Topic: Documentary

Latest

[ Episode #41 // Surviving Progress ]

May 27 2012

Mini Episode

The complexity of modern civilization has obscured an ecological crisis through a finely crafted system of markets and trade. Local environmental problems can be exported across the world with modern technologies while placing the global economic ladder on ever shakier ground. Is our species capable of sparking a widespread and intelligent discussion of our trajectory as a species before the problems of social inequity and ecological collapse take civilization down?

In Extraenvironmentalist #41 we speak with Ronald Wright about his book A Short History of Progress which chronicles the idea of progress through human history and has been adapted into a new film, Surviving Progress. Then we hear from Mathieu Roy and Harold Crooks who directed and wrote Surviving Progress. We ask them about the challenges of adapting the story of our complex civilization into a succinct and slick film. Last of all, we report back from Montreal about the Maple Spring uprising and our interviews with numerous ecological economists at the Montreal Degrowth conference as our civilization attempts to redefine our economic priorities.

Be sure to view the Surviving Progress trailer.


 

// Music (in order of appearance)
Passion Pit - Take a Walk via Consequence of Sound
Penguin Prison - Fair Warning (Robotaki Remix) via Robotaki
Gossip - Perfect World (RAC Remix) via Idolator
Killer Mike - Ronald Reagan via our listener David, who also left a voicemail
Passion Pit - Take a Walk (Peking Duk Remix) via The Music Ninja

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)
[Break] - 39'50
Jim Cramer on Bank Runs
Disaster Looms for Greece
Michael Hudson from Surviving Progress

[End]
Montreal Degrowth - Mary Evelyn Tucker

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[ Episode #40 // Corporate Influence ]

Apr 30 2012

Mini Episode

The logic of neoliberalism behind our economic model is fading as its fundamental conclusions about human nature are reaching an extreme. As global economies continue to reveal numbers indicating a spiraling trend of contraction in manufacturing and economic growth, corporations maintain enough power over our societies to stay afloat. Though we are influenced by the corporate mindset from the moment we enter the school system as children, can we find alternatives to corporate control of our education, media and health?

In Extraenvironmentalist #40 we speak with Joel Bakan about how the dystopian possibilities imagined by his film The Corporation have become a reality. Joel describes the reasons why neoliberalism can be appealing to us even though it is based on a limited understanding of human potential. We ask Joel about his recent book Childhood Under Siege, where he describes corporate influence on children through education and the modern medical system. Next, we talk with Laurette Lynn of Unplugged Mom Radio [a the 67' mark] about how the best option for educating our children may be for parents to take their kids out of the school system entirely to learn critical thinking skills. Then, we talk to The PPL [at the 102' mark] about how they are taking media out of the hand of major corporations for the 2012 Democratic National Convention so that citizen journalists who understand the magnitude of today's challenges can ask tough questions. Last of all, Seth and I discuss our upcoming coverage of the Montreal Degrowth Conference.

If you are interested in hearing more about our thoughts on education and society give our interview a listen on the Unplugged Mom show with Laurette Lynn.


 

// Music (in order of appearance)
Bibio - Lovers' Carvings (Bruno Be & Eddie M Remix) via The Music Ninja
 Bonobo - All In Forms (Letherette Remix) via This is Real Music
 Beach Boys - Wouldn't It Be Nice (St Etienne Cover) via Soundcloud
 Arcade Fire - Neighborhood #1 (Ane Brun Cover) via It's a Trap
 Kings of Leon - Use Somebody (RAC Remix) via Soundcloud
Foxes - Youth (Adventure Club Remix) via Skeetbeatz

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)
[First Break] - 15'
A Selection of Clips from The Corporation Film
Pink Slime + BP Corexit
[Second Break] - 45'
Montreal Student Protests
Global Youth Unemployment
Italy Youth Unemployment Reaches Over 30%
Clip from upcoming XE interview with University of Victoria professor Michael M'Gonigle
[End]
J. Krishnamurti Speaks on Education

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[ Episode #26 // The Four Horsemen ]

Oct 22 2011

Mini Episode

Is capitalism failing or is it producing an intended outcome? There are a group of people privy to the internal mechanisms of our global economic rationale who are willing to share a vision of how the system really works. Though their original intent was to serve what appeared to be a beautiful machinery of supply and demand, they soon realized how greatly the assumptions of our economy are disconnected from reality. Is economics labeled as the dismal science only because of the way we currently practice it?

In Extraenvironmentalist #26 we speak with Ross Ashcroft about his upcoming film The Four Horsemen which explains how the world really works through interviews with 23 of our planet's leading alternative economists, Wall Street insiders and economic thinkers. Ross describes how his desire to become a farmer led him to understand the problems of international finance and how a career in the film industry provided the catalyst to create a documentary about the global economic system. Ross talks about what he learned from interviewing such a well accomplished group of economic experts and what it was like to be in the same room, talking one-on-one with Noam Chomsky. Will our economy collapse because it is being orchestrated to do so or will finance fall apart because it is based on junk science?


