This is a marvelous piece of radio. My favorite items are those which take an intriguing or off-beat tale and use it to tell a much larger story. This brief biography of Nikolai Volkoff, the "Mad Russian" wrestler contains the tragedy and the surreal comedy of cold war thinking.
It's unexpectedly poignant. There's lots of great archival audio, good writing, excellent presentation. An all round entertaining and high quality production.
This talk is a powerful antidote to the sanitized image of war presented by governments and many media outlets. Chris Hedges offers his considerable experience on several front lines, to explain the addictive nature of war. In the process he attempts to understand his own streak of self destructiveness which kept him going back for more.
His insight into the dark nature of comradeship is surprising and yet strangely recognizable.
This is a very simple technical production; just one man talking. The tone can at times be sermon-like but the message is so compelling, it makes for great radio. The kind where you come away feeling as if you've run a marathon or forgotten to breathe.
Excellent production, solid research, sharp writing, clear structure, interesting guests, great ideas and unexpected connections. A hearty serving of critical thinking about modern agricultural practices. Great to hear a program which looks beyond narrow national or regional interests to understand the wider implications of conspicuous consumption.
Highly recommended.
The Nakba (the term Palestinians use to describe the 1948 Arab/Israeli war) is a crucial event which has had enormous influence on world events, as such, it's a story which deserves attention. Unfortunately I think this report fails to add to our understanding of this event.
First of all, any story on such a complex subject requires some context, and even though these pieces are only 6 minutes, there was room at the top to do that.
Secondly it's imperative to give an accurate description of the historical events and the roles of the many different participants. Painting this as a Jewish/Palestinian Black/White story is incorrect and does not help the listener to understand this tragedy.
The speakers are eloquent in their description of their hardships, but the reporter must then step back to a position of neutrality.
I would also be very interested to hear more details of people's lives in the refugee camps. These details help listeners identify with the speakers. A more nuanced approach can only add to the power of the piece.
Also, the audio levels in the two items I listened to were all over the place and sometimes speakers were inaudible as a result.
The music could be toned down and used more sparingly.
Again, this is an important issue; I would like to hear more about it. I hope these producers continue to explore this perspective, but with a more thorough journalistic approach.
Comment for
"Katrina Uncovers: Activism, Racism and Environmental Justice" (deleted)
Review of Katrina Uncovers: Activism, Racism and Environmental Justice (deleted)
As someone who has followed this story closely in the international media, this program offered lots of interesting and eyebrow-raising information about the grass-roots political initiatives underway to support the victims of hurricane Katrina.
It also reveals in a very clear way the bitterness and disenfranchisement some people in the region are feeling; very honest, raw opinions which contrast markedly with the polished responses offered by government officials. You really get a sense that you’re hearing the key ideas of the local leaders.
The program also notes the groups which have been overlooked in the media coverage.
In terms of the interviews, there are some leading questions which reveal the interviewers own perspective.
But all in all a good overview of the community initiatives underway in the aftermath of this disaster.
As usual the Chautauqua lecture series and WQLN-FM, deliver a high caliber speaker on a subject which is at the centre of the news. Dennis Ross, a career diplomat who worked with three American presidents, tries to, as he says, break myths about the Arab Israeli conflict. Whether you agree with his analysis or not, Dennis Ross is in a unique position to comment on this issue.
It must be noted that the original lecture was recorded in August 2004, before the death of Yasser Arafat and the Israeli pull-out from the West Bank. But if you intro this carefully, there's a lot of fascinating material here.
Speaking of introductions, my one dispute with this lecture series is that sometimes I feel they don't give enough information at the start of the program to help listeners understand the political leanings of the speaker. Not so with Dennis Ross who is clearly introduced.
As an interested follower of China's development, I was expecting to hear about its conspicuous achievements in bio-science, manufacturing, energy, etc.
I also expected to hear a lot of Chinese voices. There was very little of either.
The definition of technology here is so broad that in certain items, such as a travelogue of Chengdu, the technology link seems entirely absent.
There were a few interesting reports, one on the internet and another on pandas but many of the other pieces seemed to use China merely as a lens to view America’s position in the world.
The only thing all the items have in common is muffled or hissy audio clips. I can’t understand how nine separate items could all have such consistently bad quality clips.
There’s real potential here for a solid production. Many of the reporters write and present well. More research, a tighter focus and better audio recorders would do the trick.
Comment for
"The Past, Present and Future of Nuclear Weapons" (deleted)
Review of The Past, Present and Future of Nuclear Weapons (deleted)
The three pieces in this program are relatively interesting in themselves, but together they fail to live up to the ambitious title "The Past, Present and Future of Nuclear Weapons".
