Short Stuff: Frozen Dead Guy | STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW
Dive into the frosty tale of the makeshift cryonics experiment in Nederland, Colorado, as recounted by Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant in the gripping podcast "Stuff You Should Know." The hosts relay the peculiar story of Trigve's illegal cryonic freezing of his grandfather Bredo's body, delving into the ethical and legal boundaries pushed in the pursuit of immortality. Despite Trigve's deportation and the challenges faced, the narrative reveals a community's dedication to preserving the icy state of Bredo that has chilled the small town for over three decades.
This gripping episode also explores how Bredo’s extraordinary afterlife became woven into the fabric of the town through the Frozen Dead Guy Days festival. Yet, with the pandemic bringing changes, and the subsequent relocation of the festivities and Bredo himself to Estes Park, the hosts muse over the implications for the town's identity and the future of cryonic curiosity. Tune into "Stuff You Should Know" for an astonishing journey through the icy realm of cryonics and a small town's unique embrace of the macabre.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Jan 18, 2024 episode of the Stuff You Should Know
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1-Page Summary
Establishment of an illegal cryonics facility
In the small town of Nederland, Colorado, Trigve, driven by his interest in cryonics, established a makeshift facility to preserve his grandfather Bredo's body. Transporting Bredo’s remains from Oslo to Colorado, he constructed a crude freezer out of wood and insulated it with foam rubber, filling it with blocks of dry ice to maintain a sub-zero cryonic temperature of negative 110 degrees Celsius. Despite an initial legal start, the facility operated without a permit, thus illegally, drawing the attention of immigration officials and leading to Trigve's deportation. His mother and community members continued the preservation of Bredo's body for over 30 years, showcasing the commitment of the townspeople.
Nederland incorporates Bredo’s remains into local culture
Nederland capitalized on the intriguing story of Bredo's preserved remains by initiating the Frozen Dead Guy Days festival in 2002, which rapidly became part of the local culture and tourism draw. Nevertheless, after facing challenges during the pandemic, the festival rights were sold, and the festival moved to Estes Park, causing concerns over the loss of its original spirit. In a further development, Bredo's preserved body has been moved to the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, where it is featured in a cryonics exhibit. This move signifies a transformation from a locally preserved oddity to a facet of broader cultural interest and possibly commercial appeal.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Cryonics is the practice of freezing human bodies at extremely low temperatures with the hope of reviving them in the future. It is a controversial and speculative process that is not widely accepted in the scientific community. The idea is to preserve the body in a state where cellular decay is halted until potential future technologies can restore life.
- Frozen Dead Guy Days is an annual festival that began in 2002 in Nederland, Colorado, to commemorate the cryopreservation of Bredo Morstoel. The festival features various events and activities, including coffin races, polar plunges, live music, and more, attracting visitors and locals alike. It has become a unique and quirky tradition in the town, drawing attention and tourism to the area.
- The Stanley Hotel is a historic hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, known for its Colonial Revival architecture and ties to the novel "The Shining" by Stephen King. It was built by Freelan Oscar Stanley in 1909 as a resort and health retreat. Today, the hotel offers various amenities and scenic views of the surrounding area. The hotel has become a popular tourist destination and cultural landmark due to its unique history and connections to popular culture.
- Estes Park is a town located in Colorado, known for its scenic beauty and proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park. It is a popular tourist destination with various attractions and outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy. The town is also famous for being the location of the historic Stanley Hotel, which inspired Stephen King's novel "The Shining."
Counterarguments
- The establishment of an illegal cryonics facility raises ethical and legal concerns about the regulation of such practices.
- Constructing a makeshift freezer may not meet the scientific standards required for proper cryonic preservation, potentially compromising the integrity of the process.
- Operating without a permit is a clear violation of legal protocols, which are in place to ensure public safety and compliance with health regulations.
- The continuation of Bredo's preservation by community members could be seen as perpetuating an illegal activity.
- While the Frozen Dead Guy Days festival became a part of local culture, some might argue that it trivializes the serious topic of cryonics and the respect for the deceased.
- The commercialization of the festival and the move to Estes Park might detract from the authenticity and uniqueness that the event originally had in Nederland.
- The relocation of Bredo's body to the Stanley Hotel for a cryonics exhibit could be criticized for turning a personal family matter into a public spectacle.
- The shift from a local oddity to broader cultural interest may lead to the commodification of Bredo's story, which could be seen as disrespectful or insensitive.
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Establishment of an illegal cryonics facility
In Nederland, Colorado, a makeshift cryonics facility, set up to preserve a man's grandfather's body, drew local attention due to its operation and eventual legal issues.
Trigve builds makeshift cryonics facility for grandfather Bredo in Colorado
Trigve, fascinated by cryonics, undertook the task of preserving his grandfather Bredo's body. He shipped Bredo’s remains from Oslo to Oakland and finally to Nederland, Colorado. There, Trigve built a makeshift freezer constructed from wood and insulated with foam rubber, housing Bredo’s body. Inside, they surrounded Bredo with blocks of dry ice in an attempt to create a cryonically preserved state.
Trigve's initial vision included a concrete structure designed to indefinitely preserve Bredo’s cryonically treated body. However, only the foundation and the studs of that structure were completed. Trigve also made the error of mislabeling the head of the sleeping bag containing Bredo. To maintain the necessary cryonic conditions, they kept Bredo's remains in a consistent temperature of negative 110 degrees Celsius, involving the bi-weekly replacement of dry ice.
