"WhatifAlthist" | World History, Philosophy, Culture

Latest Episodes:

the lonely crowd consooms all Sep 17, 2025

Show notes

After wandering with digital nomads, I discovered nightclub culture perfectly embodies our societal illness—everyone pretending to enjoy activities they hate because they think others find them cool. This anthropological bluff extends throughout Western civilization, creating David Riesman's "lonely crowd" where authentic connection becomes impossible. Our society rewards conformity while punishing genuine personality, trapping us in a popularity contest that's destroying meaning, innovation, and human flourishing itself.

SPONSORS:

Zcash:

The right technology reshapes politics and culture toward freedom and prosperity. Zcash—the "machinery of freedom"—delivers unstoppable private money through encryption. When your wealth is unseen, it's unseizable. Download Zashi wallet and follow @genzcash to learn more: ⁠⁠https://x.com/genzcash⁠⁠⁠

NetSuite:

More than 42,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud financial system bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, HR, into ONE proven platform. Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine learning: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://netsuite.com/102⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Shopify:

Shopify powers millions of businesses worldwide, handling 10% of U.S. e-commerce. With hundreds of templates, AI tools for product descriptions, and seamless marketing campaign creation, it's like having a design studio and marketing team in one. Start your $1/month trial today at ⁠⁠https://shopify.com/cognitive

LINKS: Link to my second podcast on world history and interviews: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0NCSdGglnmdWg-qHALhu1w⁠⁠ Link to my Twitter-⁠⁠https://x.com/whatifalthist⁠⁠ Link to my Instagram-⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/rudyardwlynch/?hl=en⁠⁠

Bibliography:

The Lonely Crowd by David Riesman On Power by Betrand de Jouvenal Very Important People by Ashley Mears The Righteous Mind by Jon Haidt The Instincts of the Herd in Peace and War by Wilfred Trotter The Psychology of Socialism by Gustave le Bon The Psychology of Revolution by Gustave le Bon The Crowd by Gustave le Bon The Coming Caesars by Amaury de riencourt The Delusions of Crowds by Bernstein Spiral Dynamics Integral by Beck Identity by Francis Fukuyama The Anxious Generation by Jon Haidt The Muqqahdima by Ibn Khaldun The Culture of Narcissism by Lasch The Total State by Auron Macintrye Nihilism by Seraphim Rose The Leviathan and its Enemies by Sam Francis The Decline of the West by Oswald Spengler The True Believer by Eric Hoffer Envy by Helmut Schoeck The Happiness Hypothesis by John Haidt Behave by Sapolsky

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Story of Black America Aug 22, 2025

Show notes

In progressive religion, African-Americans occupy a sacred caste status—beyond criticism, requiring constant resource redistribution. Yet this narrative ironically continues black America's core historical theme: dehumanization. Leftists project onto black Americans whatever serves their power needs rather than seeing them authentically. Growing up in majority-black Philadelphia taught me that most progressives from whiter areas fundamentally misunderstand black culture, perpetuating the very dehumanization they claim to oppose.

SPONSORS:

Zcash:

NetSuite:

More than 42,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud financial system bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, HR, into ONE proven platform. Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine learning: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://netsuite.com/102⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Shopify:

LINKS: Link to my second podcast on world history and interviews: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0NCSdGglnmdWg-qHALhu1w⁠ Link to my Twitter-⁠https://x.com/whatifalthist⁠ Link to my Instagram-⁠https://www.instagram.com/rudyardwlynch/?hl=en⁠

Bibliography: Bibliography: Atrocities by Matthew White Plagues and Peoples by McNeil the Elder Rise of the West by McNeil the Elder Mosquito Empires by McNeil the Younger The Story of the Americas by Leland Dewitt Baldwin American Nations by Colin Woodard Albion's Seed by David Hackett Fischer African Founders by David Hackett Fischer Roll Jordan Roll by Eugene Genovese Ethnic America by Thomas Sowell Conquests and Cultures by Thomas Sowell Lineages of Modernity by Todd Emmanuel The Origins of Ideology by Todd Emmanuel Civilizations by Armesto A History of Civilizations by Braudel Bound Away by David Hackett Fischer Inside Africa by John Gunther Africa, a History by John Reader Generations of Captivity by Berlin Africa in History by Basil Davidson Who We are and How we got here by David Reich The Tree of Culture by Ralph Linton The Unabomber's Manifesto The Nine Nations of North America by Joel Garreau Seeing like a State by James Lindsay the 3D Gospel by Georges

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

India-Pakistan: Asia's WW1? Aug 08, 2025

Show notes

Within a month of recording, the year's most politically important event happened—and NOBODY in the West covered it. India and Pakistan (combined population larger than Russia-Ukraine) exchanged missiles across borders in an escalation eerily mirroring 1914's Franz Ferdinand assassination. Two industrialized multi-ethnic empires fighting over terrorist proxies while alliance networks threaten continental war. Our media's total blackout reveals how completely we've lost track of global reality.

