Undercover in an Insane Asylum: How a 23-Year-Old Changed Journalism

“In my time, women usually had their life stories written for them. But I didn’t like the story I was given, so I wrote a new one.” That’s Nellie Bly, the pen name of Elizabeth Cochrane. The story she wrote-in a newspaper in 1887, and, figuratively, of her life-would change the course of journalism in America. Read more: www.theatlanti...
"Nellie Bly Makes the News" was directed by Penny Lane and produced by Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting. It is part of The Atlantic Selects, an online showcase of short documentaries from independent creators, curated by The Atlantic.
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[@whatever.1765]

“They find it *impossible* not to exaggerate” he says, _while_ exaggerating himself.

[@talitam.8414]

whatever. Haha! That’s true 😭

[@raraavis7782]

whatever. That’s irony for you, for sure. 😆

[@blairthomas3920]

Haven't watched the video yet, but I had to like your comment cause your grammar is on point.

[@corbinhardy7294]

@Blair Thomas yo das stoopid ! Hitler ‘twas grammatically sound

[@larapalma3744]

@@corbinhardy7294 That was a compliment actually

[@kyliecrown533]

Being insane in the Victorian age was easy all you had to do was be a little sad or nervous

[@fairholmka]

Or dissatisfied with your life or an inconvenience.

[@avastavery5489]

You sound hysterical. Nothing a bit of ice water therapy can’t fix.

[@etcetera1995]

Or independent.

[@seafaced]

Or be LGBTQ+

[@naritruwireve1381]

Yikes...

[@PeninsulaPaintings]

Well, good thing the editor was true to his word in getting her out of the asylum. He could have left her in there, and the world would never have known.

[@JoAnna-le2wr]

Bruh that was legit what I was thinking

[@Serai3]

No way would a good editor leave her in there. Too good a story to let disappear.

[@spidersinmykeyboard6367]

"So get this. I convinced this woman who wanted a job to have her self committed... What happened to her? Who cares!"

[@justinpipes85]

That's happened to more than one reporter before. They get themselves committed to investigate what's going on but then can not get out. The more you tell them your sane and the truth the crazier you sound. And if you get angry about you then you look crazy. Its sad.

[@Serai3]

+Justin Pipes Really? Who? Can you cite any of them? Because this is the only one I've ever heard of.

[@ivymeadows1944]

I seriously thought they weren't going to let her out of that asylum for years...

[@etcetera1995]

She had a well-off man vouching for her. To Victorians, that's all you needed to get anywhere in life.

[@DominicGo]

The art style and editing? The layouts?? The graphics??? Such an aesthetic omg

[@theravenskeeper2849]

i hated it all. i had to just listen to it in the background

[@rylansuyeishi6036]

@@theravenskeeper2849agreed

[@nicolelai4384]

Not gonna lie i was kinda expecting an investigation of mental health institues not an biography

[@tonyf.8166]

me too, but this was also very interesting. I'll be sure to read about the full asylum experience later though, i suggest you do the same.

[@achyka3802]

when you title the video "Undercover in an Insane Asylum" I was kind of expecting it to be about her report on the asylum and her experience. Don't get me wrong, I love the video, but the name needs to be changed to something else.

[@chowder8802]

You don't just tell someone to change their title wtf

[@jovikomduur9962]

JaNiE SuNdIaL well it's misleading.

[@michaelruther3275]

@@chowder8802 he's right. Great video, but misleading title

[@nicky.m.3211]

If you want to learn about her experience read her report. It's called 10 day in a mad-house. It's a small book, about 100 pages long, I ordered it on Amazone. Totally worth reading if you're interested in such things, but I wouldn't recommend it if you can't stomach abuse especially when you know that it actually happend. When I read I automatically picture the scene in my head, so I personally couldn't read it in one go. Also Nellie Bly is a fucking queen, I loved her so much after reading it.

[@polmak1507]

JaNiE SuNdIaL uh yes you do. It’s called constructive criticism and this is indeed a misleading title

[@nicoler.wunderink_2874]

How many thought: "American horror story" when you saw the title

[@parkchimmin7913]

Yeah, I thought of Lana too

[@CottonCookie]

yes Lana Banana

[@sagisdoodleverse9696]

I thought of the video game Outlast for some reason.

