The RATIONAL VOICE™ Project invites supporters of Capitalism to become internet radio presenters/podcasters on the SOLID VOX™ Network.

For further details or to apply NOW please click below ...

Note: feel free to browse back and forth throughout the following pages. You won't lose any details you may enter along the way.

The aims of the RATIONAL VOICE™ Project

To train and support internet radio presenters/podcasters - who support Capitalism and agree with The Bernstein Declaration and the Celebrate Capitalism™ campaign – in designing, creating, and maintaining their own professional quality, world class show on the SOLID VOX™ Network.

To set up each show online as a “sub-domain” of SolidVox.com.
eg. NameOfShow.SolidVox.com or YourName.SolidVox.com

Note: Your SOLID VOX™ show does not necessarily have to be ABOUT capitalism.

Note: Web hosting for all SOLID VOX™ shows is provided free by PRODOS (donations are, of course, always appreciated.)

Note: Shows must be primarily interviews-based. i.e. not music shows and not audio-blogs.

Note: As well as being the Presenter/Host of your own show – which will be your Primary Role – you will need to take on a Secondary Role which involves assisting OTHER Presenters.

To be eligible as a SOLID VOX™ Presenter ...

Capitalism is the only system based on the recognition that each individual owns his life. Capitalism is the only social system in which individuals are free to pursue their rational self-interest, to own property and to profit from their actions. It entrenches individual rights, limited Constitutional government, and political/intellectual/economic freedom.

That is the verdict of history. In just two short centuries, capitalism has lifted men’s living standards to heights undreamed of in the pre-capitalist era. Often forgotten today is that Western Europe, prior to the capitalist revolution of the late Eighteenth Century, suffering under the political yoke of the feudal aristocracy, was the equivalent of a Third World country - wracked by famine, recurrent plague, and the most unspeakable poverty. But no longer.

When was the last time a famine occurred in any capitalist nation - whether in Western Europe, North America or Asia? The United States has never suffered a famine in its history. Capitalism has created abundance unmatched in human history, enabling hundreds of millions to live better today than all the kings of yesterday.

But the non capitalist nations - the fascist, socialist, military or theocratic dictatorships - enslave their own citizens and subsist in abysmal squalor. In many African countries the living standard is one or two hundred dollars per year. In North Korea, they starve to death by the tens of thousands. In Cuba, they drown trying to swim to freedom in the United States. Millions of oppressed people around the globe yearn to emigrate to the Free World. But who in the capitalist nations seeks to emigrate to Cambodia?

What principles explain the fact that mankind’s greatest inventions and works of art - his most life-giving material and spiritual advances - the steam engine, the cinema, the telegraph, the telephone, the electric light, the novel, the automobile, the symphony, the airplane, the radio, the television, the personal computer, the Internet and countless medical cures - were created under capitalism?

The simple answer is: freedom.

When men are free to pursue their rational self-interest, when they are free to use their minds in the quest to profit and better their lives, they are magnificently productive. The political/economic freedom of capitalism liberates the best minds and the most ambitious men to build, to create, to innovate, to invent, to advance human well-being and happiness.

Mankind’s greatest inventor, Thomas Edison, in his laboratory at Menlo Park, specifically tailored his projects toward the purpose of profitability. He, and so many of the other great inventors and industrialists responsible for raising men’s living standards, earned and enjoyed great wealth. Left free - under capitalism - to create, produce, and build for personal gain they consequently raised the living standards of all.

Involved in this is a deeper principle: Capitalism is the system of the mind. The mind is man’s fundamental survival instrument, just as wings are a bird’s. It is only by means of rational thinking and productive work that man can raise his living standards and increase his life expectancy. But the mind does not function under coercion. Coercion paralyses creativity. The mind cannot be enslaved. Capitalism flourishes because it is the only system of free minds, free men and free markets.

The greatest thinkers and activists of history - from Aristotle to John Locke, from Thomas Jefferson to Adam Smith, Ludwig von Mises, and Ayn Rand - have recognized, fought for, and glorified the freedom of man’s mind. They have understood that when men are oppressed, the rational mind is stifled, and the darkness of barbarism follows. But when men are free to think and to act on their thinking, when the mind is liberated, the Renaissance and the Enlightenment are possible. Freedom is freedom of the mind. Oppression is oppression of the mind.

