Selects: All the Gold In Fort Knox: Meh

In The Silk Roads, historian Peter Frankopan identifies Central and Western Asia as the crossroads of human civilization, the birthplace of the world’s major religions, the battleground where the great empires of history rose and fell, and the garden from which today’s global economy first sprouted. He argues that understanding the East is crucial to our understanding of the world—particularly for Westerners who have lost this global perspective.

In ancient times, trade routes known as the Silk Roads first brought European merchants to the luxury markets of the East, enabling the flow of both material goods and ideas from East to West. According to Frankopan, the Silk Roads have always been history’s crucial connection point, spreading not just luxury goods like silk and spices, but also technology, religion, languages, cultures, ideologies, and even conflicts and diseases. In this guide, we explore Frankopan’s history of the Silk Roads, while also incorporating insights and feedback from other scholars to supplement his analysis.

According to writers Kai Bird and Martin Sherwin, scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer represents a modern-day Prometheus, the Greek Titan eternally punished for stealing fire from the gods and imparting it to humanity. In American Prometheus, Bird and Sherwin provide a comprehensive biography of Oppenheimer, a historical figure best known for developing the atomic bomb. And although Bird and Sherwin focus on Oppenheimer’s work on the bomb, they also shed light on his personal life, detailing his evolution from adolescent activist to eventual political martyr.

In this guide, we’ll examine Oppenheimer’s life before the bomb, his role in developing the atomic bomb at the Manhattan Project, and the politically motivated security hearing that saw him lose his security clearance in 1954. To conclude, we’ll touch on Oppenheimer’s transformation post-hearing, detailing his exile from the upper ranks of US government. Throughout this guide, we’ll also present further historical context for key events and assess the contemporary impact of Oppenheimer’s work.

One of the most influential conspiracy theory books ever written, Behold a Pale Horse lays out the roots and methods of a secret movement to topple the American government and establish a global totalitarian order. Milton William Cooper argues that UFO sightings, the Illuminati, the Kennedy assassination, and various American think tanks are all interconnected in this effort to undermine the Constitution and ultimately enslave the human race. The only way to prevent their takeover is through popular armed resistance by American patriots.

In this guide, we’ll unpack the origins of Cooper’s theories about globalization, public health, gun rights, and the trustworthiness of traditional news sources. We’ll also consider the impact Cooper’s 1991 book had on groups as disparate as the patriot militia movement, right-wing talk radio, hip-hop artists, and modern conspiracy groups like QAnon.

In The Bitcoin Standard, economics professor Saifedean Ammous suggests that bitcoin has the potential to become a new international monetary standard, similar to the gold standard of the 1800s. But the Bitcoin Standard would be superior to the gold standard in a number of ways because the properties of bitcoin make it—at least potentially—a superior form of money to gold, while also solving many of the problems with the fiat currencies that countries have been using since they got off the gold standard. In this guide, we’ll describe Ammous’s vision for a global Bitcoin Standard and look at how close we might be to implementing it. We’ll also compare Ammous’s perspective to that of other thinkers, such as Edward Griffin and Milton Friedman.

The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason is a compilation of pamphlets offering financial advice that were distributed by banks and insurance companies in the 1920s. The book presents timeless principles for managing your money in the form of “Seven Cures for a Lean Purse” (how to acquire wealth) and “Five Laws of Gold” (how to preserve and grow wealth).

The simple principles are illustrated by parables set more than 4,000 years ago in the wealthy city of Babylon. Clason’s message is that if you work hard, save, live within your means, and invest wisely, you can become wealthy.

The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason is a compilation of pamphlets offering financial advice that were distributed by banks and insurance companies in the 1920s. The book presents timeless principles for managing your money in the form of “Seven Cures for a Lean Purse” (how to acquire wealth) and “Five Laws of Gold” (how to preserve and grow wealth).

The simple principles are illustrated by parables set more than 4,000 years ago in the wealthy city of Babylon. Clason’s message is that if you work hard, save, live within your means, and invest wisely, you can become wealthy.

