JG NEWS, WINTER 2007
Now in 40 languages! Soon 15 more!
Film, theater, audio, comics, & animation!
Headlines
-9 New Books Published in 2006
-2 New Plays for Theater in 2006
-5 New Languages of Animated Philosophy of Liberty
-25 New Language Editions of PoL in Production
-Progress in Audio, Film, Comics
-Distribution, Articles, and More
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| Faisal Hassan |
New Books and Play: Slovak
Branislav Opaterny brano_opaterny@pobox.sk translated and published the Slovak edition of JG last summer and hosted a gala book signing event at the Panta Rei bookstore in Bratislava. Brano, a minister of parliament, is a grand visionary and ardent advocate of free markets who plans to make JG available in schools throughout Slovakia.
His next project is to translate and publish the expanded commentary edition as a teachers’ guide to the basic text. In attendance at the gala event were Janette Eldridge, co-author of the commentary edition and famed political activist, Virgis Daukas, publisher of the Lithuanian edition of JG.
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| Ivan, Ken & Brano |
New Books: Bosniak, Montenegran, Serbian
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| Virgis, Tomislav & Geo |
New Book: Esperanto
Steve Cobb simplulo@yahoo.com , of the Free State Project in New Hampshire arranged the translation (by Evgenia Amis) and publication of JG into Esperanto. Evgenia is the editor of Kontakto, a popular Esperanto magazine for young people that will be running some chapters from JG.
In his Forward to the Esperanto edition, economist Fred Foldvary writes: “In 2005 I assigned the students in my microeconomics principles class to read The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible. Instead of writing the usual essay reviews on the book, I assigned them to write stories inspired by the book…Fiction has long been a way for writers to express their social and political viewpoints. Not only is fiction more entertaining, it can express the idea more effectively by framing it in a situation that the reader can respond to with passion as well as with thought….As an internationally acclaimed work, this translation into Esperanto is worthy of celebration. Statism is the ruling creed throughout the world, and Jonathan Gullible is appreciated by teachers, students, and readers everywhere, so an edition in the global language Esperanto is most fitting.”
Play Written: Nigeria
“I have finally come out with the play script of your book, The Adventure of Jonathern Gullible,” writes Adedayo Thomas alhadedayothomas@yahoo.com about the work he accomplished with Paul Ugbede, a student from the University of Jos in northern Nigeria. Thomas will be performing this for BBC radio and “a command performance to secondary schools in that part of the country will also be a bold step towards free market economic education. I am again working on another script for high school students.”
With support from ISIL, this play will soon be published and distributed to schools throughout Nigeria. Dr Samuel Ayedime Kafewo of the Department of Theatre and Performing Arts at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, reviewed the play and concluded, “The sad thing is that such leaders do not know that enormous responsibilities are not only lifted off their shoulders but the society is always the better for it when the creative energies of the people are unchained. Here lies the message of this play which despots and disguised capitalists who claim to know what is good for everybody should do well to heed. I recommend it to everybody, rulers and the ruled alike, current outright despots and the pretenders. Let them free themselves by unchaining their people, the entire society will be the better for it.”
Flash Animation: Philosophy of Liberty
The animated Philosophy of Liberty (PoL) has electrified the use of the JG website, http://www.jonathangullible.com/ , with thousands of new visitors each month. The PoL is now available in nine languages, the original English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and now:
Dutch: Hubert Jongen
Esperanto: Steve Cobb
Russian: Alex Kouryaev
Ukrainian: Dmitry Shevchenko
Romanian: Adrian Marza
This has elicited daily correspondence from viewers such as this from Michael G.: “I just came across your ‘Philosophy of Liberty’ animation and I want to say thanks! I wasn't sure what to expect when it started but I found it to be clear, principled, attractively animated, very well-written and, of course, true! I will encourage everyone I know to visit your web site to see it.” See many more comments from around the world at the end of this newsletter.
