Luddites

New World Notes #543, 27:51 (July 31)
Broadcast quality MP3 (38 MB)
Decent quality MP3 (13 MB)

Jacquard loom

The Luddites were skilled workers in England (1811-1817)--weavers and other textile workers. They destroyed the new, automated factory machinery that threatened their lives.

KD discusses the Luddites' true history ,,, the pros and cons of their rebellion ... and the problems caused by globalized capitalism. He explores whether Luddism makes any sense in today's world ... and the possibility of nonviolent "soft-core" Luddism in our personal lives.

Included: a song by David Rovics and a clip from the documentary film Human Resources.

David Noble's documentary film Human Reseources is available, without charge, on the World Wide Web. See the site of its publisher (www.metanoia-films.org) or YouTube. David Rovics' "Everything Can Change" is from his album, If I Had a Hammer.

Vincent Emanuele on The Three Global Crises

Part 1: New World Notes #457, 28:31 (July 17)
Broadcast quality MP3 (39 MB)
Decent quality MP3 (13 MB)

Part 2: New World Notes #458, 28:49 (July 24)
Broadcast quality MP3 (40 MB)
Decent quality MP3 (13 MB)

Vincent Emanuele

An eye-opening and well-researched talk by activist Vincent Emanuele. He explores the three crises that are making the world--at best--highly unstable. Then he suggests some steps that the people can take to make our uncertain future as livable as possible.

Since neither government nor business is likely to do anything positive about these crises, useful responses will have to come from the grassroots.

All three crises are deeply rooted in the United States. Two of them are now global. The crises are

• social collapse in the U.S.
• militarization
• ecological disaster

 In Part 1, Emanuele shows the dimensions of social collapse and militarization and begins his discussion of the ecology crisis.

In Part 2, Emanuel explores the ecology crisis in depth and then proposes some general actions that the organized grassroots can take to maintain (insofar as possible) a good,decent, and cooperative life for the people.

Emanuele spoke at the Open University of the Left, in Chicago, on September 24, 2016. Thanks to Dale Lehman/WZRD, for the original audio recording, which I have condensed and slightly edited.

Previously broadcast, as NWN #457-458, in December 2016. Files downloaded from the links, above, are identified as #457 and 458.

The System's War on its Critics

New World Notes #540, 27:24 (July 10)
Broadcast quality MP3 (39 MB)
Decent quality MP3 (13 MB)

A powerful new talk by Progressive journalist/essayist Chris Hedges. Hedges argues that the ruling elite--anticipating another collapse of the financial system they control--is fighting to suppress all Progressive critiques of the system.

A major battlefield in that war is the Internet. The elite just destroyed Net Neutrality. Now they're reprogramming the search engines to ignore left-of-center viewpoints.

Hedges connects these ominous turns with other events, including the rise of the Religious Right. The overall goal is to control the populace by suppressing all good explanations of what is happening ... and who is responsible.

Introduction by KD.

Hedges spoke at the Left Forum, in New York City, on June 3, 2018. For the audio recording of Hedges, many thanks to Wilton Vought (othervoicesotherchoices.blogspot.com and a YouTube channel: Other Voices, Other Choices).

Chris Hedges Ad Lib

New World Notes #539, 28:47 (July 3)
Broadcast quality MP3 (40 MB)
Decent quality MP3 (13 MB)

Unscripted, incisive discussion of a range of issues by the celebrated Progressive journalist, essayist, and activist, Chris Hedges.

Topics include the corruption of the judiciary ... the mass media as the propaganda organ of the Corporate State ... how the Democratic Party has betrayed its constituents ... the false promises of Barack Obama ... the growing public opposition to Israel's Palestine policies ... and (relatedly) the increasing attacks on free speech.

Taken from a question-and-answer session following Hedges' lecture, "The Algebra of Revolution" (Seattle, April 2016). The (edited) lecture was broadcast by New World Notes, installments 442 and 443 (August 2016). Thanks to Pirate TV Seattle for the original video recording. I have condensed and edited the audio.

"Chris Hedges Ad Lib" was previously broadcast, as NWN #448, in October 2016. Files downloaded from the links, above, are identified as #448.