Topic: Insane Asylums

Howdy Mikoski examines the explosion of opulent insane asylums in the late 1800s, questioning why massive, palace-like structures were needed for the mentally ill. He theorizes these were actually indoctrination camps for adults who remembered the "old world" before a reset. The segment also touches on the mystery of orphan trains and the lack of reliable photographic evidence for events occurring more than a few centuries ago.

The hosts examine the role of mental hospitals in the early 20th century, suggesting they functioned as prisons for political dissidents and those who questioned the new historical narrative. Alex and Greg share personal family anecdotes regarding relatives who were institutionalized and subjected to brain-scrambling treatments like electroshock therapy. They argue these facilities were essentially re-education centers designed to remove "distempered" individuals from society.