[@redapple360]

yeah, was she based on this story?

[@IndicatedGoodLife]

No

[@asterismos5451]

I know her from her 72-day trip around the world; I had no idea she'd done this as well! A true journalism trailblazer!

[@calliegreene7919]

I wish I could like this video 100 more times. It’s so rare for Nellie Bly’s real story to actually be told and not a recreation to fit her newspaper persona. Great job!!!

[@LilithRoseoftheValley]

"I don't know what I can do until I try." Same

[@NathanGatten]

As someone on the spectrum, I probably would have ended up in a "madhouse" like that. Thank goodness for reporters like Nellie Bly.

[@platedlizard]

and you would have ended up absolutely insane after a week. One of the women she wrote about was sent there because she was recovering from a severe illness and was too poor to go anywhere else... in other words not mentally ill at all, just physically very weak. She and Nellie were admitted at the same time. By the time Nellie got sprung the women was a gibbering insane mess due to how she was treated there. There was another women who only spoke German and was placed there because she got into a fight with her neighbor and no one could understand her. Perfectly sane, she just couldn't speak English. Nellie had intended to get herself admitted to the wing that was dedicated to the sickest patients but quickly realized once she was on the island that doing so would put her life in danger--apparently it wasn't uncommon for the patients in that wing to die of "seizures caused by brain-fever", baring injuries that suspiciously resembled severe beatings... It really was a horrific place

[@ladyraven3418]

Same. Was thinking that!

[@debbienpeters]

I know people who think I’m mentally ill cause I don’t want kids. Even had my parents try to get me declared with some type of mental illness, where they would have to be my guardian and have control of the money my grandparents left me for college. Thankfully the judge didn’t believe my mother, and crazy actually didn’t listen to her opinion, as in, she didn’t have ay evidence except the stuff she made up.

[@amydocherty7317]

I've never thought about it in this way but your very right!

[@etcetera1995]

I'm Autistic, I have a learning disorder and anxiety, I'm romantically attracted to both men and women but not sexually attracted to anyone, I don't want children or to be married, and I'm outspoken to my own detriment. I'd be absolutely *screwed.*

[@rosevampire3755]

“Hello I would.... like to dispose of a baby” “Boy or girl” “UMMMM... girl..” “Shame, they are more difficult to dispose of........ and go for lower prices”

[@octogonSmuggler]

That would be China.

[@mikehunt5859]

That would also be the USA

[@mikehunt5859]

@@octogonSmuggler she didn't travel to China to ask that question

[@sleepyearth]

@Anonymous Anonymous Or Republican politicians or Catholic Church in 2019

[@lone6718]

Time hasn’t changed....

[@ddiazmoron]

The way to present her is amazing, I not only like her as a person and "Character" but also because the way you told her story. Is awesome.

[@cody9766]

This is such a cool story but damn is this fake interview schtick hard to watch

[@TheLadyDelirium]

I thought it was an interesting way to tell the story.

[@robloxsticknews1022]

@@TheLadyDelirium it was made to boost yourself so yes they intended you to think that way. its seems like a lie though

[@infinityseagull3752]

I liked it? Its pretty creative. I mean there were some cringey parts- especially when they tried to be funny, but otherwise it felt kinda personal and interesting

[@commie_dog_boy]

If you can watch an animated movie those actors are fake same with real movies. Its not any different. Tell me, do you hate audible?

[@nomdeluu4886]

Cody well it's a true story but yeah, the voiceover and stuff is fake.

[@jauxro]

"Facts alone can't change the world. You need stories for that." What a great quote. It's relevant today more than ever - people try to appeal to the head of an extremist, but that's often compromised. Go for the heart.

[@khdayskh1314]

why do all the men sound appropriate for the presentation but Nellie sounds like a modern millenial american woman

[@jayrun4341]

Yenrzzvezdrz lol that’s my question.

[@fadeyka9879]

With a protagonist, they are usually written to be more relatable and more *normal* to our ears.

