History 102 with WhatifAltHist's Rudyard Lynch and Austin Padgett

In this episode of History 102, 'WhatIfAltHist' creator Rudyard Lynch and co-host Austin Padgett explore the fascinating world of Ancient Europe, from the mysterious megalith builders to the warring Celtic tribes. Listen as they uncover how waves of migration, technological advances, and cultural shifts shaped the continent. Learn how archaeology, genetics, and mythology reveal stories of ancient battles, complex trade networks, and forgotten civilizations that laid the foundation for modern European society. -- 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess [https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess] -- SPONSOR: INCOGNI | SELECTQUOTE Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code ECON102 at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/econ102 [https://incogni.com/econ102] Finding the right life insurance shouldn't be another task you put off. SelectQuote compares top-rated policies to get you the best coverage at the right price. Even in our AI-driven world, protecting your family's future remains essential. Get your personalized quote at https://selectquote.com/cognitive [https://selectquote.com/cognitive] -- RECOMMENDED PODCAST: 🎙️ Unpack Pricing - Dive into the dark arts of SaaS pricing with Metronome CEO Scott Woody and tech leaders. Learn how strategic pricing drives explosive revenue growth in today's biggest companies like Snowflake, Cockroach Labs, Dropbox and more. Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1765716600 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1765716600] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/38DK3W1Fq1xxQalhDSueFg [https://open.spotify.com/show/38DK3W1Fq1xxQalhDSueFg] -- FOLLOW ON X: @whatifalthist (Rudyard) @LudwigNverMises (Austin) @TurpentineMedia -- TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (01:19) Mesopotamians and indigenous Europeans (06:20) Negative psychological pins from the 20th century (10:51) Hunter gatherer confederacy and the spread of agriculture (14:57) Hunter gatherers vs farmers lifestyle (19:45) Threats to modern populations: Supply chain issues, disease, war (20:18) Population fluctuations in ancient Europe (24:28) Social contracts vs theocracies (32:44) Ancient Europe during the last ice age (40:11) Genetic differences across Europe (46:25) The transition from bronze age to iron age culture (53:15) Europe in 500 BC and the dominance of the Celts (56:00) The Celtic military strategy and its limitations (1:00:09) The Roman conquest of Gaul and the German migrations (1:06:55) The Baltic Origins of Homer's Tales (1:11:42) The Roman Empire and the Germanic peoples (14:56) The Slavic expansion into Eastern Europe (17:11) The importance of paternity protection in societal cohesion (1:18:07) Book recommendations BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. "Ancestral Journeys" by Jean Monko 2. "Who We Are and How We Got Here" by David Reich

In this episode of History 102, 'WhatIfAltHist' creator Rudyard Lynch and co-host Austin Padgett do a fascinating deep dive into Medieval Britain. They explore how a tiny population in northwest Europe shaped the modern world. From the fall of Roman Britain to the Norman Conquest, they unpack how the English created their cultural identity, legal code, and political system – innovations that still influence us today. Through Viking invasions, peasant revolts, and epic battles, they reveal how England emerged as one of history's most consequential nations despite its modest size. -- 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess [https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess] -- SPONSOR: INCOGNI | GIVEWELL Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code ECON102 at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/econ102 [https://incogni.com/econ102] GiveWell spends 50,000 hours every year doing deep-dives into different charitable programs to try to find the ways to do the most good for your dollar. GiveWell has now spent over 17 years researching charitable organizations and only directs funding to a few of the HIGHEST-IMPACT opportunities they’ve found. Visit https://www.givewell.org [https://www.givewell.org/] to find out more or make a donation. Select PODCAST and enter Econ 102 at checkout to make sure they know you heard about them from us. -- RECOMMENDED PODCAST: 🎙️ Unpack Pricing - Dive into the dark arts of SaaS pricing with Metronome CEO Scott Woody and tech leaders. Learn how strategic pricing drives explosive revenue growth in today's biggest companies like Snowflake, Cockroach Labs, Dropbox and more. Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1765716600 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1765716600] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/38DK3W1Fq1xxQalhDSueFg [https://open.spotify.com/show/38DK3W1Fq1xxQalhDSueFg] -- FOLLOW ON X: @whatifalthist (Rudyard) @LudwigNverMises (Austin) @TurpentineMedia -- TIMESTAMPS: (00:16) Introduction: Three Models of History & Medieval England's Significance (05:10) Fall of Roman Britain & The Anglo-Saxon Invasions (13:56) King Arthur and the Anglo-Saxon Myth (20:00) Anglo-Saxon Conquest: Genetics & Language (22:40) Christianity's Role in Medieval Britain (30:50) Viking Invasions and the Unification of England (44:50) The Norman Conquest & the Rise of Feudalism (1:01:40) The Hundred Years War: England vs. France (1:09:50) The Wars of the Roses & the Tudor Monarchy (1:10:55) Technological and Economic Advancements in Medieval Britain

