Podcast Summary
Dan Jones shares humorous insights on history and more: NetSuite unifies business processes, reducing costs and headaches, while Crafted London offers high-quality, durable jewelry with a lifetime guarantee.
Dan Jones, historian and author, surprised the host with his humorous and entertaining insights about various topics, including the Middle Ages, Genghis Khan, and his own experiences. While the conversation was not primarily focused on history, it was engaging and entertaining. In business news, the importance of reducing costs and headaches for companies was discussed, with NetSuite being presented as a solution for unifying business processes and reducing IT costs. The show was sponsored by Crafted London, a men's jewelry company offering high-quality, durable pieces with a lifetime guarantee. The host expressed surprise at the number of stoned viewers of his Great British Castles show and shared his thoughts on the potential appeal of the show in such a state. Overall, the episode showcased the unexpected and entertaining nature of the conversation, the benefits of using NetSuite for businesses, and the quality of Crafted London's jewelry.
Reflections on a Career and the Enduring Appeal of the Middle Ages: Despite the fear of being forgotten, the creator finds comfort in the enduring appeal of the Middle Ages genre, which offers a unique blend of the familiar and the strange, allowing audiences to connect with the past and be amazed by its differences.
The speaker, who is a creator of a popular TV show, reflects on his career and the potential future of being recognized for his work. He expresses the inevitability of aging and the possibility of being forgotten by the public, but also finds comfort in the fact that his work, particularly in the Middle Ages genre, will continue to resonate with audiences. The Middle Ages, according to him, offers a unique blend of the familiar and the strange, allowing viewers to connect with the past while also being amazed by its differences. The speaker's personal connection to the period, having spent much of his career studying and writing about it, adds to his appreciation and enthusiasm for sharing these stories with others.
The Middle Ages: A Period of Great Historical Significance Compared to Popular Music Scene: Trusting collaboration between author and publisher leads to a successful and comprehensive exploration of the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century
The Middle Ages, a period bookended by the sackings of Rome, holds some of the greatest hits of history. This era, rich with intriguing stories and significant events, is comparable to the popular music scene between the 1950s and 1970s. Anthony Cheatham, the publisher, provided the broad strokes for this history project, allowing the author to delve into the details. Their working relationship is based on trust and minimal interference, making for an effective and successful collaboration. The fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century, a topic explored in the book "Powers and Thrones," had various causes. While Edward Gibbon took six volumes to examine this, the book aims to provide a quick yet comprehensive understanding of this historical shift.
Factors leading to the fall of Western Roman Empire: The unique combination of military power, effective political system, and shared culture that made the Roman Empire successful has not been replicated since its fall in 5th century.
The fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century was influenced by a combination of factors including climate change, political instability, and invasions by migrating tribes. The unique combination of military capability, effective political system, and pan-Roman culture that made the Roman Empire successful has not been replicated since its fall. Despite attempts by powers such as the Umayyad caliphate, Charlemagne, and Napoleon, no empire has been able to put together the same combination of building blocks for an empire of similar size and influence as Rome. The Roman Empire's control over the entire Mediterranean coastal littoral, its military superiority, effective political system, and shared culture made it an unprecedented and difficult act to follow.
Effective leadership: Balancing control and delegation: Recognize when to delegate and when to take charge, learn from leaders like Jocko Willink and David Goggins, and find balance to build a strong, resilient team.
Effective leadership involves recognizing when to delegate authority and when to take charge. The speaker lamented not having a strong publisher figure in his life, which could have led to publishing more books and maintaining an empire longer. However, he also acknowledged that allowing people to have sovereignty and make their own decisions can be an effective leadership principle. The discussion then shifted to Jocko Willink and David Goggins, two influential figures known for their unique approaches to leadership. While Jocko emphasizes extreme ownership and taking responsibility, Goggins encourages staying hard and pushing through challenges. A blend of these two styles could result in a strong, resilient leader. The speaker also touched on the idea of facing fears and overcoming obstacles, as exemplified by figures like Houdini and David Blaine. Ultimately, effective leadership involves finding the right balance between taking charge and giving others the freedom to succeed.
