Daniel Robert Epstein: John Perkins

I saw this guy speak in Madison, WI about a year ago. I donated a copy of his book to a library.

[Edited on Apr 22, 2006 by moniker42]

This interview is not only one of the most "adult" pieces I've ever read on this site, but among the most level-headed assessments of anything truly significant that I've seen on the Web EVER. Anyone who didn't "get" Syriana or thought it was only about control of the global oil trade might consider integrating this man's perspective into their worldview for a deeper, truer understanding of the situation we are in today. Oil is certainly a part of the picture, but when measured against, say, influencing other countries' GNPs, strategically shifting debt loads around and manipulating monetary systems, or controlling the regulation and flow of drugs, oil pales in comparison in terms of serious power moves.

Great interview, DRE and staff. Thanks.

[Edited on Apr 22, 2006 by Cineman]

I agree with Cineman. This interview was one of the best I have read on the site so far, and the book is one of the best I have read in a long time. While many people try to brush things like this off as "conspiracy theory" bullshit, the fact is the rest of the world hates the US for a reason, and the American public is largely ignorant of this, due to selective reporting in the media and a lack of transparency in both the government and the corporate higher levels.

If you want a real conspiracy theory, think of this: More and more people are graduating with college degrees. As the general public gets smarter, they become harder to control (read: fool). Meanwhile, the No Child Left Behind Act is passed, an act that many educational professionals beleive doesn't work, and in fact is an obstacle in getting children educated, since it adds hundreds of hours of paperwork onto the responsibilities of each teacher.

Just something else to think about. I didn't actually think of that until I was doing a report on the NCLB Act and reading this book at the same time.

DRE, thanks for doing this interview.

I don’t read to many of the interviews on this site because they’re geared towards the ADHD pop culture, but this one was a good interview, with a very interesting person. I’ve been a student of globalization and it’s effects, and I thought his book was one of the more articulate, practical, and realistic critiques of the system. Particularly because it didn’t deal with the pathetic left-right debate and reduced the issue to economics and power. I hope more people will pick up his book.

i was reading your post then i got distracted by a pretty light outside

Thanks to Daniel Robert Epstein for interviewing Mr.Perkins.

It was a very good book and I hope that the movie will enlight others to take action.

I really enjoyed reading Confessions of an Economic Hitman, I just hope Mr. Perkins isn't the next name on the Jackal's list of people to do.