The first item was excerpted from a longer doco. It presents the views of Japanese peace activists. It's well produced and offers some very interesting perspectives. The one thing I didn't like was the cliched use of Japanese traditional music. I think something more ambient would have worked better.
The second item is about the failure of the recent review of the nuclear non-proliferation (NPT) treaty. This important topic gets lost in an unstructured script. The presentation is also rather robotic. This is a complex subject and the presenter needs to slow down and re-write the script as if she were explaining this issue to a friend. Not dumb-it-down, just make this compelling subject more accessible to listeners.
The music/sound under the following link is distracting and gets in the way of the words.
The final piece is a montage of experts talking about American/Korean nuclear policies.
The speakers are very good, and the percussive background sound creates an interesting tension. It's well produced, and thoughtfully constructed. This is the strongest piece in terms of explaining the strange dynamics of nuclear proliferation.
This piece begins with a quote from Sun Tzu's Art of War. I love the book, and I like the way Bill Palladino uses it to frame daydreams and insecurities. This technique somehow elevates these preoccupations beyond the merely silly or sad, to become real obstacles in a mental minefield. The simple examples of mind invasions are very recognizable and form the heart of this essay. Sometimes the prose goes over the top, but it's this combination of the banal and the transcendent which makes this piece work.
Comment for
"Snakeheads & Slavery--Britain's Human Traffic: Inside Out" (deleted)
Review of Snakeheads & Slavery--Britain's Human Traffic: Inside Out (deleted)
This is an excellent piece. The issue of human trafficking is so complex it easily fills an hour, and Michael Goldfarb uses his time well. The issue is clearly explained, and Goldfarb doesn't shy away from the contradictions and nuances of this problem. He also looks beyond the criminal organizations at how immigration policies and public perceptions contribute to trafficking.
The personal stories are compelling and his "experts" are well informed and engaging. The scripting is skillful and evocative.
While this program looks at Britain's trade in humans, this is of course a universal problem, and the setting could just as easily be New York or Amsterdam.
I highly recommend this exceptionally well produced documentary.
The Chautauqua lectures offer up some remarkable speakers, notable for their influence and expertise. In this respect Robert Kagan meets the standards, and what he has to say is very compelling. I do however think his introduction and the description of his talk is misleading.
As a previous reviewer noted, Mr. Kagan is better known for his neo-conservative efforts within the Project for a New American Century, than for his work as a senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
Mr. Kagan supports war to further U.S. interests and believes allies in the international community should be given “influence” by the U.S. only if they agree to support America’s methods to fight “terror”.
Mr. Kagan criticizes Europe’s reluctance to “engage” with troubled regions of the world. For Mr. Kagan, “engagement” means military engagement. He ignores Europe’s considerable economic, developmental and diplomatic engagement with many fractious states.
Mr. Kagan makes the argument that when the U.S. had less power it was a great supporter of international law, unlike Europe. He seems to forget that the first international peace conference was held in The Hague, the first treaties were instigated mainly by European countries and Russia.
One has to dispute Mr. Kagan’s premise that U.S. foreign policy varies little in spite who is in power. I don’t recall public discussions on the legitimacy of torture taking place under past U.S. administrations.
This program was recorded in 2004 and one can’t help think that Mr. Kagan’s views must have changed in the wake of the failed occupation of Iraq and new revelations of torture in Guantanamo Bay and Afghanistan.
To re-cap, the Chautauqua lectures provide marvelous opportunities to hear speakers who are shaping our world. With a more accurate introduction to place Mr. Kagan in his proper context, this presentation is worth a listen.
The effect of globalization on poverty is an important topic to discuss, but unless you break it down into specific issues, it is too vast and vague to come to grips with in under 60 minutes.
Both Garrick Utley and Kojo Nnamdi do a great job of trying to focus the discussion, but the two-host structure is cumbersome, especially when the line-up also includes four guests.
The guests are all very interesting, but they get little time to develop their arguments. At times it's difficult to figure out who is who. This is rather crucial when they include speakers from organizations and think tanks with clear political agendas.
There are some moments of real insight on the part of John Ambler of Oxfam and William Easterly, formerly of the World Bank, but the other speakers often get bogged down in abstract concepts.
I would have liked to have heard from someone in the developing world who feels the effects of globalization.
The audience adds much to this broadcast by asking well-informed and critical questions.
The program works best when speakers focus on personal experiences, or when excellent scripting about the scale of global poverty jolts listeners back to reality after too much rhetoric about the merits of free trade.
