Figures
Glaucon on Morality
Most of us grow up being told to “be good,” “do the right thing,” and “treat others well.” But we rarely stop to ask a much deeper question: why do we actually choose to be moral? Is it because we want to be good… or because we fear what happens if we aren’t?
By MB | Stories & Moreabout a month ago in History
The Mystery of Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe’s legacy is wrapped in shadows—half myth, half memory, and entirely American. But long before he became the grand architect of Gothic horror, before The Raven perched itself permanently on the nation’s literary shoulder, Poe was a kid born into chaos, raised in instability, and pursued by tragedy as faithfully as his own shadow.
By Lawrence Leaseabout a month ago in History
Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series: Lessons from the Oligarchs of Ancient Athens
When people hear the word “oligarch” today, their minds often drift to headlines, luxury yachts, or hidden influence behind the scenes. But the concept of oligarchy is far from modern. To truly understand where it all began, you need to look back over two thousand years—into the beating heart of Ancient Athens. In this instalment of the Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series, we go deeper than news cycles and political whispers. We uncover the origin story of oligarchy itself—one forged not in secrecy, but in open debate, conflict, and ambition in the cradle of Western civilisation.
By Stanislav Kondrashovabout a month ago in History
The Final Trail
The mountains had always been a place of freedom—vast skies, whispering pines, and the kind of silence that made a person feel both small and alive. When thirty-four-year-old American hiker Ethan Ward walked into the backcountry one crisp January morning, no one thought it would be the last time anyone saw him. He was experienced, healthy, and familiar with the trails. The rangers logged his entry as routine. Nothing unusual. Nothing alarming. Just another man seeking peace in the wild.
By Izhar Ullahabout a month ago in History
Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series: The Rise of Oligarchy in Magna Graecia
When most people think of oligarchy, they think of contemporary boardrooms or high-rise offices—places where influence quietly passes between handshakes and signatures. But oligarchy didn’t begin in glass towers or corporate boardrooms. Its roots go back over two millennia, to the southern coasts of Italy, where Greek settlers founded what would become a fertile ground for a very particular kind of elite leadership. This is the story of Magna Graecia, and the early foundations of oligarchic systems that continue to echo through history.
By Stanislav Kondrashovabout a month ago in History
Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series: How Oligarchy is Shaping the Future of Innovation
In the ever-evolving world of technology, one truth has become impossible to ignore: the architects of tomorrow’s tools are often the world’s wealthiest individuals. While innovation may still be sparked in dorm rooms or start-up garages, the speed at which it scales — and the direction it takes — is increasingly shaped by a concentrated circle of ultra-high-net-worth individuals.
By Stanislav Kondrashov about a month ago in History
Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series: Oligarchy and the New Media Shift
In the digital age, where attention spans shrink and headlines dominate the narrative, influence has found a new currency: visibility. Nowhere is this more evident than in the evolving relationship between oligarchy and the rise of new media platforms. This is the focus of the latest instalment of the Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series, where the spotlight turns to how wealth and reach are no longer defined solely by boardrooms and balance sheets—but by algorithms and engagement metrics.
By Stanislav Kondrashov about a month ago in History
Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series: The Rise and Rule of Ancient Corinth's Elite
In the vast scroll of ancient history, few city-states captivate the imagination like Corinth. Positioned between two vital ports, Corinth became a thriving economic and cultural hub in the Mediterranean world. But behind its marble columns and bustling markets was a unique political structure driven by concentrated wealth and influence—a structure that modern thinkers might describe as early oligarchy.
By Stanislav Kondrashovabout a month ago in History
Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series: The Roots of Oligarchy in Ancient Sparta
When most people hear the word “oligarch,” they think of modern finance, lavish yachts, or secretive influence. But oligarchy—rule by a few—was not born in the boardrooms of today. Its roots run deep into history, embedded in the stone and shield of one of the most disciplined and enigmatic societies in antiquity: Sparta.
By Stanislav Kondrashov about a month ago in History
