This episode explores the long history of energy use as told by Vaclav Smil in Energy and Civilization: A History⁠, starting with the basic power of human and animal muscles and moving toward the harnessing of wind and water.

We will look at how these traditional power sources were essential for early agriculture, transportation, and manufacturing.

The episode also examines the transition to the use of fossil fuels like coal, which greatly expanded the availability of energy and enabled the Industrial Revolution.

We will see how innovations like the steam engine and the development of electricity transformed societies, and also look at the human cost of these developments, for example in coal mining.

Finally, we will consider how the concentration of power in modern technologies requires new safety precautions and how energy use continues to evolve and impact our civilization.

Source: Energy and Civilization: A History by Vaclav Smil

This Week in Healthcare, Jan 10, 2024

In this week’s episode of The Intersect, we dive into the latest headlines reshaping the healthcare industry.

From CVS’s bold move to "cost plus" pharmacy pricing to Transcarent’s $621 million acquisition of Accolade, strategic shifts in healthcare delivery and benefits are taking center stage.

We also explore the FDA’s efforts to tackle bias in AI-powered medical devices, a new rule wiping medical debt from credit reports, and updates on UnitedHealth’s delayed $3.3 billion merger.

Plus, we break down the VA’s timeline to resume its electronic health record rollout and what’s next in the ongoing reassessment of state Certificate of Need laws.

Tune in for insightful analysis and discussions on the stories that matter most in This Week in Healthcare!

This episode is adapted from a transcript of The Storytelling Expert: Hidden Triggers That Make People Act | Matthew Dicks on September 4, 2024 by The Knowledge Project Podcast from Farnam Street.

Master storyteller Matthew Dicks reveals the hidden blueprint behind stories that win million-dollar deals, transform resistant teams, and turn skeptical investors into champions.

Learn why most leaders tell stories that fail, and discover the counterintuitive techniques that make audiences lean in, remember, and act. From high-stakes boardrooms to viral TED talks, Dicks unveils the psychological triggers that turn everyday moments into weapons of mass persuasion.

Dicks emphasizes that a story is about change, usually a shift in mindset or transformation. He highlights that the fundamental rule for great storytelling is understanding that no one is obligated to listen unless given a reason. Skilled storytellers acknowledge that they must “entertain relentlessly” regardless of the format.

Dicks discusses how much preparation goes into making a story appear spontaneous. The best storytellers find a middle ground, where they "remember" stories rather than memorize them verbatim, allowing for flexibility in delivery based on the audience's engagement.

He describes carrying “five anecdotes in his pocket” to re-engage an audience if needed. The art is in knowing the beats, the key moments, without locking into precise phrasing.

He also notes that a story should stay with you for days, weeks, or even a lifetime, unlike anecdotes which are easily forgotten. A well-told story creates a connection with the listener’s life experiences, eliciting shared emotions and reflections.

Dicks uses "The Spoon of Power" story to illustrate his points. He explains that he organizes his stories around scenes, each tied to a location: the playground, the classroom, the math test, the bus ride, the principal’s office, the hallway, the last day of school, and the pandemic year.

Dicks outlines the "Mount Rushmore" of storytelling elements: stakes, suspense, surprise, and humor and introduces six key storytelling techniques.