In Progress

Thanks to Charlotte and Joumana for posting these links.

Read a remarkable piece of investigative journalism by Ben Goldacre about vitamin pill (snake oil) salesman Matthew Rath and how he’s been responsible for the death of millions of Africans, yet no one has made any real attempt to stop him. One of the themes that leapt out at me, since I’m immersed in globalization these days, was how the colonialism and exploitation in Africa’s recent past has shaped a culture ready to reject Western ideas and methods, and susceptible to Rath’s message–despite the fact that he’s a white man too.

Then there’s this devastating profile of Dubai, a glittering monument to madness, in the eyes of Johann Hari. It’s a pretty shocking expose, although I don’t think any of the accusations are new. But to see them all together, interspersed with commentary by the unthinking residents of Dubai and despairing members of the underclass (including a 27-year-old Sri Lankan who commits suicide in debtors prison by swallowing razor blades), is very very sad.

Posted on April 9th, 2009 by DeepthiW
Filed under: Global Culture, Media, Politics, Uncategorized