Ridiculous History - Episode Summary: "Hoax! With Dana Schwartz and Lizzie Logan"
Release Date: August 14, 2025
In this engaging episode of Ridiculous History, hosts Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown welcome special guests Dana Schwartz and Lizzie Logan, the dynamic duo behind the new podcast Hoax!. The episode delves deep into the fascinating world of historical and modern hoaxes, exploring their impacts, underlying psychology, and the evolving landscape influenced by technology.
1. Introduction to Dana Schwartz and Lizzie Logan
The episode begins with Ben introducing Dana Schwartz and Lizzie Logan, highlighting their respective backgrounds. Dana, known for her scripted history podcast Noble Blood, shares her fascination with historical hoaxes and her collaboration with Lizzie.
Dana Schwartz [04:34]:
“I've always been fascinated by historical hoaxes…why people believe things that aren't true…”
Lizzie complements Dana’s enthusiasm, setting the stage for a comprehensive discussion on hoaxes.
2. The Nature of Hoaxes: Then and Now
Dana and Lizzie discuss the enduring nature of hoaxes, comparing historical instances to contemporary scams, especially in the age of AI and social media.
Lizzie Logan [06:15]:
“People were not more stupid in the past… there were always skeptics even then.”
Noel Brown [07:13]:
“Everything we hear about is a hoax if it’s unflattering... AI makes it even harder to sort things out.”
They emphasize that while technology has transformed the methods of deception, the fundamental human susceptibility to believe in hoaxes remains unchanged.
3. The Cottingly Fairies Hoax
A significant portion of the discussion centers on the Cottingly Fairies hoax of 1917, where two young girls claimed to photograph fairies, captivating figures like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Dana Schwartz [09:20]:
“He believed it because he wanted to believe it… Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a spiritualist.”
Max Williams [10:46]:
“The photos look fake as hell… they don’t look real at all.”
The hosts dissect why even intelligent individuals like Doyle fell for such hoaxes, highlighting the power of desire and confirmation bias in perpetuating false beliefs.
4. The English Mercury: The Oldest Newspaper Hoax
Dana introduces the story of the English Mercury, a fabricated newspaper from 1588 mistakenly recognized as the oldest newspaper in the world.
Dana Schwartz [21:27]:
“It’s the original fake news… a creative writing exercise that wasn’t meant to deceive.”
Max Williams [24:10]:
“In fifth grade, we made ancient newspapers… Imagine someone finding our Giza Gazette!”
This anecdote underscores how benign deceptions can persist in historical records, often misinterpreted by later generations.
5. P.T. Barnum: The Master Hoaxer
The conversation shifts to the notorious showman P.T. Barnum, exploring his most impactful hoaxes and their lasting legacy.
Dana Schwartz [26:40]:
“Barnum’s shamelessness in lying for profit… his hoax about George Washington’s cherry tree.”
Max Williams [27:56]:
“His own legacy is a hoax, as depicted in The Greatest Showman.”
They critique Barnum’s manipulative tactics, contrasting his profit-driven hoaxes with more whimsical historical deceptions.
6. Hoaxes vs. Scams: Understanding the Difference
Dana and Lizzie clarify the distinction between hoaxes and scams, emphasizing intent and impact.
Dana Schwartz [29:05]:
“Hoaxes have an element of whimsy… scams are purely exploitative for profit.”
This differentiation helps listeners understand the varied motivations behind deceitful acts throughout history.
7. The Impact of AI on Modern Hoaxes
The hosts explore how artificial intelligence complicates the landscape of deception, making hoaxes more sophisticated and harder to detect.
Noel Brown [07:53]:
“AI capitalizes on the urge to be first with news… making critical thinking more crucial than ever.”
Dana Schwartz [09:19]:
“Fewer mechanisms for immediate fact-checking made past hoaxes easier… but today, AI changes everything.”
The discussion highlights the urgent need for enhanced critical thinking skills in the digital age to combat increasingly convincing fabrications.
8. Practical Advice: Navigating Hoaxes and Misinformation
Ben, Noel, Dana, and Lizzie offer actionable strategies for listeners to discern truth from deception in the information-saturated modern world.
Dana Schwartz [44:28]:
“Don't need to post immediately… wait a beat, verify with friends in person.”
Max Williams [40:30]:
“Keep an open mind… give journalists time to fact-check before forming judgments.”
These tips encourage a mindful approach to consuming and sharing information, advocating for patience and verification over impulsive reactions.
9. Personal Anecdotes: Falling for Hoaxes
The guests share personal experiences where they believed or were influenced by hoaxes, illustrating the universal vulnerability to deception.
Max Williams [46:37]:
“A girl had a ticket to Fyre Fest and sold it before the disaster… I dodged a bullet.”
Dana Schwartz [52:47]:
“Miscommunication in an interview made me seem overly reliant on my phone… a minor yet telling example.”
These stories humanize the discussion, showing that even knowledgeable individuals can fall prey to well-crafted hoaxes.
10. Closing Thoughts: The Future of Hoaxes
In their concluding remarks, Dana and Lizzie reflect on the ongoing battle between truth and deception, especially as technology continues to evolve.
Dana Schwartz [35:40]:
“Critical thinking is dead in a ditch… AI is taking us further down the rabbit hole.”
Noel Brown [35:20]:
“We might be getting a little dumber now… instant information isn’t always good.”
The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to cultivate skepticism and resilience against the ever-present threats of misinformation.
Notable Quotes
-
Dana Schwartz [09:20]:
“He believed it because he wanted to believe it… Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a spiritualist.” -
Max Williams [10:46]:
“The photos look fake as hell… they don’t look real at all.” -
Dana Schwartz [44:28]:
“Don't need to post immediately… wait a beat, verify with friends in person.” -
Noel Brown [35:20]:
“We might be getting a little dumber now… instant information isn’t always good.”
Final Remarks
Ben and Noel express their gratitude to Dana and Lizzie, encouraging listeners to explore their new podcast Hoax! and continue engaging with Ridiculous History for more enthralling tales from the annals of human civilization.
Ben Bowlin [56:38]:
“We love it too. Kind. Thank you so much, Lizzie. Thank you so much, Dana.”
Noel Brown [56:47]:
“We'll see you next time, folks.”
For more intriguing stories and historical insights, tune into Ridiculous History on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.