Sugar:The Bitter Truth

Part 1: New World Notes #550, 28:08 (September 18)
Broadcast quality MP3 (38 MB)
Decent quality MP3 (13 MB)

Part 2: New World Notes #551, 28:22 (September 25)
Broadcast quality MP3
Decent quality MP3

Robert Lustig is a physician (pediatric endocrinologist) and medical researcher. In this engaging and wide-ranging talk, he identifies the most important cause of America's epidemic of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary disease, liver disease, and metabolic disorder. The culprit is sugar, specifically fructose.

Industry is increasing the amount of fructose in packaged foods, including and especially soda. High fructose corn syrup is not the only villain: many forms are bad, including table sugar (which the body turns into fructose).

Lustig explores the politics, economics, and biochemistry behind this now-global problem.

With an introduction by K.D.

Previously broadcast, as NWN #438-439, in July and August 2016. Files downloaded from the links, above, are identified as #438 and 439.

Robin Upton, of Unwelcome Guests, adapted Lustig's lecture to radio. I have slightly condensed Robin's version. A video also is available, on YouTube.

How the Government Spies on You

New World Notes #549, 27:52 (September 11)
Broadcast quality MP3 (38 MB)

A spooky talk by technology expert and civil-liberties activist Chris Soghoian.

The government tried to prevent strong encryption of phone calls and text and email messages. Failing that, it now hacks and decrypts personal communications at will ... and worse. It's not just the NSA and FBI: with federal funds, local police forces also are acquiring and using the latest secret surveillance technology. Citizens have been fighting back--often successfully--through the courts and the media.

Soghoian spoke in Seattle on March 11, 2016.  The original audio recording (which I have edited and condensed a little) courtesy of Mike McCormick. Many thanks. 

Previously broadcast, as NWN #436, in July 2016. Files downloaded from the link, above, are identified as #436. No lower-fidelity, "Decent quality" MP3 appears to exist for this installment: only the high-fidelity "Broadcast quality."