[@brandoniscuul1027]

Lol stfu

[@rhythmandblues_alibi]

I thought that too. The modern accent is so off-putting.

[@diboto7523]

It should have been titled something like; the life of Nellie Bly. But they should have at least put her name in the title

[@zapsoda4984]

Anna Schvarzman Goncharova yes but with this title it gathers the attention of more than just people who actually know her name

[@niko-oy1cq]

@@zapsoda4984 I never knew she existed. So the title imo should atleast be a little exaggerated

[@generalleenknassknotretire9180]

*She'd have millions of subs* if she were alive, today.

[@silverhawk1045]

@Northern Boy PewNews :>

[@lmao.3661]

@Northern Boy drama alert

[@suyanatsuri3982]

@Northern Boy Philip DeFranco..do you just not use KZbin?

[@jauxro]

You know? True.

[@aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa790]

No, she'd be hated for being a feminist.

[@SunnyBear]

Why not put her name in the title?

[@ethancramer1175]

Because clickbait

[@SunnyBear]

@Glenna Ratcliff well she won't get more recognised by not advertising it

[@plsarguewithme2665]

If you actually watch, then you will know more about her,,, but, if no one would be interested enough to click on the video, no one would care

[@tala3041]

@@SunnyBear the lady died whats the use?

[@SunnyBear]

@@tala3041 wait until you hear about the school subject "history"

[@romanroyenthusiast]

This title is so clickbaitey, which is a shame since she's such an interesting (and important) person

[@mercedesrivera-i4j]

Can you please elaborate?

[@48mavemiss2]

How is it a Clickbait? It’s obvious who they were talking about if anybody ever studied history of mental health.

[@ChildOfAnAndroid]

@@48mavemiss2 I had no idea who this lady was, why should the general public have a deep study into the history of mental health before being able to click on a video?

[@wanishuk6489]

If only they have put Nailey Bly in the title,I wouldn't feel bothered to click. I didn't know who she was.

[@mellamo9858]

Emma C in my opinion, you’re wrong. This type of title lures people in and gets them interested. More views equals, more recognition. I didn’t know who she was until after this video. And i probably wouldn’t have clicked on it if the title just had her name. So i would rather congratulate the person who made the title for getting people that may not even know anything about her to get to know her :))

[@emagneticfield]

Thank you for this very interesting video. I enjoyed it completely.

[@MirrorRains]

"and I did it all without ever once getting sea sick." Litterally animates her getting sea sick within the first ten seconds of her around the world journey. Good job guys.

[@-althea-]

The interviewer pisses me off a bit.

[@sophiajune546]

Its scripted to show the public reaction of the time

[@youknowimright1725]

Thank you... I find it kinda stupid and inaccurate, and people at that time didn't talk like that

[@-althea-]

Naomi Santana yes, that bothered me a bit, too.

[@youknowimright1725]

Plus the title had little to nothing to do whit the video, i didnt even went through whit it

[@brandondelis9191]

I love the animation definitely want to see more

[@BothHands1]

She seems awesome!! Thank you Nelly Bly for helping to open doors for all the women of this era. You're a hero

[@SweetflyRachel]

Personally (and I don’t say this in a rude way), I didn’t really like the way they made this video, how they set it up like it was an interview with the actual person instead of just playing the video out like a narrative. The voice acting was also a little odd and stuck out from the rest of the video. But other than that, it told a really interesting story. I just feel like the video could’ve presented it in a more fitting style.

[@cdc8875]

How would I get out? I don't know somehow.... Um...nevermind. Bye!

[@samyen3210]

that'd be me. I'd need a full out contract promising they'd get me out and a whole lot of money to agree to something like that lmao

[@greenfrogcottage6505]

The end.

[@theepicawesome100]

i absolutely love the storytelling/interview format you guys chose here! it's new and is different from a voiceover. it makes the story feel more 'real' and tangible, like Nelly Bly is someone I could have a cup of coffee with instead of this woman who changed journalism history

[@katiekane5247]

I'm 60, I started school unable to wear pants to school even though we walked in Ohio winter weather. I was strongly encouraged into nursing school though I could have gotten into Veterinary school, my passion. I would love to say things have gotten much better but in reality, many challenges still exist. How much longer do we have to put ourselves in danger to be recognized? I fear our species will die off before we gain equality. Good documentary, give us more!

