History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes. Carefully studying past events and catastrophes can help you avoid making similar mistakes in the future. Well, at least in theory. In reality, it often feels like humanity is doomed to repeat the same blunders decade after decade and century after century.
Bored Panda has compiled a list of stories about the most expensive mistakes in human history from across the internet, including those shared in an online thread started by X user Heisjayy. Read on for a series of lessons that might give you a new perspective on the world.
#21 Aol Buys Time Warner ($183 Billion Loss)
In 2000, at the peak of the dot-com bubble, AOL merged with Time Warner for $182 billion. The deal collapsed as the bubble burst and advertising revenue declined, leading to a record-breaking $99 billion loss in 2002.
25points
#22 Daimler-Chrysler Merger ($29 Billion Loss)
Daimler-Benz acquired Chrysler for $37 billion in 1998, but cultural clashes led to a failed partnership. They sold most of Chrysler in 2007 for only $7 billion.
24points
#23 The Baltic Ace
The 23,500 tonne ship was lost 65km off the Dutch coast after colliding with Cyprian container ship the Corvus J. The accident ended 11 of its 24 crew members. Moreover, it sank over 1,400 new cars that were being brought from Japan and Tokyo to Russia.
23points
#24 Seongsu Bridge Collapse
Although the bridge was designed to withstand a maximum of 36.3-tonne weight per car, vehicles weighing 47.3-tonnes were also using the bridge to commute. These combined factors cost the State Council $185,000 in compensation to the victims
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22points
#25 The An Lushan Trust (755 Ce)
The Tang Dynasty’s Emperor Xuanzong granted massive power and wealth to general An Lushan. Instead of protecting China, An Lushan launched a rebellion that ended millions and ended the Tang Dynasty’s "Golden Age".
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21points
#26 The Vasa
Vasa was the world’s most h**h-tech warship when it set sail.
The story of what happened to the ship has gone down in history: despite being one of the Swedish navy’s biggest achievements
The story of what happened to the ship has gone down in history: despite being one of the Swedish navy’s biggest achievements
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6points