SPONSORS:

NetSuite:

More than 41,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud financial system bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, HR, into ONE proven platform. Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine learning: ⁠https://netsuite.com/102⁠

Shopify:

Go to https://tryfum.com/WHATIFALTHIST or scan the QR code and use code WHATIFALTHIST to get your free FÜM Topper when you order your Journey Pack today.

LINKS: Link to my second podcast on world history and interviews: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0NCSdGglnmdWg-qHALhu1w Link to my Twitter-https://x.com/whatifalthist Link to my Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/rudyardwlynch/?hl=en Bibliography: Disunited Nations by Peter Zeihan The Origins of Political Order by Fukuyama Monsoon by Kaplan Asian Waters by Humphrey Hawksley Asia's Cauldron by Kaplan The First World War by John Keegan The High Tower by Barbara Tuchman Europe by Norman Davies India by John Keay The Psychology of the Great War by Gustave le Bon Inglorious Empire by Sashi Tharoor

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Rise and Fall of the Bluepill Jun 06, 2025

Show notes

A historic shift occurred in the early 20th century when the West completely suspended any concept of reality or meaning. We adopted a new religion whose core belief was that it WASN'T a religion—agnostic liberalism that declared thousands of years of human struggle for glory and meaning "unnecessary." This tyranny greater than Rome or the Catholic Church dominates every moment of our lives while remaining invisible, creating our current "age of platitudes."

SPONSORS:

NetSuite:

Shopify:
Shopify powers millions of businesses worldwide, handling 10% of U.S. e-commerce. With hundreds of templates, AI tools for product descriptions, and seamless marketing campaign creation, it's like having a design studio and marketing team in one. Start your $1/month trial today at https://shopify.com/cognitive

Try High Flavanol Cocoa (Stem Cells & Nitric Oxide): (40% OFF PROMO FOR 48HR) https://blackforestsupplements.com/WHAT LINKS: Link to my second podcast on world history and interviews: / @history102-qg5oj Link to my Twitter-https://twitter.com/whatifalthist?ref... Link to my Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/rudyardwlyn... Bibliography: The Passion of the Western Mind by Tarnas A History of Western Philosophy of Bertrand Russell Mankind the Story of All of Us by the History Channel Maps of Meaning by Jordan Peterson The Gateway Protocol by Robert Monroe Leviathan and Its Enemies by Sam Francis The Total State by Auron Macintyre After Liberalism by Paul Gottfried The Crowd by Gustave le Bon The Revolt of the Elites by Lasch Ages of Discord by Peter Turchin Regime Change by Deneen The Economics of Discontent by Jean Michel Paul Warriors and Worriers by Joyce Benneson Fire in the Minds of Men by Billington A Conflict of Visions by Thomas Sowell

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Explaining Jewish Civilization May 17, 2025

Show notes

After reading 3,000+ pages for this series, I've concluded the Jews represent history's most improbable civilization. Pennsylvania alone has almost as many people as all Jews worldwide (15 million), yet this tiny desert tribe has repeatedly altered world history's trajectory over 4,000 years. They've produced ONE-THIRD of all Nobel Prize winners while comprising less than 1% of global population and birthed three major world religions. Their continued existence and influence completely defies rational historical models—making them perhaps history's most accomplished ethnic group.

