Nightshift – Kurzgesagt After Dark

She commanded 1,800 ships, led tens of thousands of pirates, and forced an empire to negotiate. This is the story of Zheng Yi Sao, the most powerful pirate in history. From her rise to power to the floating pirate confederation that ruled the South China Sea, we're exploring how one woman reshaped trade, war, and authority in the early 19th century.

For centuries, humanity hunted the largest animals that ever lived. Not for food, but for light, machines, and profit. Whale oil powered cities, fueled industrialization, and pushed entire species to the brink of extinction. This is the story of commercial whaling, and what it reveals about progress and destruction.

For 72 years, Louis XIV ruled as the most powerful king in Europe. He centralized power, reshaped the map of Europe, and turned Versailles into a glittering machine of spectacle and control. But no king can rule his own body. Behind closed doors, he lived at the mercy of his doctors, enduring the brutal limits of 17th century medicine. This is the tragic life of the Sun King.