CATASTROPHIC MISCALCULATION

Have you ever made a catastrophic mistake? What if your mistakes could cause an empire to fall, a war to start, or thirty million people to starve to death? History and politics are defined by catastrophic miscalculations -- those "oops" moments in which leaders cause immense damage because they just didn't think things through.

What if your mistakes could cause an empire to fall, a war to start, or thirty million people to starve to death? Whether it's Mao's campaign to murder sparrows leading to a deadly famine; or an emperor who really, really should have bought a cannon, such mistakes define our past, present, and future. Why should you check your clocks before launching a covert invasion? Why are bat bombs not such a great idea? What happens when a dictator decides to base the economy on his lucky number and astrology? Don't make the mistake of not listening.

This episode features Cara Giamo, Michael Peele, Professor Tun Myint, and Dr. Kori Schake.