This is possibly the best piece I've heard on the human side of China's rapid economic development. It tells the story of the people caught up in the whirlwind change. They invest in their hopes, only to see those hopes dashed by poorly thought out policies. It clearly shows the tensions between rapid development, environmental concerns and short term political interests.
The sound is fantastic. The picture of the people and the landscape is vivid. The writing is clear, concise, and colourful.
This versatile piece would be an excellent addition to both a current affairs format and a human interest program. Highly recommended.
Marion Owen has got a great idea going with her series “The UpBeet Gardener”.
As someone who reluctantly hosted a two-hour live gardening program, I know that gardening on the radio does not work – unless your audience is made up entirely of fanatical gardeners.
This program however has a much wider appeal. It usually combines an interesting anecdote with an unexpected plant link. I was drawn in by “Jimmy Carter Builds a Tree House” and went on from there to “Chilling Inspiration: How Clarence Birdseye Launched Frozen Foods.” The titles are quirky and Marion’s descriptions of plants, such as the pea, that “nutritional hero” are funny and somehow endearing.
The items works best when plants are central to the story. I found “Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett: A Bond of Flowers” a bit of a stretch.
The program could also do with more interview clips and archival material to break up what can at times be a rather long narration. Where sound is used, the mixing needs to be improved. Music fades out rather suddenly; Captain Birdseye’s arctic squall lasted about three seconds.
Marion’s delivery can be a bit self conscious – a more natural style would match the earthiness of this series.
These flaws are easy to remedy. The core idea is what makes “The UpBeet Gardener” work. Marion Owen clearly has a passion for plants and she’s found an interesting way to draw the rest of us in.
Comment for
"World Vision Report - Show 59 - Air Date - 022705" (deleted)
Review of World Vision Report - Show 59 - Air Date - 022705 (deleted)
This is one of the better programs on international issues I’ve come across.
It’s very well produced with lots of sound. There’s a good spread of stories; from personal experiences to global issues; from a brothel in India to a village in Mexico. The items are well introduced and the issues are clearly explained.
The World Vision Report currently airs on Christian radio stations in the United States. As a producer for a secular international radio station, I was listening for an overtly Christian perspective which might not sit well with listeners from a variety of faiths. Only one story had an obvious Christian link, but this connection was unforced, clearly flagged, and not overbearing.
On the whole I think this particular program does a very good job of explaining some of the world's most serious issues to a domestic audience.
Comment for
"Remembering La Quesera Massacre" (deleted)
Review of Remembering La Quesera Massacre (deleted)
This program gets full marks for making some compelling observations about our attitudes to war, and backing them up with extraordinary material.
Part one explains the events surrounding a massacre in El Salvador. The level of brutality is inconceivable and the stories from the survivors are chilling.
This is the kind of material you can only collect only in the aftermath of such a tragedy. Normally chaos, shock & news formats prevent personal stories from being told during the conflict. These stories remind you how wars haunt people, long after the conflict has ended.
The second half of the program looks at how these people are remembering their dead. It highlights the importance of official recognition when justice will never be served.
But it's the last few minutes of this segment which, I think, are the most important. The point is made that "It's become easier for us to go to war because now we have this pre-emptive philosophy which will allow us to go to any war anytime, anywhere, provoked or unprovoked. But do we really understand what it means to survive that kind of violence?"
The answer is no - but this program offers a glimpse of the horrors of war, and may cause a few listeners to reflect.
Excellent journalism.
Comment for
"The Tartan-Spangled Banner: Inside Out" (deleted)
Review of The Tartan-Spangled Banner: Inside Out (deleted)
This program is about how Americans are celebrating their Scottish ancestry as never before. As such, it does a good job of describing the surreal rituals involving kilts and haggis which people in the new world have concocted to revive their Caledonian roots.
The presenter David Stenhouse touches on the deeper influence Scots have had on American thinking, but much more could have been said about this rich exchange of ideas. It would also have been interesting to expose Scottish wannabees to the realities of life in Scotland today.
There are some funny moments and Stenhouse takes the right tone – humorous, but not ridiculing. However this documentary does little to defrock the Bonnie wee Charlie image of a very complex land and its intriguing relationship with America.
This piece is sound-rich and well produced, though by the end I felt as if I’d eaten a whole tin of shortbread. Too sweet.
Having said that, after listening to this program I have the impression a Burn's Day broadcast would satisfy the hunger of many a Scottish descendent.