It is no accident that man’s freest periods have seen his greatest achievements. From the Golden Age of Athens to the Italian Renaissance to the technological and industrial breakthroughs of the United States, the freedom of man's mind has led to magnificent advances in philosophy, the arts and science.

This is the promise and the possibility of capitalism. This is the Capitalist Vision. It is our vision.

Liberate man’s mind and behold the spectacle of his advance. Revel in the beauty of his sculptures, paintings and symphonies, soar with the heroes of his novels, marvel at his philosophic, scientific and technological advance.

The West progressed culturally and economically because it had at least some reverence for man’s mind and the inalienable rights of the individual. These are the inescapable prerequisites of human advancement. If we desire the effect of cultural Renaissance, we must enact the cause of political/economic freedom.

The current predicament of the Third World’s starving millions is identical to that of Europe in the Dark Ages. Their minds and bodies are oppressed by political dictators. Give them freedom - and give them life. They have the advantage of seeing what the West has accomplished. When they institute freedom, they can replicate the achievements of capitalism.

Capitalism is the greatest benefactor man has ever had. It is time for the thinking men and women of every nation to recognize that fact and to fully embrace the system of the mind and of individual rights.

Men and women of all countries unite - in your support of capitalism.
You have a world of joyous achievement to win.

You have just read The Bernstein Declaration - The Official Position Statement
of the worldwide Celebrate Capitalism™ campaign.

"What kinds of shows are suitable (or unsuitable)
for the SOLID VOX™ Network?"

Although you MUST support Capitalism, The Bernstein Declaration, and the Celebrate Capitalism™ campaign to be eligible for this project, your show does NOT have to be ABOUT Capitalism.

For instance: It can be about cooking. It can be about travel. It can be about romance. It can be about Art or Literature. It can be about American History. It can be about home improvement tips. It can be about breeding horses. You get the idea.

Your show must be primarily INTERVIEWS-based. More specifically, your show has to be primarily based on interviews with “experts”.

You need to base your show on conducting interviews with people YOU can learn things you’d LOVE to know more about.

As a SOLID VOX™ presenter you must be interested in speaking with the world’s most fascinating, brilliant, and honourable individuals. SOLID VOX™ shows are world class!

SOLID VOX™ presenters LOVE learning! They have insatiable curiosity! They are THINKERS! They are active-minded! One of our mottoes is: "Objective. Constructive. Creative."

Is that you?

"Does my show have to be confined to one particular
area - such as Science or Current Affairs or Art, etc.?"

No, that’s not necessary.

But you do need to have a clear idea about what your show will, in general, be about. You will need to submit a program proposal clarifying what you plan, and this will need to be discussed and approved by the Station Manager.

"How many shows am I required to produce?
What will be the frequency of my show?"

As a trainee you will probably need to commit to creating at least 6 shows over a maximum period of 12 weeks. This is negotiable.

Do you agree to this?

"What will be the duration of each of my shows?"

Generally, between 10 and 30 minutes. This is negotiable.

"How long will my shows stay online?"

That will depend on how much space is available on the PRODOS server.

"Will I be able to edit my show after it's recorded?"

No. All shows will go online without any editing.

Your show will be recorded and then go online “as if live”. (PRODOS: In 10 years of doing radio both on-air and on-line there was only one occasion when my show was edited – a few seconds were cut out once due to an unintended offensive remark I made.)

The only “editing” of a show might be the later addition of intro and exit music or the removal of silent sections at the beginning or end. But there is never any editing of content.

"What if I want to do a show about [some specialty]
but I’m not an expert in that field?"

That’s not a problem at all.

In fact being an “expert” can sometimes be a DISadvantage. Interviewers who are also experts can forget to ask the so-called “dumb questions” that are often the most valuable for listeners.

As a SOLID VOX™ presenter/interview/host you are an eternal student, a learner, an explorer, a thinker.

The main thing is that you do your pre-interview research to a degree that allows you to ask good questions of your guests.

One of your primary motivations must be to LEARN from your guest. You are passionate about learning! Ain’t it so?

"English is not my first language. Is that a problem?"

No. As long as you can be understood clearly when you speak English it’s not a problem. Having an “accent” is fine.

"Can I do my show in a language other than English?"

No. All SOLID VOX™ shows need to be in English.

If, however, you have a non-English guest you want to interview, you can organise an interpreter to translate what the guest says into English. If you say anything to a guest during a show in a language other than English you need to then tell your audience what you said in English.

