E79: How Civilizations Cycle & Collapse | Samo Burja and Rudyard Lynch

This week on Upstream, we’re featuring a discussion between Samo Burja, Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg about the inherent differences between civilizations and their impact on history and politics. They explore the parallels and distinctions between ancient civilizations like Babylon and modern entities like Silicon Valley, the influence of Abrahamic religions, and how societal patterns challenge our current understanding. 

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SPONSORS:

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RECOMMENDED PODCASTS:

🎙️Live Players

Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg provide analysis of the news and case studies of Live Players, as well as key institutions and technologies that make up the global power landscape.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5fbMTkHBnom1JIBWYNVBK1?si=01ed191c74264f55 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-players-with-samo-burja-and-erik-torenberg/id1718925188

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivePlayerswithSamoBurja

🎙️History 102 with WhatifAltHist

Every week, creator of WhatifAltHist Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg cover a major topic in history in depth -- in under an hour. This season will cover classical Greece, early America, the Vikings, medieval Islam, ancient China, the fall of the Roman Empire, and more.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36Kqo3BMMUBGTDo1IEYihm

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/history-102-with-whatifalthists-rudyard-lynch-and/id1730633913

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@History102-qg5oj

🎙️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.

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

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-wont-last-with-keith-rabois-kevin-ryan-logan/id1765665937

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

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LINKS:

Bismark Analysis: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/

Whatifalthist YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/Whatifalthist

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FOLLOW ON X/TWITTER: 

@eriktorenberg

@samoburja

@whatifalthist

@turpentinemedia

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TIMESTAMPS

(00:00) Intro

(01:00) A deep dive into civilizational differences

(03:06) The influence of Abrahamic religions

(07:38) Classical vs. modern western civilization

(12:16) The rise and fall of civilizations

(16:54) Literacy and its impact on societies

(20:25) Sponsors: Fundrise | Brave

(22:43) Pre-modern Feminism

(27:28) Modern civilization and its roots

(36:20) Sponsor: Squad

(37:29) Debt slavery and social breakdown

(42:58) The future of religion and technology

(54:37) Obscure civilizations and their impact

(59:21) Wrap