SPONSORS:

NetSuite:

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code WHATIFALTHIST at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/whatifalthist

LINKS: Link to my second podcast on world history and interviews: / @history102-qg5oj Link to my Twitter-https://twitter.com/whatifalthist?ref... Link to my Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/rudyardwlyn... Bibliography: Paul. Johnson's History of the Jews A History of the Jewish People by Ben Sasson Our Oriental Heritage by Will Durant Caesar and Christ by Will Durant The Age of Faith by Will Durant Who We Are and How we Got Here by David Reich The Passion of the Western Mind by Tarnas A History of Religious Ideas by Mircea Eliade The Ordeal of Civility by Cuddihy The Jewish Evolutionary Strategy by Kevin Macdonald The Culture of Critique by Kevin Macdonald The People that Will Dwell Alone by Kevin Macdonal Pax by Tom Holland Dominion by Tom Holland Migrations and Cultures by Thomas Sowell A History of the Ancient World by Ben Sasson The Shaping of America by Meinig American Nations by Colin Woodard Masks of the Gods by Joseph Camble Sex and Power in History by Amaury de Riencourt Lineages of Modernity by Emmanuel ToddT The Righteous Mind by John haidt The Evolution of Civilizations by Carroll Quiggley A History of Egypt by Breasted 1177 BC the Year Civilization Died by Eric Cline Debt by David Grabber A Guide to Late Antiquity by Peter Brown Fire in the Minds of Men by Billington Cynical Theories by James Lindsay The Decline of the West by Oswald Spengler The World's Religions by Houston Smith Blooodlands by Timothy Snyder

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Explaining Every Jewish Migration | Expulsion May 13, 2025

Show notes

After reading THOUSANDS of pages on Jewish civilization, I've hit that "skeleton key" threshold where the soul of a civilization becomes clear. Like India, Judaism is an "asterisk civilization"—for every principle, there's a paradoxical counterpoint. The sheer historical complexity demands its own dedicated video. Modern discourse about Jews suffers from profound historical illiteracy—most "experts" haven't read a single book on the topic. This episode provides the essential context everyone needs.

SPONSORS:

NetSuite:

Compare news coverage. Spot media bias. Avoid algorithms. Try Ground News today and get 40% off your subscription by going to https://ground.news/whatif

Bibliography: The Passion of the Western Mind by Tarnas Migrations and Cultures by Thomas Sowell Ethnic America by Thomas Sowell A History of the Ancient World by Susan Wise Bauer Pax by Tom Holland Dominion by Tom Holland Rise of the West by McNeil A World History by McNeil Our Oriental Heritage by Will Durant The Life of Greece by Will Durant Caesar and Christ by Will Durant The Age of Faith by Will Durant The People that Shell Dwell Alone by Kevin Macdonald The Age of Reason Begins by Will Durant Europe Emerges by Reynold A History of the Jews by Paul Johnson A History of the Jews by Ben Sasson Decline of the West by Oswald Spengler A History of Russia, Central Asia and Mongolia by David Christian Empires of the Atlantic World by Evans Crusaders and Nomads by Lewis

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Explaining Native Mexican Civilization May 13, 2025

Show notes

The once-mighty Maya civilization—with populations LARGER than today's Yucatan—faced apocalyptic collapse in the 10th century. As unprecedented drought persisted, desperate nobles demanded increasingly extreme blood sacrifices while peasants abandoned a system clearly abandoned by the gods. The priests, whose calendar had predicted this cycle of rise and fall, watched helplessly as city-states waged total wars of annihilation. A haunting glimpse into what civilizational collapse truly looks like.

SPONSORS:

NetSuite:

Bibliography:

Fire and Blood by Fehrenbach Epic Mexico by Rugely Rise of the West by McNeil 1491 by Mann Fifth Sun by Camilla Townsend A History of Latin America by Hubert Herring Why Nations Fail by Robinson and Acemoglu Empires of the Atlantic World by Elliot The Story of the Americas by Leland Dewitt Baldwin Atrocities by Matthew White The Ancient Sun Kingdoms of the Americas by Hagen Nine Nations of North America by Garreau Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari The Decline of the West by Spengler Our Oriental Heritage by Will Durant The Soul of India by Amaury de riencourt Masks of the Gods volume 1 and 2 by Joseph Camble The Year 1000 by Valerie Hansen War Before Civilization by Lawrence Keeley The Day Before Yesterday Tamim Ansary Spiral Dynamics by Beck Sex and Culture by JD Unwin The Explanation of Ideology by Emmanuel Todd The 3D Gospel by Georges Don't Know Much about Mythology by Ken Davis

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Was Churchill a Villain? Apr 21, 2025

Show notes

World events keep derailing my civilization series! As a professional historian, I felt compelled to address the recent Rogan/Cooper podcast pushing the revisionist claim that Churchill was the villain of WWII who caused millions of deaths by refusing Hitler's peace offer. Let's examine what the historical evidence actually shows about this controversial take.

SPONSORS:

NetSuite:

Shopify:

Click here to make some cash for giving your opinion with YouGov: https://www.inflcr.co/SHLCl

Thanks, YouGov, for sponsoring this video!

