Films with: Segaller, Stephen

Ascent of money

Based on professor Niall Ferguson's best-selling book "The Ascent of Money: A Financial History of the World" in which he predicted the current economic crisis delves into how the complex system of global finance evolved over the centuries, how money has shaped the course of human affairs and how the mechanics of this economic system work to create seemingly unlimited wealth--or catastrophic loss. By the beginning of the 21st century, the systems of credit, insurance, bond trading and stock markets had transcended all national boundaries to create a truly global economic system, opening the door to unprecedented growth, but also worldwide instability in the event of one nation's downturn. In an effort to establish more stability following the Great Depression, the U.S. government's New Deal created a "property owning Democracy," a system of federally backed savings and loans that allowed more people than ever before to buy homes by offering low interest rates and long-term mortgages. Rampant inflation in the 1970s, however, led the government to remove regulations on interest rates and opened the door to a massive scandal in the 1980s and one of the country's worst economic crises. The vulnerabilities of America's property-based economy would be felt again 20 years later, in the current economic crisis that has shaken the world. The crisis threatens "Chimerica," the symbiotic relationship between China and America in which China's vast savings from the manufacturing of cheap goods has been lent to America to fuel growth. But at what point will America's battered economy lead China to cut off its line of credit? And how might America respond? The answer, Ferguson suggests, may be found in the history of the ascent of money.

DVD 8650

Columbus and the age of discovery

Chronicles Columbus's extraordinary journey and legacy as it relives Columbus's daring and dangerous voyages and their momentous repercussions for both the Old World and the New. Commemorates the quincentennial of his discovery of America.

DVD 13142

Suicide bombers

"In a series of powerful and revealing interviews from inside Israeli prisons, this Wide Angle documentary examines the motives of Palestinian suicide bombers. A recruiter, a bomb builder, and three failed suicide bombers captured by Israeli security forces speak openly of their training, motivation, operational methodology, and profound belief in the idea of entering paradise as a shahid - a martyr for Islam. They discuss their hatred of Jews and Israel, their determination to die, and the personal motivations that have influenced them - including a failed love, a sense of personal revenge, the frustration of living under the Israeli occupation, and envy for the prosperous Israeli lifestyle. In addition, Sari Nusseibeh, president of Al-Quds University, speaks with anchor Mishal Husain." --back cover

DVD 5894

Triumph of the nerds

Covers the pioneering years of the PC revolution during the mid-1970's in Silicon Valley (1st work). Explains how the PC industry came of age in the 1980's. Interviews Steve Jobs who co-founded Apple Computer and Bill Gates of Microsoft (2nd work). Looks at changes in the PC industry during the 1990's and their impact on the future. Discusses the Graphical User Interface (GUI) and the Internet (3rd work).

DVD 3684