Money: A History of Human Trust and the Ishango Bone
Explore the history of money as a system of human trust, from the 20,000-year-old Ishango bone and ancient tally marks to modern digital ledgers and debt.
Best quote from Money: A History of Human Trust and the Ishango Bone
Money wasn’t a thing you held; it was the quantifiable notion of 'I owe you one unit of something.' If the Ishango bone is the ancestor of our digital ledgers, then money has always been a way of managing human relationships.
This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member
Money
Frequently Asked Questions
The Ishango bone is a 20,000-year-old baboon thigh bone discovered near the Nile that features purposeful, matched tally marks. It is significant because it represents one of the world's first spreadsheets and serves as an ancestor to modern digital ledgers. This ancient artifact suggests that humans were hardwired to track obligations and debts long before the invention of physical currency or formal banking systems.
The 'money of account' system challenges the classic idea that humans began with bartering goods like chickens for cows. Instead of swapping physical items, anthropologists like David Graeber argue that early societies focused on keeping track of quantifiable obligations. In this view, money originated not as a physical object to be held, but as a record of trust and the notion of owing someone a specific unit of something.
According to the history of human trust, money is less about the physical 'stuff' in our wallets and more about the record of promises made between people. From ancient tally marks on bones to the numbers on our phone screens today, money serves as a quantifiable way to track what we owe each other. This perspective shifts the focus from the object itself to the underlying social trust and the history of debt.
Discover more
Money, Power, and Human Weirdness
This plan is essential for ambitious individuals who want to master the hidden forces of psychology and strategy that govern success. It is designed for those looking to build lasting wealth while navigating complex social hierarchies and global trends with clarity.
History
This plan provides a comprehensive look at how human history is constructed and interpreted beyond just dates and facts. It is ideal for curious learners and students who want to develop critical thinking skills and understand the forces shaping our modern global society.
Money management
Financial literacy is essential for achieving stability and building wealth in today's complex economy. This learning plan provides a comprehensive roadmap for anyone looking to take control of their finances, eliminate debt, and develop strategies for long-term financial independence.
The Pendulum of Power: A History of Human Ambition
This plan provides a macro-historical lens on how power dynamics and social structures evolve over millennia. It is ideal for history enthusiasts and policy thinkers seeking to understand the root causes of societal rise and fall.
Money scripts and behavioral finance
This learning plan is essential for anyone who finds themselves repeating poor financial patterns despite knowing better. It bridges the gap between financial knowledge and actual behavior, making it ideal for investors, spenders, and professionals seeking to master their money mindset.
history of stock market
Understanding stock market history provides crucial context for today's investors, revealing patterns that continue to influence modern markets. This learning plan benefits investors at all levels who want to make more informed decisions by understanding the historical forces, crashes, and regulatory developments that shaped our financial systems.
History of Human Belief & Betterment Efforts
This plan tracks the intersection of human spirituality, ethics, and activism to provide a roadmap for meaningful global impact. It is ideal for aspiring leaders, advocates, and lifelong learners seeking to understand how historical values drive modern progress.
The Rise of Sapiens
This plan offers a profound look at the cognitive and structural shifts that defined humanity's trajectory. It is ideal for history enthusiasts and curious minds seeking to understand how collective beliefs and scientific breakthroughs shaped the modern world.
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
