalist media frenzy
• 04:30 — Debunking and analysis of the story’s appeal
• 05:25 — Misinformation and the internet’s role
• 07:07 — Bluetooth trivia segue to Viking history
• 09:00 — Archaeological findings on Queen Tyra
• 10:35 — Discussion on gender and historical erasure
• 11:46 — Reflecting on Tyra’s legacy

Episode Tone

Aaron Mahnke delivers the episode with his signature blend of intrigue and skepticism. He encourages curiosity about the sources of our information and the stories history chooses to remember or forget, all while employing wry humor and an engaging storytelling style.

Summary for the Uninitiated:
This episode uses one modern and one ancient curiosity to explore how easily facts slip into fiction, whether by viral hoax or historical neglect, and how we can recover lost truths with a discerning, curious mind.