Why Being Awkward Is Awesome, And Oil Money And The Osage: A Tragedy

By Steve Kraske,

Published May 9, 2017 at 1:33 PM CDT

Married in 1907, Ernest and Mollie Burkhart were part of a plot to embezzle the oil wealth of Osage families in Oklahoma.

Even suave people blunder a bit here and there, but research suggests those weird traits have some advantages. Today, we look at the science behind social awkwardness. Then, we learn how vast new oil wealth among Oklahoma's Osage tribe engendered a heart-rending greed that led to a series of murders in the 1920s, and helped the fledgling FBI make a name for itself.

David Grann discusses his new book, 'Killers of the Flower Moon: the Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI,' at Kansas City Public Library's Plaza Branch at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 9. Visit KCLibrary.org for more information.

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Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

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Luke X. Martin

As culture editor, I oversee KCUR’s coverage of race, culture, the arts, food and sports. I work with reporters to make sure our stories reflect the fullest view of the place we call home, so listeners and readers feel primed to explore the places, projects and people who make up a vibrant Kansas City. Email me at luke@kcur.org.

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