Napoleon understood something modern politicians pretend to ignore: wars cost money, and central banks exist to finance them without the messy business of asking taxpayers directly.
The Banque de France, established in 1800, gave Bonaparte exactly what he needed: a printing press disguised as monetary policy. Within four years, Napoleon granted the bank exclusive note-issuing privileges for Paris, and by 1848, it monopolized currency creation across France.
The pattern never changes: create a central bank, grant it money creation powers, then fund endless military adventures while citizens watch their purchasing power evaporate.
Bonaparte's wars consumed roughly 2.5 billion francs between 1803-1815. Direct taxation would have sparked revolution (again). So the Banque de France simply created money, bought government bonds, and voilร โinvisible taxation through inflation. French citizens paid for Austerlitz, Jena, and Waterloo through debased currency, not knowing they funded each cannonball and cavalry charge through their shrinking wages and savings.
The genius of central banking lies in this deception. You can't see inflation the way you see income taxes. When bread costs more, people blame bakers, not bankers. When wages stagnate, they blame employers, not money printers. Napoleon's wars would have ended quickly if he had to knock on doors asking French families to fund another campaign against Austria.
Every central bank since has followed Napoleon's playbook. The Federal Reserve financing Wilson's war, Nixon's Vietnam spending spree, Bush's Iraq adventure.
The technology changes, but the scam remains identical: steal purchasing power gradually, fund government expansion continuously, and convince the public that monetary policy serves their interests rather than the state's appetite for power.
@mikemcglone11 Just finished watching the interview. Donโt beat yourself up. I think Larry started being rude with the swearing and you kept your composure well. Obvious emotional reaction to you disagreeing with him and compounded by a slow feed. None of it warrants a reaction like that imo
@farzyness@elonmusk@Tesla Also, if someone hits me and totals my car do I get to transfer it to a new vehicle or is it fully reimbursed in the insurance claim?
@SamaHoole Hi Sama,
Great content with nutrition and training. Iโve recently adopted the 4-6 x 2 method and I have 2 questions:
What do you do for small non compound exercises like calf muscles raises?
And how often do you do your PR or 1x1 max?
Thank you