Conspiracy theories are non-scientific theories that attempt to explain the complex power relations of groups, typically by assigning malicious intent to groups and individuals. It is not that people don’t conspire, it is that one can’t properly put a jigsaw puzzle together without understanding the pieces. Often, the blank spaces are filled in with paranoid half-truths, resulting in a convincing, but ultimately misleading theory.

You can read all about the general truth behind conspiracy theories here.

The Birth of Modern Banking

The Birth of Banking

Modern banking originated in Italy around 1150 as Jews fleeing persecution brought new practices, including “discounting”, to the merchant banks of the Italian piazzas.