Anti-Americanism and Anti-Capitalism by Nikos Sotirakopoulos

[@ronaldreeves421]

You a good man Nikos, you are doing good work. Rarely have i seen such intelligent, open minded, and articulate person.

[@emetds]

I hope more people hear your lectures and ideas. Most college idealize Chomsky and others. I remember when I was in college and 9:11 happened in the morning on the way to art school and we heard what was happening in New York on radio. It was very confusing and when we got to school the campus was closed by the security and then a student started to yell, this is our fault, this happened because everything America has done. It was an art school so it was very left.

[@nikos_1717]

Thank you! I also remember the day in detail...as I'll remember the day of the terrorist attack on Israel on October 7.

[@kimobrien.]

@@nikos_1717 I also remember the attacks. I knew after the second plane hit it meant it wasn't an accident and we would be at war. Later we would learn the attacks were made by Islamic terrorists the same forces that were armed and supported by our own US government in Afghanistan. This is why so many conspiracy theories abound. The US CIA was up to its rotten necks in supporting any terrorist organization that spouted anti communism. You can't name a dictaship that they couldn't find a reason to support during the cold war. From Pol Pot to Syngman Rhee.

[@mads5707]

Well it is true that american meddling in the middle east bred hate for america. And the USA funded and promoted the mujihadeen, the future al-qaeda and so on, in their cold war with the USSR. you should listen to those college students.

[@Wolfsheim23]

@@nikos_1717 Also remember that Palestine turned down a 2-party state 5 Times over the past century. Every time its offered.. they reject it, often with war. And not just war with Palastine, but with Jordan, Egypt, Syria, and more all at one time and Israel beats them all.

[@josipag2185]

God, Chomsky. After Cambodia, he should not be allowed to speak in public.

[@Freer07]

I deeply appreciate this talk, this speaker, the cumulative wisdom of his experience, and the sharing of this crystallised culmination of insight and inspiration for us to hear 🙏🙏🔥💪

[@paisleyjane14]

This is not wisdom. And his so called experiences are not authentic, nor are they unique. It’s a simplistic argument that ignores the reality that everyone has an opinion and identity, and no group is homogeneous. His entire basis is completely flawed because it’s based on total fabrication. Ayn Rand wasn’t an intellectual. I don’t know how someone with such a stunted and myopic ‘understanding’ of society, who’s entire life experience was extraordinarily limited and small, can claim the radical conclusions she draws about all religion and charity. It’s no wonder it’s still a fringe, totally batshit philosophy.

[@TheBrazilRules]

@@paisleyjane14 How do you know his experiences are not authentic? You grew up with him?

[@nancykisich3263]

Ideas are lethal when we are not allowed to challenge them in the sunlight of critical inquiry

[@kimobrien.]

The neoliberal ideas of Milton Freedman crashed against the rocks of the economic crisis of 2008.

[@gosugosu1280]

Yes. Suppression of freedom of speech leads to violence.

[@jon123xyz]

Please forgive me for another comment. When 911 happened I was horrified at what I saw was an attack on western life by barbaric principles. I shared this with a close friend who is a Baptist minister. His response was, maybe I feel upset because I have an affiliation with the people in the towers (I was in finance in Toronto and am white, he is not). I was shocked and did not know what to say. I did not feel affiliation with New York investment bankers and traders. The horrendous deaths those people experienced was enough to be shocked. That remains my most memorable exposure to someone who, I found out, was steeped in CRT, Standpoint epistemology and a closet follower of Liberation Theology. It fractured our relationship forever.

[@curtbrockhaus6131]

Actually a direct hit on Japanese banks. Daniel 8:9

[@eduardorpg64]

Whoooooo! Nikos! Yet another amazing talk! The thing about anti-Americanism already existing in 1944 surprised me. That some intellectuals saw the United States as worse than both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union shocked me. Keep up the good work!

[@nikos_1717]

Many thanks, glad you found new information in my talk!

[@GreenCanvasInteriorscape]

Bandit theology poisoning another tiny brain Wake up

[@kimobrien.]

@@Sheikh_Yaboody The American Imperialist operate the Prison and Torture Center at the US Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba. A base held despite the will of the Cuban people.

[@geraldashton8589]

@@kimobrien.so one bit of Cuba free✌️

[@kimobrien.]

@@geraldashton8589 I have not got the slightest idea of what you think freedom is but no one can enter a US military base without permission of the base commander at the very least. Unlike the United States which occupies Cuban territory against its national will Cuba holds no prisoners without trial or charges. .

[@alainriviere7950]

Monsieur Sotirakopoulos is a learned ,thoughtful intellectual. His ideas will have enormous effect on the world at large, if only they are exposed.

[@willisbcteoh9840]

At 16 years old I happened to chance upon The Atlas Shrugged. That book *validated my own philosophy on how I was living my life then and how will be living my life till my end. *I have always been the "odd" one out.

[@kathyhansen2820]

I wish that more people would read it. But then, it's vey long and doesn't have pictures does it?

[@willisbcteoh9840]

@@kathyhansen2820 no pictures. 👌

[@aeomaster32]

A very logically constructed lecture; it was clearly and decisively spoken, without hesitations and "ummms". You speak with conviction, so well done.

[@nikos_1717]

Many thanks!

[@jon123xyz]

Agree. Outstanding speech!

[@peredavi]

I was born in 1961. I see a very strong movement to the left in under 45 years olds. The university and grade school teachers have been very successful in indoctrinating students. We , US , have a huge problem in the direction we’re going.

[@dougsmith8430]

I too was born in 1961. I agree wholeheartedly about the American Universities and Schools. They have become nothing more than I doctrination Centers.

[@kimobrien.]

@@dougsmith8430 "The dominate ideas of any society are the ideas of the ruling class." Karl Marx.

[@WAdelstein]

Immigration-post 1965 families ever increasing which dominate GenZ population, dominate population centers thus the electorate. Most of the world are “equity statists”. The whole world wants lowered standards. The influx of the world brought in “equity statism”. Equity is unearned value. Whatever is wrong with USA foreign policy that’s not what’s eating them. It’s the high standards.

