Is freedom just another word for nothing left to lose?

Is freedom just another word for nothing left to lose?

Author: Daily Maverick April 29, 2025 Duration: 20:32
Most arguments in favour of freedom are positive: the correlation between freedom and human development goals is, generally speaking, pretty strong. But actually, the most powerful arguments in favour of freedom are negative: if you live in a place where freedom is limited and autocrats, your chances of ending up dead are pretty high. South Africa celebrated Freedom Day this week, and in this podcast, entrepreneur Mark Barnes and journalist Tim Cohen discuss the famous - and famously cryptic - line in Kris Kristofferson’s song Me and Bobby McGee, “freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose”. And we conclude, actually, it isn’t.

Every week, the complex world of business and current affairs gets a thorough and engaging examination on Stand Up! Business. Hosted by investment banker Mark Barnes and Business Maverick editor Tim Cohen, this podcast from Daily Maverick moves beyond the headlines to unpack the real stories shaping markets and economies. The conversation is grounded in their combined decades of front-line experience, offering a perspective that is both analytical and accessible. You’ll hear them dissect the latest news with a critical eye, often challenging conventional wisdom and exploring the deeper implications of financial and political events. It’s a midweek ritual that feels like listening in on a candid discussion between two experts who aren’t afraid to ask tough questions. Each episode provides clarity on the forces driving change, making sense of the noise for anyone interested in the intersection of business, policy, and society. Tune in for a regular dose of insightful commentary that goes far beyond the surface-level reporting, all delivered with the straightforward approach that defines this essential podcast.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Stand Up! Business
Podcast Episodes
Chickens and China ... [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:35
Entrepreneur Mark Barnes and Business Maverick editor Tim Cohen discuss the importance of chickens and China this week, in light of the application for VAT-exempting chicken. This leads to a proposal by Mark that we disp…
Our pet subject: the interesting things about interest rates [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:19
Pets, specifically cats and dogs, suddenly became a topic of international interest after they somehow contrived to make an appearance at the debate between former US President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harr…
The magic of Trillion $ companies and a couple of pots [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:38
Investment banker Mark Barnes and business journalist Tim Cohen discuss the ongoing financial scandals revealed over the past week, include the potential bankruptcy of water boards and ongoing "Red Roses" PPE tender scan…
Hundred metre dash | Volatility | Crowd wisdom [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:17
This week we discuss the sporting spirit of the Olympics, the stock market correction and volatility likely to follow, and whether common purpose finally prevails
Olympics, the GNU starts well and the retailers race for market share [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:06
Did you know how much actual gold there is an Olympic gold medal? (Hint: not much.) 2024 is the year of elections with huge numbers of voters expressing their choices. And how is it going so far. You have to say pretty w…