Key to this project are the masterminds: Mario Knezovic mario@bonespark.com , Steve Cobb scobb@freestateproject.org , and Dmitry Shevchenko. They have been working diligently to prepare 25 additional languages. In various stages of production are:
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| Ken, Mario & Steve |
Ready for Publication and Animation: Polish
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| PolishPic 2_2.jpg |
Ready for Publication: Russian
Alex Kouryaev in Moscow has completed translating a new Russian edition of JG and has inquired about the illustrations that were produced for Krzysztof Haladus. The magnificent characters are easily suitable for any European edition and might be modified for elsewhere as well.
Vitaly “William” Milonov in St. Petersburg is also preparing a new Russian edition and is working on new illustrations. Says William, “The book is completely ready, but…I've decided to order a new set of pictures. Actually, they should be ready in a week.” Both the Polish and Russian editions are revised and updated new versions of JG.
New Commentary Translation: Mongolian
I met Batchuluun Baldandorj batchuluun@libertari.mn at the ISIL World Conference in Prague last summer and found him to be a very friendly and devoted advocate of the free market. With the sponsorship of P. Tsenguun, Chairman of the Mongolian Libertarian Foundation, Batchuluun is going to press with the Mongolian edition of the commentary edition book in Ulan Bataar this February. He translated the work and has been refining the translation and adapting it to the local culture.
New Commentary Translation: Turkish
Bugra Kalkan liberte@liberte.com.tr and Atilla Yayla liberal@ada.net.tr, President of Liberal Dusunce/Toplulugu-Association for Liberal Thinking in Ankara, have translated JG into Turkish and expect publication soon. This will be based on the larger commentary edition, co-authored by Janette Eldridge. I am planning to attend a youth camp that is planned this summer with the use of the new Turkish JG.
Ready for Publication: Georgian
Paata Sheshelidze paatasheshelidze@cdu.ge, President of the New Economic School of Tiblisi, Georgia has completed translation of the book and is seeking funds for publication. Support for this through the JG Fund at ISIL will be much appreciated. He has also completed the text of the animated Philosophy of Liberty which will be finalized soon.
Paata and Kevin Bjornson are arranging a Liberty English camp this summer in Georgia to introduce free market ideas to more than 50 university students. Perhaps the Georgian edition of JG will be ready to help with this introduction!
Ready for Publication: Arabic
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| Ali, Virgis & Li |
University Economics Classes
While JG is used extensively abroad, the book is also being utilized in a variety of university economics courses in the U.S. as well. Classroom sets have been used over the past year at the State University of New York—Buffalo, San Jose State University of California, and Santa Clara University.
At SCU, Fred Foldvary FFoldvary@scu.edu explains the use, “I will teach two sections of principles of macroeconomics with 40 students each, so there will be about 80 essays. My main criterion for grading is whether the story accurately applies economic theory to policy, for example the excess burden of taxation. It also has to be well written, so that the reader knows what the story is about, and with proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. SCU students usually write well…but it should not contain serious errors of theory or analysis.”
This year a panel of judges will select the top essay from his classes. With the permission of the student, the winning essay will be posted on the JG website. I’m also trying to raise money for cash prizes. If all goes well, we could turn this into an international contest.
Lydia Ortega, Chair of the Department of Economics ldortega@email.sjsu.edu, and Professor Terry Easton have both been fervent supporters of JG at San Jose State University. Terry explained that the department gives books to high school economics teachers that they meet with for an on-going outreach program. Now this is a truly remarkable economics department that will educate American students with the same dedication as that of the famous Francisco Marroquin University of Guatemala http://www.ufm.edu.gt/, both shinning stars in the constellation of free market education!
Terry and Sue Easton have also been advising me extensively on marketing and distributing JG. They have some great ideas about “just-in-time” publishing and distribution that we may soon adopt.
Ready for Publication: French
Jacques de Guenin jdeguenin@gmail.com has revived the original translation of JG by Louise Zizka and is making arrangements with a publisher. With some updates and modifications, the book may finally have found its place in one of the central economies of Europe. And is France finally ready for the free market? There is strong reason to think so.
