Episode 36 - "Slaves to Progress (Part 1 of 2)"

Despite universal condemnation of slavery, there are more slaves than ever before. They are cheaper (and more disposable) than they ever have been. Who are these people toiling without rest and what forces bind them? Can economic expansion find innovative solutions to this age-old problem? Or is slavery itself built into the foundation of our modern economy?

We will explore these questions and more, as well as the connections between slavery and environmental destruction, migration, and the products we consume daily.

This is the first of a two part series.

Chapters

• 03:19 Pirates
• 07:42 Slaves by the Numbers
• 12:04 Diversity of Products
• 14:33 The "Third World" and the Environment
• 21:03 Vicious Cycle
• 23:10 Global Demand; Local Conflict
• 24:33 Conflict Mineral Supply Chain
• 28:55 Debt Path to Slavery
• 33:28 Malaysia
• 37:53 Vulnerability through Migration
• 39:56 Seafood
• 48:00 What are Rights?
• 55:28 Benevolence of Jobs?
• 57:49 Thinking in Aggregates

A full transcript is available as well as detailed links and sources (plus credits and more) on our website ashesashes.org.

Find more information along with relevant news and links on your favorite social network @ashesashescast.

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