[@davidbrown2625]

100%. I'm born in 1998 and everyone else my age is a radical socialist in my country (ireland). Its scary tbh

[@dougsmith8430]

@@davidbrown2625 apparently, the young in Ireland are as indoctrinated as the young in America, true?

[@bennettbullock9690]

What people often forget about the 911 attacks is that the Twin Towers mostly hosted offices for the New York state and city governments, not for bankers or financiers. When some people were cheering at the thought of bankers jumping to their deaths, it was actually just normal civil servants with modest paychecks.

[@JACKDAWFISH]

By the usual chance, thousands of bankers who would have been in the twin towers that day didn't go to work. Look and learn.

[@bennettbullock9690]

@@JACKDAWFISH That implies that thousands of bankers would have had a place to go to in the Twin Towers. If most of the offices in the Towers were NY state and government, which they were, then this would not be the case, so there in fact were not thousands of bankers skipping work. Please do not continue this conversation. If you do, I will not respond. I am stunned by the quality of some of the comments I get on KZbin.

[@jon123xyz]

I am a Canadian fan of US founding principles and this is one of the best descriptions I have ever heard. Juxtaposition with other ideas about the position of the individual in society and what they should do, does a great job of underscoring these! Look into how much Marcuse despised the American good life and worked to tear it down (without getting his hands dirty of course). Anti-Americans are miserable and see that as a sign of their moral superiority.

[@kimobrien.]

Sure the American ruling capitalist class isn't responsible for everything bad it just had lots of help. Running from French and British Imperialist to Joe Stalin and ex German NAZI's.

[@johnjones6601]

Verily is that saying true- 'No good deed goes unpunished'. America saved Europe's arse in WW1/WW2 and spent billions via the Marshall Plan rebuilding it. And what does it get for its pains? Hatred, vilification, contempt, and calumny. Greece was in a state of torpor and stasis for the best part of 2000 years, till it was liberated with help from the British. A little gratitude should be in order.

[@nikos_1717]

The latter is not super accurate, though indeed the British (and the French with the Russians) helped the Greek revolution when it was struggling due to the civil war among the revolutionaries.

[@j_si.8187]

As a german i'am thankful that the US decided to join the war AFTER they get attacked themselves. And ignoring the evil deads Hitler commited before, at least they supported with material. But sarcasm aside i am really thankful to the Vets that fought the Nazis, i would not like to live as a nazi. But on the other hand just because your country did wipe the nazis out, doesn't give your goverment the right to stage multiple coup d'etat, the most famous one in 1953 in Iran where the democratically elected goverment Was thrown over in favour of the shah of persia and your mining rights.

[@rajanalexander4949]

Ah, the old "America saved Europe's arse" refrain. In terms of army sacrifices, the Soviet Union made the most. This significantly weakened the Germans. It's like when someone struggles for an hour to turn the stuck lid off a can, and then hands it to the next guy . . . .

[@voltaire6668]

This guy is doing the Lord's work, changing the world for the better, one mind at a time.

[@rossshin184]

I'm your age, so I lived it like you did, watch it on tv from Italy. From the opposite point of view, being pro American all my life, so my family. Had the chance to visit the towers at night, so that day shattered me. And I knew people who were instead ok with it, if not happy. Because of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. They didn't even knew about Pearl Harbor and the fact that Hiroshima and Nagasaki were the counteract for it and the US fought against Hitler and Japan was an ally to Hitler. You were totally right into your speech of Israel and Palestine, you only can fight if you know the facts. And facts are a lot of Japanese people recognized that the bombs, with all the distruction and death, were at least the only way Japan was spared of the communist invasion of China. Same as Vietnam. The US were there to avoid the spreading of Chinese communism. I'm so glad to be able to listen to you, as having your particular point of view is incredibly enriching. Thanks so much! And thanks to Ayn Rand first. She's not as reknown as she deserves. Cause the so called "cultural world" is ruled by the communists.

[@kimobrien.]

I watched the towers fall and I knew when the second fell it wasn't an accident it meant war just how big and tragic would remain to be seen. Bush used it to launch his "New World Order" where the rule of law replaced the rule of the jungle and four US Presidents later of both parties they spent 5.3 trillion to destroy Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2008 world capitalism entered the worst crisis since the great depression.

[@adrianainespena5654]

One difference between Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Twin Towers, is that at least in the Twin Towers babies were not slaughtered. Although there are pleny of Chinese that think that Hiroshima and Nagasaki were karma for what the Japanese did in China - beginning with Nanking.

[@thegeneralist7527]

To quote Ronald Reagan: 'The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.'

[@kimobrien.]

The problem with Reagan is exactly the same. We are paying for his reckless campaign against communism which included supporting any dictatorship that promised to fight communism. You can thank Regan for things like the border crisis and islamic terrorism. Not to mention he is the one who signed the Mumford Act because we don't need guns to defend ourselves.

[@cessaly100]

Yep!

[@skeptic1124]

Why the hell would you quote this 3rd rate actor? The mr. speed it up puppet. He was making about as many decisions as joe biden. Meaning 0. To paraphrase george carlin, i have not seen so many people since they took a group photo of all the criminals in the reagan administration.

[@heldofhil7]

Thank you for this interesting, thought-provoking lecture.

[@lasttrimestr49califos89]

It's very sad that this channel has only relatively few subscribers 😢. Wonderful, educational topics. Not the hate filled rhetoric of the mainstream media that tear down rather than build up.

[@johnbabu3640]

American idea is unique: gave constitutional state to the world; federalism; individual freedom; limited rights to government; freedom of thought; freedom to own firearms etc. If America doesn’t protect these ideas, she will become like the rest!

[@kimobrien.]

And both political parties waged attacks on those rights throughout the cold war.

[@pelonehedd7631]

I agree with You 100%

[@kimobrien.]

@@pelonehedd7631 The big capitalist wage attacks on constitutional rights because they fear the workers power that can be used against them. They fear the trade union and that the workers will form their own party and vote the bosses out of political power.