If you are a political junkie then this is your fix in its purest form. Little production, just talk from one of America's more lucid insiders. Through his career Strobe Talbott has rubbed shoulders with key political players and is able to offer a fascinating analysis of important events and personalities from the post cold war era. If you are seeking to understand current U.S. foreign policy, give this a listen. It's alarming, enlightening and fascinating radio. It's also a reminder of how entertaining it is to hear a good speaker...speak, without any production bells and whistles.
Peace is such a refreshing subject at a time when aggression gets so much coverage. This program looks at pacifism from the micro-level of customer services and bullying, to the macro-level of international relations. These are very different situations, yet experts in each case offer practical tips which could help people cope with daily conflicts.
There are extremely poignant moments, such as when the fathers of a murderer and his victim are brought together to talk about how they are trying to heal the violence in their town.
The most philosophical section is a conversation with two veteran peace activists who recently traveled to North Korea. One observed that often in her line of work, "you know it won't make any difference but you have to do it anyway". This extraordinary attitude helps to ease the sense of helplessness one feels in the face of seemingly endless conflict.
It's a powerful yet very gentle program which I think can make a great deal of difference for many listeners.
I thought the structure could have been a bit tighter. The music is lovely though sometimes too present.
Overall, a strong program.
Comment for
"School for Little Wanderers" (deleted)
This is a fascinating four and a half minutes of radio. It's a rare glimpse into the schooling of teenage mothers. Most of the story is told through the teachers, and at first I found this mildly disappointing. I wanted to hear more from the spirited teens who kick off the item in a raucous way. But the respect and understanding the teachers show their pupils says more about the strengths of these young parents than they themselves might have been able to articulate in such a short time.
The narrative flows smoothly, the important questions get answered and the interjections from teen moms are great. Solid production work. Well done!
This program addresses a very timely and provocative issue and offers a surprising glimpse of wind energy pioneers at work.
The content goes well beyond the mechanics and politics of wind energy to look at the potential of renewable power to shiftt people's lifestyles. Host Mark Sommer has an easy, relaxed style and though most of his interviews are done by phone or studio link-up he engages well with his guests and has a knack for bridging regional divides.
The writing at the top of the program could be tighter. There's a tendency to opt for a cleverly written line rather than one that clearly (though perhaps less colorfully) explains the issue at hand.
The production is simple, with little ambient sound, instead music is used to bridge segments. The tone is usually well chosen, though some selections such as Dylan's "Blowing in the wind" are overly obvious and a bit hokey.
At 55 minutes this is a long program and parts of it could definitely be tightened. Having said that, I learned a lot about an important issue that doesn't get a lot of coverage.
What a marvelous piece of radio. Its confessional quality is perfect for this medium. The music is used very effectively to amplify emotion. The hanging questions and contradictions provide so much to think about. This glimpse into a soldier's private horror is hopefully the kind of story that might help bring this conflict to a swifter end. Very good work.
Comments by michele ernsting
Comment for "'The Mad Russian': Reflections of a Cold War Wrestling Villain"
michele ernsting
Posted on March 30, 2006 at 09:27 AM | Permalink
Review of 'The Mad Russian': Reflections of a Cold War Wrestling Villain
This is a marvelous piece of radio. My favorite items are those which take an intriguing or off-beat tale and use it to tell a much larger story. This brief biography of Nikolai Volkoff, the "Mad Russian" wrestler contains the tragedy and the surreal comedy of cold war thinking.
It's unexpectedly poignant. There's lots of great archival audio, good writing, excellent presentation. An all round entertaining and high quality production.
Comment for "Chris Hedges: War is a Force that Gives Us Meaning"
michele ernsting
Posted on January 13, 2006 at 01:55 AM | Permalink
Review of Chris Hedges: War is a Force that Gives Us Meaning
This talk is a powerful antidote to the sanitized image of war presented by governments and many media outlets. Chris Hedges offers his considerable experience on several front lines, to explain the addictive nature of war. In the process he attempts to understand his own streak of self destructiveness which kept him going back for more.
His insight into the dark nature of comradeship is surprising and yet strangely recognizable.
This is a very simple technical production; just one man talking. The tone can at times be sermon-like but the message is so compelling, it makes for great radio. The kind where you come away feeling as if you've run a marathon or forgotten to breathe.
Comment for "The Future of the Planet"
michele ernsting
Posted on November 07, 2005 at 09:57 PM | Permalink
Review of The Future of the Planet
Excellent production, solid research, sharp writing, clear structure, interesting guests, great ideas and unexpected connections. A hearty serving of critical thinking about modern agricultural practices. Great to hear a program which looks beyond narrow national or regional interests to understand the wider implications of conspicuous consumption.
