Pilates (with John Early, Kate Berlant and Claudia O'Doherty)
In this episode of the WikiHole podcast with host D'Arcy Carden, the conversation explores the origins of the Pilates exercise method. Tracing its roots to Joseph Pilates' time interned during World War I, the podcast offers insight into his pioneering "Contrology" system and its enduring legacy in the fitness world.
The discussion then takes a detour down the "Wiki hole" of information related to 8th Avenue in Manhattan. Covering intriguing trivia about the street, it examines Pilates' original studio location as well as other notable landmarks and the open-source culture that enables the exploration of interconnected topics on Wikipedia.
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1-Page Summary
The Origins of Pilates
Joseph Pilates pioneered the Pilates exercise method while imprisoned at a British internment camp during World War I, using hospital beds as workout equipment.
Originally called "Contrology," Pilates' method gained popularity among athletes and dancers in the early 20th century, and he later renamed it after himself.
Pilates' Enduring Legacy
The original Joseph Pilates studio in New York City on 8th Avenue is still in operation today, offering private sessions for $150 each.
Pilates was inducted into the National Fitness Hall of Fame in 2011, recognizing his pioneering contributions to the fitness industry.
Trivia About 8th Avenue in Manhattan
8th Avenue runs through several notable neighborhoods, including Chelsea, Midtown, the Garment District, and the Theater District.
In 1899, Henry Bliss was the first person to be fatally run over by a car in America, on 8th Avenue. A plaque commemorates this event.
The headquarters of Google is located at 111 8th Avenue, taking up multiple floors of the building.
Google's original search algorithm was originally called "Back Rub" before the company settled on the name "Google".
The Culture of Falling Into "Wiki Holes"
Wikipedia's open-source, crowdsourced model allows people to fall down "Wiki holes" of related information while researching various topics.
D'Arcy Carden recounts starting with flying squirrels and ending up learning about Steven Spielberg's ringtone on Wikipedia. Claudia O'Doherty details investigating a "Wizard of Oz" conspiracy theory.
The Wikimedia Foundation, which runs Wikipedia, supports the "WikiHole" podcast and grants permission to use Wikipedia content and trademarks.
"WikiHole" acknowledges the 350,000 volunteers who make Wikipedia possible, and invites listeners to donate at donate.wikimedia.org/wikihole to support Wikipedia's mission.
1-Page Summary
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Actionables
- Explore the historical significance of your local area by researching notable events and landmarks, similar to how 8th Avenue's history was highlighted. Start by visiting your town's historical society or library to gather information, then take a walking tour to physically connect with the history you've learned.
- Create a personal fitness routine inspired by the adaptability of Pilates, which was developed under constrained circumstances. Use household items as improvised fitness equipment, like using chairs for balance exercises or towels as resistance bands, to enhance your home workouts.
- Engage with open-source projects to contribute to a collective knowledge base, drawing inspiration from the Wikipedia model. Find an open-source initiative that aligns with your interests or skills, such as contributing to a public database, editing an open-source textbook, or participating in community-driven research.
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The history and trivia around fitness/wellness practices and their origins
Exploring the intriguing past of fitness and wellness practices reveals stories of innovation and legacy, including the remarkable tale of Joseph Pilates and the exercise method he crafted during wartime.
The Origins of Pilates
In the early 20th century, a German-born gentleman named Joseph Pilates was touring England with his circus troupe when the outbreak of World War I led to unexpected consequences for him.
Joseph Pilates pioneered the Pilates exercise method while imprisoned at a British internment camp during World War I, using hospital beds as workout equipment.
Pilates was arrested and interned on the Isle of Man due to hostilities between Germany and Britain. It was during this period of confinement that he began to envision a new approach to fitness. In 1914, he developed and taught his fitness regimen to fellow internees, using what was available — the hospital beds in the camp. This innovation marked the inception of the exercise method initially known as "Contrology."
Pilates originally called his method "Contrology" and it gained popularity among athletes and dancers in the early 20th century.
It's suggested that as Joseph Pilates' method started gaining popularity, he later renamed it after his own last name, crafting a lasting personal signature on the discipline.
An Enduring Legacy in Fitness
Joseph Pilates' legacy endures not only in the exercise method he pioneered but also in physical locations where his techniques continue to be practiced.
The original Joseph Pilates studio in New York City on 8th Avenue is still in operation today, offering private sessions for $150 each.
Joseph Pilates' original studio th ...
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The history and trivia around fitness/wellness practices and their origins
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Explore the adaptability of Pilates by creating a makeshift Pilates studio at home using common household items like chairs for balance and towels as sliding discs, to understand how Pilates can be practiced with minimal equipment.
- By using everyday objects, you can experience firsthand the ingenuity of Joseph Pilates in adapting to limited resources. For example, you might use a sturdy chair to perform exercises like the Pilates roll-down, or a towel on a smooth floor to mimic the sliding action of a reformer machine.
- Connect with the historical roots of Pilates by designing a "Contrology" themed workout routine that focuses on the principles of control, breath, and precision, which were central to Pilates' original method.