LINKS:

Link to my second podcast on world history and interviews: / @history102-qg5oj

Link to my Twitter-https://twitter.com/whatifalthist?ref...

Link to my Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/rudyardwlyn...

Bibliography:

Liddle Hart's the Second World War 2

Bloodlands by Timothy Snyder

The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by Shirer

World War 2 by Childers

My Early Life by Winston Churchill

A History of the English Speaking Peoples after 1900 by Andrew Roberts

A Military History of the Western World by JFC Fuller

The Dictators by Richard Overy

The Rule of Empires by Parsons

Tragedy and Hope by Carroll Quiggley

War in Human Civilization by Azar Gat

The World at War by Forster

If the Allies had Fallen by Showalter

History's Greatest Wars by Cummins

A History of Russia, Central Asia and Mongolia by David Christian

Honor by Bowman

Cynical Theories by James Lindsay

Fire in the Minds of Men by Billington

Atrocities by Matthew White

The First World War 1 by John Keegan

The Second World War by John Keegan

The History of the English Speakings Peoples by Winston Churchill

Albion's Seed by David Hackett Fischer

15 Battles of History by Creasy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WTF is the Left Even Doing? Mar 17, 2025

Show notes

We're living through a historic inflection point where the left lost the presidency but still dominates virtually every Western institution. Despite their electoral defeat, they control the bureaucracy, UN, Big Tech, media, academia, and even the Catholic Church—while the right has built no alternative power structures. The burning question is what the left will actually DO with this paradoxical position, as their own leadership seems unsure following Trump's victory. Their next moves will inevitably shape our historical trajectory as history is carved into stone before our eyes.

SPONSORS:

NetSuite:

Shopify:

Surfshark:

Go to https://surfshark.com/whatdeal for 4 extra months of Surfshark

LINKS:

Link to my second podcast on world history and interviews: / @history102-qg5oj

Link to my Twitter-https://twitter.com/whatifalthist?ref...

Link to my Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/rudyardwlyn...

Bibliography:

The Righteous Mind by Jon Haidt

Ages of Discord by Peter Turchin

End Times by Peter Turchin

The Master and His Emissary by Ian McGhilchrist

The Storm before the Calm by George Friedman

On Grand Strategy by John Lewis Gaddis

The True Believer by Eric Hoffer

Woke Racism by John McWhorter

Leviathan and its Enemies by Sam Francis

Regime Change by Patrick Deneen

The Origins of Woke by Richard Hanania

The Unabomber's Manifesto

The Revolt of the Elites by Lasch

The Total State by Auron Macintyre

A Conflict of Visions by Thomas Sowell

Seeing like a State by James Scott

After Liberalism by Paul Gottfried

Japan and the Shackles of the Past by Taggart Murphy

Destined for War by Graham Allison

Envy by Helmut Schoeck

Cynical Theories by James Lindsay

Spiral Dynamics by Don Beck

Forgotten Truth by Houston Smith

The Economics of Discontent by Jean Michel Paul

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Explaining Steppe Anti-Civilization Mar 04, 2025

Show notes

Beyond the Big Four Eurasian civilizations (Europe, India, Middle East, China) that dominated 90% of humanity, there existed a fifth major player—not a civilization, but its opposite. The Steppe produced history's greatest conquerors despite having 1/100th the population and no cities or formal religions. These nomadic warriors influenced world history as much as any civilization, creating an anti-civilization power that repeatedly brought empires to their knees. The ultimate historical paradox: how could Mongolia conquer China with 1% of its population?

SPONSORS:

NetSuite:

Shopify:

Go to https://ground.news/whatif to stay fully informed on every side of every story. Save 50% on unlimited access with their Vantage Plan through my link. It's their biggest sale of the year!

LINKS:

Link to my second podcast on world history and interviews: / @history102-qg5oj

Link to my Twitter-https://twitter.com/whatifalthist?ref...

Link to my Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/rudyardwlyn...

Bibliography:

A History of Russia, Central Asia and Mongolia by David Christian

The Invention of Yesterday by Tamim Ansary

Europe's Steppe Frontier 1500-1800 by McNeil

Plagues and Peoples by McNeil

Rise of the West by McNeil

Genghis Khan and the making of the modern world by Jack Weatherford

The Khan Trilogy by Khan Iggulden (fiction but is the best intro to Mongol history for lay people since the author does the research really well)