"Will my show be “endorsed” by the
Celebrate Capitalism™ campaign?"

No.

Although the Rational Voice™ project supports the Celebrate Capitalism™ campaign, the campaign does not “endorse” any Solid Vox™ show.

All Solid Vox™ shows are “SNEWPI” – “Specified as a NON endorsed Website or Party or Ideology”.

“If I don’t like an interview that I’ve recorded but
the Station Manager has approved it to go online,
can I ask for it to be withdrawn?”

No.

“Do I need to have a good radio voice?”

No. Not at all. 

The idea of a “good radio voice” is a myth.

We are focused on quality content – not stylish superficialities.

What comes across well on radio is: Active intelligence, enthusiasm, genuine curiosity and interest in the subject at hand and your guest.

You don’t need a smooth, slick voice.

What you need is clarity.

Be genuine, honest, and true.

Be …. “SOLID”!

Question: Are you willing to interview
Celebrate Capitalism™ project leaders and supporters?

The Celebrate Capitalism™ campaign currently has CPL’s (Creative Project Leaders) in about 200 cities in over 40 countries around the world.

Many of these CPLs and other supporters are interesting, articulate, well-informed, colourful individuals.

Some are University students. Some are business people. Some are economists or scientists or lawyers or artists or writers. Some run think tanks trying to promote freedom and free market principles in India or Africa or Pakistan or other countries.

From time to time you will be invited by the Station Manager to interview one of these Celebrate Capitalism™ supporters on your show to talk about their activism and about Capitalist Ideals in general.

If your SOLID VOX™ program is not about current affairs, politics, philosophy, etc. that’s not a problem, either.

For instance, say your show is about cooking: We could find you a Celebrate Capitalism™ activist you could talk with about interesting foods, or sweets, or cookies, etc. that might be prepared for International Capitalism Day festivities. Food items that perhaps have an interesting or relevant theme. Something like that.

If your show is about fashion or toys or home improvements it would be easy to design a theme that could include one of the activists as a guest AND would be on-topic for your show.

Of course, both the proposed guests and the themes would be chosen very carefully and in consultation with you.

Question: Are you happy, from time to time, to interview a Celebrate Capitalism™ activist?

"What does the Production Assistant do?"

The Production Assistant has two tasks. One that takes place during the recording of a program and one that takes place during the preparation of that program.

During the show: The Production Assistant reads out the introduction to another Presenter’s show, including introducing the Presenter. And the Production Assistant reads out some scripted advertisements during the show.

Towards the show: The Production Assistant provides some help towards creating someone else’s show. For example the Production Assistant might be help with background research or with double checking some notes that the Presenter would like feedback on before the interview. He/she might offer to write up a summary – brief description – of a Presenter’s show after it has been recorded which will go onto their website.

When you first get started your Coach, PRODOS, will act as Production Assistant on your show.

"Can someone ONLY be a Production Assistant
– and not a Presenter?"

Yes. Please contact PRODOS if that’s what you want to do.

"Can someone ONLY be a Presenter
– and not a Production Assistant?"

No, not at the moment. This may change later.

But for now, since we have far more applicants than we can handle, preference will go to applicants who are happy to also act as Production Assistant for other shows.

"Instead of using a fellow presenter (in his Secondary Role)
as Production Assistant, can I use someone of
my own choice as my Production Assistant?"

This might be possible, but you’ll need to discuss it with the Station Manager.

"What happens if I must urgently record a show but there is no Production Assistant available?"

You’ll need to do it all yourself – including reading out the advertisements.

"On those occasions when I am on someone else’s show
in my Secondary Role as a Production Assistant,
is it okay to re-write the show intro and/or the
advertisements so that they suit my personal style better?"

Yes, that can be done.

But your script will need to be approved by the Station Manager before being used.

“What is the point of me taking on this Secondary Role as a Production Assistant for someone ELSE’S show?

How is it useful TO ME to be involved in introducing someone else’s show?

And what’s the value TO ME in reading out advertisements during a show? How is that useful TO ME?

What is the value TO ME in doing such things?"

Darn good questions!

Here's your opportunity to answer these questions yourself.

"Will other SOLID VOX shows presented by other
SOLID VOX™ presenters be about things that I disagree with?
If so, may I criticize them?"

Very likely. And, yes.

"Can my show be a music show?"

If you mean, a show that plays music: No, not at present.