Highly recommended.
Comment for " The Nakba and Palestinian Refugees"
michele ernsting
Posted on October 06, 2005 at 06:40 AM | Permalink
Review of The Nakba and Palestinian Refugees
The Nakba (the term Palestinians use to describe the 1948 Arab/Israeli war) is a crucial event which has had enormous influence on world events, as such, it's a story which deserves attention. Unfortunately I think this report fails to add to our understanding of this event.
First of all, any story on such a complex subject requires some context, and even though these pieces are only 6 minutes, there was room at the top to do that.
Secondly it's imperative to give an accurate description of the historical events and the roles of the many different participants. Painting this as a Jewish/Palestinian Black/White story is incorrect and does not help the listener to understand this tragedy.
The speakers are eloquent in their description of their hardships, but the reporter must then step back to a position of neutrality.
I would also be very interested to hear more details of people's lives in the refugee camps. These details help listeners identify with the speakers. A more nuanced approach can only add to the power of the piece.
Also, the audio levels in the two items I listened to were all over the place and sometimes speakers were inaudible as a result.
The music could be toned down and used more sparingly.
Again, this is an important issue; I would like to hear more about it. I hope these producers continue to explore this perspective, but with a more thorough journalistic approach.
Comment for "Katrina Uncovers: Activism, Racism and Environmental Justice" (deleted)
michele ernsting
Posted on October 05, 2005 at 12:18 AM
Review of Katrina Uncovers: Activism, Racism and Environmental Justice (deleted)
As someone who has followed this story closely in the international media, this program offered lots of interesting and eyebrow-raising information about the grass-roots political initiatives underway to support the victims of hurricane Katrina.
It also reveals in a very clear way the bitterness and disenfranchisement some people in the region are feeling; very honest, raw opinions which contrast markedly with the polished responses offered by government officials. You really get a sense that you’re hearing the key ideas of the local leaders.
The program also notes the groups which have been overlooked in the media coverage.
In terms of the interviews, there are some leading questions which reveal the interviewers own perspective.
But all in all a good overview of the community initiatives underway in the aftermath of this disaster.
Comment for "Is Peace Possible In The Middle East?"
michele ernsting
Posted on September 06, 2005 at 11:29 AM | Permalink
Review of Is Peace Possible In The Middle East?
As usual the Chautauqua lecture series and WQLN-FM, deliver a high caliber speaker on a subject which is at the centre of the news. Dennis Ross, a career diplomat who worked with three American presidents, tries to, as he says, break myths about the Arab Israeli conflict. Whether you agree with his analysis or not, Dennis Ross is in a unique position to comment on this issue.
It must be noted that the original lecture was recorded in August 2004, before the death of Yasser Arafat and the Israeli pull-out from the West Bank. But if you intro this carefully, there's a lot of fascinating material here.
Speaking of introductions, my one dispute with this lecture series is that sometimes I feel they don't give enough information at the start of the program to help listeners understand the political leanings of the speaker. Not so with Dennis Ross who is clearly introduced.
Comment for "Spectrum Radio Special: China's Tech Revolution #004"
michele ernsting
Posted on August 05, 2005 at 12:21 AM | Permalink
Review of Spectrum Radio Special: China's Technology Revolution
As an interested follower of China's development, I was expecting to hear about its conspicuous achievements in bio-science, manufacturing, energy, etc.
I also expected to hear a lot of Chinese voices. There was very little of either.
The definition of technology here is so broad that in certain items, such as a travelogue of Chengdu, the technology link seems entirely absent.
There were a few interesting reports, one on the internet and another on pandas but many of the other pieces seemed to use China merely as a lens to view America’s position in the world.
The only thing all the items have in common is muffled or hissy audio clips. I can’t understand how nine separate items could all have such consistently bad quality clips.
There’s real potential here for a solid production. Many of the reporters write and present well. More research, a tighter focus and better audio recorders would do the trick.
Comment for "The Past, Present and Future of Nuclear Weapons" (deleted)
michele ernsting
Posted on August 01, 2005 at 04:49 AM
Review of The Past, Present and Future of Nuclear Weapons (deleted)
The three pieces in this program are relatively interesting in themselves, but together they fail to live up to the ambitious title "The Past, Present and Future of Nuclear Weapons".
The first item was excerpted from a longer doco. It presents the views of Japanese peace activists. It's well produced and offers some very interesting perspectives. The one thing I didn't like was the cliched use of Japanese traditional music. I think something more ambient would have worked better.
