Standard Oil was dismantled by the Supreme Court in 1911. Here's how powerful Standard Oil would be today if that didn't happen, by way of looking at what the original company became over time after being broken into 34 pieces:

The EU, Japan, Canada, and Australia also went through their own anti-trust period with oil.

Now think of all the oil-rich countries where anti-trust never happened. Where did all that power singularly coalesce? They're all dictatorships no?

The price of diamonds is collapsing. This once shimmering compressed carbon rock was thought of as a reliable store of value. The problem isn't just that yours truly (bitcoin) is here, but artificial diamonds look as good to the naked eye and even better under a microscope (they lack natural impurities). They cost one-third the price, come with none of the bloody fiat social issues, and marriage rates are falling.

Let's repeat that widely cited rule: You should spend three months' salary on an engagement ring. Damn that's so faux pas here in California. Women will proudly megawatt a smile and tell you their ring is artificial and conflict free, literally beaming with moral fortitude. Technically it's a "real" diamond and what would've traditionally gone towards a conflict rock can go into a down payment on a home or yours truly. Same thing will happen when space gold fucks the supply of earth gold?

You thought temples in Ancient Rome were for worshiping gods? For the plebeians sure, but for the people with money they were vaults. It's where money and valuables were stored in the city, and they offered banking services to the Senator, Equestrian, and Patrician classes. It was in the nobility's interest to make certain these temples were always considered sacred and inviolable places, with their own special punishments for anyone questioning things.

It's no wonder they served christians to beasts in the Coliseum? You can't have people running around thinking Ceres won't punish your family or fertility. I could swear to god (no pun) the temple above looks curiously similar to the US Treasury and Fed bank buildings.