"Upstream" with Erik Torenberg

E140: Why Industrial Revolutions Stall

47 snips
May 10, 2025
Samo Burja, an analyst specializing in global power dynamics, joins the discussion to unravel the intriguing history of failed industrial revolutions in the Roman Empire and Song Dynasty China. They explore how rising labor costs led to mechanical innovations like watermills, despite reliance on slave labor. Burja critiques the common narratives of economic growth, highlighting the complex reasons behind stagnation, such as demographic shifts and demand saturation. This conversation reveals valuable insights linking ancient advancements to today's challenges.
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INSIGHT

Industrial Revolutions Are Cyclic

  • The Industrial Revolution was preceded by earlier complex technological and economic developments in civilizations like Rome and Song China.
  • Human economic progress cycles through prosperity and decline rather than continuous growth.
INSIGHT

Watermills Powered Roman Industry

  • Romans extensively used watermills to mechanize milling flour, blacksmithing, and marble cutting.
  • This technology freed labor and showed sophisticated mechanical engineering at scale.
ANECDOTE

Roman Mining at Las Medulas

  • The Roman gold mine Las Medulas transformed the landscape using water to strip soil.
  • They used water power for mining and mechanical devices, showing advanced mining technology.
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