So, if you have been living in a dumpster that’s been on fire, firstly, I don’t blame you. Secondly, you may not know that this is the second week of my Winter Break from New Zealand’s 5th least favourite website. If I work hard enough, it may reach the dizzying heights of 6th; but we have to wait and see.
Temperatures here have dropped to -3°C, which is just so… delightful. That being the case, today’s blog is as small as the charities that Mr. Charles Montgomery Burns donates to, because I need to keep warm.
In other news, I hope Viktor Orban’s anti-LGBTQIA+ legalisation works wonders for Hungary. It’s not like over 200,000 people would ever participate in a Gay Pride march in Budapest, in defiance of said legalisation. I mean, that wouldn’t happen, would it?
Snow in the South Island, New Zealand, Early June. (Source: Gavin Martin)
And that’s it for this week. I’ll be back next Monday for a longer blog because Superman opens very soon, so I need to do one of my world-famous movie previews.
Please don’t forget to walk your dog, read a banned book, and enjoy the last day of Pride Month. I know Viktor Oban, Donald Trump, and Christopher Luxon will.
The June Solstice has passed, and now we are heading towards aphelion. For those of us in the Southern Hemisphere, winter has arrived. The Starks will be relieved, as all hope, warmth, and light have been fading away.
Because of this positive and uplifting event, I am officially on my first break of the year. Yes, I am taking two weeks off from running New Zealand’s 5th least favourite website, because it’s difficult to manage low-quality content for the masses.
It’s a bittersweet break since I found out I was not selected for the All Blacks again. However, I recently registered with Hoopla, so my break will involve catching up on a lot of books.
Lake Tekapo, New Zealand, has already been hit by heavy snow. Photo: Supplied / Tanja Clauberg
Just like last year, I need to address two things.
1.) I’ll be publishing another blog post next Monday, but just like this one, it will be greatly reduced in size and length.
2.) I’ll still be posting daily nonsense on Twitter and Mastodon, so that won’t change.
Thank you to all my readers, followers, and subscribers. Whether you are new or old, your support for this vanity project means a lot to me.
Please don’t forget to walk your dog, read a banned book, don’t bomb nuclear facilities, and I’ll quickly check in with you next week. Take care.
I was thinking the other day about our finite time on this beautiful planet. We try to use it by developing various skills and spending time with our loved ones. And then there is this project, which I don’t fully understand where it would fall.
Yes, dear reader, one of the worst ideas I have ever had has returned with a vendetta against logic and reason. Some Geek Told Me is proud to present the latest instalment of We Didn’t Start the Fire, where we examine the historical references of the song.
For the previous non-award-winning entries of the song, please see below to be stunned into submission!
In 1957, there were many shenanigans, so 1958 might be a nice change of pace. So strap yourself in, because we’re going back to 1958! Make it so!
Credit: Collinson & Cunninghame Ltd: Publisher
1958
Lebanon
Lebanon is a country that can be found in the region called the Middle East and has a deep and rich history, dating back to at least 5,000 BCE. It borders the Mediterranean Sea to the west, with Cyprus just 240 km off the coast. Syria lies to the north and east of Lebanon, with Israel and the Golan Heights to the south. Lebanon has a population of approximately 5.84 million people, similar to New Zealand, which has a population of about 5.3 million. The capital city, Beirut, has an estimated population of 2.3 million.
1958 was the year of the Lebanon Crisis, where the country was thrown into political and religious turmoil. At the time, the President of Lebanon was Camille Chamoun, and he was in the sixth and final year of his term.
Some of the issues Lebanon were facing included tensions between Christians and Arab Muslims flaring up; Egypt and Syria had merged to create the United Arab Republic (UAR) and wanted Lebanon to join them; an armed rebellion had formed; along with Chamoun wanting to seek another term, which went against the Constitution of Lebanon.
The problem was brought to the attention of the United Nations Security Council, and one proposed solution involved United States President Dwight D. Eisenhower leading an intervention at the request of Chamoun. Under Operation Blue Bat, he sent 5,000 marines to secure the Port of Beirut and Beirut International Airport. This lasted from 15th July to 25th October 1958.