Facility operated illegally, drawing local attention
Despite starting out legally, Trigve's operation in Nederland faced legal hurdles when he was denied a permit and continued the facility's work illegally. This unlawful operation eventually caught the attention of immigration offic ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Establishment of an illegal cryonics facility
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Cryonics is a speculative process where a deceased person's body is preserved at extremely low temperatures with the hope that advances in future technology may allow for revival and restoration of health. The idea is to halt the decay process by storing the body in a state of suspended animation until a time when medical science can potentially bring the individual back to life. This practice is highly controversial and not widely accepted in the scientific community due to significant technical, ethical, and practical challenges. Cryonics facilities typically use cryogenic temperatures to preserve bodies, often involving the use of substances like liquid nitrogen to achieve the necessary low temperatures for long-term storage.
- Trigve's mislabeling of the head of the sleeping bag containing Bredo was a mistake in identifying which end of the sleeping bag was meant for Bredo's head. This error could have led to improper positioning of Bredo's body within the sleeping bag. It is crucial in cryonics to ensure the correct orientation of the body for preservation purposes. Trigve's mislabeling highlights the challenges and potential risks involved in DIY cryonics procedures.
- Cryonic preservation involves cooling a body to extremely low temperatures, typically around -196 degrees Celsius, to halt biological processes. The aim is to preserve the body in a state where decay and deterioration are significantly slowed down. The temperature of -110 degrees Celsius mentioned in the text may not be optimal for long-term cryopreservation, as it is not as cold as the standard cryogenic temperatures used in professional cryonics facilities.
- The cryonics facility in Nederland faced legal issues when the operator was denied a permit to continue its operation. Despite this denial, the facility continued to function unlawfully, leading to attention from immigration officials and other authorities. This illegal operation ultimately resulted in the operator facing deportation due to the lack of pr ...
Counterarguments
- The construction of a makeshift cryonics facility may not meet the stringent technical and ethical standards required for such operations, potentially compromising the integrity of the preservation process.
- Shipping human remains across international borders for cryonic preservation raises legal and ethical questions regarding the treatment of the deceased.
- Using a structure built from wood and insulated with foam rubber may not provide the necessary stability or insulation required for long-term cryonic preservation, which could lead to degradation of the remains.
- The use of dry ice for cryonic preservation is not a standard practice in the industry and may not be as effective as more advanced cryopreservation techniques.
- The failure to complete the envisioned concrete structure could indicate a lack of planning or resources, which might undermine the long-term feasibility of the project.
- Operating a facility without the necessary permits is illegal and undermines the rule of law, setting a potentially dangerous precedent for others to follow.
- The involvement of immigration ...
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Nederland incorporates Bredo’s remains into local culture
In Nederland, Colorado, the discovery of a frozen dead guy has sparked an unusual cultural phenomenon that has put the small town on the map.
Bredo's body inspires Frozen Dead Guy Days festival
The town of Nederland transformed a peculiar local story into an attraction when the Nederland Chamber of Commerce began the Frozen Dead Guy Days festival in 2002. The festival was inspired by the local discovery of a frozen dead man's remains, known as Bredo, bringing a unique form of notoriety to the town.
Festival moved and changed after pandemic downturn
However, the festival experienced a downturn due to the pandemic, and consequently, the rights to the event were sold to a private entity. This led to a change in location to Estes Park, where locals felt it lost its original spirit, indicating a significant shift away from its roots in Nederland.
Bredo moved to cryonics exhibit at the Stanley Hotel
As part of the ongoing saga, in August 2023, Bred ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Nederland incorporates Bredo’s remains into local culture
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Bredo, also known as the "frozen dead guy," holds significance in Nederland's local culture due to the unique story surrounding his discovery and the subsequent creation of the Frozen Dead Guy Days festival. The festival, initiated by the Nederland Chamber of Commerce, has become a distinctive attraction for the town, drawing attention and visitors. Bredo's presence has not only put Nederland on the map but has also contributed to the town's identity and reputation as a place with a quirky and memorable cultural event. The saga of Bredo's remains, from local curiosity to a cryonics exhibit at the Stanley Hotel, reflects the evolution of his role in shaping both local and potentially broader cultural narratives.
- The Frozen Dead Guy Days festival in Nederland, Colorado, originated in 2002 as a way to celebrate the discovery of a frozen dead man's remains named Bredo. It was created by the Nederland Chamber of Commerce to turn a local curiosity into a unique attraction for the town. The festival gained attention for its quirky events and activities centered around the frozen dead guy, becoming a distinctive part of Nederland's cultural identity.
- The festival experienced a downturn due to the pandemic because large gatherings and events were restricted or canceled to prevent the spread of the virus. This led to a decrease in attendance, financial challenges, and logistical issues for organizing the festival, ultimately impacting its success and popularity during that period.
- Bredo, the frozen dead man, was moved to a cryonics exhibit at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park. This exhibit, sponsored by Alcor, now houses Bredo's remains. The move signifies a transition from a local curiosity to a part of a larger cultural and potentially commercial narrative. The future of Bredo's remains at the Stanley Hotel remains uncertain, with the possibility of further relocations.
- Alcor is a company specializing in cryonics, a process of preser ...
Counterarguments
- The festival's move to Estes Park could be seen as an opportunity for growth and reaching a wider audience, rather than solely a loss of original spirit.
- The sale of the festival rights to a private entity might have been necessary for the festival's survival post-pandemic, ensuring its continuity rather than leading to its end.
- The relocation of Bredo's remains to the Stanley Hotel could be viewed as a way to preserve his story and integrate it into a broader context of scientific interest in cryonics, rather than just commercialization.
- The change in location and management of the festival might attract new visitors and participants who could bring fresh perspectives and ideas, potentially revitalizing the event.
- The commercial aspect of the narrative around Bredo's remains could be seen as a means to ...
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