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Nothing is Real Radio Hour: Capitalism (Audio)

Aug 31, 2013
Produced by Sam Sebren. (58:28)
Sam Sebren, producer/creator of the NIRRH, recently asked a question to 36 people in NY's rural, Greene and Columbia counties: "Do you think capitalism is working? Why or why not? Or, if you would like to decline to answer, please state why." The anonymous assortment of friends, acquaintances, and strangers on the street were recorded on the spot, with no clue ahead as to what they were about to be asked. Workers, small business owners, retired people, and others of all ages from across the political, ethnic, and economic spectrum gave their spontaneous reply. None of their answers were edited (except in 2 cases to remove identifying info for anonymity and in one instance by request). All answers are heard here in the order they were recorded. There is no post-recording arrangement or grouping of viewpoints. Hear for yourself from a variety of everyday people - is there any consensus? As a line from the Gang of Four song, "Capital (It Fails Us Now)" says, "one day old and I'm living on credit." Few of us are economists, yet we are all born into a turbulent economic system we are expected to navigate as if it is completely natural. Through this random survey, Sebren attempts to find out how deeply "capitalism" is, or is not, on our minds. We will also hear about the Yes Men's prank on the Chamber of Commerce and some insights on daily consumer culture from comedian Tom Simmons, plus music from Pink Floyd and Suicide.