[@mattroberts86]

US Constitution was modeled after the French Constitution.

[@Sceptonic]

​@@mattroberts86the French constitution literally came after?

[@MACNAOIS]

You said something that I have long felt about certain people I’ve known who were either already or would eventually become involved in the political left. There was a darkness in them. Nothing seemed to please them as much as seeing or making others feel stupid, small, insignificant, helpless, and miserable, and they seemed to enjoy it most of all when these others were those who were happily unsophisticated and untroubled by existence.

[@jon123xyz]

I share.your experience. You can feel the darkness. They want to bring.everyone down to their hateful level. Would love to understand the psychology behind that.

[@kimobrien.]

@@jon123xyz It's connected to the false notion that you can reform capitalism.

[@CJ-hz1uj]

@@jon123xyz, it’s also connected, perhaps more deeply, to narcissistic personality. We could say that the chief narcissist is Satan, always angry at humanity and wanting us to live in fear, through which he exercises his control. More are remembering that the power is with us, we lend them an illusion of power, it is not from them.

[@MACNAOIS]

@@CJ-hz1uj There was/is definitely a narcissistic bent to it.

[@MACNAOIS]

@@jon123xyz I think, in some cases at least, it could be due to a person believing themselves to be superior and having a deep resentment towards "inferiors" who seem more content than them, because the inferior people don't deserve to be that free from suffering. Something like that, but I really don't know.

[@bht96]

I like this guy. Of course, I’ve heard about Ayn Rand and her works but I have never studied her philosophy in depth. This had to do with too many people having such a negative opinion about her. Now, I’m interested in forming my own opinion. Thank you and this channel for your material. I am enjoying greatly.

[@peterwojtek8468]

Besides her philosophy, her novels are dynamite and make for some pleasant read. Got into Atlas Shrugged out of curiosity (after playing Bioshock, which despite being a great game, is obviously disingenuous towards the actual content of her work) and was stunned at how entertaining it was. It sits between spy fiction, unexpected hardcore romance, industrial epic and political pamphlet. Give it a try, you won't regret it.

[@RogerFusselman]

Read "The Fountainhead" and "Atlas Shrugged." You would love these novels.

[@TheBrazilRules]

@@peterwojtek8468 I think Bioshock was written with the idea that Ayn Rand's ideas would never work set from the start.

[@ericfishman6928]

Love this guy - so informative

[@gregjones1537]

Another great show, I'm addicted to watching you explain things that i never could put into words like you can and do, Keep up your Great Work

[@Extrikit]

Great food for thought Nikos

[@agsoutas]

Ευχαριστώ πολύ για την ομιλία Νίκο!!!

[@nikos_1717]

Εγώ ευχαριστώ!

[@paulyg37]

​@nikossotirakopoulos6876 εγγραφηκα 😝 G'day from a Greek in Australia.

[@Americalover1776]

I truly enjoyed your speech, and how the changes you have made in your life have lead you to knowing that America is not bad and unique. But where you asked me was make America great again, the right, from my point of view America has been taken over by liberalism higher academia so much that the right is trying to get it back. We are looking for individual rights as you spoke about, we are looking for the pursuit of happiness again, we are looking for stability and family again. We may have to break a few eggs or two things wrong to get to what Americas founders originally intended for us. So yes make America great means back to principles. I’m not sure how do you see it but this is how I see it in 1000 to others that want to make America great again!

[@timberskid]

Thanks! What a beautiful tribute to the Founding principles of America = Americanism! ❤

[@nikos_1717]

Thank you very much, this is generous!

[@ANascente]

And no religion involved. Wonderful!

[@beaulin5628]

Really helpful talk in understanding this issue.

[@beaulin5628]

Being a country of "business" and "happiness" does not exclude using one's prosperity to help people in need. We want everyone to be free, prosperous, and happy.

[@zoso73]

Wanting everyone to be prosperous and happy does not mean it is just or moral or even a good idea to take money out of the ockets of the prosperous and distributing to those that have not succeeded. As Chief Justice John Marshall wrote over 200 years ago, "the power to tax involves the power to destroy, and that power to destroy may defeat and render useless the power to create." This is a perfect example of why so many EU economies have been flat for years, and why most of its citizenry lacks the same number of economic opportunities that Americans have.

[@beaulin5628]

@@zoso73 I agree entirely. My point is that when people are allowed to be indiviually prosperous as in the US system they often have extra to share and enjoy doing so. True "charity"is voluntary. Anything else is theft.

[@zoso73]

@@beaulin5628 Agreed. I make good money. And there are a ton of people that make a ton more than me. Do I feel envious of them? At times, yes I do -- that's a natural human emotion. But the thought that they should be subjected to a wealth tax as a punishment to their success would sicken me. Look at the new real estate sales tax in Los Angeles County (passed this year) that penalizes sellers of homes worth $5 million or more to a transfer tax of 4%. The money is to pay for housing for the homeless. This is insanity and will eventually, in decades to come, put America in the same weakened condition as EU states.

[@beaulin5628]

@@zoso73 Socialism/communism is an exceedingly evil system of theft that stangles prosperity and the happiness of all citizens. It is a system created by and for criminals who gather all of the wealth and property of the country into their hands under the ridiculous deception that they are going to "distribute it fairly and equally" to all the people. When they gain full control they murder anyone who dares oppose their power and laugh at the fools who allowed them to do this.

[@mryouben]

In Europe antiamericanism is common especially in countries that were liberated by the Americans im WW2. These people need a scapegoat and they don't know their history.

[@nikos_1717]

True...Greece being case in point.

[@richardque1036]

5 decade ago,I came upon an article in a magazine ,that majority of mainstream media in west germany were overwhelming anti americanist.

[@kimobrien.]

@@nikos_1717 Greece was promised to Churchill by Stalin and Stalin betrayed the Greek revolution to the Greek fascist Dictatorship for the sake of keeping his promise to Churchill. The American Imperialist took the place of the British Empire with 800 military bases..