In The Bitcoin Standard, economics professor Saifedean Ammous suggests that bitcoin has the potential to become a new international monetary standard, similar to the gold standard of the 1800s. But the Bitcoin Standard would be superior to the gold standard in a number of ways because the properties of bitcoin make it—at least potentially—a superior form of money to gold, while also solving many of the problems with the fiat currencies that countries have been using since they got off the gold standard. In this guide, we’ll describe Ammous’s vision for a global Bitcoin Standard and look at how close we might be to implementing it. We’ll also compare Ammous’s perspective to that of other thinkers, such as Edward Griffin and Milton Friedman.

Dive into the charmingly enigmatic world of superstitions with Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant in "Stuff You Should Know," as they unravel the mystery behind why spilling salt is considered unlucky. In a lively exchange of historical anecdotes, personal reflections, and cultural tidbits, the duo invites listeners to contemplate the deep-seated beliefs that have seasoned human traditions for centuries. The episode serves a flavorful mix of trivia, starting from the curious practice of tossing a pinch of salt over the left shoulder to ward off evil, to the psychological comforts such rituals provide.

Stretching beyond the realm of kitchen mishaps, Josh and Chuck delve into salt's prestigious past, examining its value as a currency and its notable cameo in da Vinci's "The Last Supper." They artfully sprinkle in salt's presence within various cultures and religions, pointing to tales of love and protection. Join the hosts of "Stuff You Should Know" as they uncover how an ordinary condiment has garnered extraordinary significance through historical lore and pop culture, from ancient Roman soldiers to the animated antics of The Flintstones, all while drawing us in with personal anecdotes that prove old superstitions still enjoy a place at the modern table.

One of the most influential conspiracy theory books ever written, Behold a Pale Horse lays out the roots and methods of a secret movement to topple the American government and establish a global totalitarian order. Milton William Cooper argues that UFO sightings, the Illuminati, the Kennedy assassination, and various American think tanks are all interconnected in this effort to undermine the Constitution and ultimately enslave the human race. The only way to prevent their takeover is through popular armed resistance by American patriots.

In this guide, we’ll unpack the origins of Cooper’s theories about globalization, public health, gun rights, and the trustworthiness of traditional news sources. We’ll also consider the impact Cooper’s 1991 book had on groups as disparate as the patriot militia movement, right-wing talk radio, hip-hop artists, and modern conspiracy groups like QAnon.

Immerse yourself in the world of the peculiar, hair-raising, and downright hilarious with "Last Podcast On The Left." Hosts Henry Zebrowski, Marcus Parks, and Ben Kissel open up the floor to their dedicated listeners in an engaging Q&A session that delves into shared personal experiences, riveting anecdotes, and surreal encounters with psychedelics. This episode offers fans an unbarred entrance into the camaraderie and chemistry that fuels this boisterous trio, taking you on a journey from electrifying tour reminiscences to intimate revelations from behind the microphone.

Yet, the conversation runs much deeper than the laughter. Tackling everything from conspiracy theories to societal etiquette, Henry, Marcus, and Ben navigate through the complexities of morality, civility, and the enigmas of the paranormal with both wit and wisdom. Listen as they unpack intriguing phenomena, disclose struggles, celebrate their unique podcasting journey, and speculate on the profound question of our preparedness for the potential revelation of extraterrestrial life. For enthusiasts of the uncommon narrative and the curious philosopher alike, this nuanced discussion captures the essence of what makes "Last Podcast On The Left" a beacon in the podcasting landscape.

In his classic 1962 book Capitalism and Freedom, Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman argues that a society cannot maintain political freedom without a robust commitment to free-market capitalism—and that for capitalism to function best, it must be free of government interference. It is hard to overstate the extent to which Friedman’s once-controversial ideas have triumphed. Over the past 40 years, governments across the world have moved to market-based solutions by reducing marginal tax rates, eliminating tariffs, privatizing public monopolies, and introducing choice in public education. Some might disagree about the effects of Friedman’s ideas—but no one can deny their influence.

Economics is the study of how we allocate resources—food, clothing, money, time, effort, and knowledge. Economists begin this study by examining incentives: the driving forces behind our decisions. By understanding how we respond to incentives and the psychological instincts that steer us, we can better understand how market forces work and how governments and firms can use incentives to foster a healthy economy.

In Naked Economics, bestselling author Charles Wheelan strips away the complexity from some of the most powerful theories in economics, allowing readers with little or no background in the subject to understand many of the field’s fundamental concepts. He concentrates on the logical pieces of how and why people behave in certain ways, how markets function, and how governments can design incentive systems that encourage healthy economies.