The History of Bog Bodies and Botox

The episode of 'The Blindboy Podcast' titled 'The History of Bog Bodies and Botox' begins with the host, Blindboy, describing the stormy weather outside his office window, personifying Storm Aisha with humorous and vivid imagery. Amidst the storm, he recounts a memory from 2019 involving a wild horse eating the bark off a tree. This peaceful and almost voyeuristic observation leads to a surprising phone call from Robbie Williams, who contacted Blindboy to address inaccuracies in Blindboy's tweets about the origins of the song 'Angels'. The conversation with Williams prompts Blindboy to reflect on the surreal nature of the situation, and the memory becomes a springboard into the broader theme of the episode: the intersection of history, nature, and cultural artifacts.

As the storm rages on, Blindboy weaves a narrative that travels through time and space, beginning with the tale of bog bodies found in Ireland. These bodies, perfectly preserved in peat bogs, provide insights into ancient Irish society, including the ritualistic and violent nature of their deaths, which are believed to be linked to failed kingship and sacrificial practices. The discussion of bog bodies transitions into a contemplation of hair wax, sparked by Robbie Williams' 90s wet-look hairstyle. Blindboy reminisces about the use of Dax wax in his youth and its cultural significance, drawing a parallel to the earliest evidence of hair wax found in a 2300-year-old bog body's hair.

The narrative then shifts to the Aran Islands and the tradition of Aaron sweaters, which were waterproofed with lanolin, an oil from sheep's skin also used as a hair product. This cultural artifact leads Blindboy to recount the story of Grania O'Malley, the Pirate Queen of Mayo, whose seafaring exploits and encounters with Queen Elizabeth I are part of Ireland's rich history.

In an unexpected turn, Blindboy connects the historical and cultural discussion back to the present with the topic of Botox. He explains that botulinum toxin, which caused a mysterious 'sausage poisoning' in the 1820s, is now used in Botox injections to paralyze facial muscles and prevent aging signs. Blindboy reveals that all Botox is manufactured in Westport, Mayo, the stronghold of Grania O'Malley. He concludes with a thought-provoking reflection on the psychological effects of Botox, suggesting that it may diminish people's ability to empathize due to reduced facial expressiveness.