RN Documentary: Swimming, Sinking or Simply Paddling > Comments > "Review of RN Documentary: Swimming, Sinking or Simply Paddling"
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Commenter Profile
- John Hingsbergen
- Username: mubpd
- Location: Richmond, Kentucky
- Joined PRX: Sep 12, 2003
Piece Information
- "RN Documentary: Swimming, Sinking or Simply Paddling"
- Summary: The first in a 4-part series on failed states looks at the meaning of the term, the causes and what can be done to pull countries away from the abyss.
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Review of RN Documentary: Swimming, Sinking or Simply Paddling
John Hingsbergen
Posted on January 27, 2007 at 04:00 PM
This is pretty heavy stuff but it certainly helps answer the question, "What is a failed state?" This is a professionally-produced, technically solid and informational program but it's a real challenge to the attention span of the average listener.
There's certainly a place for detailed academic work of this type but I wish it had included more of the "production values" that have become the "norm" for public radio produced in the U.S. It's the audio equivalent of a "talking head" piece, produced with the assumption that the listener will be enthralled by the subject matter.
I listened to segments of this piece in both the peaceful quiet setting of my home, as well as in my car. Although I was able to follow the discussion in the domestic setting, I was able to give it about 5 minutes during the "car test."
One thing missing in this piece is any kind of explanation of why I might be interested in the topic of failed states. Public radio listeners are "smart listeners" but I argue that it's more often than not a good idea to tell us why we should care.
It's a well-produced piece in the same sense that a bowl of non-seasond organic vegetables may be a well-produced and healthy meal.