[@junglecat_rant]

Well, you shouldn't wage illegal wars like that on Iraq without following any rules and ignoring the International community, especially the UN. Greeting from Europe.

[@kimobrien.]

Of course because every capitalist country has a capitalist class with its own national interests. Trade and Tariff policies affect how the profits from foreign trade and exchange are distributed.

[@RayceJacobson]

24:45 start of Q&A

[@lasttrimestr49califos89]

With you. Once again a foreign born person of learned experience is teaching the native born Americans what they should already know.

[@danhtran6401]

How?... Born Americans are free... History class ends at WW2...at the end of the class, most of them can't relate to any of it... they don't have religious problems amongst themselves or their neighbors. They don't even know their tax dollars are being used to help foreign people deal with their problems. It's 2023, all countries have gone through wars, only difference is, some of them got over it and moved on while some are still a whiny bunch of bitches...

[@dawnemile7499]

Unfortunately people just continue to exhibit their ignorance, wicked personality, and jealousy.

[@kimobrien.]

The ruling capitalist class is driven by the greed for profits not moral actions.

[@kimobrien.]

Yep the fact that capitalism is a dog eat dog system hasn't changed.

[@JupiterThunder]

With wonderful deathless ditties We build up the world's great cities, And out of a fabulous story We fashion an empire's glory: One man with a dream, at pleasure, Shall go forth and conquer a crown; And three with a new song's measure Can trample a kingdom down.

[@rajanalexander4949]

Excellent talk. It sheds light on the philosophical differences between the Europeans and Americans. However, the question from the British-accented fellow is a good one, and Nikos did not answer it adequately: (a) cultural views of the Americans are not always "top-down" seeded from academia and trickling down to the populace, and (b) the critique is often not rooted on materialism/consumerism, but on the foreign policy that America keeps. America has been involved in at least one war every year of the last 100 (probably further even) years. Regardless of whose side you're on morally or culturally, one cannot disregard US foreign policy as a valid point of criticism.

[@RobynGermaine]

Years ago I met a beautiful Pakistani and Muslim man who is traveling through America come to think of it, a few months before 911… he was from England obviously quite well offer he was traveling on holiday through America solo, supposedly he was a geologist doing something with maps. I met him in this little town I live in currently at a fruit stand and we immediately were drawn to each other. We spend some time together that summer and I remember he said that he was surprised how wonderful of Americans had been to him so I believe he has been brainwashed to hate Americans as well…. But when he got here he was really surprised how cool everybody was and he was Muslim so he had a little prayer mat so he still prayed and stuff but I guess he didn’t have to pray as often because traveling with a hardship or something… anyways I’m glad he came here so that he could meet people and see that his brainwashing was wrong… hey don’t be mad, we all get brainwashed by the people that came before us believe me I know all the racist words for all the different people from me…. But there comes a point in your own life you have to see for yourself that it’s crap and harmful to your own spirit let alone to the world and other people. I remember being on the phone with him and he asked me if I thought he had anything to do with 911 - and I remember saying to him well did you? He said no . So later we met up again in the winter and drove up to Canada to see this Muslim thing at a college… it was beautiful, I was pretty young in my 20s, and on the way back from Canada he got really intense and I don’t really know anything about politics are really the world to be honest… I was just getting started in life -I had my head in books for several years becoming a nurse. He got really extreme politics and his whole mood changed in the car and it was weird. He was saying that I didn’t stand for anything and he kept saying “my people” when really rich kid with Pakistani a parent who lived in England but he kept getting really political and quite scary about stuff in Pakistan and I I didn’t have an understanding of what was going on, not because I’m a bad person or because I was chasing material things like people think, truthfully I barely survived to become 23 I was doing drugs and drinking in and totally lost, somehow I managed to be lucky enough enough to go to treatment and do everything it took to have a better life, but because I didn’t know about the other injustices that he was talking about he was telling me I don’t stand for anything, and maybe I didn’t I was just glad to be alive trying my best. He was beautiful- physically, but he scared me and I didn’t know what to do about that but that ended our friendship.

[@amyjohnson5839]

Maybe because being raised in America we take forgranted how good we have it compared to what others around the world are going through.

[@annagirlieee5290]

Yes the west benefitted from their good ideas, this is true. Religion has its place, but

[@OitzerHayom]

Hi! Ur amazing! Very knowledgeable and teaching methods! TY

[@anonygent]

I suppose that if you are a collectivist, America is the "big bad" because America represents everything that is possible if you reject collectivism. It's funny that they don't then question their allegiance to collectivism.

[@moodrahkamite818]

Well done.

[@ElmoUnk1953]

2009 I visited Normandy for the D-Day commemoration, and every US military reenactment participant, from the UK, Belgium, Italy, France and Germany that I met, wished Texas would invade Europe. “Don’t you mean the United States?” No, Texas. Because the liberals in the US are trying too hard to make it like Europe. ❤❤❤

[@peredavi]

That is why so many of us have moved away from Left coast and live in northern Rocky Mountains. Unfortunately, Colorado and western Montana have been infected by Californians.

[@timfallon8226]

texas is Mexican now.

[@amyjohnson5839]

I've been to Normady too (my Great Uncle is buried in the American cemetery there) and it's one of the best places I've ever visited. I think everyone should visit it at least once in their lifetime. It's a different place where the people there actually teach generation after generation the history, they teach gratitude. It's the most important thing to learn history so we don't repeat it. Sadly history is repeating itself with new generations who don't know history

[@ThreetwoOne-wu7ye]

How many beers into the evening? But, the US is much more extreme with your totally insane sex education curriculae and all those kids that are mutilated.

[@ThreetwoOne-wu7ye]

​@@peredavi Boulder was the hippie place to be in the 80's My good friend moved from California because of the fires. She, her husband and 3 children have managed to keep their sex.

[@DoomCycle]

5:42 7:08 8:36 11:11 13:00 15:10 20:41 36:20 39:23 39:50

[@sherryford667]

"Atlas Shrugged," the best book I've ever read, excluding the Bible.

