FRONTLINE: the pbs documentary series not the flea medicine

"listening devices" literally turns my stomach but this is still some pretty lite content comparatively

there'll no doubt be another snowden-esque revelation that the devices were indeed listening all along, for national security reasons naturally, and everyone will be outraged for two to three weeks

It's only a matter of storage density and voice recognition capability both increasing beyond certain points that you can expect to be recorded in every public space (and most private spaces) 24/7/365. Will it be abused? In early 21st century terms, yes. In 2040 terms? It'll be as normal as being required to carry picture ID on you at all times, which similarly used to freak people the fuck out.

If I live until 2040, I plan to communicate in public only by scribbling notes on pad of paper and handing it to people. Using a number 3 pencil.

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/coronavirus-pandemic/

Not as alarming as you would think -- made me feel proud of medical professionals and determined to fight this shit

Some good new ones -- I really liked the one about Iraqis/the war (Once Upon a Time in Iraq) and the most recent one about C19 + agricultural/meatpacking workers is essential if you have eaten a piece of broccoli in the last 5 months (and didn't grow it yourself, and if you did enjoy your high horse!)
Covid's Hidden Toll https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/covids-hidden-toll/

1) Here to stan for Independent Lens' docu-series Philly DA (the series, not necessarily the man although I believe he has good intentions)
2) There's a new Frontline about refugees from Eritrea and one of my students wrote her final project about this very same journey! Looking forward to watching that one
3) Have not watched the covid retrospective docs yet -- I feel like it's a little soon?!?!

first ep of Philly DA was great, not looking forward to the way this unravels... it unravels right? How can it not unravel.

It's so gooooooooood!!! I like the eps that drift away from the central Krasner-tory the best but he was obvs the reason for the season. I watched the whole thing already bc I have PBS passport & was hungry for docs. My only recommendation is to watch it quickly because it's easy to get confused and the filmmakers didn't remind us what everyone's name is so it's always "that lady w curly hair who was a holdover from previous administration" or whatever.

Also the screaming FOP-supporting white people = background players in Mare of Easttown

Krasner-Story
typo oops

This looks promising! Sort of boring, but I like that --

A trove of nearly 12 million confidential documents, collectively known as the Pandora Papers, reveals the hidden assets and secret deals of some of the world’s wealthiest and most powerful people, including 130 billionaires, 35 current and former world leaders and more than 330 politicians and public officials.

The documents — shared with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists by an anonymous source — include records from 14 financial service providers around the world. The leaked files illustrate the global entanglement of political power and secretive offshore finance, and how U.S. trusts are sheltering millions in controversial assets.

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/pandora-papers-video-news-icij/

Some earlier talk here: The proof is in the Putin: thread for Panama Papers/Mossack Fonseca leaks.

the el mozote episode from yesterday is heartbreaking

i don't think i'll be watching that one. for the curious and non-googling https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/massacre-in-el-salvador/

i am however interested in the Pandora Papers segment that apparently also finally aired. I've been out of the loop lately!

Welp. I haven't made it through the USA and the Taliban three-parter but I am almost through the one about Clarence and Ginni and I am here to recommend for anyone who lives in USA and is subject to the rulings of the Supreme Court (aka everyone who lives in USA or cares). These people, my god. If you're not there for "how did they get here?" seeing his testimony juxtaposed with Anita Hill's and knowing one of them had to be perjuring themselves...and that it wasn't Anita Hill? Bone chilling.

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/documentary/clarence-and-ginni-thomas/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJuRx1wARUk

One of the most chilling things was how everything -- everything!! -- comes or goes through Ginni. When the confirmation trials were going down, Ginni reported to John Danforth that Clarence was suffering with stress, "curled up in the fetal position" and apparently "a broken man" -- in an interview in the documentary he said "it's hard to see a man suffer that way" (or something to that effect) but

did he SEE it? no
it was reported by Ginni

they are truly a group project. in light of current circumstances, i really do think this is an illuminating look at the damage this type of marital partnership can inflict when they are fully coordinated. which they are.