Boom & Bust
Jun 30, 2026 · 8m
Summary
This episode explores two bizarre historical events: the Taiping Rebellion and a famous stock market experiment. Host Aaron Mahnke details how Hong Xiuquan’s delusions of being Jesus’s brother sparked a civil war that killed millions. The second story features a chimpanzee named Raven who outperformed Wall Street brokers by throwing darts at a board during the dot-com boom, illustrating market unpredictability before the bubble burst.
Topics discussed
Grainger advertisement for procurement managers
Introduction to Aaron Menke's Cabinet of Curiosities
Hong Shu Kwan's dream and the rise of the Heavenly Kingdom
The Taiping Rebellion's violence and eventual collapse
Historical impact and death toll of the Taiping Rebellion
Ebglis advertisement featuring Kelly Rowland
Disney Cruise Line advertisement
Raven Thorogood III and the dartboard stock portfolio
The dot-com bubble burst and Raven's legacy
Show credits, book promotion, and Patreon info
ZepBound advertisement featuring Shaquille O'Neal
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