In this episode of History 102, 'WhatIfAltHist' creator Rudyard Lynch and co-host Austin Padgett talk about the French Revolution and the fascinating parallels between 18th-century French social dynamics and today's political landscape. From bureaucratic upheaval to radical terror, journey through the chaos that transformed France and birthed modern political divisions. Learn how a centralized monarchy crumbled into revolutionary fervor, spawning new ideas of nationalism, secularism, and total war that would reshape Europe. -- 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess [https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess] -- SPONSOR: INCOGNI | GIVEWELL Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code ECON102 at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/econ102 [https://incogni.com/econ102] GiveWell spends 50,000 hours every year doing deep-dives into different charitable programs to try to find the ways to do the most good for your dollar. GiveWell has now spent over 17 years researching charitable organizations and only directs funding to a few of the HIGHEST-IMPACT opportunities they’ve found. Visit https://www.givewell.org [https://www.givewell.org/] to find out more or make a donation. Select PODCAST and enter Econ 102 at checkout to make sure they know you heard about them from us. -- RECOMMENDED PODCAST: 🎙️ Unpack Pricing - Dive into the dark arts of SaaS pricing with Metronome CEO Scott Woody and tech leaders. Learn how strategic pricing drives explosive revenue growth in today's biggest companies like Snowflake, Cockroach Labs, Dropbox and more. Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1765716600 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1765716600] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/38DK3W1Fq1xxQalhDSueFg [https://open.spotify.com/show/38DK3W1Fq1xxQalhDSueFg] -- FOLLOW ON X: @whatifalthist (Rudyard) @LudwigNverMises (Austin) @TurpentineMedia -- TIMESTAMPS: (00:15) Intro and Personal Anecdotes (04:13) Introduction to the French Revolution and Secular Cycles (08:40) Open and Closed Societies (15:47) Sponsor Message 1 (17:33) Sponsor Message 2 (18:44) The French Monarchy and its Attempt to Protect Freedom (25:50) The French Enlightenment and Modernity (30:52) Causes of the French Revolution (37:00) The Internal Conflicts and Instability of the Revolution (46:50) The Reign of Terror and the Jacobins (52:40) The Napoleonic Wars and their Impact on Europe (1:00:00) The Left and Right in French Politics (1:03:40) Counterfactual History: What if the Fronde had succeeded? (1:04:20) The French Army and National Identity (1:07:12) Outro BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS: "Fire in the Minds of Men" by James Hadley Billington "The Old Regime and the French Revolution" by Alexis Henri C M Clerel Tocqueville

In this episode of History 102, 'WhatIfAltHist' creator Rudyard Lynch and co-host Austin Padgett explore pivotal historical moments about the English Civil War. They masterfully weave together religious conflict, economic transformation, and cultural dynamics to explain how this crucial conflict shaped modern capitalism, the Industrial Revolution, and even contemporary progressive politics. Their engaging conversation style makes complex history accessible and relevant. -- 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess [https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess] -- SPONSOR: INCOGNI | GIVEWELL | NOTION Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code ECON102 at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/econ102 [https://incogni.com/econ102] GiveWell spends 50,000 hours every year doing deep-dives into different charitable programs to try to find the ways to do the most good for your dollar. GiveWell has now spent over 17 years researching charitable organizations and only directs funding to a few of the HIGHEST-IMPACT opportunities they’ve found. Visit https://www.givewell.org [https://www.givewell.org/] to find out more or make a donation. Select PODCAST and enter Econ 102 at checkout to make sure they know you heard about them from us. Notion offers powerful workflow and automation templates, perfect for streamlining processes and laying the groundwork for AI-driven automation. With Notion AI, you can search across thousands of documents from various platforms, generating highly relevant analysis and content tailored just for you - try it for free at notion.com/cognitiverevolution [http://notion.com/cognitiverevolution]. -- RECOMMENDED PODCAST: 🎙️ Unpack Pricing - Dive into the dark arts of SaaS pricing with Metronome CEO Scott Woody and tech leaders. Learn how strategic pricing drives explosive revenue growth in today's biggest companies like Snowflake, Cockroach Labs, Dropbox and more. Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1765716600 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1765716600] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/38DK3W1Fq1xxQalhDSueFg [https://open.spotify.com/show/38DK3W1Fq1xxQalhDSueFg] -- FOLLOW ON X: @whatifalthist (Rudyard) @LudwigNverMises (Austin) @TurpentineMedia -- TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Introduction and Significance of the English Civil War (03:15) The Importance of Engaging with Politics (04:43) The English Civil War and its Long-Term Effects (07:21) Context: The 16th Century and the Seeds of Conflict (08:09) Economic and Religious Factors (12:32) Underlying Issues and Symbolism in Conflict (14:13) Sponsor: Incogni | Givewell (17:22) The English Civil War: A Seesaw Conflict (20:26) Social Conservatism and the Secular Cycle (21:33) The Secular Cycle and its Parallels to Modernity (24:10) Escaping Malthusian Traps (27:14) The Agricultural Revolution and Property Rights (29:08) Trade Restrictions and the Industrial Revolution (30:18) The Anglo Diaspora (31:00) The Cousin's War and Genetic Factors (33:13) Sponsor: Notion (34:27) Cultural Homogeneity and Genetic Markers (36:00) The Role of Monopolies and Religious Divisions (41:20) The Spark of the English Civil War (44:50) The Course of the War (48:07) The Rise of Cromwell and the Interregnum (51:18) Cromwell's Rule and Religious Tolerance (53:00) The Conquest of Ireland and the British Navy (57:10) Anglo-Dutch Wars (1:00:00) The Role of Cambridge and Saxony (1:01:20) Puritanism and Modern Progressivism (1:02:40) Puritanism and Modern Social Justice (1:03:50) The Death of Cromwell and the Restoration (1:07:00) The Glorious Revolution and England's Long Period of Stability (1:08:01) Conclusion and Book Recommendations -- BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS: "History of Western Warfare" (Volume 2) by JFC Fuller "History of the English Speaking Peoples" (Volume 2) by Winston Churchill "The Age of Reason Begins" by Will Durant "Protestants: The Faith That Made the Modern World" by Alec Ryrie "Albion's Seed" by David Hackett Fischer

