The Banana Podcast

photo by aphasiafilms /flickr

Unlike the simple and unmistakable yellow fruit on your kitchen table, the banana industry has a complex and troubled story. And as the global banana faces its greatest crisis ever, one might wonder- how did we get this banana, and how did the industry get to such a breaking point? Writer and journalist Dan Koeppel has been researching and tracking the world of bananas for several years and has information that most of the banana eating public has never heard. He joins me on today’s podcast as we discuss the history, the science, the politics and the future of the mighty banana.

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Bananas the Film

Returned to Amsterdam and noticed a new documentary film which is showing back in New York City this week, entitled: BANANAS!
Bananas! is the story of the Banana industry’s use of a chemical known as Nemagon, a highly toxic chemical compound used for spraying banana trees throughout the 60’s and 70’s.  The pesticide has grave effects on the health of any mammal, as it caused massive levels of male sterility among banana workers, as well as high levels of cancer.  Despite knowing the effects of the pesticide on humans, companies including Dole (one of the world’s largest banana growers) sprayed fields anyway without informing or making any effort to protect workers.

The film focuses not only on the banana industry but on the case of Juan “Accidentes” Dominguez, a lawyer representing 12 Nicaraguan banana workers suffering the effects of Nemagon, taking on Dole.

The emergence of the film naturally drew criticism and threats from Dole, who claim their own investigators determined most of the claims in the film to be fraudulent.  They threatened legal action against the film, but according the film’s website, those suits have been withdrawn.

I had not heard about this film before today, and I have only begun to read specifically about Nemagon. But I very much intend to see the film when it comes to Amsterdam next month, as well as interview the director and perhaps some other parties involved in this issue.  I’m sure you’re hoping I talk to Dole… I’ll see what I can do, large corporations don’t normally have time for we the independent reporters out there.

If you’re curious, here’s the trailer.

BANANAS!* trailer from WG Film on Vimeo.

Upcoming Subjects

Quick preview of what is to come here on this here site:

Pirate Bay vs. Hollywood – Currently the founders of the Pirate Bay including my friend Peter are in a Swedish court fighting it out against the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), they’re suing TPB for 100million dollars and accusing them of “promoting copyright infringement”. Just as when we spoke on this podcast around this time last year, Peter is confident that things will go fine as they haven’t violated Swedish law since they don’t host any files. We’ll hear from my correspondant Martin G in Stockholm who keeps a close eye on the media and will share with us how things look from within the country.

The Impact of the Banana – From societies, to politics, to corporate culture, to health and the environment, the banana trade has had an effect that perhaps the average person has never considered or been aware of. And that influence has not ceased to exist. I’ll speak with Mimi Sheller, Senior Research Fellow at the Department of SociologyContinue reading “Upcoming Subjects”

bmtv97 The Banana Book

The Banana Book, by Dan Koeppel, has arrived here at the politburo. The book that looks at the secrets and controversial history of the banana. How its farmed, how it finds its way to our kitchen, and more.

Also I mention another book I just picked up, and a little on the new camera I traded-up for, the very affordable Kodak Zi6.

I’m not embedding the player on this post, just use the player at the top right of the blog or click on the direct link icon.

bm293 Chiquita Banana and Colombian Paramilitaries

Bananas are much more than a yellow fruit that goes good with your cereal. Behind the world’s beloved fruit is a multibillion dollar industry that has the power to create and destroy governments.

Dangerous Bananas

Banana Memo
Banana Memo

My buddy Lucas was telling me that he digs the site, but that I move from topic to topic too quickly for him.? Usually I listen to comments like that, say thanks, and then go back to doing my own thing, my way. But Lucas is a good man, who may be on to something.? Perhaps another step in my evolution as a citizen reporter will be to keep the focus on one topic, or at least a small amount of topics for an extended period.? Examples for this year, GMO agriculture, environmental crimes in Europe and North America, and perhaps the one I will start rolling out this week: Bananas.? (although I still maintain that its my site and a big world and I do what I want!)

You heard right on that last part: Bananas. Naners. Beloved fruit of millions if not billions of people, but lesser known for being one of the leading causes of suffering and political chaos in the 20th century.? And of course they’re not finished yet.

Lets set the stage for this issue, because its far bigger than our friend the banana. Its aboutContinue reading “Dangerous Bananas”