[@LoreEclectic]

I find this really interesting! Particularly because I'm a girl from Ohio as well and although we've still got a long way to go we as a country and as a society have made great strides

[@katiekane5247]

@@LoreEclectic I'm helping raise a 13 year old grandson & I see change in his generation like huge! Never let them take our rights away, keep fighting those that would prefer our voices quiet. Peace sister!

[@BinBinB4]

The asylum that Nellie Bly went undercover in is now an apartment building on Roosevelt Island (formerly Blackwell's Island) called the Octagon.

[@sal2975]

Neat

[@starcherry6814]

I’m sad there was no coverage on her exposé in Mexico That’s where she got her start!

[@Ada-tv7zl]

I often see your comments on videos. We obviously tend to watch the same stuff. Just wanted to say I really appreciate your input. :)

[@starcherry6814]

@@Ada-tv7zl ❤️

[@nellie3184]

No she got started in Pittsburgh.

[@starcherry6814]

@@nellie3184 Yes but it was her expose in Mexico that made her renowned

[@xRAINxOFxBLOODx]

Title: Undercover in an Insane Asylum Thumbnail: 10 days in a mad house Video: "Wow you got into an insane asylum?" "Yeah, I got sprung after 10 days, anyway, stunt journalism!"

[@rainn_Nnnnn]

*Lana Winters entered the chat*

[@montyb969]

I WAS WAITING FOR THIS!!!

[@aalili23]

Headphones going crazy with the transitioning voices everywhere

[@painoftheheart12]

I think more internet writes should listen to that last portion. Pink was either loved or hated for her journalism, she formed many enemies but also many fans. Her writing was both adored and criticized. But she didn't care, because she was only telling a story. I am certain there are things she was told that put her off, things that she had to learn from, mistakes she had made throughout her career. But she also knew the value of a story and knew she had to win, Nellie had to win, no matter what.

[@mmmk1616]

I love this, it's like TED-Ed, educational and fun. Thanks for sharing!

[@fajr162]

Gurl are you talking abt miss Lana Winters??

[@LilithRoseoftheValley]

Who do you think Lana Winters was based on?

[@someonewithtime5742]

fajr YAAAAAAAS

[@g.c.4824]

@@LilithRoseoftheValley uffff

[@nefariousmarak5922]

Wonderful way to portray her story. 💙

[@meggo329]

This was an amazing video and the graphics omg!

[@redactedcakebread1600]

This is... amazing. I can’t believe I never learned about this.

[@cutequeen9405]

This is a really cool video I kind of want to read what she wrote in her newspaper articles she sounds like such a badass

[@ameiless]

Why hasn’t there been a movie about this yet?

[@fairy7101]

Amelia P. There was a TV movie about her on lifetime, starring Christina Ricci as Nelly

[@ameiless]

karen d oh cool! I just meant a movie in the theaters so more people will know ab her

[@raraavis7782]

Fascinating woman. Never heard of her before. The insane asylum story in and off itself, would have made for a cool story, though. Would have liked to hear more about that.

[@wyvvernstone]

Best video I've watched today...thanks for uploading!

[@ivankathesun]

This is such a great vid! If only our history teacher made those, no one would ever fall asleep in his class again!

[@Dunnowhocares]

Great info but the fake interview was just too childish

[@ggchiu7400]

Her interview dress looks like Kermit the frog but a dress lmao

[@thisisprab]

I can't unsee it now

[@grendelum]

gg chiu - ok, I’m glad I’m not the only one who saw that...

[@krishnasingha1134]

I know right

[@ellemay2755]

Fascinating lady. What an amazing life/ story.

[@ashleycreps9282]

I had never heard of this historical figure, so thank you for bringing Nelllie Bly to my attention. I also liked the stylized animation, the paper backgrounds were very engaging to look at. That said, I don't think she needed to be this "relatable" because her frequent sassiness and eye-rolling makes her look rude as opposed to forthright, and the voice acting was too modern for it to believably come from a 19th century woman.

