The Bitcoin Standard Podcast

Dr. Saifedean Ammous
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Sep 30, 2025 • 33min

293. The Fiat Standard Lecture 12: Fiat Cost-Benefit Analysis

Explore the sharp contrast between the minor benefits of fiat money and its immense costs, like wealth erosion and societal decay. Discover how inflation drives inequality, enriching the elites while impoverishing the poor. Learn about the destructive effects of fiat on saving, capital accumulation, and technological progress. The discussion also highlights how fiat systems distort economic behavior and enable state power, making war easier. Ultimately, a staggering $15 trillion annual cost is outlined, proving the overwhelming damage fiat does to civilization.
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Sep 23, 2025 • 1h 5min

292. The Fiat Standard Lecture 11: Fiat States

Dive into the pitfalls of fiat money and its global impact. Discover how reserve currencies export inflation and entrench countries in debt traps. Explore the disastrous legacy of the IMF and World Bank, which reinforce dependence on unreliable financial systems. Learn about the historical link between fiat-driven inflation and protectionism, sparking conflicts throughout the 20th century. Finally, uncover how genuine growth relies on freedom and sound money, not on failed debt-driven solutions.
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Sep 16, 2025 • 1h 15min

291. The Fiat Standard Lecture 10: Fiat Fuels

This discussion dives into the impact of the fiat monetary system on energy markets, arguing that hydrocarbons are irreplaceable in modern economies. It critiques reliance on subsidized and unreliable energy sources, exposing the myths surrounding climate narratives. The conversation also highlights the inflating costs of energy linked to monetary policy and emphasizes the economic consequences of shifting away from fossil fuels. Ultimately, it challenges prevalent climate criticisms while stressing the importance of hydrocarbons for progress and infrastructure.
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Sep 9, 2025 • 1h 23min

290. The Fiat Standard Lecture 9: Fiat Science

Explore how fiat money centralizes education and distorts scientific research. Delve into the pitfalls of government funding that leads to inefficiency and lack of accountability. Discover the challenges in Egypt's educational system and the transformation of universities into indoctrination centers. Hear a critique of humanities education that prioritizes politics over real skills, and the flaws of the current academic publishing system. Finally, analyze the alarming influence of financial interests on scientific innovation and health guidelines.
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4 snips
Sep 2, 2025 • 51min

289. The Fiat Standard Lecture 8: Fiat Food

Discover how fiat money has reshaped the food landscape, leading to disastrous dietary shifts. Learn about the decline of family farms and the rise of industrial agriculture, driven by government policies. Delve into the dangers of processed foods and their links to obesity, reframing it as a sign of malnutrition rather than affluence. Explore the paradox of rising food spending against deteriorating nutrition quality. Uncover the health implications of modern agricultural practices and the vital connection between soil health and our diet.
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5 snips
Aug 26, 2025 • 50min

288. The Fiat Standard Lecture 7: Fiat Life

The discussion unveils how fiat money elevates immediate gratification over savings, distorting economic behavior. It explores the evolution of money, revealing how gold fosters long-term planning, unlike unstable fiat currencies. The erosion of property security and moral standards under government control is examined, alongside the detrimental societal impacts of inflation on quality and value. Furthermore, the podcast highlights how a welfare state can weaken family structures, emphasizing the importance of personal incentives and family bonds.
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35 snips
Aug 19, 2025 • 54min

287. The Fiat Standard Lecture 6: What Is Fiat Good For?

The discussion reveals fiat currency's ability to facilitate global adoption and government financing. It contrasts fiat with gold, highlighting the risks of fractional-reserve banking fostered by the Federal Reserve. The critique of money-printing illustrates how it contributes to dollar devaluation and the illusion of economic growth. Additionally, the podcast delves into the intricacies of banking systems, examining how low interest rates and shadow banking shape modern money creation, raising questions about sustainability and true financial stability.
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39 snips
Aug 12, 2025 • 50min

286. The Fiat Standard: Lecture 5: Fiat Balances: Universal Debt Slavery

Delve into the intricacies of fiat currencies and their detrimental influence on personal finances. Discover how the shift from gold-backed systems to fiat contributes to debt dependence and economic instability. The discussion highlights the illusion of fiscal health with credit ratings amid rampant inflation. Explore the evolution of investment strategies in a post-crisis world, emphasizing the tension between saving and investing. Finally, challenge the narrative that inflation fuels growth while acknowledging its burdens on savers.
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37 snips
Aug 5, 2025 • 1h 4min

285. The Fiat Standard: Lecture 4 - Fiat Mining

Discover how fiat money is 'mined' through credit creation, driving people into debt and inflating prices. Listen to a critique of the flimsy Consumer Price Index and the flawed narratives around inflation and deflation. Explore the motivations behind irresponsible lending and its consequences, contrasting these with the stability offered by Bitcoin. This enlightening discussion sheds light on the economic mechanisms that impact savings and purchasing power, making it a must-listen for anyone curious about modern money.
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24 snips
Jul 29, 2025 • 43min

284. The Fiat Standard: Lecture 3 - Fiat Technology

Discover the fascinating mechanics of the fiat monetary system, where debt fuels money creation and wealth is subtly devalued. Dive into the monopolistic influence of central banks, questioning their role in a free market. The discussion challenges the necessity of state-controlled currency and explores how competition could thrive without central intervention. Additionally, the contrast between centralized fiat and decentralized currencies like Bitcoin highlights the innovative aspects of money creation.

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