The second item is about the failure of the recent review of the nuclear non-proliferation (NPT) treaty. This important topic gets lost in an unstructured script. The presentation is also rather robotic. This is a complex subject and the presenter needs to slow down and re-write the script as if she were explaining this issue to a friend. Not dumb-it-down, just make this compelling subject more accessible to listeners.
The music/sound under the following link is distracting and gets in the way of the words.
The final piece is a montage of experts talking about American/Korean nuclear policies.
The speakers are very good, and the percussive background sound creates an interesting tension. It's well produced, and thoughtfully constructed. This is the strongest piece in terms of explaining the strange dynamics of nuclear proliferation.
Comment for "Invasions of the Mind"
michele ernsting
Posted on July 05, 2005 at 11:13 AM | Permalink
Review of Invasions of the Mind
This piece begins with a quote from Sun Tzu's Art of War. I love the book, and I like the way Bill Palladino uses it to frame daydreams and insecurities. This technique somehow elevates these preoccupations beyond the merely silly or sad, to become real obstacles in a mental minefield. The simple examples of mind invasions are very recognizable and form the heart of this essay. Sometimes the prose goes over the top, but it's this combination of the banal and the transcendent which makes this piece work.
Comment for "Snakeheads & Slavery--Britain's Human Traffic: Inside Out" (deleted)
michele ernsting
Posted on July 05, 2005 at 10:37 AM
Review of Snakeheads & Slavery--Britain's Human Traffic: Inside Out (deleted)
This is an excellent piece. The issue of human trafficking is so complex it easily fills an hour, and Michael Goldfarb uses his time well. The issue is clearly explained, and Goldfarb doesn't shy away from the contradictions and nuances of this problem. He also looks beyond the criminal organizations at how immigration policies and public perceptions contribute to trafficking.
The personal stories are compelling and his "experts" are well informed and engaging. The scripting is skillful and evocative.
While this program looks at Britain's trade in humans, this is of course a universal problem, and the setting could just as easily be New York or Amsterdam.
I highly recommend this exceptionally well produced documentary.
Comment for "America And The Crisis Of Legitimacy"
michele ernsting
Posted on June 14, 2005 at 11:48 AM | Permalink
Review of America And The Crisis Of Legitimacy
The Chautauqua lectures offer up some remarkable speakers, notable for their influence and expertise. In this respect Robert Kagan meets the standards, and what he has to say is very compelling. I do however think his introduction and the description of his talk is misleading.
As a previous reviewer noted, Mr. Kagan is better known for his neo-conservative efforts within the Project for a New American Century, than for his work as a senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
Mr. Kagan supports war to further U.S. interests and believes allies in the international community should be given “influence” by the U.S. only if they agree to support America’s methods to fight “terror”.
Mr. Kagan criticizes Europe’s reluctance to “engage” with troubled regions of the world. For Mr. Kagan, “engagement” means military engagement. He ignores Europe’s considerable economic, developmental and diplomatic engagement with many fractious states.
Mr. Kagan makes the argument that when the U.S. had less power it was a great supporter of international law, unlike Europe. He seems to forget that the first international peace conference was held in The Hague, the first treaties were instigated mainly by European countries and Russia.
One has to dispute Mr. Kagan’s premise that U.S. foreign policy varies little in spite who is in power. I don’t recall public discussions on the legitimacy of torture taking place under past U.S. administrations.
This program was recorded in 2004 and one can’t help think that Mr. Kagan’s views must have changed in the wake of the failed occupation of Iraq and new revelations of torture in Guantanamo Bay and Afghanistan.
To re-cap, the Chautauqua lectures provide marvelous opportunities to hear speakers who are shaping our world. With a more accurate introduction to place Mr. Kagan in his proper context, this presentation is worth a listen.
Comment for "Globalization and the World's Poor"
michele ernsting
Posted on May 19, 2005 at 06:50 AM | Permalink
Review of Globalization and the World's Poor
The effect of globalization on poverty is an important topic to discuss, but unless you break it down into specific issues, it is too vast and vague to come to grips with in under 60 minutes.
Both Garrick Utley and Kojo Nnamdi do a great job of trying to focus the discussion, but the two-host structure is cumbersome, especially when the line-up also includes four guests.
The guests are all very interesting, but they get little time to develop their arguments. At times it's difficult to figure out who is who. This is rather crucial when they include speakers from organizations and think tanks with clear political agendas.
There are some moments of real insight on the part of John Ambler of Oxfam and William Easterly, formerly of the World Bank, but the other speakers often get bogged down in abstract concepts.
I would have liked to have heard from someone in the developing world who feels the effects of globalization.