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| Sabine Herald |
Mysterious Distribution Rebirth: German
More than a decade ago Stefan Kopp published the German edition of JG and then promptly dropped out of sight. Not only did Stefan disappear, but so did his inventory of the books. Mystery shrouds this edition more than any other.
At the MPS meeting last fall I met Dr. Oliver Knipping and Barbara Kolm-Lamprechter, Secretary General of the F.A.v.Hayek Institut of Vienna barbara.kolm-lamprechter@hayek-institut.at. Barbara indicated that the Hayek Institut was still interested in a German edition of JG and Oliver had come across some recent contact with the long lost Stefan. In addition, André F. Lichtschlag lichtschlag@ef-magazin.de offered to promote the book in his magazine and Capitalista Bookshop in Germany.
It seemed better to republish Stefan’s translation than to start from scratch so we made exhaustive efforts to reach Stefan. No luck, until Andre was contacted by an unexpected intermediary and offered a chance to buy the entire stock of this dusty, antique collection of literary gems.
Stay tuned for the next exciting detective episode to rival Harry Potter, “Dr. Knipping and the Secret Files! Free Market Reforms in the Balance!”
In Translation: Haitian Creole
Parnell Duverger p_duverger@yahoo.com contacted me last year saying, “After watching the animated ‘Philosophy of Liberty’ presentation on the internet, I wanted to know more about the authors of this wonderful pedagogical tool for teaching about freedom, liberty, and the free enterprise system of the market economy. Following the appropriate link, I discovered The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible: A Free Market Odyssey. I would like to have the great honor of translating this important book into Haitian Creole.”
Thus, Parnell, a professor of economics at Broward Community College in Ft. Lauderdale, translated the book. “You will be happy to know,” he wrote last fall, “that I am blessed to have a good friend, a professor of linguistic at a Canadian University in Moncton, who is reviewing my translation. He has published over 40 books in French and Creole.”
This is great news, indeed! Haiti is surely a beleaguered nation that will benefit enormously by free market ideas.
In Translation: Nepali
Prakash Thapa of the American Library in Kathmandu ThapaP@state.gov explained that the Nepali edition of JG would be published this year. Sharon Hudson-Dean, the Deputy Director of the American Center, wrote, “…we are eager to get going as soon as possible because we think your book is such a perfect fit for Nepal’s current situation and that there will be tremendous interest among a wide variety of readers.” Five thousand copies will be distributed to students and universities.
This is also greatly due to the efforts of Robin Sitoula, General Secretary of the Youth Initiative robs@mail.com.np, and those of The Boss magazine, Charu Chadha Rizal charu@theboss.com.np and Rakesh Wadhwa, who serialized JG in English last year.
In Translation & PoL: Hebrew
David Marhoffer, an attorney in Phoenix davmar@mrbusinesslaw.com, has taken up the project of a Hebrew translation. Reports David, “I am still working on the Hebrew translation of JG. Unfortunately, I do not have a Hebrew word processor and, thus, I am forced to handwrite the translation. It's a labor of love, but labor nonetheless. I have
100 handwritten pages, thus far.”
Just competed by Matt Sandler is the text for the Philosophy of Liberty (PoL) animation. Matt wrote last December saying, “I had the pleasure to view the presentation you prepared about the philosophy of liberty. I found it very informative, and effective on people who were never tuned in to the message of a free society. I'm a 21 year old from Israel and I want to ask for your permission to translate this presentation into Hebrew so it can be spread in a wider manner in this country.”
Massive Distribution: Spanish
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| JG en Español |
Massive On-Line Distribution: Czech Republic
If anyone needs a reminder about the ripple effect of books, take this story from Eastern Europe. Several friends in Slovakia told me last summer that the inspiration for the new Slovak editions came from early exposure to the Czech edition of JG, published by Josef Sima sima@vse.cz and the Liberalni Institute more than a decade ago in Prague. The Slovaks were familiar with the book because of the similarity of the languages, but needed their own local editions for the general populace.
