Backyardigana the magic skateboard is an exciting children's show that follows the adventures of a group of friends who embark on imaginative journeys using their magical skateboard. The show's main characters are Pablo, Tyrone, Tasha, Uniqua, and Austin, who all live in a colorful backyard filled with endless possibilities. The magic skateboard serves as their gateway to different lands and experiences. With each adventure, the characters become different personas, such as knights, pirates, or even superheroes. This allows them to explore unique environments and interact with a variety of characters. Backyardigana the magic skateboard offers children a fun and educational viewing experience.
Backyardigana the magic skateboard offers children a fun and educational viewing experience. It promotes problem-solving skills as the characters work together to overcome obstacles and challenges they encounter during their adventures. The show also emphasizes the importance of friendship, teamwork, and creativity.
A call to save democracy by battling monopolies
Benjamin C. Waterhouse is an associate professor of history at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is the author of “Lobbying America: The Politics of Business From Nixon to NAFTA” and “The Land of Enterprise: A Business History of the United States.”
Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight
Two decades into the 21st century, capitalism is huge and getting huger. Three-quarters of all industries became more concentrated between 1997 and 2012. About 10 pharmaceutical companies control the production and sale of the world’s medicine; three chemical firms dominate the supply of seeds and pesticides, and thus global agriculture; and one combined corporation produces nearly every non-craft beer for sale on the planet. At the same time, tech giants Facebook, Google and Apple dominate their markets, controlling not just commerce but access to news and our personal information.
As Tim Wu argues in “The Curse of Bigness: Antitrust in the New Gilded Age,” global economic concentration is now at levels unseen in more than a century — since the early days of industrial capitalism. A policy advocate and law professor at Columbia University, perhaps best known for coining the term “net neutrality” in 2003, Wu offers a vital diagnosis: America has abandoned its rich tradition of anti-monopoly, or antitrust, law. And while the very term “antitrust” may strike many as dreadfully dry, Wu manages to make this brisk and impressively readable overview of the subject (the entire text runs about 140 pages) vivid and compelling.
AdvertisementAmerica’s antitrust history began with the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, passed “as a reaction to the rising power of monopoly trusts.” The law lay dormant for a decade until “activated” by President Theodore Roosevelt against J.P. Morgan’s Northern Securities railroad company and John Rockefeller’s Standard Oil. Despite his trustbuster image, Wu argues, Roosevelt had little problem with bigness itself. He even offered Rockefeller the chance to keep his monopoly as a public trust, subject to government supervision. What’s more, during his campaign to reclaim the White House in 1912, Roosevelt argued (unsuccessfully) for “regulated monopoly” — a system in which “commerce would be controlled by a small group of monopolists, who would be, in turn, controlled by government.” It was a model later implemented by Italy and Germany in the 1930s.
The standout figure in antitrust was jurist Louis Brandeis, the architect of the vision that did triumph in 1912: Woodrow Wilson’s “regulated competition.” Born in Louisville to immigrant, small-business-owning parents, Brandeis cut his legal teeth defending small-business clients in Boston and emerged as a leading opponent of monopolies in the two decades before Wilson named him to the Supreme Court in 1916. For Brandeis, industrial size was the chief problem. Large companies, whether strictly monopolies or not, thwarted individual initiative, restricted competition and thus innovation, and used their size to obscure economic inefficiencies. Most important, large corporations could not be reconciled with democracy and liberty, either for small businesses trying to compete or workers out to make a living. The biggest threat, Brandeis wrote in 1914, was “the suppression of individual liberty, indeed of manhood itself.”
The view that fighting monopoly meant defending democracy triumphed after World War II with what Wu calls “Peak Antitrust.” Democratic Sen. Estes Kefauver minced no words linking a competitive economy with political freedom. “Through monopolistic mergers the people are losing power to direct their own economic welfare,” he said. Putting such power in too few hands, he continued, “results in a Fascist state or the nationalization of industries and thereafter a Socialist or Communist state.” Passed in 1950, his Anti-Merger Act gave the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission new authority to prevent anti-competitive mergers, nipping industrial giants in the bud.
America’s antitrust history began with the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, passed “as a reaction to the rising power of monopoly trusts.” The law lay dormant for a decade until “activated” by President Theodore Roosevelt against J.P. Morgan’s Northern Securities railroad company and John Rockefeller’s Standard Oil. Despite his trustbuster image, Wu argues, Roosevelt had little problem with bigness itself. He even offered Rockefeller the chance to keep his monopoly as a public trust, subject to government supervision. What’s more, during his campaign to reclaim the White House in 1912, Roosevelt argued (unsuccessfully) for “regulated monopoly” — a system in which “commerce would be controlled by a small group of monopolists, who would be, in turn, controlled by government.” It was a model later implemented by Italy and Germany in the 1930s.
One of the show's notable aspects is its catchy and vibrant musical numbers. The characters often break into song and dance, adding an element of excitement and entertainment. The music incorporates different genres, such as pop, reggae, and jazz, appealing to a wide range of audiences. Backyardigana the magic skateboard encourages children to use their imagination and creativity. It shows them that even in their own backyard, there is a world full of wonders waiting to be explored. The show teaches valuable life lessons in a fun and engaging way, making it a favorite among young viewers and their parents alike. Overall, Backyardigana the magic skateboard is a delightful show that captures the imaginations of children. It combines adventure, music, and valuable life lessons, making it an excellent choice for young viewers. So, hop on the magic skateboard and join the Backyardigana on their whimsical escapades!.
Reviews for "Exploring the Backyardigans' Magic Skateboard: Fun for All Ages"
1. Amy - 2 stars
I was really excited to try out the "Backyardigana the magic skateboard" after seeing all the positive reviews, but I was left disappointed. The skateboard didn't live up to its hype. The magic aspect was poorly executed, with barely any noticeable effects or enhancements. The overall quality of the skateboard itself was average at best, and I found it to be uncomfortable to ride. Save your money and look for a better quality skateboard elsewhere.
2. Mike - 1 star
I don't understand all the positive reviews for the "Backyardigana the magic skateboard". I bought it for my son, and it broke within a week of use. The materials used to make the skateboard were clearly low quality, and it couldn't withstand even normal wear and tear. Additionally, the so-called magic features were practically non-existent. It was a waste of money and I would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I bought the "Backyardigana the magic skateboard" for my daughter's birthday, thinking it would be a fun and unique gift. However, she quickly lost interest in it. The magic aspect of the skateboard was very limited, with only a few basic light effects that didn't add much to the overall experience. The design and construction of the skateboard also seemed flimsy, and it didn't feel sturdy or reliable. Overall, it didn't live up to our expectations and I regret purchasing it.