[@RobynGermaine]

To your 18-year-old self, and recognizing the darkness in your soul, we all have that opportunity to address the places where we were programmed wrong by others, and I think it’s very beautiful that you’re sharing this with us! I too had a dark soul and 18-and recognizing the truth behind it all, knowing that we are all connected, and I appreciate what you’re saying and I listen to your other talk about the left and Isreal, I just can’t wrap my head around why these liberal lunatics in America would protest against Israel when Hamas would absolutely kill them all for what they think they stand for. For not covering their blue hair. I appreciate your insight. There are normal people in America, we just live in the upside down world right now. Everything that’s happening in the Middle East is so deep and generation is after generations of fighting … I have no doubt both sides have done mean things over the years. We only get one spin around this thing, I wish the days were wasted in war… I appreciate what you said about what America stands for and what other countries say they stand for and what an interesting perspective. You’re right our constitution protects us as individuals, and like you said not everyone was included in that in the beginning and that’s gone.. too far actually… but the pendulum will swing. I think the lunatics on the far left and far right should visit other countries, to see how good they truly have it.. how good we have it. Government can’t provide that for everyone else although it seems like they try to interject the USA in every war…. And we just have to remember the people are not the government policies, I’m just trying to freaking love each other man!

[@science212]

Capitalism is liberty. USA are the most beautiful place.

[@sed9406]

capitalism is pharma ads for itself

[@commonsensecomment]

It used to be... the left is at work in US

[@AdBass59]

It used to be until the Globalists perverted it. Globalist Capitalism is now the greatest threat to the world. Billionaire Oligarchs have destroyed traditional Capitalism.

[@kimobrien.]

Capitalism is the tyranny of the capitalist bosses.

[@majorclanger8256]

Liberty means free enterprise, which is a term I prefer rather than capitalism. In a society that isn't free there could be no Bill Gates, no Steve Jobs, etc. On one video I saw recently, the speaker held up a smartphone and stated that a communist society couldn't create this. Very true, tyranny holds everyone back.

[@hiltonholder7407]

Great talk Nikos. Loved it.

[@jtkoolj]

This is a wonderful talk!

[@baruscream7279]

The US is indeed an idea that works surprisingly well since it harbors the necessary conditions for culture and science to thrive. Actual freedom, security, competition in capitalism, seeing no virtue in suffering but in productivity (and hence, happiness), and a strong sense of identity (you can be from a Latino, European, Asian, African or whatever background, but when you are born in America or you adopt America's values as your own, you are American, and Americans are proud of what they are and what they represent). It seems trivial, but don't be fooled, that strong sense of identity alone holds more power than you could ever imagine. I have come to a realization as well. Americans get every single tool they need in order to do a job, and do it right. Other people improvise or don't even consider it important, but it goes a long way. Greetings from Ecuador :)

[@MEDStrengthAsheville]

Well done!

[@shashiprabha8283]

Follow the middle path. That's a balanced life. We need money to survive . We need money for almost everything except for having empathy for others. If we combine money with feelings for others in a genuine way, our life would be very good. America was founded on pursuit of happiness individually. Now let's expand it further and make it one of the best countries in the world ( mind it , no country can become the best).

[@kittenclawsguitarvideos6147]

Wow. Great talk. I learned so much

[@Freddy-Da-Freeloadah]

>GREAT LECTURE!! Nikos Sotirakopoulos is some one to watch in the future. My 911 Experience was very different. On the evening of 9-11-2001 I attended a monthly meeting of the John Birch Society. We were all Christians. We talked about the towers coming down. One guy said: "IT WAS THE DEVIL!" My response was: "No, it was God chastising us for not being better." >My Goals have never been "Consumerist." Don't get confused: I LOVE CONSUMING! Better not touch my stuff... @33:00 I think the Neo-Cons, religious conservatives & MAGA types are confusing European Civilization with "AMERICANISM." AMERICAN RADICAL INDIVIDUALIST CIVILIZATION is then confused with "Woke" culture. I don't see how anyone can be a Christian with out individualism. I think Christ taught individualism. While I think there is a lot of sarcasm and satire in "Atlas Shrugged", ultimately John Gault ends up being a type of Christ. IMHO

[@nikos_1717]

I respectfully disagree on John Galt and Christ, but thank you for the kind words!

[@kimobrien.]

@@nikos_1717 That's the problem with using a novel for political theory its never real. That's because they deny the class struggle as the motor of human history and instead look for a few ideas to cling to some good and some bad. In fact their is a whole problem with defining morality outside of history and economic development.

[@TheCrzyman0]

Excellent talk! Thank you!

[@AlloBruxelles]

"Egalitarian universalism, from which sprang the ideas of freedom and social solidarity, of an autonomous conduct of life and emancipation, of the individual morality of conscience, human rights and democracy, is the direct heir of the Judaic ethic of justice and the Christian ethic of love. This legacy, substantially unchanged, has been the object of continual critical appropriation and reinterpretation. To this day, there is no alternative to it. And in light of the current challenges of a postnational constellation, we continue to draw on the substance of this heritage. Everything else is just idle postmodern talk. " Jürgen Habermas

[@ggates5859]

Thanks!

[@uossin]

Brave, consice and inspiring!

[@LogicSpeaks]

Great talk. I think I generally agree with most of your thesis I do think there is likely good criticism within the capitalist system. I’ve found it hard to follow anyone who argued for one system over another is universally good while the other bad (not suggesting Niko did this). The main issue with capitalism as I see it is that much of those who ended up “winning” within the system appear to have significantly more power within that system and all over the world. Much of the world is capitalist but not free of course. But even in the USA they have so much power and influence that our democracy is being questioned. When one sees how much lobbyists influence what laws are passed and not passed. Clearly some form of government control should exist that helps balance the imbalance and fairness within the country. Yes the United States is still the best place in general to exist in but we must still work towards improving the system whatever that improvement is. Just because communism had a social safety net (that sucked - I’m from the USSR) it doesn’t mean that the United States shouldn’t have a robust system, like some European countries. No doubt that there are always new problems to face with additions to the way our governments function. There is also obviously something we should still value as a common good and pretending that selfishness is the only was I’m my view is ridiculous.