The audience adds much to this broadcast by asking well-informed and critical questions.
The program works best when speakers focus on personal experiences, or when excellent scripting about the scale of global poverty jolts listeners back to reality after too much rhetoric about the merits of free trade.
Comment for "80 Meters"
michele ernsting
Posted on April 04, 2005 at 04:32 AM | Permalink
Review of 80 Meters
This is possibly the best piece I've heard on the human side of China's rapid economic development. It tells the story of the people caught up in the whirlwind change. They invest in their hopes, only to see those hopes dashed by poorly thought out policies. It clearly shows the tensions between rapid development, environmental concerns and short term political interests.
The sound is fantastic. The picture of the people and the landscape is vivid. The writing is clear, concise, and colourful.
This versatile piece would be an excellent addition to both a current affairs format and a human interest program. Highly recommended.
Comment for "Jimmy Carter Builds a Tree House"
michele ernsting
Posted on March 29, 2005 at 10:08 PM | Permalink
Review of Jimmy Carter Builds a Tree House
Marion Owen has got a great idea going with her series “The UpBeet Gardener”.
As someone who reluctantly hosted a two-hour live gardening program, I know that gardening on the radio does not work – unless your audience is made up entirely of fanatical gardeners.
This program however has a much wider appeal. It usually combines an interesting anecdote with an unexpected plant link. I was drawn in by “Jimmy Carter Builds a Tree House” and went on from there to “Chilling Inspiration: How Clarence Birdseye Launched Frozen Foods.” The titles are quirky and Marion’s descriptions of plants, such as the pea, that “nutritional hero” are funny and somehow endearing.
The items works best when plants are central to the story. I found “Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett: A Bond of Flowers” a bit of a stretch.
The program could also do with more interview clips and archival material to break up what can at times be a rather long narration. Where sound is used, the mixing needs to be improved. Music fades out rather suddenly; Captain Birdseye’s arctic squall lasted about three seconds.
Marion’s delivery can be a bit self conscious – a more natural style would match the earthiness of this series.
These flaws are easy to remedy. The core idea is what makes “The UpBeet Gardener” work. Marion Owen clearly has a passion for plants and she’s found an interesting way to draw the rest of us in.
Comment for "World Vision Report - Show 59 - Air Date - 022705" (deleted)
michele ernsting
Posted on March 14, 2005 at 03:27 AM
Review of World Vision Report - Show 59 - Air Date - 022705 (deleted)
This is one of the better programs on international issues I’ve come across.
It’s very well produced with lots of sound. There’s a good spread of stories; from personal experiences to global issues; from a brothel in India to a village in Mexico. The items are well introduced and the issues are clearly explained.
The World Vision Report currently airs on Christian radio stations in the United States. As a producer for a secular international radio station, I was listening for an overtly Christian perspective which might not sit well with listeners from a variety of faiths. Only one story had an obvious Christian link, but this connection was unforced, clearly flagged, and not overbearing.
On the whole I think this particular program does a very good job of explaining some of the world's most serious issues to a domestic audience.
Comment for "Remembering La Quesera Massacre" (deleted)
michele ernsting
Posted on February 04, 2005 at 03:02 AM
Review of Remembering La Quesera Massacre (deleted)
This program gets full marks for making some compelling observations about our attitudes to war, and backing them up with extraordinary material.
Part one explains the events surrounding a massacre in El Salvador. The level of brutality is inconceivable and the stories from the survivors are chilling.
This is the kind of material you can only collect only in the aftermath of such a tragedy. Normally chaos, shock & news formats prevent personal stories from being told during the conflict. These stories remind you how wars haunt people, long after the conflict has ended.
The second half of the program looks at how these people are remembering their dead. It highlights the importance of official recognition when justice will never be served.
But it's the last few minutes of this segment which, I think, are the most important. The point is made that "It's become easier for us to go to war because now we have this pre-emptive philosophy which will allow us to go to any war anytime, anywhere, provoked or unprovoked. But do we really understand what it means to survive that kind of violence?"
The answer is no - but this program offers a glimpse of the horrors of war, and may cause a few listeners to reflect.
Excellent journalism.
Comment for "The Tartan-Spangled Banner: Inside Out" (deleted)
michele ernsting
Posted on January 06, 2005 at 03:22 AM
Review of The Tartan-Spangled Banner: Inside Out (deleted)
This program is about how Americans are celebrating their Scottish ancestry as never before. As such, it does a good job of describing the surreal rituals involving kilts and haggis which people in the new world have concocted to revive their Caledonian roots.
