Get ready for an amazing yet totally true adventure from the 1990s, when on a warm Arizona morning, four men and four women left the earths atmosphere…and did not return for 2 years and 20 minutes.

Yet their feet never left the ground.

This is the incredible story of Biosphere 2, a bold and controversial American experiment to see if human beings could survive in a sealed environment. If they could, then perhaps we might be able to live on other planets some day.

The project began with a wave of enthusiasm and excitement from the media and public – with ABC News declaring that Biosphere 2 was going to save the world.

But…as the days turned into weeks, the cracks began to show, the eco system struggled, tensions exploded in the groups, and media relations collapsed when they heard about a mysterious duffle bag…and the ambitious endeavour began to be labelled as more like a hippy cult, than a science experiment.

Then, the controversial political strategist Steve Bannon turned up.

You are in for a pretty wild ride, but I hope you’ll join me for a fascinating and frustrating step into a new world…This is…

Two years in isolation | The Biosphere 2 saga

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A unique couple meet in 1920s Germany, and fall in love. Their relationship is fiery, but they become famous dancers, dazzling audiences in Germany…

Yet their commitment to their art will lead them both to a heartbreaking tragedy.

I’m Peter Laws and tonight I give you ‘Tears on the Dancefloor: The Tragic Love and Heartbreaking fate of Lavinia Schulz & Walter Holdt.

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Core Sources:

https://janreetze.blogspot.com/2010/12/the-mask-dancers-lavinia-schulz-walter.html

https://clasebcn.com/tips/lavinia-schluz-walter-holdt/

‘Empire of Ecstasy: Nudity and Movement in German Body Culture, 1910–1935’ by Karl Toepfer UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS, 1997.

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Peter Laws | creating podcasts, immersive audio, video and more! | Patreon

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A plane crashes into the Amazon Jungle, on board are four terrified children who somehow survive the wreck. But their ordeal has only just begun. I’m Peter Laws and tonight on Our Curious Past we explore ‘Crashed in the Amazon Jungle: The Astonishing 40 Day Search for Four Lost Children’.

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To learn more details on this remarkable story, do check out my main source, this excellent and lengthy article by William Ralston.

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Peter Laws | creating podcasts, immersive audio, video and more! | Patreon