The History Podcast: 2013

Monday, December 30, 2013

The History Podcast #12 - The 90s Sports Card Bubble

The History Podcast #12

Download Podcast - The 90s Sports Card Bubble

This history podcast examines how the 1990s was a great time to be a kid, but a horrible time to be a kid with ambition. Through sports cards, we lost it all. It pales in comparison to the financial losses of individuals during other historic bubbles. However, the housing and dot com bubbles directly affected few. Where as the sports card bubble of the late 80s and 90s affected millions on children, and they haven't forgotten.

This history podcast explains the circumstances of the 90s sports cards bubble. The good news is that America can become less oil dependent by burning our sports cards.

Sunday, December 29, 2013

The History Podcast #11 - Mark Barton

The History Podcast #11

Download Podcast - Mark Barton

Easily the darkest history podcast we've recorded. This may be something that most listeners will want to skip passed. We understand. For the others...

Over the course of several days in July of 1999, Mark Barton lost everything. He was a day trader that got swallowed up by the Dot Com Crash. Unfortunately, Mark Barton's story is not just another tale of a capricious investor; it's much worse. Eleven people lost their lives including his family, and thirteen others were wounded. This is a story about how economics is not just dollars, jobs, and numbers.

The already forgotten, horrific event that took place in Atlanta will not help us predict bubbles and investing. Although exaggerated, this event symbolizes some of the faults in our economy and in the American Dream. The dream of wealth does not come to fruition for most Americans, but for some the disappointment is unbearable.

The History Podcast #10 - Bubbles

The History Podcast #10

Download Podcast - Bubbles

On Today's History Podcast, Mr. Jackson explains economic bubbles. We discuss the reason for economic bubbles and examine past economic bubbles.

Some economists do not believe economic bubbles exist, but others, notably Noble Prize winner Robert Shiller, believe they do and can explain exactly how they occur.

Shiller accurately predicted the Dot Com Bubble and Housing Bubble. This New York Times article succinctly summarizes his philosophy on predicting bubbles. Are we in a bubble right now? Don't ask us, we didn't win a Noble Prize.

Side Note: The economist he is splitting the Noble Prize with claims that economics bubbles don't exist. Go figure.

Book Review: Blue Dixie Awakening the South's Democratic Majority

Book Review:

Blue Dixie Awakening the South's Democratic Majority

TheHistoryPodcast.blogspot.com reviews the book Blue Dixie

This is a review I originally wrote in 2011. The argument made in the book was not entirely prophetic, but more current events has proven the points made within. I have decided to overlay the original post with a revisit to the subject. I will put the current writing in italics

http://us.macmillan.com/bluedixie

Major Points:

The South has traditionally been a Democratic area, but changes in the party have alienated Southerners The South is not as conservative as many would think Traditional Liberals in the South want to vote for the Democratic candidate but few candidates meet their needs The Democratic Party needs to jettison the notions of being "Republican Lights" Southern Neo-Liberals like Bill Clinton are actually not liberal enough for Southern tastes Obama as a candidate (written before the election) is continuing this pattern

Book Review - The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson

Book Review:

The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson

Full Disclosure: The last time I reviewed a book I was in 7th grade English class, and it went very badly. I reviewed "The Vampire Lestat," a book I barely made it through. I skipped and skimmed much of it. Instead of reading a large section of the book, I watched the movie "Interview with a Vampire." I hope this goes much better. It should; I at least read the book this time.

Jon Ronson has a wonderful personality from a reader's perspective. For Jon Ronson, it must be awful being Jon Ronson. He is a very successful writer that has received critical acclaim, but he is still a self-doubting, anxiety ridden author that worries too much.

Book Reviewed:

Traitor To His Class: The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt By H.W. Brands

Mr. Lincoln’s Thoughts:

TheHistoryPodcast.blogspot.com reviews the book Traitor to His Class

This book was an excellent biography on FDR and coverage of his presidency. All of the New Deal is covered in detail. Roosevelt’s struggle to pass his progressive agenda into law is well documented. My only problem with this book is what the title leaves in the way of perception. My perception, according to the title, was that the book would cover the reactions to the New Deal policies Roosevelt rolled out during his time in Washington. Rather than a blow by blow account of support and opposition, the reader is left with biography of the key players in the New Deal, a detailed account of Roosevelt’s daily life, and a rather extensive family history.

The History Podcast #9

Download Podcast - Kentucky Hug

Since it is the holiday season, and undoubtedly some of you are enjoying a spirit in one for or another, I thought I might do a show on one of what is becoming my favorite spirit. Bourbon has long history as the drink of rebels (Harry Truman is still my favorite, Dr. Emmett Essin my second), but recently bourbon has taken off with the hipster crowd. Here is a brief history of the "American Spirit" in this week's podcast.

The History Podcast #8 - Fat and Lazy

The History Podcast #8

Download Podcast - Fat and Lazy

This history podcast answers the question, "Why are we fat and lazy?" The good news is that it's not necessarily your fault. The bad news is that there isn't much you can do about it. Human beings are genetically programmed to be fat and lazy.

The History Podcast #7 - Career Ender

The History Podcast #7

Download Podcast - Career Ender

We have all said stupid things at one point or another. Words tangle, thoughts mix, ideas are fully thought out. When your in the public eye, things are different. History has long shown that people can make career ending remarks without even knowing. Sometimes aimed at pushing limits, other times honest mistakes, in todays world anything controversial could land you in hot water. Here's a podcast on the relatively recent phenomenon known as a "career ender."

The History Podcast #6 - AIG and the Crash

The History Podcast #6

Download Podcast - AIG and the Crash

This history podcast lets you know who to blame for the 2008 economic crisis. Although there are many parties to blame, AIG figures to be a prime target. Their ridiculous insurance policies and their investment strategies nearly collapsed our entire economy. The country escaped, but the households did not.

The History Podcast #5 - Boxing Day

The History Podcast #5

Download Podcast - Boxing Day

It's the day after Christmas and all through the house....wait, that's not the way it goes. Well it was the day after Christmas when we recorded this podcast. Here the story of history's first Christian martyr and the Boxing Day traditions in the UK.

The History Podcast #4 - The Panic of 1837

The History Podcast #4

Download Podcast - Panic of 1837

This history podcast is about bubbles, panic, and stupid economic decisions. The Cotton bubble busts. The western frontier housing bubble busts. Interest rates rise. Andrew Jackson kills the National Bank, the one thing that could have stopped the madness. Instead, a very long depression occurs. The Era of Good Feelings quickly turns.

The History Podcast #3 - Rockabilly

The History Podcast #3

What was punk music before punk music?
Many would argue rockabilly in the early 1960's had the same edge and raw nerves that punk did in the 1970's and 80's. By 1966, acts like Link Wray had blown past the early days of superstars like the Big Bopper and Elvis to a tough biker mentality. History has all but forgotten the riots at Washington D.C's 1023 Club, but here is a postcast for all you rockabilly fans.

The History Podcast #2 - Camden, NJ