Eugenics

New World Notes #643, 28:11 (June 30)
Broadcast quality MP3 (39 MB)
Decent quality MP3 (13 MB)

Eugenics is in the news again. We explore the sordid pseudo-science with a section from the film Human Resources (not previously broadcast on NWN), reflections by KD, and a song by David Rovics.

Thanks to Robin Upton (unwelcomeguests.net), who adapted all of Human Resources for radio broadcast. David Rovics' song "Denmark 1943" is from his album, The Other Side.

New World Notes broadcast the rest of Human Resources, in four installments, in October-November 2018.

This week's installment was previously broadcast. MP3 files downloaded feom the links, above, are identified as NWN #593.

 

Jean Shepherd: Storyteller (Tornados)

New World Notes #642, 28:00 (June 25)
Broadcast quality MP3 (39 MB)
Decent quality MP3 (13 MB)

Another tribute--our fifth--to the spoken-word art of late-night radio great Jean Shepherd.

This week we celebrate not Shep the satirist and social critic but Shep the master storyteller. He tells of two tornados he witnessed: the first as a young teenager in the 1930s, the second as steel-mill worker in the 1940s.

The stories are fascinating and humorous accounts of one of the oddest and most unpredictable forces of nature. They are also a fine look at small-town life in the Depression-era Midwest and at life as a worker in a giant industrial plant. (The latter is scary enough even without the tornado.)

Jean Shepherd (1956)

Complementing Shep's words are his inimitable vocal sound-effects and, here and there, his well-chosen background music.

Shep's 24+ minute narrative is taken, uncut and unedited, from his 45-minute radio broadcast on WOR-AM/FM of April 12, 1965. Original recording courtesy of Radio Veronica via radio4all.net.

Pandemic Journal 2: Class, Politics, and Policing in America

New World Notes #641, 28:59 (June 9)
Broadcast quality MP3 (40 MB)
Decent quality MP3 (13 MB)

Is this installment of NWN right for you? Take this easy quiz and see!

The June 1 news photo, above, makes me want to ...
_____ (A) scream
_____ (B) cry
_____ (C) take to the streets
_____ (D) is there a polite word for "puke"?
_____ (E) shout "Hallelujah!"

Answer: If you checked A, B, C, or D, please have a listen!

Temporary housing in Hartford for His Excellency Ned.

Compares favorably with Governor Reagan's dream house. 

Critical reflections on current events--particularly the protests following the George Floyd murder. And on the campaign names of politicians, the Bushes of Connecticut, America's dirty secret (social class), how to tell your Andover from your Exeter, Joan Didion, government by executive order, the insane clown posse in the White House, Episcopalians vs. Pharisees, and even some praise for the Governor, His Excellency Ned.

Yes, of course it's all related!

Top photo: Getty Images

Abominable Ways of Biotech

Part 1: New World Notes #639, 28:46 (June 2)
Broadcast quality MP3 (40 MB)
Decent quality MP3 (13 MB)

Part 2: New World Notes #640, 28:07 (June 16)
Broadcast quality MP3 (40 MB)
Decent quality MP3 (13 MB)

Another fine audio collage by Chazk / Virtual Renderings, Created in 2013--and just as timely and important now as then.

It's about the insanity and the dangers--and the demonstrable bad health effects--of biotech tinkering with the food we eat.

Part 1 focuses on the problem of transplanting genes from one species to another and the multiple health hazards of Monsanto's glyphosate ("Roundup") herbicide.

Part 2 has more on the bad effects of glyphosate. Then on to genetically modified plants that produce their own insecticide--specifically BT toxin.

The collage includes the voices of Vandana Shiva, Andrew Kimbrell, Davis Suzuki, and others--plus some relevant music.

To hear or download (free) any or all of Virtual Renderings' audio collages, click on the link on the right sidebar of this page, under the heading, Worth a Look.

Previously broadcast, as NWN #533-534, in May 2018. Files downloaded from the links, above, are identified as #533 and 534.