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
Biden takes our advice, SA's cities, and handbags at dawn [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:19
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Duration: 18:31
Production and Editing by Tevya Turok Shapiro. Music & Design by Bernard Kotze. Created by Mark Barnes, Tim Cohen, Bernard Kotze & Branko Brkic.
Right! Let's go left. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:06
Production and Editing by Tevya Turok Shapiro. Music & Design by Bernard Kotze. Created by Mark Barnes, Tim Cohen, Bernard Kotze & Branko Brkic.
The art, culture and sport of cabinet making [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:53
Production and Editing by Tevya Turok Shapiro. Music & Design by Bernard Kotze. Created by Mark Barnes, Tim Cohen, Bernard Kotze & Branko Brkic.
When is a GNU not a GNU? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:22
Production and Editing by Tevya Turok Shapiro. Music & Design by Bernard Kotze. Created by Mark Barnes, Tim Cohen, Bernard Kotze & Branko Brkic.
Is democracy working for the old and the young? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:49
Production and Editing by Tevya Turok Shapiro. Music & Design by Bernard Kotze. Created by Mark Barnes, Tim Cohen, Bernard Kotze & Branko Brkic.
Democracy works, now we need to. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:18
Investment banker Mark Barnes and Business Maverick editor Tim Cohen unwrap the news. A new edition of StandUp!Business midweek, every week.