This article or section needs sources or references that appear in reliable, third-party publications. Primary sources and sources affiliated with the subject of the article are generally not sufficient for a Wikipedia article. Please include more appropriate citations from reliable sources, or discuss the issue on the talk page. (October 2008)

Zeitgeist: Addendum, a 2008 documentary film produced by Peter Joseph, is a continuation of the film Zeitgeist, the Movie.^[1] The film includes conspiracy theories^{[citation needed]} regarding the Federal Reserve System in the United States, the CIA, corporate America and others, concluding with the advocating of the Venus Project, created by social engineer Jacque Fresco. The movie premiered at the 5th Annual Artivist Film Festival in Los Angeles, California on October 2, 2008, and was released free online on October 4, 2008.^[2] According to director Peter Joseph, the film "attempts to locate the root causes of this pervasive social corruption, while offering a solution".^[3] In conclusion, Addendum stresses the need for belief systems to embrace the ideas of emergence and interdependence and outlines concrete steps that can be taken to weaken the monetary system^[4].

[edit] Synopsis

Zeitgeist: Addendum is separated into four parts. The first part criticizes the practice of the Fractional Reserve Banking system. The film tries to convey how the Federal Reserve, is creating money. The film goes on to explain how the Fed loans this newly created "debt money" to the U.S.treasury, in exchange for bonds. Since all this is done electronically, the money received from the Fed ends up as deposits in commercial banks, through the Fractional Reserve system, to be loaned to customers. It is argued in the movie, that since a Federal Reserve note (e.g. a dollar bill) is created as debt, it is has interest on top of it. The film comments how "absurd" such a system is, since the Interest that must be paid on each dollar bill that is printed (for each dollar is debt and all debt has Interest), can only create a perpetual cycle of infinite debt. It is concluded that since all the money that is printed from the Federal Reserve is the "Principal", to repay the debt we need the "Principal + Interest".

The second part is a documentary style interview with John Perkins, in which he describes his role as a self-described Economic Hitman (EHM). He claims he helped CIA and the ruling political/corporate elites who have worked to undermine legitimate foreign regimes who put the interests of their populations before those of transnational corporations. The third part describes the Venus Project, a proposal created by Jacques Fresco. The film promotes the Venus Project as a sustainable solution for mankind on earth. Its main goal is to produce a "resource-based economy" using modern technology.

Part IV states that everything wrong with the world is "fundamentally the result of a collective ignorance of two of the most basic insights humans can have about reality - the 'emergent' and 'symbiotic' aspects of natural law."

The film then suggests actions for "social transformation, such as boycotts of large banks, the mainstream media, the military, and energy companies, rejecting the political structure and "creating critical mass".

[edit] Reception and awards

On October 2, 2008 the film won the "Artivist Spirit Award - Best Feature" at the 2008 Artivist Film Festival. The film had its global premiere during the festival's opening night, which was attended by a sold-out audience of 600 people.^[3] Festival co-founder Dr. Bettina Wolff stated:

The failure of our world to resolve the issue of war, poverty, and corruption, rests within a gross ignorance about what guides human behaviour to begin with. ‘Zeitgeist-Addendum' addresses the true source of the instability in our society, while offering the only fundamental, long term solution. Director Peter Joseph has the ability to take risky subject matter and turn it into a visually, emotionally, and intellectually compelling case for a "greater point of view."

On October 9, 2008 the film became rated as top 19th at the Guardians Weekly Viral Video Chart, which is based on a count of the embedded videos and links on approximately 2 million blogs^[5].

[edit] Criticism

On October 13, 2008 G. Edward Griffin criticized the film for promoting collectivist ideas, saying "this program does NOT offer a cure. It offers a mega dose of the disease itself."^[6]

Alex Jones gave the film a negative review, stating the film "says good things but offers false solutions."^[7] He believes the film is "like rat poison. 98% good, but the 2% kills you."

[edit] Basic sources cited in the movie

At the end of the movie and on its website, the following sources are cited:

• For part I it cites the 524 pages long book by Ellen Brown, Web of Debt: The Shocking Truth About Our Money System -- The Sleight of Hand That Has Trapped Us in Debt and How We Can Break Free, Third Millennium Press, 2007. ISBN 978-0979560804
• For part II, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man (2004), by John Perkins.
• For parts III and IV The Best That Money Can’t Buy: Beyond Politics, Poverty & War (2002), by Jacque Fresco, Global Cyber-Visions, 2002. ISBN 978-0964880672

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Zeitgeist: Addendum on Google Video