This Giant Beast That Is the Global Economy

It is informative and entertaining at the same time. Goes through the different aspects of the global economy every episode and what could potentially affect it. My favorite episode so far is the "Rubber Episode"

It reduces a complex subject, through humor and presentation, into easily digestible bits that both inform and entertain.

I find it equally amusing that the only two critics of this series, capnpete-91469 and brian-06942, are fly-by-night accounts - both created recently (right around when the program first aired) and both with only a single reviewed program (this one), and that's it. Make of it what you want ;-)

Sounds to me like Kal Penn is hitting some nerves. Very entertaining.

I look forward to more of this.

2 Episodes in I must say I like it.

Take complex issues and simplify them by sticking to broad strokes, things people can follow without it getting technical.

Or, explain how a rich person came to be in a funny way.

The diversity of the first episodes was interesting, the presentation also not bad.

All in all, not something to look forward to, but an occasional episode of 'something else', something light.

Kal Penn goes where Bourdain went with his own hunor spin. Bourdain did global culture and food. Penn does global factoids and humor.

Great combination and wonderfully balanced. He will take it to the extreme to get your attention and make a point: when talking about the funeral business he humorously shocks you with an interview with an (undercover) hit man; and, when talking about money he starts with people who dropped off the grid to live without it.

I hope this cotinues and goes bigger still, as did Bourdain.

The show does have its issues, but one has to take into consideration the nature of the show itself. Its being hosted by Kal Penn, so you should expect it to be an entertainer and not a purely educational series.

From that perspective, the show does an excellent job of introducing you to complex issues that may have immense ramifications for the future of the world. The episodes are informative, if you're not already aware of the problems. For example, I was quite bored with the episode on AI because I am well read in the topic. However, the rubber episode was quite revelatory.

Someone complained that the show has a deep leftist bias. I personally think the show tries to be balanced. It won't make either the leftists or the rightists happy.

My only real complaint about the show is that it could've gone easier on the humor aspect. Some of it does come off forced and unnecessarily distracting.

Ultimately, I think the show is good and would suggest it to anyone who doesn't have an in depth knowledge of the issues at hand.