Josef, now Chairman of the Economics Department of the Prague University of Economics and a proud new father of a baby girl, informed me that all the copies of the Czech JG were sold out long ago. But there are 300 electronic copies downloaded every month from their website!
Second Printing & PoL: Chinese
My wife, Li Zhao Schoolland, is in regular contact with Jerome Ma and Dean Peng, the two who produced the Chinese edition of JG. She tells me that the original print run has sold out and that a second print run is planned. For more on these two outstanding free market intellectuals and for information on contacting them see: http://www.isil.org/resources/fnn/2004fall/china-austrians.html
Li has taken Dean’s translation of the Epilogue of JG and inserted it into the template for the animated PoL. Soon, all of China will be able to access this visual explanation of the basic principles of liberty.
Global CD & Internet Distribution
Linda Whetstone and the IPN have created a low cost CD for worldwide distribution of JG and 100 other books on liberty. Says Linda, “The CD, ‘Ideas for a Free Society,’ was inspired by the observation that the political and economic arrangements that seem to be most conducive to peace and prosperity are those that exist in free societies. In such societies, certain institutions guarantee political, economic and social freedom, and those institutions are in turn underpinned by ideas. Such ideas have been explored by individuals from many different perspectives, starting with ancient Chinese, Roman and Greek philosophers and continuing to the present day. Unfortunately access to such ideas is extremely limited in many countries today so this CD was created to fill the gap. Sending and copying a CD is cheap relative to sending or printing a hard copy.”
For a copy of the CD please email your request to Linda at: info@ideasforafreesociety.org For electronic copies of various language editions of JG, go to http://www.jonathangullible.com/languages.htm
Academic Articles: Pakistan
Dr. Khalil Ahmad, Founder of the Alternate Solutions Institute and FreePakistan Newsletter, reported on the reference to JG in an academic article. Khalil wrote, “A light essay based on the story of Frank and Lysander described in chapter 19 of our Urdu translation of The Adventures of Jonathan Gulible: A Free Market Odyssey appears in a public sector college magazine: Faraan, Issue 57, 2005, Islamia College, Lahore, Punjab. This is actually an attempt at localizing the theme of rent-seeking explained with the help of the Hare and Tortoise Fable in Ken's book. The writer, Dr. Khalid Almas, is a teacher of philosophy in the same college that accommodates about 5000 students and more than 150 teachers.”
See more about Dr. Ahmad’s excellent free market work by visiting his web site http://asinstitute.org or emailing him and subscribing to the FreePakistan Newsletter: info@asinstitute.org.
Teacher Support & Animation: Canada
Another tremendously warm friendship was rekindled at the MPS meeting with Herb and Helene Grubel. I last saw them years ago at the ISIL World Conference in Whistler, Canada, practically their backyard. With all their grand mountain hiking and biking, they will always be role models of excellent health!
Herb, a Senior Fellow at the Fraser Institute and a long time supporter of JG, presented a copy of the book to Annabel Addington, the woman who runs the Fraser Institute workshops for teachers. Says Herb, “She was pleased to have the edition with the comments, which I am sure are very helpful for teachers.”
Herb has also drawn up a business plan for a computer animation feature film and has received an enthusiastic response from those in the industry. Stay tuned!
Audio and Video Books
Ralph Smeed contacted and funded a superb audio introduction to JG on CD, by Curt Hawkins of Great Audio Adventures, http://www.greataudioadventures.com/. This full production is extremely well done with fine acting from multiple characters and vivid sound effects. Curt has prepared a proposal for doing the entire book, but at the time this plan is far more costly than the JG Fund can afford.
