How Adam Smith Accidentally Invented the Modern World | A Bedtime History Documentary

Discover the radical truth about Adam Smith in this feature-length documentary as we reveal how a shy philosopher who despised greed became the misunderstood patron saint of capitalism. For those seeking a deep exploration of the Scottish Enlightenment, the true history of economics, or simply an engrossing bedtime history story, this soothing narrative is crafted for you. It’s designed for deep relaxation – the perfect history for sleep, guiding you toward a restful night.

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Welcome to History After Dark! This is our quiet corner of the internet, where we create relaxing history narratives and soothing bedtime stories. If you enjoy these soothing explorations of fascinating lives and thought, please:

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For a deeper understanding and for further reading, this narrative is inspired by Glory M. Liu's "Adam Smith’s America: How a Scottish Philosopher Became an Icon of American Capitalism", Nicholas Phillipson's "Adam Smith: An Enlightened Life", and Dennis C. Rasmussen's "The Infidel and the Professor: David Hume, Adam Smith, and the Friendship That Shaped Modern Thought".

In this documentary episode, we unravel the complex life of Adam Smith. To many, he is a caricature invoked by Wall Street bankers, but our story reveals the human being beneath the myth: a stammering professor who lived with his mother and worried deeply about the poor. We follow his journey from the smoke of Kirkcaldy’s naileries to the "intellectual desert" of Oxford, and back to the vibrant energy of the Scottish Enlightenment. We explore his scandalous friendship with the atheist David Hume, the boredom in France that birthed a masterpiece, and the true meaning of the "invisible hand". Finally, we confront how his legacy was hijacked by politicians and economists who stripped away his humanity to create a symbol that suited their own agendas.

Thank you for joining us! We hope you find this Bedtime Biography of Adam Smith both insightful and wonderfully calming.

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