Ashes Ashes

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 transcrip