This piece from veteran Michigan Radio producer Tamar Charney explores a variety of spontaneous everyday moments, decision-making moments when we Americans unconsciously lean on our collective affection for basic democratic principles. Charney spends some time with a typical American family as they use 'majority rule' to make domestic decisions, and then the piece moves to an interesting interview with a grocery worker who expresses doubts about whether or not our votes really count.
The idea that we simultaneously trust the principles of democracy and distrust its application, that's the crux of this piece. Charney puts it succinctly when she says, "We vote characters off islands and pick the next American Idol using democratic principles, but we don't think it works for politics."
This is a thoughtful and nicely produced segment, especially for election season.
Unusual and interesting angle on how
democracy is reflected in our social ways of being, about what kind of person democracy creates. It's great to hear the kids in a family talk about democracy at work in their personal context. This report feels more relaxed and personable than a standard NPR report, while feeling no less credible. I will definitely carry something away from this and at least in the immediate future, being looking at social interactions with this report in mind.
sl
Comments for Small Stuff Democracy
Produced by Tamar Charney
Other pieces by Michael Leland
Rating Summary
2 comments
Aaron Henkin
Posted on November 02, 2006 at 06:03 AM | Permalink
Review of Small Stuff Democracy
This piece from veteran Michigan Radio producer Tamar Charney explores a variety of spontaneous everyday moments, decision-making moments when we Americans unconsciously lean on our collective affection for basic democratic principles. Charney spends some time with a typical American family as they use 'majority rule' to make domestic decisions, and then the piece moves to an interesting interview with a grocery worker who expresses doubts about whether or not our votes really count.
The idea that we simultaneously trust the principles of democracy and distrust its application, that's the crux of this piece. Charney puts it succinctly when she says, "We vote characters off islands and pick the next American Idol using democratic principles, but we don't think it works for politics."
This is a thoughtful and nicely produced segment, especially for election season.
Transom Editors
Posted on September 29, 2003 at 12:17 PM | Permalink
Review of Small Stuff Democracy
Unusual and interesting angle on how
democracy is reflected in our social ways of being, about what kind of person democracy creates. It's great to hear the kids in a family talk about democracy at work in their personal context. This report feels more relaxed and personable than a standard NPR report, while feeling no less credible. I will definitely carry something away from this and at least in the immediate future, being looking at social interactions with this report in mind.
sl