True to Earth

Part 1: New World Notes #657, 28:32 (October 6)
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Part 2: New World Notes #658, 27:54 (October 13) 
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A classic audio collage by Chazk / Virtual Renderings, condensed a bit by KD. It explores the root of today's social, economic, and environmental crises: Western civilization's out-of-touch-ness with the natural world. American Indians provide better examples of how to thrive in the world. 

Included: the greatest Navajo insult, why hunter-gatherers lived longer and better than people in agricultural societies, and other interesting ideas.

The piece blends commentary by indigenous people and Euro-Americans, plus a good deal of music.

Unedited versions of Virtual Renderings' 114 audio collages are archived at radio4all.net. (Another link is under "Worth a Look," at the top of this blog's gray right-hand sidebar.)

Life in a Declining Empire

New World Notes #656, 28:21 (September 29)
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Senator Bernie Sanders. Both Mark Crispin Miller (in this
installment) and Chris Hedges (elsewhere) have
criticized him as a fake progressive--though

perhaps less fake and less evil than Joe Biden.

Living in a collapsing empire is no fun at all. The elites plunder the metropolis, public institutions fail, and politics become nearly meaningless. Both journalist Chris Hedges and propaganda expert Mark Crispin Miller share some good insights on the subject.

Just as you suspect, they are not talking about ancient Rome or the USSR but about the United States in the Fall of 2020.

Speaking of "nearly meaningless" politics ... neither Hedges nor Miller has anything good to say about the alternative to Trump that the Democratic Party now is offering. In their view, this November 3rd Americans get to choose between two different styles of evil. Choose your poison! as the saying goes.

My own fearless prediction: The winner of the 2020 election will be Goldman Sachs.

Chris Hedges

Many thanks to Richard D. Wolff's Economic Update program for his interview with Chris Hedges, broadcast August 31, 2020. Likewise, many thanks to the Politics and Science program on WMRW, Warren, VT (May 25, 2020) for my selections from John Barkhausen's long interview with Mark Crispin Miller. The complete original programs are available on YouTube (Hedges) and radio4all.net (Miller). I have shortened pauses and deleted stumbles in both interviews.

Mark Crispin Miller

Celebrities

New World Notes #655, 28:49 (September 22)
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An interesting look at our fascination with celebrities ... and corporate marketers' exploitation of this fascination to sell products.

In fact our attraction to celebrities appears rooted in our evolution: the closer our ancestors got to the alpha male, the more likely they were to survive.

The show includes parts of the documentary film Starsuckers and also Chris Hedges' critique of Michael Jackson's funeral.

Chris Hedges' speech was recorded on October 14, 2009, by Ethan Osland, of Black Mask Winnipeg (www.blackmask.ca). Thanks to Ethan and Black Mask for permission to rebroadcast.

Previously broadcast, in 2011 and 2017. Files downloaded from the links, above, may be identified as NWN #500.

Popular Resistance and Rebellion

New World Notes #654, 29:00 (September 15)
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Tahrir Square, Cairo, December 19, 2011

(Click to enlarge.)

KD explores some popular nonviolent rebellions that nobody saw coming--such  as the "Arab Spring" and Occupy (both 2011)--and draws parallels to today's popular rebellion against the racist violence of police.

Then the young Howard Zinn, in a debate from 1971, argues that nonviolent mass protests have always been necessary in the U.S. to compel the System to change.

Zinn was defending in advance a massive protest against the Vietnam War, which was then being planned for Washington, DC, in May 1971. Zinn's eloquent defense of large-scale popular protests including civil disobedience illuminates the widespread "Black Lives Matter" demonstrations of our own time.

Plus one and a half relevant songs by David Rovics.

Surviving the Collapse

New World Notes #653, 28:26 (Sept. 8)
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Ex-cop, investigative journalist, activist, and prophet Michael Ruppert (1951-2014)  was quirky, controversial ... and very often right. In this interesting monologue, he explains why Western industrial civilization is unsustainable and beginning to collapse--and what Americans can do to weather the transition. Surprisingly, he ends on a note of optimism.

From Chris Smith's 2009 film, Collapse. Previously broadcast, in December 2012. 

Labor Day Musical Special

New World Notes #652, 29:13 (September 1)
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Bindery workers assembling the Sears, Roebuck catalog (1942)
(Click to enlarge.)

