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Nov 17 2009

What's the deal with totem poles?

21 min 3 movies discussed
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If you've ever wondered where the expression "low man on the totem pole" comes from, this episode of Stuff You Should Know is a must-listen. Tune in as Josh and Chuck take a look at the origins, symbolism and history of totem poles.

AI Summary

Josh and Chuck dive into the fascinating world of totem poles, debunking common myths and revealing surprising truths about these iconic Pacific Northwest carvings. They explore everything from the unexpected meaning behind being the "low man on the totem pole" to the elaborate ceremonies involved in raising these towering works of art, plus some eye-opening facts about Native American culture that might surprise you. Get ready to learn why totem pole carvers were treated like temperamental rock stars and discover the wild world of "shame poles" used to publicly embarrass people!


Movies Discussed

Knock at the Cabin
Knock at the Cabin
2023 1h 40m
★ 6.3
"From M. Night Shyamalan. Your family must sacrifice one of the three of you to prevent the apocalypse. — This was part of a movie trailer advertisement played during the podcast."
Memento
Memento
2000 1h 53m
★ 8.2
"unless I start tattooing myself like the guy I'm a minnow — This was a reference in a listener email about remembering things, alluding to the main character in Memento who tattoos himself to remember information."
Witness
Witness
1985 1h 52m
★ 7.1
"Have you ever seen witness? — Josh referenced the movie when comparing Amish barn raising traditions to Native American totem pole raising ceremonies." — Josh

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