[@AudraT]

There is no perfect system, but there is one system that is better than the rest. That's what most Americans believe about capitalism. Sure, there is some corruption due to wealthy people, but America's system of government is the best system to combat that. Socialism, Communism, Monarchy, etc., places all the power in the government's hand. People are much more empowered to counter a corrupt government than they are, in my opinion, than any other country. I don't turn on notifications so sorry if I never see your response, if you ever leave one :-)

[@hangulaworldwide411]

You are not offering much in your write up on how to improve the "best place to exist".

[@hodeinaiz]

the first part is a good example of how alienation doesn't need to be inherent to the ideology but to the mindset. he was pro communism and then he becames anti-communist, and still keeping its alienated mindset

[@feaokautai7354]

Freedom Freedom Freedom for God is the U.S.A lifestyle. Be accountable to your individuality as a free person ❤❤❤ I love the U.S.A culture work hard for the American dreams!

[@franciscofranco5523]

FCK usa

[@AudraT]

I'm thinking that when he refers to conservatism he must mean conservatism in Europe. Conservatism is a bit different in the US. It actually most closely resembles everything he described about American. Conservatism in the US is trying to preserve the American principals founded in 1776 and it is also attempting to combat the socialism/communism movement that is raging from the left.

[@kimobrien.]

Your problems involve the collapse of the post world war neoliberal world capitalist order. Bushes "New World Order" where the rule of law replaces the rule of the jungle has become a "New World Disorder" where even the richest capitalist nations face continuing political and economic crisis not seen since the days of the Great Depression.

[@petercini2022]

Closer but still very far from original principles.

[@kimobrien.]

@@petercini2022 The only thing and freedom the capitalists seek to protect is their freedom to trade and their wealth. It falls upon the working class people to defend, protect and expand the rights in the US Constitution. Once they began using US military force to protect private property and profits in foreign countries how long do you think it will be before they begin using the same methods here? Some guy come from Greece and now he tells American what many want to hear. Why do I need some ex Stalinst from Greece to tell me he's a now a paid intelectual convert to Any Randism who spent her whole life writing political nonsense for the American Capitalist ruling class..

[@petercini2022]

@@kimobrien.. So what is the alternative no freedom no protection of your property? Working-class people trade, and they acquire wealth. Also, there is no such thing as working class people you can change your circumstances at any point in your life. If one doesn't believe that it's quite sad and depressing to think that way.

[@kimobrien.]

@@petercini2022 A few can gain skill and/or education. Capitalism works to replace skilled labor with unskilled labor and machines first because its based upon profits. Education for workers is seen as an overhead expense to be minimized. If working class can all become small business owners and capitalism doesn't tend to monopoly and combination where are all theses prosperous small businesses?.You tell me oh Steve Jobs became big billionaire or Bezos becomes Billionaire so anyone can. Okay so why do the majority come from inherited wealth? Why do majority of the seats in the elite universities go to the middle or ruling class? They are only a small group. How about you do you come from a working class background and now run a small business or are you just another theorist? Small business men always have big dream and big theories like libertarianism until economic crisis hits and the banker teaches them the facts of life. You want loan banker wants collateral especially during recession when he can drive the hardest bargain. All the sudden banker doesn't care about upstanding members of the community. He wants either property or preformance all the theory of "the moral capitalist" goes out the window. Its every boss for himself grabbing and taking everything he can. Economic crisis is part of the way capitalism works it benefits the bigest and most successful accumulators of capital who can now gain even more.

[@windowwiz100]

Anybody who quotes fight club at a presentation is a guy I will have a beer with

[@hammervproductions]

I want to offer up my services to this channel......who the hell is filming this?? They fail to anticipate the speaker's movements EVERY SINGLE TIME, and it's not like it's a surprise where he's going to go next!! For the love of God, please let me film these. I'll do it for free!!

[@terrymalloy3541]

Pursue YOUR HAPPINESS through hard work preserverance and personal responsibility as per my loving Irish mother and Thomas Jefferson. Thk you

[@wudly9195]

really good points

[@CaleMcCollough]

💯

[@AlexDrohobyczer]

The last question a young lady asked, it was about a metaphorical soil, a ground to prosper, like say protestantyzm, but the speaker took it literally as a soil, dirt.. he should slow down and think about a question, and ask if he doesn’t understand it ;)

[@ProdigalSon684]

What is he saying about the “freaks in the bathtub” or “freeze in the bathtub “??

[@daviddedick14]

Great talk Nikos! If you can change your viewpoint as much as you did, then others who are as honest as you can too. America is still the nation where people only offer lip service to altruism, but live their lives pretty much rationally selfishly. I think we’ll all be much happier when offering any credence to altruism is finally thrown out. I also think, in the rest of the world, anti-Americanism will fade away when Americans can proudly assert their right to rational self interest.

[@nikos_1717]

Thank you!

[@AudraT]

In America charity has always been to give enough without hurting yourself. If you can only afford to give $5, then give that but if you can afford to give $500 or $5000 then give it. Some of the very wealthy have given much more.

[@junglecat_rant]

Of course, why be a compassionate human being and consider the well being of others in a society or around the world? Of course the hordes from other countries won't come for you, right.

[@daviddedick14]

@@junglecat_rant I do help out some others that are in need of help through no fault of their own. That doesn't justify my existence though.I don't think you understand what altruism actually is. It's the idea that, morally, you must sacrifice to others to justify your life. Given that, it's the fundamental principle behind every form of dictatorship.

[@IceglacierArnar]

The market has solution for everything....if it has free hands

[@kimobrien.]

Markets are not "free" rather they are sources of conflict. Bosses love a "free market" when buying and a "monopoly market" when selling. They seek to pay the lowest wages and work us the longest hours in a pay period to make the biggest profits.

