Case 76
Silk Road
(Part 1)
Case 76
Silk Road
(Part 1)
[Part 1 of 3]
The Silk Road was an ancient network of trade routes that started in China in the 2nd century B.C. Via a combination of roads, and sea routes, goods like silk, paper and spices were transported from the producers in Asia to markets in Europe. Eventually, it wasn’t just goods that were traded – there were also ideas, customs, religions and even diseases.
The Silk Road expanded throughout different continents and civilizations for several centuries. It connected Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. A marketplace across the world.
Two major expansions can be traced back to the Silk Road. One of these was the introduction of Buddhism into China. The second was the Black Death.
Vermin accompanied some of the goods along the silk road – and upon the vermin were fleas. These fleas carried the bubonic plague—also known as the Black Death—and as the fleas entered Europe, so did the plague. It’s estimated that in the 14th century, between 100 and 125 million people died from the Black Death, reducing the world’s population by somewhere between 30 and 60%.
The Silk Road is recognized as the very first true globalization that the world experienced. The free trade of goods and the passing of ideas and customs from one society to another. It changed everything.
It would be many centuries later that a very different kind of marketplace would open up on a modern platform, a new trade route – using the same name.
Silk Road.
________
Our episodes deal with serious and often distressing incidents. If you feel at anytime you need support, please contact your local crisis centre. Some suggestions for confidential support for men, women and children:
AUSTRALIA:
Lifeline Crisis Support: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: Depression and anxiety support: 1300 22 46 36
Rape & Domestic Violence Services: 1800 737 732
Men's Line: 1300 78 99 78
Headspace: Youth Mental Health Foundation: see headspace.org.au for your local centre
USA:
Distress & Lifeline: 1800 273 8255
Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741
Domestic Violence Helpline: 1800 799 7233
Victim Connect: support for victims of crime: 855 484 2846
MTC program: maketheconnection.net/resources/spread-the-word
UK:
Mind: mental health support: 0300 123 3393
SANE: mental health support: 0300 304 7000
Samaritans support network: 116 123
National Stalking Helpline: 0808 802 0300
CANADA:
For a list of Canadian crisis centres: https://thelifelinecanada.ca/help/call/
NEW ZEALAND:
Lifeline: 0800 543354
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (Text 4202)
CREDITS
NARRATION:
Episode narrated by the Anonymous Host
EPISODE:
Episode researched and written by Victoria Dieffenbacher
MUSIC:
‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro www.dl-sounds.com
All other music and audio clean up performed by Mike Migas and Andrew Joslyn
OTHER:
Logo design by Paulina Szymanska
RESOURCES
BOOKS:
American Kingpin: The Epic Hunt For The Criminal Mastermind Behind The Silk Road – by Nick Bilton
Silk Road – by Eileen Ormsby
DOCUMENTARY:
The Deep Web – a film by Alex Winter
PODCAST:
Episode number 633 with Alex Winter – The Joe Rogan Experience
ADRIAN CHEN’S GAWKER ARTICLE:
The Underground Website Where You Can Buy Any Drug Imaginable – Gawker
COURT TRANSCRIPTS:
United States of America v Ross William Ulbricht – January 13, 2015
United States of America v Ross William Ulbricht – January 20, 2015
Full archive of Ross’s court documents
WEBSITES:
Ross’s post as Altoid on the website www.shroomery.org
Hi, My Name is Ross Ulbricht – Reddit
Free Ross – Twitter
ARTICLES:
About this $1.2 billion crap… – All Things Vice
The Untold Story of Silk Road, Part 1 – WIRED
The Untold Story of Silk Road, Part 2 – WIRED
THIS EPISODE’S SPONSORS
Audible – Offer code ‘casefile’ for a free 30-day trial & free audiobook
Empty Frames – A new investigative podcast
MVMT Watches – 15% off free shipping and return
Casper – Offer code ‘casefile’ for $50 off select mattresses
[Part 1 of 3]
The Silk Road was an ancient network of trade routes that started in China in the 2nd century B.C. Via a combination of roads, and sea routes, goods like silk, paper and spices were transported from the producers in Asia to markets in Europe. Eventually, it wasn’t just goods that were traded – there were also ideas, customs, religions and even diseases.
The Silk Road expanded throughout different continents and civilizations for several centuries. It connected Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. A marketplace across the world.
Two major expansions can be traced back to the Silk Road. One of these was the introduction of Buddhism into China. The second was the Black Death.
Vermin accompanied some of the goods along the silk road – and upon the vermin were fleas. These fleas carried the bubonic plague—also known as the Black Death—and as the fleas entered Europe, so did the plague. It’s estimated that in the 14th century, between 100 and 125 million people died from the Black Death, reducing the world’s population by somewhere between 30 and 60%.
The Silk Road is recognized as the very first true globalization that the world experienced. The free trade of goods and the passing of ideas and customs from one society to another. It changed everything.
It would be many centuries later that a very different kind of marketplace would open up on a modern platform, a new trade route – using the same name.
Silk Road.
______
Our episodes deal with serious and often distressing incidents. If you feel at anytime you need support, please contact your local crisis centre. Some suggestions for confidential support for men, women and children:
AUSTRALIA:
Lifeline Crisis Support: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: Depression and anxiety support: 1300 22 46 36
Rape & Domestic Violence Services: 1800 737 732
Men's Line: 1300 78 99 78
Headspace: Youth Mental Health Foundation: see headspace.org.au for your local centre
USA:
Distress & Lifeline: 1800 273 8255
Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741
Domestic Violence Helpline: 1800 799 7233
Victim Connect: support for victims of crime: 855 484 2846
UK:
Mind: mental health support: 0300 123 3393
SANE: mental health support: 0300 304 7000
Samaritans support network: 116 123
National Stalking Helpline: 0808 802 0300
CANADA:
For a list of Canadian crisis centres: https://thelifelinecanada.ca/help/call
NEW ZEALAND:
Lifeline: 0800 543354
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (Text 4202)
CREDITS
NARRATION:
Episode narrated by the Anonymous Host
EPISODE:
Episode researched and written by Victoria Dieffenbacher
MUSIC:
‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro www.dl-sounds.com
All other music and audio clean up performed by Mike Migas and Andrew Joslyn
OTHER:
Logo design by Paulina Szymanska
RESOURCES
BOOKS:
American Kingpin: The Epic Hunt For The Criminal Mastermind Behind The Silk Road – by Nick Bilton
Silk Road – by Eileen Ormsby
DOCUMENTARY:
The Deep Web – a film by Alex Winter
PODCAST:
Episode number 633 with Alex Winter – The Joe Rogan Experience
ADRIAN CHEN’S GAWKER ARTICLE:
The Underground Website Where You Can Buy Any Drug Imaginable – Gawker
COURT TRANSCRIPTS:
United States of America v Ross William Ulbricht – January 13, 2015
United States of America v Ross William Ulbricht – January 20, 2015
Full archive of Ross’s court documents
WEBSITES:
Ross’s post as Altoid on the website www.shroomery.org
Hi, My Name is Ross Ulbricht – Reddit
Free Ross – Twitter
ARTICLES:
About this $1.2 billion crap… – All Things Vice
The Untold Story of Silk Road, Part 1 – WIRED
The Untold Story of Silk Road, Part 2 – WIRED
THIS EPISODE’S SPONSORS
Audible – Offer code ‘casefile’ for a free 30-day trial & free audiobook
Empty Frames – A new investigative podcast
MVMT Watches – 15% off free shipping and return
Casper – Offer code ‘casefile’ for $50 off select mattresses
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