For now we’re only looking for shows that are based on interviewing people.

Of course, you can certainly interview musicians and composers and links to their music can be added on your SOLID VOX™ website.

"Can my shows just consist of me editorialising or
discussing things – without an interview guest?"

No.

"Will there be audio advertisements on my show?"

Yes. These will be read out LIVE by your Production Assistant at various times during your show.

(And, of course, as a SOLID VOX presenter/interviewer/host, YOU will also act as Production Assistant on other shows – which will include reading out advertisements live.)

"What will be advertised during the shows? Who are the sponsors? Where will the money go?"

The RATIONAL VOICE™ project and all SOLID VOX™ shows are non-profit.

Any money raised goes towards PRODOS Institute non-profit projects such as: paying for the server which SOLID VOX shows and other projects use, promoting the Celebrate Capitalism™ campaign, developing more projects for promoting creative thinking, individual rights, and capitalism worldwide.

Everyone who works on these projects does so as a volunteer.

Some advertisements on the shows will be about promoting some of these non-profit projects (including, of course, other SOLID VOX™ shows or the SOLID VOX™ Network.)

Some advertisements will be about promoting products and services that can be purchased via the online shopping service, iLOVEprodos.COM.

This will include promotional merchandise (for various campaigns), travel services, toys, gifts, web services, freebies, and lots more.

[At the time of this application form being created, the new super duper iLOVEprodos.COM web system is still being built. We had it online briefly but found some “bugs” and now need to rebuild parts of it. The new system should be ready soon. For the moment there is just a page of banners and links to products and services at the iLOVEprodos.COM website. ]

All products and services at iLOVEprodos.COM are personally selected and approved by PRODOS.
Note: iLOVEprodos.COM will be more than an online shopping service. It will also include creative thinking projects and information on the science, history, and heroes behind the products. It will not only promote the products of Capitalism, it will also help to directly promote Capitalism itself.

Currently, all advertisements on all shows will be read out “live” during the recording of the show by the Production Assistant for that show. i.e. they will not be inserted later.

Please note: At times when a production assistant is not available for you, you will need to read the advertisements out yourself.

"Can I choose which advertisements will be
or not be on my show?"

No.

"Can I do my shows using “Skype” or something similar?"

No.

"Will I need any special equipment?"

No, not at present. For now all you will need is a regular telephone - a “landline”.

In most cases, you will not be able to conduct interviews using a cell/mobile phone because they have an inconsistent signal and are expensive to use.

If you are going to use a “hands free” phone you’ll need to make sure it does not pick up noise from a nearby computer and does not suffer other types of interference.

As the project continues some special equipment and software will probably be developed and made available to presenters. This is still being researched.

"Can I record interviews with a tape recorder
and then create an audio file from that?"

For the time being, no, that is not an option.

"Do I need special webmastering skills
to maintain my show’s website?"

No.

"How will the audio files of my show
be created and uploaded?"

The details of this will be discussed later.

There’s nothing you need to do about this. It will all be done for you for now.

“Does this all cost anything? Are there any fees?”

The training is free. The website and hosting will be provided free. The ongoing support is free.

You will need to pay for telephone costs.

For example a “Say G’day” $10 phone card will pay for about 5 or 6 hours of phone calls between Australia and the USA or the UK.

Since the phone card will be used to link up with both your guest and with your Production Assistant – if they happen to be overseas, $10 buys you about 2.5 to 3 hours of phone time. I’ll explain this further later.

These are small costs with no profit margins added.

Nevertheless, if you are unable at present to afford these fees, don’t worry. We’ll see what we can do.

If, on the other hand, you are financial AND would like to make an occasional donation that will be greatly appreciated.

"Who will own the interviews/audio files?
Who will own the copyrights of the shows?"

There will be no restrictions on ANYONE downloading and saving any SOLID VOX™ show to their computer to be listened to offline for private or study purposes.

Anyone who wants to is also welcome to put a SOLID VOX™ show audio file online (for example on their own website) provided a link to SolidVox.com , plus a © SOLID VOX™ notice is included, plus the name of the show or the name of the presenter is included.

Any website is also welcome to take a “feed” from any of the shows without including the above notices provided that feed links back to the site of origin – which feeds generally do automatically anyway.

The copyright of all shows is SOLID VOX™. This trademark is the intellectual property of PRODOS.

SOLID VOX™ shows are offered to the world as a free service.

