Capitalism vs socialism vs communism vs robots!

We compare the three best known economic systems, and take a look at how AI is changing what jobs you can get.

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Here are some articles on the impact of AI on employment.

The Impact of AI on Job Roles, Workforce, and Employment: What You Need to Know

Machines Will Do More Tasks Than Humans by 2025 but Robot Revolution Will Still Create 58 Million Net New Jobs in Next Five Years

Jobs of the future: Jobs lost, jobs gained

The impact of artificial intelligence on employment: the role of virtual agglomeration

Here are some articles on what capitalism is.

What Is Capitalism? - Back to Basics

What Is Capitalism?

What is Capitalism? Capitalism Explained | Pros and Cons of Capitalism?

And here’s an article about socialism and communism, and what their differences are.

What is the difference between socialism and communism?

What makes a nation wealthy?

Time for a look at Adam Smith and his extraordinary book, “The Wealth of Nations.”

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Here’s a video and an article about Adam’s Smith’s nifty book.

Adam Smith Tercentenary | The Wealth of Nations

The Wealth of Nations

And here’s a bit about the actual person, Adam Smith.

About Adam Smith

What if wealth is more than gold and silver?

Let’s have a gander at the physiocrats, a French movement that considered farming to be more important than gold.

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Here’s an article about the Physiocrats.

The Physiocrats

Here’s something on hunter gather energy use and food intake.

Hunter-Gatherer Energetics and Human Obesity

Here’s a thumbnail sketch of the history of agriculture.

History of Agriculture

Here's an article about how hunter gatherers may actually have worked less than farmers, or even modern nine to five folks.

Farmers have less leisure time than hunter-gatherers

And in case you thought fake news was a new thing, here’s an article about an old conspiracy theory that helped fuel the French revolution.

Pacte de famine

Folk tales and freaky finance

Let’s find out how Halloween makes money.

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Here are a couple of articles and a video on the economics of pumpkin farming.

The economics of pumpkin patches

The Economics of Pumpkin Patches | YouTube

Halloween Pumpkins: A Booming Farm Business

And here’s a short video on how much Americans are expected to spend on Halloween this year—2024.

How much money will Americans spend on Halloween this year?

Economics, confusion, and the Dutch puzzle

We start our look at the theory of economics, even though, or perhaps because, we don’t get it.

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Here’s a link to the episode in which we take a closer look at how the Dutch became a world power.

Ep417: Tall ships and troubled trips

And here are a couple of articles on mercantilism.

Mercantilism - Econlib

Mercantilism

420 for the money

A quick look at the business of marijuana.

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Here’s an article on the challenges marijuana businesses face.

Why weed companies can't make any money

Here’s a video about starting a marijuana business in Oregon state.

So you want to start a cannabis business—NOW WHAT?

Here’s a list from Washington state of banks and other businesses that will work with pot based companies.

Financial Services Options for Cannabis Retailers

Here’s an IRS article about the tax issues facing marijuana businesses.

Providing resources to help cannabis business owners successfully navigate unique tax responsibilities

And here’s an article about the trouble pot businesses have finding banking services.

The Big Problem for Marijuana Companies? What to Do With All That Cash

Economics, and the start of World War II

The federal reserve had complicated reasons not to do their job. This caused a few miner issues, and a major war.

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Check out our latest attempt at Episode One.

Take 162 of Episode One: Don’t fear the reaper

Here’s an article about the federal reserve, and what they did and didn’t do during the great depression.

The Great Depression

And here’s a little something on the real bills doctrine.

Real bills and the Federal Reserve

The great depression

The 1930s saw the worst economic downturn in United States history, effecting the entire world. How did this happen?

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Here are a few things on the dust bowl and the great depression.

Great Depression and the Dust Bowl

The Dust Bowl | Great Depression and World War II, 1929-1945

The Dust Bowl and the Depression

Why the Dust Bowl Was the Most Devastating Drought in US History

What was the Dust Bowl?

And here are a few more things on the great depression.

The Great Depression

Americans React to the Great Depression

Great Depression: Causes, Definition & Dates

5 Causes of the Great Depression

When markets crash

A bit on the Knickerbocker crisis, and the stock market crash of 1929.

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Here’s an article about the 1929 stock market crash.

Stock Market Crash of 1929

And here’s something on the 1907 Knickerbocker crisis.

The Panic of 1907

Tall ships and troubled trips

After a rocky start, the Dutch managed to build enough wooden ships to take over the world, despite having no trees to speak of.

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Here’s an article that outlines the Dutch economy during what is called their golden age.

The Dutch Economy in the Golden Age

Here’s a video about the Dutch East India Company.

The Dutch East India Company: The Richest Company In The World

Here’s a paper on what was learned about Dutch ship building from the wreck of one of their ships.

Batavia shipwreck timbers reveal a key to Dutch success in 17th-century world trade

And here’s a video on 17th century Dutch ship building.

17th century Dutch Shipbuilding