David Barsamian on ‘Media, Capitalism and Climate Change’

Friday, March 28 2014

On Friday, March 28th, CounterCulture hosted renowned author and the director of Alternative Radio, David Barsamian for a free talk on ‘Media, Capitalism, and Climate Change’’ at SFU’s downtown Harbour Centre Campus.

Barsamian has written bestselling books with influential thinkers such as Noam Chomsky, Howard Zinn, and Arundhati Roy, to name a few. He is also the Founder and Director of Alternative Radio, an independent, internationally syndicated public affairs program.

Thank you to those who joined us March 28th for a lively discussion on how big media in the back pocket of powerful interests are deepening our environmental crisis.

/// Talk Synopsis ///

Descartes said, “I think, therefore I am.” In today’s context it may be more like, “I buy therefore I am.” Orchestrated wants driven by sophisticated advertising techniques have created a culture of consumption. Appetites for the latest hot thing are engineered. Media campaigns sell cool and sexy. Marketing is key. Data are collected. People are profiled, then targeted. Cell phones. Have to get the latest one with all new features, faster processor and design. We can’t be left behind. More sales means more profits. The capitalist economic system is predicated on making money and barely considers the environmental effects down the road. That’s somebody else’s problem. Consumerism is connected to ideology. Freedom is equated with the ability to buy things. But the pattern of endless consumption is not sustainable. We are destroying nature.

Time: 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Location: Labatt Hall (Room #1700), SFU Harbour Centre Campus 515 W. Hastings St. Vancouver
Cost: FREE!