[@sagerini5227]

I did a school report on her back in 1st grade. She's every bit as epic as I remember

[@SpeedySecrets215]

The off camera interviewer laughing to mock Nellie bly was so annoying

[@giannatr06]

this is so weird because I was talking about Nellie Bly 2 days ago to some friends because we a book about her....

[@Ada-tv7zl]

I really need to read this book. Nellie's story is so unique and interesting. Such a strong woman!

[@EmeraldTipTilt]

This was a great watch. I loved the use of animation to tell the story.

[@ZeroTooL88]

Theres tons of other channels with catchy animation. I liked the story but thought framing it as an interview was annoying.

[@youknowimright1725]

Thank you... I find it kinda stupid and inaccurate, and people at that time didn't talk like that

[@Maialeen]

TBH the story is too important to go as far as to use the space you've been given to do nothing but complain about the format.

[@youknowimright1725]

If you're going to put something in a platform like this that entertainment and likeness from the viewer is key for the success of the video or finding appealing is a key component being a good story doesn't cut it all the way here so criticism it's allowed and an valueble, doesn't have to be perfect but a lot of people find it annoying and don't like it the way it's framed and the interview aspect of this shit it's just kind of annoying... Js🤷

[@SweetflyRachel]

Yeah, I feel like they could’ve told the story in a more appropriate way if they didn’t use this interview and voice-acting style, which really didn’t sit too well with me in my opinion.

[@samyen3210]

What a frightening and fantastic life. As a very cautious young woman this is a nice reminder to be more adventurous

[@joshuaoha]

Beautiful work. I love The Atlantic.

[@RikkiJVelez]

I've never heard of her till now but damn I'm in love with how awesome she was.

[@namonaite]

Facts alone can't change the world you need stores for that. Damn I like that saying.

[@Youtubegavemyhandletosomeone]

This video would be great if the interviewer never spoke. Seriously.

[@gracieayers8706]

Yeah... in studying journalism. She asked some good questions but she could have been or respectful. Like I get it's for the bit but that's not the best interview I've heard.

[@Chelsea-j5g]

i love this video a lot! it's very creative, entertaining and informative. however, the title is a little misleading because the video did not really explain nellie's experiences in the asylum. other than that, everything else is great!

[@barrycarter7274]

The audio on this video is shocking. Who was the editor on this 😳

[@BonnieAngel141]

This has good pacing and beat. The writing and voice acting is impressive

[@nicolechia5274]

I understand click-bait, but why not put her name on the title? Why is that so hard? I love the video but right now it's important to stop using women in news outlets as: "someone's wife", or "a 23-year old" . Say her name. EDIT: They could have made the title to be: "Undercover in an insane asylum: The story on how Nellie Bly changed journalism".

[@ultravioletpisces3666]

Ummm... the point they are making is that she changed journalism as a very young woman. That's a huge accomplishment for someone of such a young age. And especially as the prevailing attitude of the time was that women, especially young women were not journalistic pioneers given serious news stories.

[@ashleymc7959]

Is this what American Horror Story based their second season “Asylum” of ?

[@gromit0299]

I clicked on this so fast. Her story is one of my favorites!

[@tsimpson1397]

I read the book a few years ago. This was great.

[@missyc13]

I don't think you can call her an adorable young woman anymore. She is a badass

[@Ada-tv7zl]

She really is!

[@Taracinablue]

Clever interview/video style. Wouldn't it be interesting if our schooling on time periods involved a little bit about the norms, and then talked about people who went against the norms, like Nellie Bly?

[@ijoelvillaruel]

She sounds like Sheego.

[@dagnyrallor5199]

Love this! Story, design and everything 👏🏼

[@sagisdoodleverse9696]

Sounds like Outlast but the female version and no Walrider. And real too.

[@justmart4455]

Haha

[@whatthefisfilipinx]

Yes

[@bingo1232]

Sensational and riveting... a little gem of a film.... history shown as it outta be.... go Nellie!!!!!!!!!!!

