Ep 2. Outsourcing

In the second episode of 30 Days' second season, entitled "Outsourcing," the audience follows the journey of Morgan Spurlock as he dives into the controversial topic of outsourcing. As an American filmmaker, Spurlock is accustomed to the traditional "American Dream" and the idea that you can achieve success through hard work and determination. However, he becomes curious about the impact outsourcing has had on the American workforce, and how it affects those living in countries where outsourcing has become a major industry.

Spurlock starts his journey by leaving his comfortable life in New York City behind and traveling to Bangalore, India, where he will spend 30 days working in a call center. India has become a top destination for businesses looking to outsource jobs, particularly in the fields of information technology and customer service. Spurlock is shown the ins and outs of a call center and quickly realizes how demanding the work can be. He is surprised to encounter so many of his fellow Americans who have relocated to India for work. They are earning far more than they would be in the U.S., and many have been able to achieve a better quality of life.

While in India, Spurlock is introduced to several workers who used to hold similar jobs in the United States before they were outsourced. They share their experiences of losing their jobs and struggling to find work in their hometowns. Spurlock realizes that outsourcing has resulted in economic changes that have negatively impacted many U.S. towns and cities. These individuals share their stories of how they were forced to accept lower-paying jobs or simply retire early. They discuss the difficulty of finding work in their fields, and in some cases, the emotional toll that the loss of their jobs has had on their families and communities.

Spurlock also spends time with Indians who work in the call centers. He witnesses first-hand their dedication to providing quality customer service and the efforts they put in to learn the intricacies of American customs and culture. They talk about how grateful they are for the opportunities that outsourcing has brought to India, economic changes that have allowed many of them to attain a higher standard of living than they would have otherwise been able to achieve.

As he continues to work in the call center, Spurlock also learns about India's growing middle class and the changing domestic economy. He discovers that as India's domestic economy has grown, their reliance on outsourced jobs has decreased. Despite this, outsourcing remains a vital part of India's economy and presents new opportunities to those looking for work.

Throughout the episode, Spurlock's experiences in India open his eyes to the complexities of outsourcing and how it affects both Americans and people in other countries. He realizes that outsourcing is not a black and white issue and that the economic repercussions cannot be easily defined or solved.

In conclusion, the "Outsourcing" episode of 30 Days explores a difficult and controversial topic that has affected many people around the world. Through Spurlock's experiences and encounters with those who have been impacted by outsourcing, the audience is exposed to a deeper understanding of the issue. The episode does not present easy solutions but rather encourages listeners to consider the impact of outsourcing beyond its surface-level criticisms.