American Labor celebrated in some really good contemporary songs--by Anne Feeney, The Foremen, Mad Agnes, John McCutcheon, Utah Phillips, and David Rovics. Featuring (in order of appearance)

David Rovics, The Day the Minimum Wage Workers Went on Strike. An upbeat celebration of the working class and of strength in solidarity ... with some very nice banjo picking

Mad Agnes, Katie. A witty and sharp critique of bourgeois life from the perspective of the long-suffering--and admirable--cleaning lady

The Foremen, Workin' on an MBA. Comic satire of the cushy life & boundless self-pity of the men in the gray flannel suits--set to a tune that recalls a chain gang work-song. Yep, one of those voices is Roy Zimmerman's

Utah Phillips, Moose Turd Pie. Spoken, with a little guitar. Utah recalls (with only the slightest hint of exaggeration) the worst job he ever held

Anne Feeney, Business News / Hallelujah, I'm a Bum! A beautiful rendition of an 1890's song about unemployment. A fine homage to Simon & Garfunkel's 1965 classic "Silent Night / 6 o'Clock News" and a good song in its own right

John McCutcheon, Doing Our Job. McCutcheon applies Cal Ripken Jr.'s modest remarks upon breaking a major-league record to working people generally. A long-overdue celebration of the best of American working-class values.

This installment was previously broadcast. Files downloaded from the links, above, are identified as NWN #391.

Charles C.Ebbetts, Lunch: Rockefeller Center (1932)

The Two Sides of George Carlin

New World Notes #651, 28:19 (August 25)
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Comedian / satirist / critic George Carlin is in peak form in these satiric sketches from the 1990s--not previously broadcast on New World Notes. With sharp and strong satire he skewers much of American culture and politics. 

A gentler satiric style is included as well, in Carlin's comic discussion of the silly idioms (such as "down the tubes") we use in American speech.

All (now) suitable for airplay. (Grumble!) With a little commentary, here and there, by KD.

George Carlin, 1937-2008.  R.I.P. and thanks.

I am indebted to Free D. People, who was host of the show Talk on Colorado Free Radio. Talk's 2-hour uncensored tribute to George Carlin, issued following the performer's death in 2008, was the basis for New World Notes's highly edited selection.

Luddites

New World Notes #650, 27:51 (August 18)
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Jacquard loom

The Luddites were skilled workers in England (1811-1817) who 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, Human Resources.

David Noble's film Human Resources 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.

This installment was previously broadcast, as NWN #543, in July 2018.

John Perkins in Hartford

Part 1: New World Notes #648, 28:18 (August 4)
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Part 2: New World Notes #649, 28:58 (August 11)
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John Perkins

"Economic hit-man" John Perkins tells fascinating behind-the-scenes stories of exactly how the US-based corporate empire imposes its will (& greed) on developing countries. 

In Part 1, he tells how the US overthrew Iran's democratic government in 1953 ... how he himself was recruited by the NSA & trained to serve the empire ... and of his early failures to corrupt the governments of Panama & Ecuador (ca. 1980). (Time to send in the "jackals"!)

In Part 2, Perkins explains the real reason the US invaded Panama and overthrew Noriega in 1989. And he tells of his (and the Empire's) great success in Saudi Arabia--a "success" that ensured future disasters.

Recorded by John Schwenk on January 10, 2005, in West Hartford, CT. Many thanks to John for the recording--which I have slightly condensed for radio broadcast.

Previously broadcast, as NWN #191-192, in 2011.

Tales of the Green Path

Part 1: New World Notes #646, 28:30 (July 21)
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Part 2: New World Notes #647 (July 28)
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A fine audio collage--the latest released (March 2018) by Virtual Renderings. Not previously broadcast on New World Notes. Condensed a bit--and with an introduction--by KD.

It's an intriguing mix of parts of lectures and interviews, music, dramatic readings, and whatnot on this theme: With much of Western Civilization and corporatocracy proving unsustainable and inhumane, we need to re-develop our understanding and appreciation of natural ecology. . . .

In particular, we need to appreciate plants--their interconnectedness, their ability to cooperate and communicate with one another, their healing properties. And we need to listen to people who understand plants well, including herbalists, traditional healers, ecologists, and witches.

The voices in the collage are all "countercultural." In the introduction to Part 1, KD adds a complementary view. Plant scientists are saying much the same things. It turns out, the witches and tree-huggers are right! Who knew?

The uncut version of the collage--and 113 other works by Virtual Renderings--are available on radio4all.net. For a complete listing, click the link on the "Worth a Look" sidebar, to the right of this page.

Sir! No Sir!

Part 1: New World Notes #328, 28:41 (July 7)
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Part 2: New World Notes #329, 29:25 (July 14)
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David Zeiger's fine video documentary (U.K.version), adapted to radio, in two parts.

How resistance and rebellion by America's active-duty soldiers and sailors forced the U.S. to end the Vietnam War.

Current reflections by antiwar veterans and others--some famous, some obscure--mix with period newscasts, songs, and other recordings. The famous ones include Army physician Dr. Howard Levy, Army "Green Beret" Sgt. Donald Duncan (see photo, below), and actor & activist Jane Fonda.

