Last Minute Lecture

The Wheels of Industry — Energy, Consumerism, and the Industrial Revolution Explained | Chapter 17 from Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari How did the Industrial Revolution reshape not only economies, but the very fabric of daily life and the fate of billions of humans and animals? In Chapter 17 of Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind , Yuval Noah Harari explores the origins, mechanisms, and consequences of industrialization—from steam engines to consumer culture and factory farming. Watch the full chapter summary below and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for detailed guides to every chapter! The Industrial Revolution: Energy and Materials Harari explains how the modern era’s explosive growth started with new ways to extract and convert energy—steam, electricity, fossil fuels—and invent materials like aluminum, plastic, and synthetic fertilizers. This technological leap unlocked a cycle of productivity, invention, and rapid change unlike anything before. Key Topics in Chapt...

The Capitalist Creed — Credit, Growth, and the Modern Economic Religion Explained | Chapter 16 from Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari What made capitalism the most powerful economic engine in history? In Chapter 16 of Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind , Yuval Noah Harari argues that capitalism is not just an economic system, but a belief system—rooted in trust, the promise of endless growth, and the reinvestment of profits for a better future. Watch the full chapter summary below and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for expert academic breakdowns! Capitalism: Faith in the Future Harari explores how modern banking, credit, and the very concept of economic growth rely on shared belief. Unlike earlier zero-sum worldviews, capitalism made prosperity a collective project—trust in tomorrow fuels investment today. Adam Smith reframed personal profit as a force for social good, shifting greed from a vice to a virtue. Key Topics in Chapter 16 Capitalism as Belief System: The...