However, anyone wanting to use SOLID VOX™ audio files for commercial gain needs to first contact PRODOS to discuss this and get permission. There may or may not be some fee or license involved. Ideas are welcome.

"Can I use my SOLID VOX audio files on a non SolidVox.com website? For instance, on my own website?"

The previous notes should cover this question.

"What happens if my show stops?
What will happen to the audio files or the website?"

That will be at the discretion of the Station Manager.

Indicate below whether you accept all of the above or not and any comments or questions you may have.

"I am an Objectivist. Is this an Objectivist project?"

"I am NOT an Objectivist. Is this an Objectivist project?"

"My personal ideology/philosophy/religion is
[ …….. ]. Is that okay?"

PRODOS is an Objectivist (a follower of Ayn Rand’s philosophy), but the Rational Voice™ project is NOT an Objectivist project.

Provided you agree with the Bernstein Declaration and are okay about all the other requirements covered within this application form, you are welcome to apply.

Not being an Objectivist is NOT a disadvantage.

"Can I dedicate all my shows to a particular
philosophy/religion/ideology/party?"

It will depend on how you approach this.

Please discuss what you have in mind with the Station Manager.

“Are there any people or organizations that are off-limits?
That I am not allowed to interview?”

NOTE FROM PRODOS: On the one hand, as Station Manager, I have veto power over any interviews/audio files that go online.

On the other hand, SOLID VOX™ is committed to opening up debate and discussion.

We are committed to getting to the Whole Truth on matters - exploring all the different angles and perspectives.

Opening up and encouraging vigorous, constructive, rational debate worldwide.

Sometimes that will mean I disagree with a Presenter’s perspective or that I will dislike a Presenter’s guest.

That’s not necessarily a bad or undesirable thing.

As your Station Manager, I am committed to cooperating with you as fully as possible.

If I feel there is a problem with a proposed guest, I will talk this over with you and try to make my objections clear.

We’ll let logic, goodwill, and the Big Picture win the day. We’ll try and find a solution that will work.

Please note: There is currently no “blacklist” of banned people or organisations.

If you have any special concerns, please let me know – either by writing a note below or by emailing me directly on prodos@prodos.com

"Can people leave comments/feedback/discussion
on my SOLID VOX™ website about my show?"

No.

HOWEVER …

… you will get a free THINKER TO THINKER™ blog (which need not be confined just to SOLID VOX™ matters) and can link to that and invite people to leave their comments at your blog.

If you want a THINKER TO THINKER™ blog (and you can have one regardless of whether or not you have a SOLID VOX™ show) please click here (opens a new browser)

ALSO …

… all politics, economics, current affairs, and philosophy shows need to link to “The 1776” discussion forum for discussion on such matters.

Please indicate below whether you accept this or not ...

"How will my show be publicised/promoted?"

There is no guarantee offered about publicising shows. But we WILL be doing our best to promote the SOLID VOX™ network and all shows.

"Will I know how many people are listening to my show?"

At present, such statistics will not be available.

"Will the survival of my show depend on
how many listeners it attracts?"

No.

It will depend entirely on whether your show is of good quality.

Just focus on creating terrific shows.

"What is the difference between SOLID VOX™
and RATIONAL VOICE™ ?"

The project itself is called the Rational Voice™ Project.

The internet radio network that is being built by the Rational Voice™ Project is called the SOLID VOX™ Network.

“Who is behind all this?”

The RATIONAL VOICE™ Project, the SOLID VOX™ network, and Celebrate Capitalism™ are all non-profit projects created by PRODOS.

There is no government funding. There is no “corporate” funding. There is no funding by any political, religious or ideological group.

Everyone involved is a volunteer working for free or on a “by-donation” basis. All money comes from private, individual donations. All money received is channelled back into non-profit projects.

“Is it okay to use the interviews I record as part of my resume if I ever apply to join a different radio network or media service?”

Sure.

Listen to the rough demo of the recently written PRODOS song, Capitalissimo, and specify 10 or more possible questions or areas of interest you’d like to ask about or bring up or explore further during an interview with PRODOS.

Make sure these are matters that YOU are personally interested in and curious about.

Spend some time right now – no more than 5 or 6 minutes – preparing a show about the Barbie Doll.

Make your notes in the space below.

You can use point form – just jotting down your notes – unedited.

Please describe the kind of show you have in mind – including what sorts of guests you would like to feature on your show.