Compact Disasters

In August 2020, a massive explosion tore through Beirut, killing over 200 people and leaving the city in ruins. At the heart of the tragedy? A forgotten cache of ammonium nitrate, years of negligence, and a system in freefall. This episode unpacks the blast, the blame, and the long road to justice for a wounded capital. Please consider supporting the show by subscribing and leaving a review wherev...

In the 1600s, the Dutch Republic witnessed one of history’s most infamous financial frenzies, the Tulip Mania. Prices for rare bulbs skyrocketed and then crashed almost overnight. But was it really the world’s first bubble, or just a case of economic myth-making? In this episode, we dig into the petals, the profits, and the popular misconceptions. Please consider supporting the show by subscribing...

In 2002, the oil tanker  Prestige  broke apart off the coast of Spain, spilling thousands of tonnes of toxic fuel into the Atlantic and unleashing one of Europe’s worst environmental disasters. In this episode, we trace the ship’s final hours, the fateful decisions that led to catastrophe, and the massive ecological and political fallout that followed. It’s a story of rust, risk, and res...