In this episode of History 102, 'WhatIfAltHist' creator Rudyard Lynch and co-host Austin Padgett talk about the Protestant Reformation, masterfully drawing parallels between historical information technology revolutions (like the printing press) and our current internet age, exploring how such advances fundamentally alter how societies process information and relate to authority. They offer fresh perspectives on well-worn historical territory, suggesting for instance that the Reformation wasn't just about religious doctrine, but represented a quantum leap in human agency and individualism that helped birth the modern world. -- 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess [https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess] -- SPONSOR: GIVEWELL | NOTION GiveWell spends 50,000 hours every year doing deep-dives into different charitable programs to try to find the ways to do the most good for your dollar. GiveWell has now spent over 17 years researching charitable organizations and only directs funding to a few of the HIGHEST-IMPACT opportunities they’ve found. Visit https://www.givewell.org [https://www.givewell.org/] to find out more or make a donation. Select PODCAST and enter Econ 102 at checkout to make sure they know you heard about them from us. Notion offers powerful workflow and automation templates, perfect for streamlining processes and laying the groundwork for AI-driven automation. With Notion AI, you can search across thousands of documents from various platforms, generating highly relevant analysis and content tailored just for you - try it for free at notion.com/cognitiverevolution [http://notion.com/cognitiverevolution]. -- RECOMMENDED PODCAST: 🎙️ Unpack Pricing - Dive into the dark arts of SaaS pricing with Metronome CEO Scott Woody and tech leaders. Learn how strategic pricing drives explosive revenue growth in today's biggest companies like Snowflake, Cockroach Labs, Dropbox and more. Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1765716600 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1765716600] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/38DK3W1Fq1xxQalhDSueFg [https://open.spotify.com/show/38DK3W1Fq1xxQalhDSueFg] -- FOLLOW ON X: @whatifalthist (Rudyard) @LudwigNverMises (Austin) @TurpentineMedia -- TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (01:10) History as psychological/biological process (01:50) Importance of psychological shifts in Reformation (02:10) Two modern parallels to Reformation (02:50) Warhammer Fantasy analogy (03:10) Catholic Church's medieval dominance (05:39) Carl Jung's analysis of Catholicism (10:11) Information technology breakthrough comparison (10:35) Gutenberg's printing press invention (11:24) Media control in 20th century (12:29) Sponsors: GiveWell | Notion (15:20) Catholic Church's role in literacy (18:26) Catholic Church as science investor (19:00) Discussion of Cathars and early heresies (20:01) Impact of Black Death (21:30) Italian Renaissance discussion (31:30) Martin Luther's background (35:40) Luther's 95 Theses (43:40) Introduction of Calvinism (46:06) Calvinism and totalitarianism (49:52) Spanish attempts to destroy Protestantism (51:20) Germanic and English Protestant adoption (52:34) Modern elite's Protestant/French Revolution roots (54:40) Harvard's Calvinist origins (56:02) Left's appropriation of Protestant ideas (57:30) Modern rejection of rational inquiry (58:41) Elite perspectives on population control (1:00:07) Book recommendations begin (101:09) Show outro and network information -- BOOKS RECOMMENDED: "The Reformation" by Will Durant" "Protestants: The Faith That Made the Modern World" by Alec Ryrie "Doubt" by Alec Ryrie "A Secular Age" by Charles Taylor "Rise of the West" by William H. McNeill