Podcasts on Papers

This declassified memo outlines  George Kennan's analysis and recommendations for establishing organized political warfare  as a crucial component of U.S. foreign policy during peacetime. Kennan argues that  political warfare encompasses all non-military means  to achieve national objectives, ranging from overt actions like economic measures to covert operations such as supporting foreign resi...

"Psychology of the Unconscious" by Carl G. Jung particularly focuses on the concept of  libido  and its transformations. It posits that psychological understanding, initially met with resistance, expands beyond neuroses to encompass myths and religions, suggesting that  every act and expression has meaning  rooted in inner feelings. The author discusses  resistances in analysis  and the...

R. H. Tawney's "Religion and the Rise of Capitalism" is a historical study examining the complex relationship between religious thought and economic development from the Middle Ages through the early modern period. The text explores how medieval Christian ethics, with its emphasis on social solidarity and condemnation of usury, contrasted with the emerging individualistic and commerc...

"Ending the Depression Through Planned Obsolescence" by Bernard London presents a controversial economic theory from 1932. London argues that the Great Depression was caused by  overproduction and people holding onto goods too long , rather than a lack of resources. His core proposal is that the  government should assign a fixed lifespan to all manufactured goods, from shoes to buildings...

"The Cycles of Speculation" by Thomas Gibson , originally published in 1907 by The Moody Corporation, functions as a  guide for speculators , aiming to  dispel common misconceptions  about market operations and  provide foundational knowledge  on various factors influencing prices, such as  gold supply, money conditions, political influences, and the cycles of speculation in stocks, grain, and cot...

"The War and our Financial Fabric" by Walter William Wall , published in 1915, critically examines the British banking system and financial stability during World War I. Wall challenges conventional economic theories, particularly the idea that banks "create" credit, arguing instead that they  transform existing national wealth into liquid capital . He advocates for a more  ela...

Derrick Broze's "How to Opt-Out of the Technocratic State" is a  second edition  work, building upon the ideas of  Samuel E. Konkin III , to guide individuals in  resisting a perceived global technocratic system . The book advocates for  counter-economics  and  agorism , which involve  voluntary, often unsanctioned, economic activities  and the  creation of parallel, decentralized ne...

The author of "No Trade Is Free", Robert Lighthizer, is a former U.S. Trade Representative. In this book, he argues that the prevailing "free trade" policies have harmed American workers and manufacturing, citing  decades of trade deficits with countries like China, Japan, and in Europe. Lighthizer contends that  China's non-market economy and unfair practices pose a signif...

Ray Dalio's "Principles" offers a comprehensive guide to achieving success through the systematic application of personal and management principles. Dalio emphasizes the  importance of confronting reality , learning from mistakes, and engaging in a continuous  process of personal evolution . He outlines a  five-step process  for achieving goals, which involves setting goals, identify...

Adam Tooze's "Crashed: How a Decade of Financial Crises Changed the World" offers an  in-depth analysis of the 2008 global financial crisis , examining its origins, the responses of various governments and central banks, and its lasting consequences. It discusses the  role of mortgage-backed securities and risky lending practices  in the US, the  interconnectedness of global financial systems , pa...

"The Once and Future Worker: A Vision for the Renewal of Work in America" by Oren Cass critiques the prevailing economic philosophy focused on  GDP growth and redistribution , arguing it has failed the American worker and society. Instead, the text advocates for a  "productive pluralism"  approach that prioritizes strengthening the  labor market, family, and community  through...

"Bailout: An Inside Account of How Washington Abandoned Main Street While Rescuing Wall Street" by Neil Barofsky . covers the author's  appointment and experiences as the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP) . They discuss the challenges Barofsky faced in  providing independent oversight of the Treasury Department's implementation of TARP fund...

"This Time is Different" discuss  financial crises throughout history , using a  comprehensive database spanning centuries . The sources explore various types of crises, including  sovereign external and domestic debt defaults, banking crises, inflation, and currency crashes , providing quantitative definitions and historical examples. They highlight the  recurrent nature of these events...