I am pleased to report, however, that the amazing multiple voices of Robin Hall robin.hall@yahoo.com are being offered in preparation of an audio version of JG. I came to know Robin when a few friends came together to prepare the original radio spots for JG, available on line at: http://www.jonathangullible.com/media.htm
Robin has agreed to put his 30 voices to effect in recording a narrative of JG. “I have Audy Kimura helping me to select the most appropriate computer, programs and sound equipment necessary for a respectable production. I believe there is a future in my voiceover work so I'm willing to make the investment in good equipment,” comments Robin. “Once I get set up, I’ll work a chapter at a time, forwarding each chapter to you as I complete them, for your comment. I think it best to do it that way to prevent my getting ahead of myself.”
I’ve been listening to many audio books recently and I find that many major publishing houses do quite well with a single narrator and virtually no sound effects—from the books of Michael Crichton to J.K. Rowling. So I’m excited about this project!
Another exciting project is that proposed by Mark Selzer http://www.libertariantv.com/, the creator of a wide range of filmed interviews with libertarian icons. Writes Mark, “I was thinking of a basic video with you just telling bedtime stories to kids from your book. One for each night of the month if you have that many. It would be cheap to do. You are a very friendly guy that I think kids would like. We could then market it and possibly add some illustrations if we could sell some copies to get funding. I will forward this to my post production and camera man, also an illustrator, and see what he thinks.” Yes, indeed, it would be a great project next time I’m in Los Angeles! Or, better yet, we can combine this with Robin’s audio production.
Graphic Novels & Youth Outreach
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| JG Sketches |
JG: The Movie
The Rogue City Production of JG: The Movie, produced by Titus Chong roguecityllc@att.net, directed by Laine Yoshioka, Screenplay by Susan Wells, and featuring Tri Le as Jonathan Gullible, has been on pause since last summer. In the interim Titus arranged for Act 221 tax status. Thus any investment in the film is worth a dollar for dollar tax credit from the State of Hawaii. So any Hawaii taxpayer can pay their money to promoting the free market instead of promoting the state government. Out of state investors can make arrangements, too.
Laine has also kept busy with the laborious task of editing the raw footage. The first of six parts of the movie is soon to be ready to show potential investors. For scenes from the filming, see: http://www.jonathangullible.com/movie.htm
Milton Friedman Biography
Milton Friedman was a father figure to Jonathan Gullible and gave permission for the use of his words of endorsement. Indeed, his path breaking ideas are integral to the philosophy of JG. Friedman’s books are recommended at the end of the book and even characters in JG are derived from this family of great economists: Milton, Rose, and David.
For this reason I strongly encourage the hundreds of people who have been associated with the JG project around the world to help distribute and broadcast the new biography of Milton Friedman, The Power of Choice, which will premier on U.S. television January 29, 2007. This was produced by Bob Chitester, the producer of the renowned TV series based on Milton Friedman’s extraordinary book, Free to Choose. http://www.freetochoosemedia.org/
To do this, please contact Marketing and Sales Director, Rick Platt. Says Rick, “We are seeking international partnerships with individuals or organizations who are interested in helping us with any combination of the following: a.) broadcasting the series; b.) purchasing the series on DVD; c.) reselling in a wholesale/retail environment. Please contact me with your level of interest and then we can communicate further to hopefully come to a mutual understanding/agreement. Communication via email is best: rick@freetochoosemedia.org.”
Botswana
I’d like to close the news with a boost to a new writer, Bonty Botumile bontyb@hotmail.com. Bonty is a former student of mine from Botswana, the nicest and brightest person you would ever meet anywhere.
Bonty writes, “I just wanted to get in touch and share with you how being much your classes have been an eye opener. I have now come to see government in such a different light and have often thought of getting in touch with you to share my sentiments….I have been brave enough to self-published my own book. It is a children’s book that explains the cultural origins of the elephant according to my grandmother’s tribe. As I was responsible for writing, printing, marketing and distributing it, I really wanted to introduce it with a big bang. So for the launch we did a drama based on the play. All the practical planning and implementation skills I learned during my courses at HPU paid off. I published the book at the end of August and…I have sold 1500 copies in Botswana alone. I am still working on marketing and distributing it on an international level. Hopefully I will be able to use some micro and macro economics planning on this one. It’s selling very well in the lodges and camps of the Okavango Delta, and I have created a niche for it calling it cultural tourism.”