- This can be done by researching the key principles of Contrology and then incorporating them into a workout sequence. For instance, you could start with breathing exercises to establish control, followed by slow, precise movements such as the Pilates hundred, ensuring that each movement is deliberate and mindful.
- Honor the legacy of Joseph Pilates by setting a personal ...
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Trivia and details about famous locations, companies, and institutions in New York City
New York City is home to many famous locations, companies, and institutions, each with their own unique history and cultural importance.
8th Avenue in Manhattan runs through several notable neighborhoods, including Chelsea, Midtown, the Garment District, and the Theater District.
Claudia O'Doherty mentions that 8th Avenue runs through Chelsea, while Kate Berlant adds that it runs through Midtown and the Garment District, which she refers to as the Fashion District. John Early brings up Hell's Kitchen as another neighborhood on 8th Avenue, and O'Doherty also adds the West Village and Harlem to the list. D'Arcy Carden confirms that the Theater District is one of the neighborhoods along 8th Avenue, linking it to Times Square and Broadway.
In 1899, the first person to be fatally run over by a car in America was Henry Bliss on 8th Avenue in Manhattan.
To mark this event, a plaque was erected in September 1999, 100 years later, to commemorate Henry Bliss, the first person to be fatally run over by a car in America on 8th Avenue.
The headquarters of major tech company Google is located at 111 8th Avenue, taking up multiple floors of the building.
The East Coast headquarters of tech giant Google is situated at 111 8th Avenue. This location is mentioned by John Early in the context of a building on Eight ...
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Trivia and details about famous locations, companies, and institutions in New York City
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Explore the historical significance of your city by creating a walking tour that includes sites of historical accidents and their commemorations. By researching local archives or historical societies, you can identify and visit places of historical significance similar to the Henry Bliss accident site. This can deepen your appreciation for the history that has shaped your surroundings.
- Use the story of Google's headquarters and its original algorithm name as inspiration to start a small-scale scavenger hunt that encourages participants to find lesser-known facts about local businesses. You can create clues based on the history, names, and locations of businesses in your area, fostering a sense of community and local knowledge.
- Engage with the evolution of technology by naming a personal ...
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The culture and trivia around Wikipedia and how people use it
Wikipedia's vast, open-source model often leads users on wild journeys of related information, and it's become a common experience shared by many—including the participants of the "WikiHole" podcast, which is supported by the Wikimedia Foundation.
Wikipedia's open-source, crowdsourced model allows people to fall down "Wiki holes" of related information while researching various topics.
Participants in the "WikiHole" podcast discussed their experiences going down Wikipedia rabbit holes about various unexpected and often amusing topics. D'Arcy Carden recounts starting with a question about flying squirrels and ending up learning about Steven Spielberg's ringtone. She also mentions using the term "little Wiki hole" during the quiz segment of the show. Claudia O'Doherty details how something she saw on the street triggered an investigation of a conspiracy theory involving a hanged munchkin in the "Wizard of Oz." John Early talks about his trip through Barbara Streisand's many projects after listening to her memoir. Similarly, Kate Berlant looks up Al Pacino's dating history on Wikipedia, unraveling the actor's previous relationships and learning about his children.
Listeners of "WikiHole" are encouraged to support the Wikimedia Foundation, acknowledging the role of the hundreds of thousands of volunteers in maintaining the platform. As a token of appreciation, a donation to Wikipedia will be made in the winner's honor.
The Wikimedia Foundation, which runs Wikipedia, supports the podcast and grants permission for the show to use Wikipedia content and trademarks.
"WikiHole" is a production from SmartList Media, created by Richard Corson and hosted by Darcy Carden. This podcast, with special thanks to the Wikimedia Foundation, is given permission to utilize Wikipedia ...
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The culture and trivia around Wikipedia and how people use it
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Counterarguments
- Wikipedia's open-source model, while beneficial for exploring various topics, can also lead to the dissemination of misinformation if not properly monitored and curated.
- The experiences shared on the "WikiHole" podcast, while entertaining, may not always promote critical thinking or the verification of sources, which is crucial in the age of information overload.
- The Wikimedia Foundation's support of the podcast could be seen as an endorsement of the content, potentially blurring the lines between entertainment and the educational mission of Wikipedia.
- The reliance on Wikipedia for research in the podcast might inadvertently contribute to the perception that Wikipedia is a primary source, rather than a starting point for research that should be supplemented with additional, more authoritative sources.
- The views expressed in "WikiHole" might sometimes be mistaken as representative of Wikipedia or the Wikimedia Foundation, despite disclaim ...
Actionables
- You can explore your own "Wiki holes" by starting with a topic you're curious about and following the references and links to discover new, related subjects. Begin with something simple like a favorite animal or a historical event, then click on the hyperlinks within the article to branch out into related topics. This can lead to learning about new concepts, places, or historical figures you hadn't considered before.
- Create a personal knowledge challenge by selecting a random Wikipedia article daily and summarizing what you've learned in a journal or blog. This practice not only broadens your knowledge base but also improves your ability to distill and communicate complex information. You might start with the 'Random article' link on Wikipedia's homepage and spend 15-30 minutes reading the article and taking notes before writing your summary.
- Support open knowledge b ...
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