Max Blumenthal's "The Management of Savagery" examines how the  United States' foreign policy and national security decisions  contributed to the rise of groups like Al Qaeda and ISIS. It highlights instances of  US support for Islamist militants  during the Cold War as a counterbalance to Soviet influence, particularly in Afghanistan. The text also explores how  neoconservative...

"All the Devils Are Here" details the events and key players leading up to the 2008 financial crisis, focusing on the  subprime mortgage market ,  securitization , and the role of major financial institutions. It describes how the pursuit of  profits  and the lack of effective  regulation  contributed to the systemic risk, highlighting the activities of companies like  Fannie Mae ,  Fred...

Max Blumenthal's "The 51 Day War" details the  causes and impacts of the 51 Day War in Gaza  in 2014, emphasizing the  historical context of Palestinian displacement and the siege of Gaza . It explores the  actions and motivations of both Israeli forces , including the use of overwhelming force and controversial directives,  and Palestinian resistance groups  like the Al-Qassam Briga...

Matt Taibbi's "Griftopia"  explores the author's critical perspective on the American financial and political systems, particularly in the aftermath of the 2008 crisis. Taibbi dissects various alleged scams and practices, including  subprime mortgages, commodity market manipulation, the outsourcing of public assets through sovereign wealth funds, healthcare reform , and the role...

Max Blumenthal's book  Goliath: Life and Loathing in Greater Israel  presents a critical look at Israeli society and politics. It highlights the country's shift towards the right, particularly focusing on figures like Avigdor Lieberman and Benjamin Netanyahu, and the implementation of  policies aimed at marginalizing and dispossessing Palestinian Arabs , including land confiscation and res...

Letters to a Young Contrarian , presents  Christopher Hitchens's reflections on living a life of intellectual dissent and opposition . Writing in an epistolary format, Hitchens addresses a young correspondent, exploring the nature of being a "contrarian" and distinguishing it from more conventional terms like "dissident" or "radical." He uses anecdotes and histori...

"Too Big to Fail: The Inside of How Wall Street and Washington Fought to Save the Financial System and Themselves" explores the  unfolding financial crisis of 2008  through the perspectives of key figures at major institutions like  Lehman Brothers ,  AIG ,  JP Morgan Chase , and  Goldman Sachs , as well as government officials like  Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson  and  New York Fed President Tim...

This collection of excerpts focuses on the intersection of  UFOs, religion, and technology , as explored through encounters with various individuals. The author highlights the  experiences and perspectives of scientists and researchers , such as Jacques Vallee and anonymous figures like Tyler D. and James, who investigate anomalous phenomena and consider their potential technological or nonhuman o...

Ferdinand Lips' book,  Gold Wars , present a strong argument for the enduring importance of gold as a foundation for economic stability and sound monetary policy. The text highlights how  gold has historically served as a solid monetary base , underpinning economies and currencies for centuries. Lips argues that the  current system of fiat money is fundamentally flawed and prone to collapse ,...

This text is an English translation of the  Tao Te Ching , a foundational work of  Taoism  attributed to  Lao-Tse , rendered into English by  James Legge . It explores the nature of the  Tao , an ineffable principle that governs the universe and the path to living in harmony with it. Key themes include the importance of  non-action ,  simplicity ,  humility , and understanding the interconnectedne...

Michael Lewis's book,  The Big Short , introduces several individuals who foresaw and profited from the collapse of the subprime mortgage market in the mid-2000s. We meet  Michael Burry , an eccentric investor with Asperger's, who recognized the inherent flaws in mortgage-backed securities early on and made significant bets against them, often clashing with his own investors and Wall Stree...

C. Wright Mills' "The Power Elite," examines the structure of power in modern American society. It argues that significant decisions are concentrated in the hands of a select group drawn from the  economic, political, and military institutions , which Mills terms the "power elite." This elite, increasingly interconnected through shared social origins, education, and informa...