A fascinating--and little-known--bit of recent history. Could this happen again today?

 Above: Jane Fonda.  Below: Donald Duncan.

The profusely-illustrated screenplay (U.S. version) is available online.

Previously broadcast. Files downloaded from the links, above, are identified as NWN #328 or 329.

Eugenics

New World Notes #643, 28:11 (June 30)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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Part 2: New World Notes #640, 28:07 (June 16)
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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.

Potpourri 8

New World Notes #628, 28:21 (May 26)
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A new bouquet of this and that, not random but loosely structured. Features a fine talk by Mumia Abu-Jamal, two classic satires by The Firesign Theater, and commentary by KD.
  
The commentary focuses on

• corruption of language as a tool of the powerful 
• the sea of propaganda in which we swim
• the historical uses of potpourri
• the sad similarities of 17th and (U.S.) 21st century responses to pandemics
• the meaning of "Ring Around the Rosie"

And yes, the topics are all related.

Error: In my commentary I say that the bubonic plague struck London in 1655. The correct year is 1665. This error is entirely the fault of Obama, Lying Hillary, a secret laboratory in Wuhan, the Deep State, and the Inspector General. --KD

Mumia's talk, "Rebel Lawyers," was broadcast to a conference at Yale Law School in March 2019. Firesign Theater's sketches are from their LPs Waiting for the Electrician or Someone Like Him (1968) and How Can You Be In Two Places At Once When You're Not Anywhere At All (1969).

The Missing Installments

Dear listeners,

Because of exceptionally heavy demands on my time, I have been forced to air reruns over the past several weeks. And I have quite neglected this Web site. I apologize.

An entirely new installment ("Potpourri 8") is now available. (Scroll upwards for the installment's own page.)

Here are the links to the "archival presentations"--that is, reruns--broadcast over the past several weeks. Each link takes you to the show's original page on this Web site. Each page has the program description and links for download.

• #632 -- Propaganda, Capitalism, Empire, Media
• #633 -- Surveillance Capitalism
• #634-636 -- Howard Zinn: The Power to Change
• #637 -- Radio Great Jean Shepherd

Thank you for your patience.
     --K.D.

America: The Farewell Tour

Part 1: New World Notes #630, 28:35 (March 31)
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Part 2: New World Notes #631, 27:53 (April 7)
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Journalist-prophet-activist Chris Hedges is in fine form in this new speech. With some new examples and new connections he explores the history and the bad effects of the corporate takeover of America.

The effects include the degradation of our culture, economy, politics, and freedom--and of the planet's ecosystem. As Hedges sees it, the only sane response is concerted nonviolent resistance.

Hedges spoke in New York City on December 8, 2018. The audio--from a video of the speech by Joe Friendly--was reengineered by Wilton Vought, of the YouTube channel and blog, Other Voices, Other Choices. Thanks again to Wilton.

Previously broadcast on NWN in February 2019. Files downloaded from the links, above, are identified as NWN #571 and 572.

Pandemic Journal

New World Notes #629, 28:26 (March 24)
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Wry and satiric notes and comments (by K.D.) on the coronavirus pandemic as it gains a foothold in Connecticut.

Complementing K.D.'s chronicle are a new song by David Rovics, a classic poem by (and read by) William Carlos Williams, and commentary by progressive populist Jim Hightower.

David Rovics's "Viral Solidarity" is available on YouTube. Jim Hightower's comments courtesy of The Hightower Lowdown. William Carlos Williams wrote "The Yachts" in 1935 and recorded it in 1945.

And a new, unlovely term enters the national vocabulary:
"social distancing."

Jean Shepherd vs "Creeping Meatballism"

New World Notes #628, 28:08 (March 17)
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A look at radio great Jean Shepherd's humorous critiques--from the 1950s--of Americans' conformity, consumerism, and false sense of "progress."

KD reads (and briefly discusses) Shepherd's famous short essay, The Night People vs. 'Creeping Meatballism.' Then--on the same theme--we hear selections from one of Shep's late-night radio broadcasts (May 2, 1959).

Here Shep talks about credit cards ... Green Stamps ... a used atom-smasher for sale ... "progress" ... self-help advice from Senator Lyndon Johnson ... how many ice cream flavors Howard Johnson's restaurants actually have* ... and the brief but glorious crime spree of Ronald Medsker.

* (Claimed = 28. Highest number observed = 26, at the HoJo's at the New Bedford exit of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.)

Recording of Shepherd's 1959 broadcast courtesy of Flick Lives!  Many thanks.

Note: Previously broadcast on NWN. MP3s downloaded from the links, above, are identified as NWN #359.

Jean Shepherd, searching in vain for a size "small" tube of toothpaste. Illustration by Wally Wood to Shep's essay "The Night People ...," in Mad magazine, April 1957.