[@smug8567]

Ich besaß nicht nur einen Van, sondern in den 1980er und frühen 1990er Jahren auch ein 17-Fuß-Sattelkupplungsrad, in dem ich auch zwei Jahre lang gelebt hatte. Ich erfuhr, dass die RV-Zulieferer eine hervorragende Auswahl an Tür- und Schubladenverschlüssen hatten, um Türen und Schubladen während der Fahrt sicher zu halten. Die meisten waren einfach und aus Kunststoff, aber sie funktionierten gut und waren einfach zu installieren. Es könnte sich lohnen, in ein Geschäft für Wohnmobilteile zu gehen und sich nach Ideen umzusehen, auch wenn Sie nichts kaufen. Für mich war das ein Spielzeugladen mit endlosen Möglichkeiten, Dinge zu kaufen, an die ich vielleicht noch nie gedacht hatte, und alle Arten von Problemen zu lösen, die während des Reisens auftreten

[@elizabethlizziemcelheney6821]

this was incredible. thank you so much!

[@rookie4812]

Great video, I was captivated by this story!

[@stephenmccarthy2517]

And we all thought that Lois Lane was badass

[@debselektra6393]

That was so interesting. Thankyou for sharing such a entertaining piece of history. What a remarkable role model that we can learn lessons from to this day. Isn't it sad however a lady like that gets forgotten in history. However if a man had stood in her shoes his name would be forever more remembered.

[@erinonfire70]

Yeah. Thankfully a lot has changed.

[@siginotmylastname3969]

It's not as bad as it used to be but institutionalisation of disabled people is still a big problem. Disability rights movements have been pushing for integration into the community for ages, but there are still plenty of abusive homes for people with dementia, learning disabled people who can't work, and autistic people too. :(

[@Lu-zj6bo]

The newspaper-themed animation is the best part. It’s amazing. Oh, and the story is good too, though.

[@Nadiaeden]

What an awesome video and appropriate way to tell her story. Really enjoyable the whole way through. Also the animation was great and top notch voice acting!

[@Gloomysushiroll]

Love the newspaper effects!

[@faith2686]

"Everything is so sad" -same

[@youngandsuperior4577]

Is this where they got AHS Asylum?

[@cns3433]

Yes, most of the seasons and details are inspired by real life events

[@nevermore4971]

She is from my hometown of Apollo pa. She was a trailblazer for sure.

[@dragonpearl3184]

The cartoon showed her puking and then later in the story, she says, "I never got seasick." lololol XD I loved this neverless. Power to women all around!!!

[@peterallman8474]

What an excellent and absorbing little film. Both from content and style. A classic example of less being more.

[@MminaMaclang]

I liked how this wasnt just all praise for her, but actually also questioning what she did as morally ambiguous alongside acknowledging her accomplishments

[@firstcanonkill1767]

tbh the comedic tone in these videos is always right up my alley

[@jimhcanencia8245]

This video is on my recommended and this is one of the best video I've ever seen 👌

[@lettylunasical4766]

We need a series or a film about her.

[@BartitsuSociety]

There was a 2015 movie about her "madhouse" experience but unfortunately it wasn't very good - made about $12,000 on a $12,000,000 budget.

[@lettylunasical4766]

@@BartitsuSociety Oh, unfortunate. Hopefully one day someone competant will try again.

[@ultravioletpisces3666]

I know of at least 2 movies made about her.

[@DariusSarrafi]

I caught this film on PBS during insomniac hour! Very interesting life. Very interesting way to tell the story! Kudos!

[@avatarmary]

I am really digging this art style

[@MyMelinaaa]

Interviewing ghosts that were pioneers in our history to tell their stories is genius..👌🥇

[@whackinator]

7:52 I love this part, because it’s actually referencing her article. Near the beginning, she described practicing insane-looking faces in the mirror. There was a little picture of it with the caption “Nellie practices insanity at home.”

[@khelanisingh]

Fcking iconic. Especially the last line

[@RJ-mu2jz]

loved this video and the moral behind it that sometimes you need stories as much you need facts

[@mollymay8808]

memories of A level psychology and studying Rosenhan just came flooding back rip

[@laurenwardle9632]

This sooooo cool!! I loved the whole video!

[@ariel6285]

I love this so much like I knew about Nelly but I’m glad they made this