[@IceglacierArnar]

@@kimobrien. Nice communist logo... Since when does communist understand market? Socialists lost the economics

[@anthonykyei-barffour9203]

I am a Christian and I have no problem with having material things. I don't see any dichotomy there either. The Christian position is that while you have the liberty to acquire as much material wealth for yourself - as the bible says, a righteous man leaves an inheritance for his children - they should not be the center of your existence and don't be too obsessed with them as to acquire them through dubious means. By the way, I love the US. It is the only country that I wish to live in someday because I believe in its values, culture and institutions.

[@passionfly1]

THERE IS A BUZZING IN THIS VIDEO AFTER 15:00. IT IS NOT YOUR HEADPHONES!

[@TheBrazilRules]

I feel bad for the kid that was waiting in line to make his question.

[@burnonedown2day]

I audio on this video has a buzz that starts half way through that is very distracting!

[@anthonybeaulieu9820]

I appreciate your understanding of antiamericanism and the philosophy behind it. But I don’t think that you understand what the MAGA movement is about. It is not pro-balkanization but rather anti-globalist. There is a big difference. In the USA we are losing individual freedoms for the sake of elitist goals which are designed to gradually erode the sovereignty of the nation. By saying MAGA we are saying every country should strive to become as great as it can be.

[@jnielson1121]

I think the concern with consumerism isn't that people shouldn't want *things* - it's that capitalism naturally drives prodcution and marketing of addictive goods/ processes which is ultimately harmful in the pursuit of profit for profit's sake... and that these systems also result in/ tend towards increasing levels of exploitation and inequality viz. the super-rich and Bezos engaging in what Yanis has called technofeudalism. It's not as though unfettered neoliberalism doesn't have problems.

[@petercini2022]

As a consumer, how is Amazon harming me? I drive 80% less, I save a lot of money, and they have the best delivery system in the world. We actually consume less today because of products like cell phones that replace dozens of things that we had to buy separately in the past.

[@jnielson1121]

@@petercini2022 the idea that we consume less due to smart phones is hardly self-evident and would be very difficult to work out. I assume you mean because we don't need separate cameras, walkmans/radios, maps etc? I'd point to how often we junk and replace phones compared to all of those things and the power needed for a phone to work- that has an enormous carbon footprint so it's not that simple. You as an individual may or may not be better off - one question would be what you're doing instead of the 80% of the driving you no longer need to do (which might be very good for you - or might not). But the point I was making was that the people who work for Amazon and workers in a society where Amazon operates are not as wealthy as they should be and the people around the world in poverty are not as well off as they should be - the amount of money that has moved from working people to the super-risch over the past 40-50 years is unprecedented and obscene. It's pretty obviosu that getting what you want very quicklt is convenient is pretty obvious and not up for discussion (I bought Le Morte D'Arthur Vol 1 online last night and Amazon delivered it this afternoon - great). But there are bigger and broader harms that take longer to emerge. "Ultra-processed People" by Van Tulleken is really good on this for the food industry. Carefree Wandering is a KZbin channel that has an explanation video somewhere about their disclaimer on each vid about it being designed to capture and moneties your attention. And there are clinics for children addicted to the internet via their smartphones - where social media platforms have, like in so many sectors, worked out how to get us to stick around for more dopamine *just* that little bit longer... :/

[@petercini2022]

@@jnielson1121 good questions. I did a quick back of the envelope calculation for the iPhone. The energy cost for charging every day is one dollar per year measure that versus the energy cost for powering my alarm clock, flashlight and a dozen or so other gadgets that it has replaced in terms of carbon footprint. It is enormous. A few thousand books, a record collection of 1000 albums and much much more now all in one device. I'm also saving because I don't have to buy bookcases to store records and books. What is done with the time that is saved? More exercise and more personal development. Food consumption create as much as possible from scratch eat as little as possible that is processed. In terms of cost even though I have to replace it every once in a while. I also had to replace the things it replaced. In some cases another big saving is time.

[@jnielson1121]

@@petercini2022 I appreciate the careful thought but this is incomplete - the 1000 albums requires servers with that music on to be powered, run and maintained. Like the sudden realisation that cryptocurrency is a huge pollutant because of the energuy needed to power the computers keeping the blockchain going. Re wealth I'm not referring to your routine expenses - I'm referring to the fact of whatever appalling proportion of global wealth is in the hands of a tiny minority of people. And can't quite remember what point you were making about the smartphone - I'm not in any way against the tech but I am against the manner in which neoliberal systems interact with it and dictate our interactions with it. (Do you really not have a torch bc there's a light on your phone?)

[@amyjohnson5839]

I think it boils down to what the Bible says. Money isn't bad or having a lot of it, its the love of money that is evil and leads a person to a destructive end.

[@terrymullins6785]

By his comment Ayn needs to do more research on make America great again. Like his talks though

[@Nerd.Immunity.]

Don’t just like and comment everyone should share on social media

[@DoomCycle]

17:20 good luck, sitting in your house and coming up with all those terrible ideas without the comforts of steady food, heating, electricity, safety, clothes, clean water.. you know, all those horrible things that are distinctly American 26:35 excellent point! Maybe, having that dress they never used in the closet, brought them comfort and identity and security because they came from profound poverty, and didn’t even have a one single dress. So maybe it already served its purpose without even having to be worn. Judge? Excellent.

[@jacobl.s.9467]

Happiness 😎 Great Speech Sir. Well put.

[@peterruiz6117]

"Consuming ...getting more stuff makes us happy" ,was not the point to America's freedoms. It was to be free to be free....Not materialism. That is the result , through the human condition.

[@emoshunless]

Whoa.... My mind was just blown... Americanism... Is the only ism of a country

[@roberthubal6278]

America stands for free thought, debate, and the rule of law. Read the USA constitution and bill of rights.

[@rossshin184]

Dario Fo, I'm ashamed he was a fellow Italian.

[@Madcracka]

Maga movement is not the movement of the Balkans! It's the movement of the nuclear family. Mother father, children, family, freedom of religion, less government, good values, working hard and getting rewarded for that. Basically prior to 1964. I think you're just responding to his incoherence question. It doesn't even make sense to someone who is Maga.

