Digest

Nate Halverson, an independent writer and journalist, joins the podcast to discuss his documentary "The Grab." The documentary explores the alarming trend of powerful entities, including foreign governments and corporations, acquiring control over food and water resources. Halverson explains how this "land grab" is driven by the recognition that food is power in the 21st century, with countries like China strategically securing food and water supplies to ensure political stability. He details how Saudi Arabia, facing dwindling water reserves, has resorted to pumping ancient water in the Arizona desert to grow alfalfa, which is then shipped back to Saudi Arabia. This practice, known as "virtual water," highlights the interconnectedness of global food systems and the potential for conflict over scarce resources. Halverson emphasizes the impact of this trend on local communities, citing examples of families in Arizona losing their water sources due to large-scale farming operations. He also discusses the growing consolidation of farmland in the US, with smaller farmers being bought out by larger corporations and foreign entities. Halverson argues that this shift in agricultural ownership is driven by both profit motives and strategic considerations, as powerful players seek to control food supplies in a world facing increasing water scarcity. He highlights the potential for instability and conflict arising from this trend, drawing parallels to the Arab Spring and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Halverson concludes by emphasizing the importance of information in empowering individuals to understand and navigate these complex global trends. Halverson also discusses the challenges of investigative journalism in a world where information is increasingly controlled by powerful entities. He argues that the decline of independent journalism is a serious threat to democracy, as it leaves citizens vulnerable to misinformation and manipulation. He cites his own experience investigating social casinos, where he uncovered how these companies use sophisticated algorithms to target vulnerable individuals and exploit their weaknesses for profit. Halverson also discusses the role of sovereign wealth funds in shaping global food systems, highlighting how countries like China are using their vast financial resources to acquire control over food and water resources, often at the expense of local communities. He concludes by emphasizing the importance of community and personal responsibility in navigating these complex challenges, arguing that we must find ways to reconnect with each other and build a more resilient society. Halverson also discusses how he works at a nonprofit called the Center for Investigative Reporting, which allows him to spend time diving into important issues and sharing them with the public. He explains that investigative journalism is not profitable, but it is important to provide the public with information about these issues. He also discusses the importance of being able to tell stories and how he enjoys sharing stories with people. He concludes by discussing the importance of being able to see the bigger picture and how we need to be aware of the chessboard that is being put together in the world.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction

This Chapter introduces Nate Halverson, an independent writer and journalist, as the guest of the podcast. He is known for his work on the documentary "The Grab," which explores the global trend of powerful entities acquiring control over food and water resources.

00:00:54

The Grab: Food as Power

This Chapter delves into the central theme of "The Grab" documentary, which explores the growing trend of powerful entities acquiring control over food and water resources. Halverson explains how this trend is driven by the recognition that food is power in the 21st century, with countries like China strategically securing food and water supplies to ensure political stability.

00:26:44

Africa: A Target of Land Grabs

This Chapter focuses on the impact of land grabs in Africa, where powerful entities are acquiring vast tracts of land, often displacing local communities and disrupting traditional farming practices. Halverson shares his firsthand experiences witnessing the consequences of these land grabs, highlighting the human cost of this global trend.

00:44:15

The Trauma of Africa

This Chapter explores the historical context of Africa's vulnerability to exploitation, tracing the roots of its current challenges to centuries of colonialism and resource extraction. Halverson emphasizes the need for historically informed journalism to understand the complex dynamics at play.

00:51:45

The US Role in Global Food Systems

This Chapter examines the role of the US government and corporations in the global food system, acknowledging their contribution to the trend of land grabs and resource depletion. Halverson highlights the destabilizing effects of these practices, leading to mass migration and social unrest.

00:53:54

China's Food Security Challenge

This Chapter focuses on China's unique position as a rising economic power facing a growing demand for food and water resources. Halverson discusses the challenges of meeting this demand, particularly in light of China's limited water resources, and how this has led to the country's involvement in global land grabs.

00:55:46

Russia's Food Power Play

This Chapter examines Russia's strategic ambitions in the global food system, highlighting its efforts to become a food superpower. Halverson connects this ambition to the ongoing war in Ukraine, emphasizing the strategic importance of Ukraine's fertile land and its role as the "breadbasket of Europe."

01:01:20

Information as Power

This Chapter concludes the discussion by emphasizing the importance of information in empowering individuals to understand and navigate the complex global trends related to food and water security. Halverson argues that the disparity in information access between the powerful and the everyday person is a significant challenge, highlighting the need for accessible and reliable sources of information.

01:08:21

The Challenges of Investigative Journalism

This Chapter explores the challenges of investigative journalism in a world where information is increasingly controlled by powerful entities. Halverson argues that the decline of independent journalism is a serious threat to democracy, as it leaves citizens vulnerable to misinformation and manipulation. He cites his own experience investigating social casinos, where he uncovered how these companies use sophisticated algorithms to target vulnerable individuals and exploit their weaknesses for profit.

