Pursuit of Prosperity

This episode of Pursuit of Prosperity explores the world of Food. From the australopithecines which had to spend hours just chewing to today’s high calorie, nutrient rich food which can be consumed in a matter of minutes, we explore the different events that led to this explosion of the availability and variety of food and its consequences. We explore how cooking, packaging and preservation played a role in making this possible. We also look at the consequences of the industrialization of the food industry and the challenges that must be currently encountered.

Timestamps:

1. Food History - Cooking and the evolution of the human brain (00:00)

2. Food Preservation - Historical overview (05:32)

3. Food Preservation & Packaging - The effects of the Napoleonic & World Wars (09:23)

4. Food Packaging - Tetra Pak (15:45)

5. The future of food - Challenges and Solutions (18:14)

6. Sources - (23:28)

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This episode of Pursuit of Prosperity explores the world of the 2 most common hot beverages - Coffee and Tea. From the Ethopian plateau in the 9th Century AD to the Opium wars in the 19th Century, we explore the different events that led to the ubiquitousness of these beverages across the world. We explore how these beverages played a role in the creation of the modern world order while also looking at stories associated with them, some fictional and others real. 

Timestamps:

1. Coffee - Origin and Spread across the World (00:00)

2. Coffee brewing -  Techniques and Machines (08:34)

3. Tea - Introduction, Origin and Etymology (13:30)

4. Tea - UK, China and the Opium Wars (19:29)

5. Tea - Boston Tea Party (25:12)

6. End Credits - (28:30)

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This episode of Pursuit of Prosperity explores the world of aviation. From ancient history to the current era of accessible flight, we follow key figures and events that revolutionized the way people travel across the globe.

Timestamps:

1. Mythology, ancient and medieval history (00:00)

2. Wright Brothers and the first viable airplane (10:12)

3. Commercial flight and the Boeing-Airbus duopoly (17:21)

4. Speed, global warming and the future of air travel (25:44)

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This episode of Pursuit of Prosperity explores the internet. From 1960s to the upcoming future of satellite internet, we follow key figures and events that revolutionized the way information was shared across the globe. We experience how the first pieces of current day internet technology was developed under the auspices of the cold war. We look at how Google and Baidu became synonymous with web search. Finally, we tackle satellite internet and its promise to connect the unconnected world.

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This episode of Pursuit of Prosperity explores space travel. From ancient history to the 21st Century, we follow key figures and events that revolutionized space travel and space technology. We experience how war drives the development of technology. We look at how true genius can open up a hitherto unknown pathway for the entire human race. Finally, we tackle the argument that space travel is a `luxury`.

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This episode of Pursuit of Prosperity explores vaccination. From the 18th century to the COVID pandemic, we follow key figures and events that revolutionized vaccine acceptance, delivery and production. We experience what happens when passionate and smart people make it their life's aim to secure the health of their fellow human beings. We look at how true genius can draw incredible insights from mistakes and use it to create something exceptional. Finally, we draw parallels between the current events and historical ones, how humanity has responded to deadly diseases and epidemics. 

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