Peloton's unique community and philosophy resonate deeply with people: Peloton's community and philosophy provide emotional connection and impactful experiences beyond physical fitness
Peloton, despite being labeled as a cult, resonates deeply with people due to its unique community and philosophy, which goes beyond just physical fitness. This was emphasized through personal experiences and stories shared, including Danny Trejo's experiences with Charles Manson and saving Kiefer Sutherland. The concept of being "hard" or having a certain vibe that commands respect was also discussed as a historical and influential factor. The speaker's admiration for Peloton and its members, including Danny Trejo, demonstrates the emotional connection people have to the community and the impact it has on their lives.
The Human Instinct to be Tough and Uncompromising: Throughout history, individuals and groups have exhibited raw, aggressive traits, shaping the course of history, from ancient civilizations like the Mongols and early Islamic caliphates to modern-day football fans like Millwall FC.
Throughout history, there have been individuals and groups who have exhibited raw, aggressive, and unyielding traits, much like the infamous Millwall FC fans. These traits, which can be traced back to ancient civilizations like the Mongols and the early Islamic caliphates, are fundamentally human and have shaped the course of history. Genghis Khan, for instance, is often considered the hardest man from the Middle Ages due to his military prowess and the contiguous land empire he built. However, his success was not solely based on his strength but also the structure of Mongol tribal society, climate factors, and the relative organization of his meritocratic army. Ultimately, the human instinct to be tough and uncompromising, as exemplified by Millwall FC fans, has been a recurring theme throughout history, shaping the actions and decisions of leaders and societies alike.
Understanding Power in the Middle Ages: Monks and Knights: The Middle Ages were shaped by distinct archetypes of power: monks symbolizing cultural, non-political influence and knights embodying military, political might. Monasticism, as a form of institutional power, spread influence and wealth without state support, mirroring modern stateless entities.
The Middle Ages were defined by unique archetypes of power, namely monks and knights. Monks represented institutional power, which was non-military, non-overtly political, and cultural in nature. Knights, on the other hand, embodied military and political power. These archetypes, as explored inRoger Crowley's book "Powers and Thrones," offer fascinating insights into the various forms power took during the Middle Ages. The book delves into the constitutional, political, military, religious, and institutional aspects of power, highlighting how power manifested in different ways during this era. Monasticism, as an institutional power, is an intriguing example. It spread its influence across borders and accumulated wealth without the support of a state, much like modern stateless institutions such as tech giants. Understanding these power dynamics in the Middle Ages sheds light on the complex nature of power and its various manifestations in human society.
Historical pandemics and their uncertain impact and records: Historical pandemics significantly shaped societies and history, but the reliability of records and death toll estimates can be uncertain due to the fragmentary nature of evidence and potential biases of sources.
The impact of pandemics throughout history, such as the Justinianic Plague in the 6th century and the Black Death in the 14th century, can significantly shape societies and history. However, the reliability of historical records and estimates of deaths during these pandemics can be uncertain due to the fragmentary nature of the evidence. For instance, while it's known that the Black Death killed around 50-60% of the population in Western Europe, estimates for the Justinianic Plague range from 50,000 to 100,000,000 deaths. The reliability of historical records, such as those from chroniclers, can also be questionable, as they may be influenced by personal biases or sensationalism. Therefore, it's important to approach historical records with a critical and nuanced perspective, recognizing the limitations and potential biases of the sources.
Historians Shape Opinions with Biased Accounts: Historians, like Procopius and Piers Morgan, have the power to influence public perception through their writings, often hiding agendas, and the period between the Roman Empire and the Renaissance saw significant technological advancements despite being labeled as the Dark Ages.
Historians and chroniclers, like Procopius and Piers Morgan, have the power to shape opinions through their writings. Although they may present themselves as unbiased chroniclers, they often hold hidden agendas and can significantly influence public perception. The period between the Roman Empire and the Renaissance, often labeled as the Dark Ages, was not devoid of technological advancements, but it took time for Western Europe to regain the same level of technological sophistication. The arrival of new technologies, such as the stirrup, transformed the way people lived and contributed significantly to the development of societies. It's essential to remember that history is not just a chronicle of facts but also a reflection of the biases and perspectives of those who record it.
