Industrial Revolution

In this episode of History 102, In this episode of History 102, 'WhatIfAltHist' creator Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg explore the origins, impacts, and global spread of the Industrial Revolution, from 18th century Britain to modern challenges.

Unleashing progress or Pandora's box? This episode presents a unique perspective, framing the Industrial Revolution as "the magic of kings" - a transformative force that granted humanity godlike powers while leaving our fundamental nature unchanged.

🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://www.turpentinenetwork.co/

-

RECOMMENDED PODCASTS:

🎙️ This Won't Last - Eavesdrop on Keith Rabois, Kevin Ryan, Logan Bartlett, and Zach Weinberg's monthly backchannel. They unpack their hottest takes on the future of tech, business, venture, investing, and politics.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1765665937

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2HwSNeVLL1MXy0RjFPyOSz

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThisWontLastpodcast

--

SPONSOR: FUNDRISE | WorkOS

💡 Level up your portfolio with access to pre-IPO companies via the Fundrise Innovation Fund. Access a $125M+ fund of cutting edge tech companies including AI frontrunners, now available to individual investors. Start your journey at Fundrise.com/upstream.

💻 Building an enterprise-ready SaaS app? WorkOS has got you covered with easy-to-integrate APIs for SAML, SCIM, and more. Join top startups like Vercel, Perplexity, Jasper & Webflow in powering your app with WorkOS. Enjoy a free tier for up to 1M users! Start now at https://bit.ly/WorkOS-Turpentine-Network

This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.

-

FOLLOW ON X:

@whatifalthist (Rudyard)

@eriktorenberg (Erik)

@SamoBurja (Samo)

@TurpentineMedia

-

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Introduction

(00:23) Change of topic to Industrial Revolution

(01:16) Magic of kings vs magic of priests

(03:23) Pre-industrial vs post-industrial life

(06:16) The Unabomber's critique of industrial society

(09:58) Oversocialization and leftism

(15:55) Sponsor: Fundrise | WorkOS

(16:58) Historical origins of the Industrial Revolution

(21:23) Agricultural Revolution and its impacts

(25:58) Different models of industrialization

(30:23) Industrialization and European colonialism

(34:58) Post-industrial societies and their challenges

(38:23) Global spread of industrialization

(42:58) Positives and negatives of the Industrial Revolution

(47:01) Recommended books on the Industrial Revolution

(48:48) Wrap

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:

"Why Nations Fail" by Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson 

"Tragedy and Hope" by Carroll Quigley

"Bloodlands" by Timothy Snyder

"Enlightenment Now" by Steven Pinker