In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the cryptocurrency craze.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• The crash of TerraLuna is proving “crypto” to be both more than a passing trend and less than the miracle its boosters once promised. We recommended Kevin Roose’s “Latecomer’s Guide to Crypto” in the New York Times. Niki drew on this History News Network article to link crypto enthusiasm to other financial bubbles, and Natalia referred to James Ledbetter’s FIN Substack This 2013 (early) history of Bitcoin from New York Times provided useful context for all of us. Niki also recommended David Yaffe-Bellany’s New York Times piece, “Ben McKenzie Would Like a Word with the Crypto Bros,” and the Crypto Island podcast.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia talked about Amy Odell’s new book, Anna: The Biography.
• Neil discussed Sarah Pulliam Bailey’s Washington Post article, “Southern Baptist Leaders Covered Up Sex Abuse, Kept Secret Database, Report Says.”
• Niki recommended Maureen Ryan’s Vanity Fair article, “The Great Pottery Throwdown is a Balm for a Weary Age.”