01:11:41

The Rise of Big Tech

This Chapter delves into the growing influence of big tech companies and their impact on society. Halverson discusses how these companies are using advanced technologies to manipulate user behavior and extract profits, often at the expense of individual well-being. He highlights the dangers of algorithmic manipulation and the need for greater transparency and accountability in the tech industry.

01:15:23

The Profit Motive vs. Long-Term Vision

This Chapter examines the clash between the profit motive and long-term vision in the context of global food systems. Halverson contrasts the US focus on short-term profits with China's strategic approach to securing food and water resources for the future. He highlights how this difference in perspective can lead to conflicts over resource allocation and the potential for instability.

01:35:51

The Future of Water

This Chapter explores the challenges of water scarcity and the need for sustainable water management practices. Halverson discusses the growing demand for water, particularly in the western United States, and the potential for conflict over this essential resource. He examines various water management techniques, including cloud seeding and desalination, and their limitations.

01:48:19

The Need for Action

This Chapter emphasizes the need for greater awareness and action to address the challenges of global food security and water scarcity. Halverson argues that we must empower our governments to implement sustainable policies and invest in research and development to ensure a more equitable and sustainable future.

01:55:16

The Importance of Community

This Chapter concludes the discussion by emphasizing the importance of community and personal responsibility in navigating the complex challenges of the 21st century. Halverson argues that we must find ways to reconnect with each other and build a more resilient society, highlighting the role of local communities in providing support and fostering a sense of belonging.

02:07:09

Investigative Journalism and the Center for Investigative Reporting

This Chapter discusses the challenges of investigative journalism and how Nate Halverson works at a nonprofit called the Center for Investigative Reporting. He explains that investigative journalism is not profitable, but it is important to provide the public with information about these issues. He also discusses the importance of being able to tell stories and how he enjoys sharing stories with people.

02:11:45

The Importance of Food Security

This Chapter discusses the importance of food security and how it can affect people's lives. Halverson discusses how people can become desperate when they don't have food and how this can lead to violence. He also discusses the importance of being able to see the bigger picture and how we need to be aware of the chessboard that is being put together in the world.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the main argument of Nate Halverson's documentary "The Grab"?

  The documentary argues that powerful entities, including foreign governments and corporations, are acquiring control over food and water resources, creating a global trend of "land grabs" that could lead to instability and conflict.

• How does the documentary connect the "land grab" trend to political stability?

  Halverson explains that countries like China are strategically securing food and water supplies to ensure political stability, recognizing that food is power in the 21st century. He argues that controlling food resources can help governments maintain control over their populations.

• What is "virtual water" and how does it relate to the global food system?

  Virtual water refers to the amount of water used to produce a product, such as food. Halverson highlights how the global food system relies on the movement of virtual water, as countries with limited water resources import food produced elsewhere, creating complex interdependencies and potential vulnerabilities.

• What are some of the consequences of the "land grab" trend for local communities?

  Halverson cites examples of families in Arizona losing their water sources due to large-scale farming operations, highlighting the impact of these practices on local communities. He also discusses the displacement of indigenous populations in Africa due to land acquisitions.

• How does the trend of farmland consolidation in the US contribute to the global food security challenges?

  Halverson argues that the consolidation of farmland in the US, with smaller farmers being bought out by larger corporations and foreign entities, is driven by both profit motives and strategic considerations. He suggests that this shift in agricultural ownership could exacerbate global food security challenges.

• What are some of the potential consequences of the "land grab" trend for global stability?

  Halverson draws parallels to the Arab Spring and the ongoing war in Ukraine, highlighting how food price increases and resource scarcity can contribute to social unrest and conflict. He suggests that the "land grab" trend could lead to increased instability and migration.

• Why does Halverson believe that information is crucial in addressing the challenges of global food security?

  Halverson argues that the disparity in information access between the powerful and the everyday person is a significant challenge. He believes that empowering individuals with information about these global trends is essential for navigating the complex challenges of food and water security.

• What are some of the challenges of investigative journalism in a world where information is increasingly controlled by powerful entities?

  Halverson discusses the decline of independent journalism and the increasing influence of powerful entities in controlling information. He argues that this trend is a threat to democracy, as it leaves citizens vulnerable to misinformation and manipulation.

• How are big tech companies using algorithms to manipulate user behavior and extract profits?

  Halverson cites his own experience investigating social casinos, where he uncovered how these companies use sophisticated algorithms to target vulnerable individuals and exploit their weaknesses for profit. He highlights the dangers of algorithmic manipulation and the need for greater transparency and accountability in the tech industry.

• What is the role of sovereign wealth funds in shaping global food systems?

  Halverson discusses how countries like China are using their vast financial resources to acquire control over food and water resources, often at the expense of local communities. He highlights how this difference in perspective can lead to conflicts over resource allocation and the potential for instability.

• How does Nate Halverson fund his investigative journalism?

  Halverson works at a nonprofit called the Center for Investigative Reporting, which allows him to spend time diving into important issues and sharing them with the public. He explains that investigative journalism is not profitable, but it is important to provide the public with information about these issues. He also discusses the importance of being able to tell stories and how he enjoys sharing stories with people.

Show Notes