The Library of Mistakes

Join Russell Napier in conversation with FT journalist Robin Wigglesworth discussing his fascinating new book on the history of bonds – A Fabulous Debt: The Epic Story of How Bonds Built the Modern World.Enjoy an entertaining and fact-packed gallop through the 400-year history of 'tradeable loans' – and hear about Robin's 'rock star' moment when he got to hold the world's oldest performing bond. Made from goatskin, it's still paying out interest four centuries on.Produced by Fraser Allen•Want to get a better understanding of how the markets really work? Explore our renowned Practical History of Financial Markets course: www.libraryofmistakes.com/course

Join Robbie Mochrie, organiser of our upcoming Weekend Of AI, in conversation with Chris Stokel-Walker and Ellie Howard. Chris and Ellie are two of the expert speakers taking part in this exciting three-day event. In this episode, they offer fascinating insights into what the rapid advance of AI may mean for finance, business and society at large. Recommended listening!Part two, featuring two more speakers, follows later this month.The Weekend Of AI takes place at the Library of Mistakes in Edinburgh over three days from 30 October to 1 November. For more information and tickets, visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/weekend-of-ai-tickets-2002195653096?aff=oddtdtcreatorThis podcast episode was hosted and produced by Leila Johnston & Fraser Allen

It's back-to-school time for everyone at Library of Mistakes, Future Asset and Leavers' Money Skills. David Clarke, CEO of Didasko (which runs these three wonderful charities) is back from his summer holidays and brimming with enthusiasm as he looks forward to our autumn events. But first, we're excited to introduce you to our new Librarian, Emily Holmes. Discover what's already caught Emily's eye on the Library of Mistakes bookshelves, what her plans are and why she's no stranger to an ice cream scoop.Presented and produced by Fraser Allen & Leila Johnston.www.libraryofmistakes.com

Many of our listeners are interested in what financial history can tell us about the returns of financial assets – and particularly of equities. We are therefore delighted as Sandy Nairn and Michael O’Connell join Russell Napier to discuss their new paper for the University of Strathclyde – ‘What Does Shareholder Wealth Creation Tell Investors?’.Michael is an Accountancy and Finance Researcher at the University of Strathclyde. Sandy is Executive Director of Global Opportunities Trust plc, and was previously Chairman of Templeton Global Equity Group and Chief Investment Officer of Scottish Widows Investment Partnership.You can download the full report here:www.libraryofmistakes.com/blog/what-does-shareholder-wealth-creation-tell-investors(This episode was recorded around an office table during the Edinburgh Festival, and excitable pedestrians in the street outside joined in the fun by providing occasional background noises.)

Manoj and Charles join Russell Napier to discuss their view that "real interest rates will rise because increasingly ageing societies will create a persistent and still-underappreciated deterioration in the government’s fiscal position". Can AI offset these demographic headwinds? The pair aren't convinced – suggesting that the glory days of central banks may be behind us. Lauded by Russell for once again "annoying the right people in the right places", he describes the book as "a quick read that makes you think for a long time".www.libraryofmistakes.com