What really caused the dot-com bubble, and why does it still matter today? In this episode, we break down the rise and collapse of one of the most famous financial manias in modern history and uncover the surprising truth behind it. The late 1990s were marked by explosive growth in internet stocks, massive speculation, wild valuations, and a belief that profits no longer mattered. Companies chased market share, investors poured money into unproven startups, and Wall Street embraced a new era of hype built on buzzwords, leverage, and irrational exuberance.

But this is not just a story about greed or a stock market crash. It is also the story of how the dot-com bubble helped finance the infrastructure that powers the internet we rely on today. From fiber optic cable buildouts and telecom expansion to the rise of Amazon, eBay, and other surviv ...