If you like that one, watch a world award winning documentary (by Canadians???..can't remember) called "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised". It opens ones eyes to the media and how it can manipulate society.
Thanks for the info! I will get back to you when I view them . I teach Media Arts so believe me-- I'm very interested and have a somewhat realistic perspective on the power of the media. I may have seen the Cdn one. I try to teach my students how to deconstruct messages/images we're bombarded with... some of it gets through!
The hegemony of the ruling (wealthy) classes is nothing new. There's only so much we can do to keep it in check. Independent films, documentaries, and some of the counter-culture mediums contribute somewhat to dismantling the myths, and keeping some powers in check. Its too bad there's not more documentaries taking a strip out of these "snake oil salesmen" who pass themselves off as "financial wizards." Unfortunately most documentaries have to be produced before they can get funding (a kind of Catch 22 for most would-be documentary film makers).
As you say: information is huge-- and whoever has it-- can gain from it when used wisely. At least you got in on the oil when it was cheap.
I think a lot of collectors have found a huge value in the information that surrounds paper money. Its so vastly different now compated to 30 years ago when I started in this hobby and thought I had a screw loose for keeping a binder of 1954/74 notes. There wasn't even a Charlton back when I started! Now with the internet.. it totally changes the landscape of the hobby.
Today, I always enjoy meeting some of the "top dogs" in the community at shows and conventions. I try to keep my good ear to the ground (no matter how poorly it works!) just to pick up the odd gem of info.
I guess however, that the info around the hobby pales in comparison to what an informed person can capitalize on with insider knowledge like the self-proclaimed "wonderboy" you mentioned (Steven Jarislowsky).
I still like to think that if there is some kind of conversion of our currency it couldn't hurt the hobby....or it may even boost it. I really do think they would polymerize it too if they're going to change it so radically in the first place. And if they don't...then it might be an opportunity to collect them...becasue polymer is next. Polymer notes are so much more secure and last that much longer. If that were to happen...then it would make paper seem even more antiquated, & desirable to collect. Whatever happens... new collectors must be brought into the fold (as it were) for the hobby to grow..and for the notes to really appreciate in value.
"The real menace of our Republic is the invisible government which like a giant octopus sprawls its slimy legs over our cities, states and nation. At the head is a small group of banking houses... This little coterie...run our government for their own selfish ends. It operates under cover of a self-created screen...seizes...our executive officers...legislative bodies...schools...courts...newspapers and every agency created for the public protection."
Sounds like something from the Russian intellectuals (Bakhtin, Dostoevski, Chekhov)