The legacy of the Lebanon Crisis was that Chamoun did not attain a new term, with Fouad Chehab becoming the President of Lebanon, and a national reconciliation government was formed. Sadly, Lebanon went on to suffer a civil war for 15 years, which killed an estimated 150,000 people, coupled with conflicts with Israel, the Syrian Civil War, the Arab Spring, the October Revolution, and a financial crisis, Lebanon is now identified as a failed state.
Charles de Gaulle remains a famous French icon, over 130 years after his birth. Born in 1890, de Gaulle was a veteran of the First World War, and after the war ended, he stayed with the army. This led him to gain worldwide attention later on during the Second World War, after de Gaulle was promoted within the army and the government, to the point where he was in charge of the Free French Forces against Nazi Germany.
After the war, de Gaulle remained within the government in various roles until 1946. However, in 1958, Algeria was involved in an armed conflict to wrestle its independence from France.
Charles de Gaulle re-entered French politics during a crisis in the Fourth Republic, particularly regarding Algeria, during the 1958 election. He was appointed Prime Minister and granted special powers to address the Algerian Crisis, as many believed he was the only person capable of resolving it.
This led to de Gaulle drafting a new French Constitution, which established the Fifth Republic of France, where he was subsequently elected as the first President of the Fifth Republic. Although Algeria won its independence from France on 5th July 1962, de Gaulle remained President until 1969.
A contemporary equivalent for de Gaulle would be someone who was a war hero and then entered politics. History is filled with such people, however, I’ll go for George H.W. Bush, Bajram Begaj, Hashim Thaçi, Aslan Maskhadov, and Min Aung Hlaing, along with many others.
Charles de Gaulle gives a press conference, 1958. Photograph: Daniele Darolle/Sygma via Getty Images
California baseball
This is not the first time a baseball team has appeared as an entry on one of our lists. California baseball refers to the New York Giants, who had played in the National League, in MLB (Major League Baseball), since 1883. They were based in…wait for it…New York; Upper Manhattan to be precise.
One of their rivals was the Brooklyn Dodgers, who managed to grace the 1955 edition of We Didn’t Start the Fire. At the end of the 1957 season, the New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers left New York and moved to California. They transformed into the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers, all ready for the 1958 season so they could continue their feud.
After moving to California, the Giants won the World Series in 2010, 2012, and 2014. I’ve stated this before, but I’m not a baseball expert, so for a modern example of a baseball team relocating recently, I think the Oakland Athletics moving to Las Vegas, Nevada is a clear winner.
Giants first practice at Seal Stadium on April 15, 1958. Starting line up: Davenport, O’Connell, Mays, Cepeda, Sauer, Spencer, Thomas, Gomez. Starting Pitcher Ruben Gomez. Credit: Art Frisch.
Starkweather homicide
Alright, here’s a historical reference from 1958 that is still sending ripples through time. Between November 1957 and January 1958, Charles Starkweather killed 11 people and two dogs, accompanied by his girlfriend, Caril Ann Fugate. The victims’ ages ranged from 2-70 years old, with the 2-year-old being Betty Jean Bartlett, Fugate’s sister.
Starkweather killed his first victim on 30th November/1st December 1957, then went on to terrorise the US states of Nebraska and Wyoming. The Starkweather homicides gripped the American public, which had resulted in a large manhunt for the couple. They were finally captured by authorities near Douglas, Wyoming, on 29th January 1958.
After he was found guilty, Starkweather was executed by an electric chair on 25th June 1959, while Fugate was given life imprisonment, though she was released in 1976.
The Starkweather homicides have spawned many adaptations and variations across television, film, books, comics, music, and video games.
Starkweather has been characterised as both a serial killer and a spree killer. The term spree killer is often used interchangeably with rampage killer or shooter. If you’re looking for a modern equivalent in 2025, simply reading a newspaper or watching news videos will help you find the latest incidents of spree killings, no matter where you are in the world.