 

// Music (in order of appearance)
TV Girl - Benny and the Jets via Break on a Cloud
Penguin Prison - Don't Fuck With My Money via Hard Candy
Charles Bradley - The World (Is Going Up in Flames) via Quit Mumbling
Shotgun Radio - A Bad Place ft. Mimi Page (Minnesota Remix) via Big Green Beats
Lana Del Rey - Blue Jeans (PatrickReza Dubstep Remix) via Movements and Nonsense

// Extended Clips
Tarek El Diwany on Financial Fallout via Renegade Economist
US Jobless Epidemic Masked by Statistical Shenanigans via RT
USA Might Face a Potentially Violent Revolution via RT
Elizabeth Warren on Fair Taxation via American Spectator

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[ Episode #9 // Economics of Happiness ]

Jan 3 2011

Mini Episode

Converging crises of the environment, energy and our personal psychology threaten to destabilize the economic systems we depend on for subsistence. Globalization has provided tremendous financial benefits and convenience for specific groups but has degraded communities while spreading the emotional and spiritual depravity of materialism. By developing a local resilient economy can we counteract the shadow of globalization while addressing the predicaments of energy depletion, resource scarcity and desolate communities?

In Extraenvironmentalist #9 we speak with Helena Norberg-Hodge, director of The Economics of Happiness, a documentary film about the worldwide movement for local economic development. Our discussion covers Helena's experiences in the Ladakh region of India which inspired her to recognize the problems with the standard model for economic development, inspiring her book and film Ancient Futures: Learning from Ladakh. We also spoke with Helena about the numerous benefits of decentralized local economies in addressing our converging crises and the specifics of the psychological impacts of advertising and media on society in its push for expanded economic activity.

We're also thinking of starting an Extraenvironmentalist book club. Are you interested in perhaps doing a monthly group call to discuss a book on Extraenvironmentalist topics? If so, let us know through voicemail or email and we'll choose a book, set a timeline and record a discussion.

 

//Supplemental Links
Website | Economics of Happiness
Facebook | Facebook Page for Economics of Happiness
// Music (in order of appearance)
Pepper Rabbit - Older Brother via The Music Ninja
The Kopecky Family Band - Our Remedy via The Music Slut
Mr. Little Jeans - Rescue Song (RAC Remix) via Et Musique Pour Tous
Sunday Girl - Time to Pretend (MGMT Cover) via AudioPorn Central

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[ Episode #8 // Back to the Garden ]

Dec 13 2010

Mini Episode

As a response to the dire situation facing modern industrial civilization it can be tempting to seek a simpler life away from the complexity and out in nature. Quite a few from the previous generation have already made such a choice and recognizing this we can learn from their trials and successes.

In Extraenvironmentalist #8 we speak with Kevin Tomlinson, director of Back to the Garden about his film's story as he follows a group of people through their decision to live off the land and outside the mainstream from 1988 into today. All while Seth and I ask about the skills these new pioneers needed along with the value of road-trips.

 

//Supplemental Links
Website | Back to the Garden
Facebook | Facebook Page for Back to the Garden
News | Tom Foreman - You Say You Want a Revolution

// Music (in order of appearance)
Strange Talk - Eskimo Boy via IndieShuffle
Corey Chisel and the Wandering Sons - Born Again via IndieShuffle
El Ten Eleven - Cease and Persist via Soundcloud
 Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings - This Land is Your Land via Panic Manual
Matt and Kim - Going For Great via The Music Ninja

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[ Episode #7 // When Two Worlds Collide ]

Nov 26 2010

Mini Episode

Living in a western media bubble we receive every story through a prism of corporate and political control which bends a complex and multifaceted light into a monochromatic blur. When oil and multinational energy interests collide with the mode of sustainable living practiced by Amazonian tribes for generations, a cascading series of events has encapsulated this complex set of interactions as a microcosm of the global struggle we all face.

In Extraenvironmentalist #7 we uncover the tale of Heidi Brandenburg and Taira Akbar of Yachaywasi Films about their upcoming documentary, When Two Worlds Collide. Heidi and Taira are in Lima with their colleague Mathew Orzel covering the transfer of Amazonian Rainforest into the hands of energy and mining companies that act on behalf of our lifestyle. A massive commodifcation of Amazonian ancestral lands into a global market. Today's story has it all: oil, international trade relations, corporate subjugation of the indigenous, amazonian shamanism and most of all the will of one man, Alberto Pizango as he stands against the Peruvian Government and the many competing interests to deliver the will of his people. Alberto's struggle is one to preserve the sustenance that will ensure our species' survival throughout the future.

Please ensure that this story is told around the world! Support Heidi, Taira and the rest of the Yachaywasi team by visiting their IndieGoGo page and making a contribution. Additionally, Seth and I think you should strongly consider sharing this episode with your family and friends.

You can follow more on this story through the regular media outlets as Alberto Pizango was recently interviewed by the BBC and stories of his 2011 run for the Peruvian Presidency are hitting the news wires.

 

//Supplemental Links
IndieGoGo | Support When Two Worlds Collide
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Facebook | When Two Worlds Collide
Website | Yachaywasi Films

// Music (in order of appearance)
CFCF - Before and After Light via The Music Ninja
Ingrid Michaelson - Creep (Radiohead Cover) via IndieShuffle
Atmosphere - The Best Day via The Music Ninja
Boy and Bear - Mexican Mavis via IndieShuffle
Gypsy and the Cat - Time to Wander via IndieShuffle

When Two Worlds Collide (1-minute trailer) from Yachaywasi Films on Vimeo.

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