I would like to recognize the contributions to this project of both my primary and secondary thesis supervisors, Professors Kirk LaPointe of the UBC School of Journalism, and Elvin Wyly of the UBC Faculty of Geography, respectively. Both have provided indispensable guidance to me as I strode along the (rather tortuous) path toward completion of the thesis. I also thank both men for their patience, as the timeline for this project (as I am sure is the case with many projects) was far lengthier, and delayed more frequently, than originally planned.
Credit and thanks are also due to the staff and faculty at the UBC School of Journalism, including the Facility and Technical Coordinator of the School, Barry Warne, and Research Advisor, Brianne Howard, for all of the assistance and expertise they have provided along the way. And, as always, I’m grateful for the time and perspective shared with me by sources who contributed to this thesis, including Rabble founder Judy Rebick, RT America and MediaRoots reporter/commentator Abby Martin, author, filmmaker and law professor Joel Bakan, Adbusters founder and editor Kalle Lasn, Professor of Economics Emeritus at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst Richard Wolff, Occupy Wall Street participant, writer, lawyer and activist Marina Sitrin, and Occupy Vancouver participant and activist Min Reyes.
Finally, although the opportunity to interview former New York Times foreign correspondent and author Christopher Hedges did not present itself over the course of this project, his insight and influence are evident in this thesis. I commend Mr. Hedges for the work he does, and his efforts to foment activism in the name of social, economic, and environmental justice.