Casper Tribune-Herald on 30th January 1958, describes Starkweather’s capture. Credit: Casper Tribune-Herald
Children of Thalidomide
Children of Thalidomide refers to the Thalidomide scandal that swept the globe. Thalidomide was first introduced in 1957, under the name of Contergan, and it was a revolutionary new drug. It was marketed as an over-the-counter medication, that could help with tension, sleeping, anxiety, and morning sickness.
Health authorities around the world began to observe three troubling trends: an increase in infant deaths shortly after birth, a rise in miscarriages, and a growing number of babies born with deformities such as heart, arm, leg, eye, and urinary tract defects. A common factor associated with these alarming trends was the use of thalidomide by pregnant women. Approximately 300 million tablets of thalidomide were sold during this time.
By 1958, the Thalidomide scandal was in full effect across the planet. Soon, country by country were starting to stop the sale of thalidomide and introduced legalisation to ban the drug. It was later discovered that thalidomide caused birth defects by disrupting the development of blood vessels in the embryo.
The Thalidomide scandal prompted many countries to review their drug regulatory policies, resulting in enhanced monitoring of these regulations. The effects of this are still observed today with stronger drug regulations worldwide.
In the last 15 years, many drugs have been withdrawn because of safety concerns, which have included Ingenol mebutate gel, Lorcaserin, Ranitidine, Flupirtine, Tetrazepam, Drotrecogin alfa, Propoxyphene, Gemtuzumab ozogamicin, Ozogamicin, and Rosiglitazone, to name but a few.
Contergan tablets. Credit: WDR
So for 1958, we covered a country, a war hero-turned-politician, a baseball team, a spree killer, and a dangerous over-the-counter drug. One of the biggest points about the historical references for 1958, is how these events are still being echoed in 2025.
So that’s it for another week. The 1960s are just months away, but we need to face 1959 first, so hang in there. Thanks again for reading, following, and subscribing to Some Geek Told Me. My accounts on Twitter and Mastodon, are still there, doing whatever the opposite of cool is.
This is a good time to remind my amazing audience that my mid-year break is coming up soon, where I take a well-deserved two-week holiday from running New Zealand’s 5th least favourite website. It’s hard work producing low-quality content.
Anyway, please remember to walk your dog, read a banned book, swipe right on diplomacy, and I’ll see you next week.
It’s been a while since I’ve discussed my wife and her quirky traits, so I thought I would remedy that. For previous insightful entries about analysing her, please see here about her choices of books, TV shows, and movies.
To set the scene, I shared some ideas with her, but she considered my suggestions and proposed a topic that was far better than what I had originally come up with. Like anyone else, she often talks to me about various unusual topics that pique her interest, and these interests have evolved over the years.
This includes when I’m watching rugby or reading, she will start discussing some new or crazy topic. I love her, but the All Blacks would be playing, and she decides now is the best time to talk to me about her new interest in following Mongolian throat singing, or something to that effect.
I have compiled a collection of her new and random interests, along with the rationale behind each one, presented in her own words whenever possible. Additionally, my wife has noted that she has interests beyond just watching things; these are simply her latest random pursuits. She believes that this makes her pretty cool.
I think its fascinating and the eggs are soft and just so un-egg like (Molinaro Snake Lab to be precise).
Watching restoration videos:
The rustier the better, I just like all the steps and processes involved. (Chip Channel Restorations and The Fabrick to be precise)
Manufacturing videos:
Like food factory stuff. It’s just great what people have come up with to make life easierand I find it exciting.
Prop making:
I like watching other people make stuff, while I’m making my own stuff. It’s great to understand their thought processes around problem-solving. It’s like you’re working with an arts and crafts buddy. (Rachel Maksy to be precise)
Bardcore music:
I have no explanation for this, I just like it because it’s cool. (Hildegard von Blingin’ to be precise)
British Football chants:
So hilarious, unexpectedly funny and just really creative.
Keith Richards memes:
Another illogical one because I’m not even a fan of his; they are just funny.
