Documentary Analysis: Zeitgeist Addendum Essay Example
Documentary Analysis: Zeitgeist Addendum Essay Example

Documentary Analysis: Zeitgeist Addendum Essay Example

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  • Pages: 3 (698 words)
  • Published: August 3, 2016
  • Type: Essay
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The film focuses on the issue of corruption in the world, attributing it mainly to the monetary system. Money has a significant impact on society, work, and power. The documentary introduces an alternative solution - a resource-based system as opposed to one based on money. According to IMDb, this solution is not influenced by politics, morality, laws, or any other conventional human concepts. Instead, it is rooted in a contemporary understanding of our nature and our relationship with the natural world.

In essence, the solution presented here entails an economy that eliminates poverty by eradicating money. The first part of this documentary explores how money undermines traditions and cultures, while also analyzing various monetary policies employed in the United States. Drawing from "Modern Money Mechanics," this portion demonstrates how the government's creation of money through th

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e Federal Reserve can lead to a perpetual cycle of inflation and interest rates, greatly impacting market circulation.

The government has a significant role in the market circulation as it gives subsidies to firms and collects taxes from different sources like firms and households. This money flow cycle affects inflation and interest rates. The second part of the film includes an interview with John Perkins, the writer of Confessions of an Economic Hitman, indicating the connection between money, economy, politics, and control. It specifically highlights Latin-American countries where leaders have attempted to improve their country's economy.

The leaders of countries like Iran in 1953, Ecuador in 1981, Panama in 1981, and Iraq in 2003 faced opposition from major corporations, including the United States. These corporations aimed to control the resources or financial sources of thes

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countries and ultimately dominate them through loans. Some leaders rejected this offer, leading to the involvement of hitmen. To subjugate these nations with abundant resources, these corporations followed a three-step process. The initial step involved economic hitmen offering loans to these countries.

The text discusses a three-step process used by leaders to overthrow governments, with the option of resorting to "the jackal" if the initial attempt fails. This approach has been employed in Ecuador as well. Furthermore, it mentions that a third step involves utilizing the military to overthrow the government and establish corporations. The second part of the text centers around Jacques Fresco and The Venus Project, which present an alternative solution involving a resource-based economy instead of relying on money. These are the concepts advocated by Jacques Fresco.

Furthermore, Fresco attributes the aforementioned problems to free market enterprise and capitalism. To address these issues, he proposes treating the environment as an added cost. The fourth segment of the film explores how these challenges stem from a lack of comprehension regarding emergent and symbiotic systems, a notion that is further supported by our current system. In response to this, Peter Joseph advocates for nonviolent societal changes and boycotting corporations.

Concerning the film, it suggests that the corporations are the primary perpetrators of corruption, as they always crave more. I concur with Peter Joseph's proposal to transform our world into a resource-based economy. The period before Mercantilism, when resources such as food, shelter, and apparel were valued rather than gold or silver, was a time without poverty. The author's effective use of rhetorical appeals further solidified my agreement with his views.

justify">The component of ethos was impressive, with the interviews, statistics, and illustrations providing support for the author's argument. The aspect of pathos strongly appealed to the audience through presenting societal issues and the deaths of respected leaders, leaving a profound impact on listeners. In my opinion, the element of logos emphasized that money is at the center of all problems, echoing the expression "The love of money is the root of all evil."

The quote "Power tends to corrupt, absolute power absolutely corrupts”-Lord Acton, is evidence that money/power corrupts people. I believe the intended audience for this film includes those capable of making a difference or those seeking information. The film had a negative atmosphere, a tactic I find effective as it aligns with my belief that people need to be aware of the complete truth. Censorship should be avoided as we can only truly understand the message by seeing it in its true form.

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