I urge everyone to please have a look at her book: http://www.botswanastories.com/
Acknowledgements
As always, my sincerest gratitude is extended to the hundreds of people who have become involved in JG projects over the years. Especially helpful with funding, consultation, and distribution have been Janette and Ray Eldridge, Sam Slom and Small Business Hawaii, Vince Miller and Jim Elwood of ISIL, Dick Rowland and the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, Ralph Smeed, Mark Skousen, Terry and Susan Easton, Lydia Ortega, Hernan Alberro, Vidar Jorgensen, Roya and Henry Weyerhaeuser, Andrew L. Sullivan, Ginger McNulty, Kathleen Nelson, Christian Butterbach, Tracy Ryan, everyone mentioned in this newsletter, my tolerant and supportive family, and many many more! Please let me know if I have left anything out!
Comments on the Philosophy of Liberty from viewers worldwide:
That was a great animation. Very clear, simple and thought provoking. I'm glad I came across it and plan to point it out to others. Thank you.
Aloha from Hawaii—Phyllis
I just wanted to tell you I couldn't say how many times I've pointed people not only to The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible, but specifically to the Philosophy of Liberty Flash Video presentation on its page. When people want to know what libertarians believe, it says it masterfully.—Mark C.
Excelent. Congratulations. From a troubled Venezuelan.—Carlos
So great! I shared your link with my home school group and I already have another mom who now wants to find out more. Yay!—Talitha
I have used your flash as a presentation entry to Bastiat Free University. http://silentpc.org/university/simple.php Thanks.--Allan
Reciban mis más sinceras felicitaciones!!, y palabras de aliento para que continúen produciendo mensajes como este.—Alicia
Can we put this on public access television?—Gail
Anyway, I just wanted to let you guys/gals know the the "Liberty" work was really great and it sparked a huge debate. I am sure it isn't a surprise to you all. Freedom has a funny way of being controversial.—Codee
Great animation site. I agree.—Best, Vjeko
I read this presentation with a lot of interest because it's very logical and to the point and because it applies perfectly to the current crisis we are going through in my country (Venezuela).Congratulations.—Juan
This is wonderful. Thanks for a beautiful thing!—Jacque
I happened upon your article, 'The Philosophy of Liberty', on the internet and watched it several times. I was completely inspired as I have always understood the truth of the words you wrote in the value of my own morality to be undebatable truth to which humanity must aspire to in order to exist at our full potential. Thank you for your time, and for your message.
Appreciatively—Brad
I would like to offer my congratulations on a job well done. Your animation, Jonathan Gullible, is a very creative piece of work. Straight forward, right on the money, yet so simple I'll bet even Ted Kennedy could understand it. But, I don't think he would approve. By way of this e-mail I am requesting...to show this on a speaking tour throughout the United States.
Very truly—Gino
Thanks a whole lot and congratulations. You have done a great job!!!—
Frank.
I'm a Brazilian living in Massachusetts. For some time now I've been looking for a simple text that could intelligently explain the basics of freedom to high school students of my liberty-deprived country. I just watched your "Philosophy of Liberty" video and think it fits the bill. I wonder if there is a printed version of the video and if so would you give me, or someone from my group, permission to use it. Sincerely—Joaquim
Sorry, my English is very terrible, but your free society is very nice. Thank you and good luck.—Sonja
God Bless your work. Thanx—Gene
The Free State Project is going to use the Flash animation of Liberty that you and Kerry Pearson (Lux) developed, Ken. I hope this is OK with you. Best Regards in Liberty and the memory of Kerry,--Alan
FELICITACIONES!—Luciano
Wow. I cannot say enough to praise you for your amazing preciseness. absolutely extraordinary...you hit the nail on the head, in my opinion, and it is ironic that our Social Studies class happened to be talking about property in the Bill of Rights. If we hadn't been, I most likely would not have found this. Thank you—Nick