----------------- HES POSTING ----------------- I am doing research for a four-part documentary series on the history of money. The series will be a co-production between PBS and the National Filmboard of Canada (NFB). Our series will deal specifically with the social/human effect of the invention of money -- how it changed history and people's thinking. Although the subjects are related, we are not making a film about finance, economic theory, the stock market, investment etc except as those subjects directly relate to the changing form and role of money. Neither are we approaching it from a numismatic point of view, although the various forms that money took will naturally be of interest. We are looking for experts (including economists, historians, and sociologists) who are dynamic, good talkers who can make the subject come alive. We are interested in people who are able to explain things simply and communicate the common wisdom of the topic to the typical viewer rather than to fellow scholars/experts. Would you please refer me to anyone in North America or the United Kingdom who has a lot of expertise in any or several of the following and can express themselves effectively for a mass audience?: * Ancient history: world before money/barter, advanced civilizations like the Egyptians and Incas who didn't have money. Lydia, the Greeks and the invention of money, its consequences. * The Roman story, its use of money, the debasing of its coinage. Medieval feudalism, money in eclipse. * China its early use of paper money. * Renaissance: Italy then Holland the growing role of banking. * Money as a liberating, democratizing force, for example, the transition from feudalism to early forms of capitalism. Money breaking class barriers -- move from a hierarchical world in which everyone knew their place to one where if someone made money, they could rise in social status. Perhaps we're reaching limitations thereof. * The history of capitalism * Change in religious teaching about money, particularly usury. The movement from Catholicism (money is bad) to Puritanism (making money is good). Delinking of money from morality. Modern day Islam's relationship with usury. * European invention of paper money: first in France (John Law) then Bank of England. * Connection between money and banking. * American experience with paper money, before during and after Revolution. * Bi-metalism -- Gold/Silver controversy in America in the late 19th century. (J.P Morgan vs William Jennings Bryan). * the history of gold * Very, very gradual movement from paper money based on metal to fiat money. * Inflation vs deflation. * Hyperinflation: (Germany in 23, South America) reasons for, effects of. * the role of money before and after the collapse of communism in Russia * Modern cashless forms of money, credit cards, cybercash * Modern global world where capital flows instantly in and out of countries. We're interested in voices both for and against this. Thank you for your suggestions. You may e-mail them directly to me with any contact info at [log in to unmask] Terri Foxman Film researcher 514-288-0369 ------------ FOOTER TO HES POSTING ------------ For information, send the message "info HES" to [log in to unmask]