The presenter David Stenhouse touches on the deeper influence Scots have had on American thinking, but much more could have been said about this rich exchange of ideas. It would also have been interesting to expose Scottish wannabees to the realities of life in Scotland today.
There are some funny moments and Stenhouse takes the right tone – humorous, but not ridiculing. However this documentary does little to defrock the Bonnie wee Charlie image of a very complex land and its intriguing relationship with America.
This piece is sound-rich and well produced, though by the end I felt as if I’d eaten a whole tin of shortbread. Too sweet.
Having said that, after listening to this program I have the impression a Burn's Day broadcast would satisfy the hunger of many a Scottish descendent.
Comment for " Strobe Talbott Diplomacy In The Post Cold War Era"
michele ernsting
Posted on January 03, 2005 at 11:26 PM | Permalink
Review of Strobe Talbott Diplomacy In The Post Cold War Era
If you are a political junkie then this is your fix in its purest form. Little production, just talk from one of America's more lucid insiders. Through his career Strobe Talbott has rubbed shoulders with key political players and is able to offer a fascinating analysis of important events and personalities from the post cold war era. If you are seeking to understand current U.S. foreign policy, give this a listen. It's alarming, enlightening and fascinating radio. It's also a reminder of how entertaining it is to hear a good speaker...speak, without any production bells and whistles.
Comment for "Peace Talks Radio: Seeking Peace on Earth - The Peace Talks Radio 2004 Special"
michele ernsting
Posted on January 03, 2005 at 01:25 AM | Permalink
Review of Peace Talks 2004: Making Peace Day To Day
Peace is such a refreshing subject at a time when aggression gets so much coverage. This program looks at pacifism from the micro-level of customer services and bullying, to the macro-level of international relations. These are very different situations, yet experts in each case offer practical tips which could help people cope with daily conflicts.
There are extremely poignant moments, such as when the fathers of a murderer and his victim are brought together to talk about how they are trying to heal the violence in their town.
The most philosophical section is a conversation with two veteran peace activists who recently traveled to North Korea. One observed that often in her line of work, "you know it won't make any difference but you have to do it anyway". This extraordinary attitude helps to ease the sense of helplessness one feels in the face of seemingly endless conflict.
It's a powerful yet very gentle program which I think can make a great deal of difference for many listeners.
I thought the structure could have been a bit tighter. The music is lovely though sometimes too present.
Overall, a strong program.
Comment for "School for Little Wanderers" (deleted)
michele ernsting
Posted on November 15, 2004 at 02:55 AM
Review of School for Little Wanderers (deleted)
This is a fascinating four and a half minutes of radio. It's a rare glimpse into the schooling of teenage mothers. Most of the story is told through the teachers, and at first I found this mildly disappointing. I wanted to hear more from the spirited teens who kick off the item in a raucous way. But the respect and understanding the teachers show their pupils says more about the strengths of these young parents than they themselves might have been able to articulate in such a short time.
The narrative flows smoothly, the important questions get answered and the interjections from teen moms are great. Solid production work. Well done!
Comment for "The Wind Will Carry Us: Moving Beyond the Oil Economy"
michele ernsting
Posted on October 29, 2004 at 03:08 AM | Permalink
Review of The Wind Will Carry Us: Moving Beyond the Oil Economy
This program addresses a very timely and provocative issue and offers a surprising glimpse of wind energy pioneers at work.
The content goes well beyond the mechanics and politics of wind energy to look at the potential of renewable power to shiftt people's lifestyles. Host Mark Sommer has an easy, relaxed style and though most of his interviews are done by phone or studio link-up he engages well with his guests and has a knack for bridging regional divides.
The writing at the top of the program could be tighter. There's a tendency to opt for a cleverly written line rather than one that clearly (though perhaps less colorfully) explains the issue at hand.
The production is simple, with little ambient sound, instead music is used to bridge segments. The tone is usually well chosen, though some selections such as Dylan's "Blowing in the wind" are overly obvious and a bit hokey.
At 55 minutes this is a long program and parts of it could definitely be tightened. Having said that, I learned a lot about an important issue that doesn't get a lot of coverage.
Comment for "Johnny Comes Home"
michele ernsting
Posted on May 27, 2004 at 10:27 AM | Permalink
Review of Johnny Comes Home
What a marvelous piece of radio. Its confessional quality is perfect for this medium. The music is used very effectively to amplify emotion. The hanging questions and contradictions provide so much to think about. This glimpse into a soldier's private horror is hopefully the kind of story that might help bring this conflict to a swifter end. Very good work.