The Invention of the Stirrup and the Middle Ages' Technological Revolution: The stirrup's invention revolutionized warfare, leading to advancements in agriculture, navigation, armor, and architecture during the Middle Ages.
The invention of the stirrup was a pivotal moment in history as it enabled the development of Frankish cavalry, which played a central role in the success of the First Crusade. This military revolution was a catalyst for other advancements, including the use of windmills for agriculture, the reintroduction of the astrolabe for navigation, and the development of plate armor and longbow technology for warfare. These innovations, though seemingly simple, had a ripple effect and led to further advancements, such as the ability for pirates to travel farther across the ocean and the construction of larger buildings, like Lincoln Cathedral. The Middle Ages were marked by a series of technological advancements that enabled faster development, faster travel, and more dangerous weapons. These advancements set the stage for the future, allowing for the piracy, bigger buildings, and other developments that came in the centuries that followed.
Making things bigger: structures and personal grooming: People naturally want to enhance structures and appearance, from the Eiffel Tower on a hill to manscaping, and even historical figures like Dick Whittington.
People have a natural inclination to enhance or make things appear bigger, whether it's structures or personal grooming. The speaker discussed various structures, like the Eiffel Tower and the Dome of the Rock, and how they look more impressive when placed on a hill. The same concept applies to manscaping, which is essentially grooming or shaping body parts to enhance their appearance. The speaker was surprised to learn that there is a dedicated community and resources for manscaping. Regarding Peloton, the speaker mentioned the recent safety concerns surrounding their treadmills but emphasized that they are inherently dangerous and not suitable for households with young children. They also shared that they didn't get a treadmill due to safety concerns and because they preferred a bike for their home gym setup. An unexpected topic that came up was Dick Whittington, a historical figure often associated with pantomime stories and images of him wearing high boots and a floppy hat. However, the speaker revealed that Dick Whittington was actually a wealthy merchant with a conscience, contrasting the popular image of him from pantomimes.
A Merchant's Rise to Power: Dick Whittington's Life and Legacy: Dick Whittington, a successful merchant, served as London's Mayor four times and left significant funds for city improvements upon his death.
Dick Whittington was a remarkable figure in English history. He served as the Mayor of London four times and even briefly served as the Mayor of Calais. He survived the revolution of 13/99 and was a successful merchant, trading high-end cloth, wine, and even acting as a high-end bail bondsman by trading prisoners' ransoms. When he died in 1423, he left a significant amount of money to the City of London for various good works, including new libraries, sewers, public toilets, single mothers' refuges, alms houses, and social housing. His legacy continues to be felt today, with people still living in Dick Whittington houses in London. Despite his fascinating story, some may find the pantomime version of it less appealing and prefer the depth and accuracy of historical accounts. Additionally, the current historical landscape is experiencing a resurgence, with an abundance of history content available through various platforms, including YouTube and streaming services like Netflix. While there may be fewer opportunities for mid-level commissions on traditional television networks, creators like Dan Snow are producing high-quality historical content that caters to a wide audience. Overall, Dick Whittington's story is a testament to the enduring appeal and accessibility of history.
History genre's renaissance with collaborative community and public enthusiasm: Historian Dan Jones discusses the current landscape's contrast to the past's competitive environment, shares upcoming projects, and emphasizes creative freedom in fiction writing
The history genre is experiencing a renaissance with an abundance of channels, public enthusiasm, and a collaborative community of creators. Dan Jones, a historian and author, shares his excitement about the current landscape, which contrasts the past's competitive and sometimes contentious environment. He also discusses his upcoming projects, including a medieval ghost story and a historical fiction trilogy set during the 100 Years' War. Jones also mentions his deal with Sony Pictures for developing historical dramas. Additionally, he emphasizes the creative freedom and potential in fiction writing, particularly when depicting the harsh realities of war, which might be challenging or undocumented in history.
