Money Talks
National Geographic Channel ORIGINS: The Journey of Humankind
Jason Silva, narrator
National Geographic/ Asylum Entertainment
Each episode is 50 minutes in length
8 Episodes in this series
Episode Three shown March 20, 2017
Money
(subtitles)
What do you think would be the “something” that turns the world around? Cure for major illnesses? Lost city of Atlantis found? Not quite---as we see in the third episode of National Geographic’s ORIGINS, it is the invention of (drum roll)...money. Whether it is in the form of animal skins, spear heads, food, animals or metal coins, this revolution happened. You have something I want and I have something you want. How to deal is the next step. It combines trust with negotiation and results in not wars, but peace. It was Barter Time.
Two tribes meet for barter. One wants weapons, the other food. The food is checked and is fresh, the weapons, strong, and an agreement is made. One barely needs language to engage in bartering. In today’s world, we have gone from this to such complexities as the Cloud or Bit coin. No need to even leave your home. Plus, we are still bartering for food and weapons. With massive droughts around the world, it is difficult to grow crops, and some countries with large industries, can make weapons which can be bartered. Not much changes through the centuries. A quote from Adam Smith is given, “All money is a matter of belief.” Back in the Garden of Eden, the snake offered something to Eve and the offer was accepted. Unfortunately, Eve didn't get what she wanted and there was no “Return Counter” to go to, so here we are.
In the previous episode, “Medicine,” nothing could have been accomplished without payment of some sort. It was needed for doctors, supplies, locations. Money rules the world now, and if you look around your home, you can readily see this. Life may not be a “spark” that joined one cell to another, it may be what happened after that. Going from cells to commerce took billions of years, and man isn't about to let go now.
Direction, cinematography and music are excellent.
ORIGINS: The Journal of Humankind is produced by Asylum Entertainment for National Geographic. The series will run on television in 171 countries and 43 languages. The eight episodes are “Fire” (March 6, 2017), “Medicine” (March 13, 2017) “Money” (March 20, 2017, ) “War” (March 27, 2017), “Communication” (April 3, 2017), “Shelter” (April 10, 2017), “Exploration” (April 17, 2017) and “Transportation” (April 24, 2017.) Special effects are by John Boswell (also known as Melodysheep.) For more information see www.nationalgrographic.com or on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, YouTube, Linkedin and Pinterest.
Copyright 2017 Marie Asner
