Dr. Joseph Moore - How to Get Rich in American History: 300 Years of Financial Advice That Worked (& Didn’t)
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In this episode of Standard Deviations, Dr. Daniel Crosby welcomes Dr. Joseph S. Moore, author of the forthcoming book *How to Get Rich in American History: 300 Years of Financial Advice That Worked and Didn’t*. Moore challenges the pervasive narrative that the American Dream is dead, arguing instead that skepticism about upward mobility has existed for centuries—dating back to the 1676 Virginia uprising—and that each generation believes they’re facing unprecedented hardship. Drawing on 10 years of historical research, Moore reveals that capitalism has consistently enabled everyday Americans to get ahead, and that conditions have actually improved over time despite cyclical crises. He debunks myths about wealth-building, including the inevitability of real estate appreciation, the long-term superiority of stocks, and the novelty of crypto, showing that self-issued currencies and speculative investing have deep roots in American history. Moore also shares personal experiments—like launching his own cryptocurrency and Airbnb-ing his home—to test historical financial strategies, highlighting both their potential and pitfalls. A central theme is the distinction between 'fast time' (crises, market panics) and 'slow time' (the steady, long-term grind of life), urging listeners to focus on foundational decisions—like career, marriage, and skill-building—rather than obsessing over short-term volatility. The episode concludes with a call to reject learned helplessness and embrace historical perspective as a tool for empowerment.
The American Dream has always been questioned, but historical evidence shows that everyday people have consistently gotten ahead across generations.
Self-issued currencies, like the runaway slave’s haircut-backed money, are not new—crypto is a modern version of an old practice with similar risks.
Stocks didn’t always beat bonds; in fact, bonds outperformed stocks for much of the 1800s, and the 'stocks for the long run' idea is a relatively recent belief.
Real estate is not passive or guaranteed to rise—many homes saw no inflation-adjusted gains for over a century, and big returns require active management.
Net worth is a modern, largely irrelevant metric for most people—except when borrowing, dying, or impressing others.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Introduction and the Myth of the Dead American Dream
Dr. Daniel Crosby introduces Dr. Joseph Moore and sets the stage by questioning the widespread belief that the American Dream is broken, hinting at a historical counter-narrative.
The American Dream: A Historical Cycle of Skepticism
“I can find people saying the American dream is dead about 250 years before I can find the phrase American dream.”
The Real Story: Capitalism Worked for Ordinary People
“Things have been getting wildly better for a long time. But that's not a message that you get rewarded for.”
Housing Crises: Then and Now
Moore compares today’s housing crisis to past shortages, noting that the 1945 shortage was twice as severe and that solutions—like building more homes—have always worked.
The Myth of the 'Good Old Days' and the Reality of Poverty
“We find it so offensive because it's the least poverty we've ever had.”
“Things have been getting wildly better for a long time. But that's not a message that you get rewarded for.”
“Most of your life is going to be lived in slow time. And so you have to kind of don't avoid the doom and gloom stories... but necessarily relevant to how you're going to live your financial life.”
“I can find people saying the American dream is dead about 250 years before I can find the phrase American dream.”
Host
Guest
Dr. Joseph S. Moore
person
Dr. Daniel Crosby
person
William Wells Brown
person
Leroy Mill Strike
other
The Millionaire Next Door
book
John F. Kennedy
person
U.S. Grant
person
Orion Advisor Solutions
organization
Billionarily
other
Airbnb
organization
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