[@TonyPombo]

You must understand that Ayn Rand Institute is a far-right wing "think tank" with an agenda and is very biased. That is fine; they are entitled to their opinions too, but they leave out many important truths that conflict their conclusions. Please don't use this video as your only source of information on this topic.

[@chrisg5219]

This hatred is driven by envy

[@kimobrien.]

And capitalism is driven by the greed of the ruling class.

[@sw.7519]

​@@kimobrien.Greed cannot BE that Bad. Industrialisation brought US all in a better position. Not only materialistic. Medicine everything. Steven Pinker the world IS a better place.

[@kimobrien.]

@@sw.7519 Capitalism is not just the most productive system in human history it also threatens to be the most destructive. Not only did the capitalism industrialize the US it created the nuclear weapon and the world wide delivery system for the hydrogen bomb. The best the workers can hope for is that the capitalist will invest in expanding production. When the instead invest in driving up the value of fictitious capital they produce crisis when the value disappears. They are divided by nation state and they can not arbitrate trade disputes among themselves without resorting to world war. In the early twenty century the two main protagonists were England and Germany. In the twenty first century the United States and China. Each side wants what the other has. The US controls all the marine routes between China and Europe with its navy. This is why China has its overland belt and road initiative to Europe.

[@aynland9033]

It is truly the age of envy.

[@sw.7519]

IT IS the blame of the losers. Envy driven. The Zeitgeist of the 68 ties IS still common.

[@ruthrobinson910]

How much damage can a political movement do? That came from Europe's greatest philosopher?

[@ThreetwoOne-wu7ye]

Don't blame it on Europe please.

[@ruthrobinson910]

@@ThreetwoOne-wu7ye blame it on Europe? How do you draw that conclusion? Watch the part of the video again for a clearer understanding.

[@ThreetwoOne-wu7ye]

@@ruthrobinson910 I didn't watch it because he is selling hatred and division. Thus the quesiton . So he blames it on Europe, the Postmodernism and Foucault I guess. Nobody understands him. I'll listen later. But even if it is the case. you can't accuse Europe for your LGBTQ craze with hundreds of teenagers transiting and detransiting and these very unhealthy curriculae. France doesn't have that, that I know just like we doon't have a church enmesd with a political party. And finally: what's the point? Where is this supposed to lead? Does Europe need to turn marxist for your needs The great Reset? Is that it? That would be manipulation, on our back? Right? Rigt?

[@ryanlund7220]

The US is often criticized simply because it is an easy target for criticism. ✓ A great deal of opposition comes simply as a response to success and power; fear and envy produce a desire to attack. ✓ Inheritors of successful systems often fall short of the competence and character commensurate with the power and success they enjoy, and therefore do foolish things that tarnish the image of the system. ✓ The open and free nature of the US exposes problems that in other countries and systems carry on worse, but invisible: racism, poverty, and violence are three easy examples. ✓ There's very little risk in criticizing the US even when you clearly have your facts wrong and/or your reasoning is weak.

[@prakashkr2214]

Being an Indian.. I like US Constitution.. But I don't like its foreign policy as it's not designed looking for longer time frame.. Always talks about democracy while doing the opposite siding with China and Pakistan(military rule) in 1970s, when India was a Democratic country.. Uprooted left politics in Afghanistan in 1970s and later Islamic rule was established (same with Iran).. U empowered all d wrong people in d world CCP in China, Pakistan military, Taliban in Afghanistan etc...

[@ryanlund7220]

@@prakashkr2214 I agree that, in hindsight, there are many examples where US foreign relations could have turned out better. In some cases the decisions were plainly foolish at the time. In more cases, tracing some negative condition back to a perceived failure by the US just kind of proves my points above. In 1971 it's notable that the Soviet Union was supporting India, so the US had only bad options to choose from: oppose the democracy in the region in that one conflict, or let the Soviets advance their own objectives. The entire cold war was focused on long-term objectives and, thanks to the US, the Soviets didn't dominate the world.

[@360du]

I can 100% prove what you said was true -- I thought the exact same warped, Leftist way, when I was in high school in Singapore.

[@kimobrien.]

Probably you still think in a binary good and evil and you most likely still believe in capitalist reform you just switched to a different ideology of capitalist reformism. Now the capitalist are playing the victim of their own system of greed.

[@NagasiAmamampang-qs2in]

Dr. So, American Imperialism started as early as 1896. Anti-American imperialism started 1899 in the Philippines. Not 1945.

[@neverknowit11]

I am not Anti-American. I have trouble with the leadership. Our rights are diminishing. Businesses closing or going to China. 99% of citizens economic stature declining. Costs of everything going up unprecedentedly.

[@ruthrobinson910]

Funny how the folks telling of the nobility of sacrifice don't sacrifice anything, but others.The

[@socomxx]

Thanks for this conversation, I'm an American and I think a lot of people in the world got the wrong idea about us. If you all haven't been to America, I suggest taking a trip (not New York lol) and checking it out for yourselves. Our people are generally very friendly. We are not as evil as everyone thinks we are. I welcome you to come visit, I suggest Denver CO as a place if you like the mountains , resorts, + Downtown nightlife, Miami / Florida for the world class beaches, Disney world (Plan way ahead though), Texas, honestly, every state has something good in it. I don't like New York or California though lol. If you plan on visiting to see it for yourself, you can message me and I can give some recommendations.

[@joshuagharis9017]

I love America enough to point out areas for improvement. Sit down bruh

[@jameshoward1458]

Not quite getting the anti consumerism is mostly on the right

[@PleaseNThankYou]

I don't think I've ever heard someone totally NOT understand what MAGA is or what we want. If I ever heard "American is the same as any other country" and wants what any other ...blah blah blah. Total ignorance. I must assume that everything else this gentleman spoke to is likely gross misinterpretation of anything to do with America.

[@simonetartocchi6968]

I love this guy! I also was a communist in my young age... so I feel everything he says! God bless him and USA.

[@neverknowit11]

We have socialism for the government leaders. Who get free Healthcare, no taxes, their children don’t have to pay student loans, free travel cost. Double standards.

[@chrisoneill3479]

I can watch the world and make my own opinions