Comedy music artists:
Music + humour. What’s not to like? They tickle my brain. I really like Tom Cardy, Rhett and Link, and Flight of the Concords. Also ERB (Epic Rap Battles of History) has the bonus of learning stuff too.
That is just what’s happening with her in the first half of 2025. I’m anxious about what the remaining months of the year hold for her.
Do you enjoy any of these interests like my wife? Is she correct, and agree that she’s cool? As always, please let me know.
This blog is shorter this week, but I’ll make up for it next week because we’re going back to 1958. Yes, Billy Joel would likely be disappointed in me.
Thanks again for reading, following, and subscribing to Some Geek Told Me. Please remember to walk your dog, read a banned book, and I’ll see you next week.
Also having two conservative billionaires having a very messy public break-up, at the beginning of Pride Month, via their own social media platforms, is catty, petty, and bitchy. I’m ashamed that I love it.
In this week’s blog, I want to discuss the death of another giant of the comics and entertainment industry, Peter David. He passed away on 20th May at NYU Langone Hospital, New York, at the age of 68.
Over the last week, many articles have been written by professionals about Peter, across various media. In saying that, I’m going to offer my humble tribute to a man I had never met.
Comic-book writer Peter David ‘PAD’ attends “Stan Lee’s World of Heroes” during Comic-Con International 2012 held at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel on July 12, 2012 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Each time I reflect on someone who has influenced my life from afar and has passed away, I feel grateful for the various genres that exist, including comics, television shows, movies, and novels.
I love comic books, and as long-time followers and readers may know, I was captivated by them when I was a boy and have never recovered. Among the many reasons for my enduring passion, one of them was Peter David.
For those of you who have never heard of Peter, he was a proficient writer who had penned hundreds of comics, but also novels, videogames, and screenplays. He had worked for both DC and Marvel, but also added a large volume of work to the Star Trek canon through various mediums.
Peter David was always somebody who was in my sphere of knowledge, even though I didn’t know it. I can’t tell you the first comic I read that was written by Peter, but over time, I started recognising his name and work.
For me, his work on Supergirl, Aquaman, X-Factor,Spider-Man, and the Incredible Hulk, has become immortal, along with his status as a writer. From a comic book lover’s perspective, I enjoyed his stories because they included a collection of social issues, mixed with action.
Peter’s Incredible Hulk #420 may have been the first time that I can recall, reading about a character who was dying from AIDS in a comic book. It was relevant then, and it’s relevant now. It’s been my understanding that Peter’s life would bleed through onto the pages, helping to shape and guide characters.
Through his hard work, Peter also gave us The Maestro, a future evil version of the Hulk, who remains a key Marvel villain, and still a warning about ourselves when we allow our morality and compassion to be stripped away, to gain more power. I still have Hulk: Future Imperfect #1–2 and Incredible Hulk: The End #1; I probably always will.
I always liked his strong female characters, who rarely needed a man to save them, because they were always strong enough to save themselves, as well as other people. He also tried to champion people not just on the page, but also off it, with his views and dedication; especially about supporting creators and many other causes.
Over the last few years, I was deeply saddened to hear about his financial and medical issues. Even though he was living in another country, in reality, he might as well have been living on the Moon.
From Spider-Man 2099 to Talos, to Cyber, to Joe Fixit, to Random, to Fallen Angel, Peter’s characters are unique and beloved. I wish I had the opportunity to have met him, but the universe doesn’t work like that. So instead, I’d like to thank Peter for his amazing literacy work that helped expand the mind of a boy living in a small town, half a world away.
What’s your favourite Peter David story? As always please let me know.
Alright, that’s it for another week. Thanks once again for reading, following, and subscribing to Some Geek Told Me. I’m also on Twitter and Mastodon, where I bumble around in various echo chambers.
Please remember to walk your dog, read a banned book, and if you had a bet that PSG would win the UEFA Champions League Final, over Inter Milan, 5-0, then you’re a lot smarter than me. I’ll see you next week.
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