Christopher Hitchens 1949-2011 BBC tribute

"How ever tough the hide, if he wants to he will sting it" Jeremy Paxman BBC
The BBC bids farewell to the intellect and wit of the modern era.

[@T800System]

Right or wrong, Hitch will go down as one of the great thinkers of our time

[@tapasyatyaga4041]

Why a great thinker? What singular original thought did he have?

[@T800System]

Tapasya Tyaga Well not necessarily original thoughts... perhaps thinker is an inappropriate term. What I was trying to say is that he carved his own path. He wasn't lazy in his thinking, and that's probably why he was fairly hard to pin down politically; or atleast, as a pragmatist he held stances that contradicted his marxist views, for example, for the sake of what he believed to be the greater good. There's a LOT that I personally disagree with him on - but credit where credit is due, he wasn't lazy.

[@tapasyatyaga4041]

T800System He was a brilliant orator, an unrelenting debator, and extremely articulate.

[@cheriqe]

+Tapasya Tyaga Kissinger, Vietnam and I could go on

[@LtGregoryStevens]

@@tapasyatyaga4041 Read one of his several books you'll fine thousands of original thoughts. Oh wait, I forgot you can't read!

[@terribleTed-ln6cm]

It still hurts like hell , a terrible loss to this planet.

[@scottb4491]

my regret is not knowing of Christopher Hitchens before he passed

[@hluteapautu3376]

same here

[@francismallard5892]

My regret is never having met him in person. I was - and am - such a huge admirer of his work and I would have loved to have shaken his hand and personally thanked him for his writing. I visit DC a couple times a year and usually stay at the Washington Hilton. Little did I know that he lived at the Wyoming, which is literally right next door.

[@LtGregoryStevens]

@@francismallard5892 Don't worry you can shake hands with him when you get to hell!

[@chadinmich1]

He did plenty... By spreading ideas based on logic and reason and being skeptical...I wish there were more of the likes of him in the world. Especially here in the U.S.

[@nervozaur]

I've gotten to know him long after his death.. And yet I know I'll keep him in my thoughts for as long as I'll live. It made me a better person already and I haven't even started.. Saddest day will be when I'll have finished all his books and videos I can find on the internet.

[@doncourtreporter]

Mihai-Ciprian Ghilinta Have you seen his book The Portable Atheist? Great.

[@nervozaur]

don leavell I have seen pretty much all his books, but sadly my country isn't cultured enough so that I could buy any of them off the shelves. I intend however on buying all of them, it won't be long until I'll start ordering them online one by one. (Bookdepository dot com is fantastic, it ships any book world wide for free. I thought they deserved a bit of free publicity in return as well.)

[@doncourtreporter]

Mihai-Ciprian Ghilinta I'm very proud to have met you, even on line. Keep up the good work. When you're right, you're right. Peace from Florida.

[@nervozaur]

don leavell Likewise, my good sir. Romania sends its regards.

[@mojobag01]

For the upload: Thanks, mate. For Hitch: Thanks, mate.

[@aranyasaha7801]

@loopy ruane....there is also another book,that has been published..."loopy ruane's mother,daughter and a bunch of dirty dildos"....available in every bookstore around the globe!!It is also a good read!!

[@Marcus-Spurius-Furius]

Damn. The world needs him, now more than ever.

[@richardfarrell1978]

We will miss you Hitchens

[@parnilsson8283]

A free thinker is a free thinker. He has no obligation to be right in every question. Only followers, or believers have an agenda that needs to be fullfilled in every single aspect. Christofer Hitchens was indeed a free thinker. He was a person of rare intellectual morality, His doubts and even his sometimes controversial standpoints (even in my opinion and in several occasions) talk a very clear language : cogito, ergo sum. Thank you Mr Hitchens.

[@PoetlaureateNFDL]

He was a very brave and intellectually brave man.

[@Blastfromthepastchannel]

I wish I could have met him

[@aniccadance13]

Being a host to another life..well, Hitch, as gorgeous as ever, had a beautiful way with words❤️

[@theprovenants]

"Rather be unhappy with the truth, than happy with a lie"

[@AliMohammed-vn4du]

One Hitch, miss you

[@GideonLekoto]

I always cracked whenever he said "a kind of divine/celestial North Korea". I loved this man. Opened my eyes to many things. Missing "The Hitchslap".

[@nadinejoyce1203]

Miss him so.so glad so much of him lives on.

[@ignoredvoices]

You're very welcome. The BBC gets the credit for the clips but I did scour the UK media closely for anything celebrating the life of this man. I hope years later we all still watch and listen, and perhaps understand him more.

[@ryan270270]

You're a great man, Hitchens. I very well hope to become a man much like you. Thank you for all you have done, you've changed many. You will be missed

[@Airsoftcleaner]

Old Hitch, He was a natural born World Shaker.

[@hippocritic]

I wish I had written to Hitchens. Just to tell him how much his work inspired me. He never changed my beliefs, I never have believed in god; but my background is rooted in the scientific, something Christopher would readily admit was not his area of expertise. Where he educated me was in theology, highlighting truths that the religious leaders try to hide. Basically, he handed me the final nail I needed to hammer down the lid on the coffin of religion.

[@ignoredvoices]

You're welcome! Hitch lives on, on KZbin!

[@mattbrooks90]

Thanks a lot for uploading. Hitchens is an inspiration. Good on Newsnight for paying him his dues.. Simon Schama was good value too.

[@TheNYgolfer]

what a bore heaven must be , void of all interesting people

[@earnestlycontendingforthef5332]

Indeed, having "life-everlasting" disease-free and for-ever young, coupled with "Everlasting joy". How awful and boring......{:o:}

[@samsonwilkinson8090]

And what a shallow remark.

[@AlcibiadesMD]

Christopher Hitchens a beacon of light, the light that makes heat, the heat that impels fire, the fire that lights our way. You were indeed very brave good Sir Knight you fought with the strength of many men, may we join you infinitely one day, rest well then great human, orator, polymath, your work here is finished...I love you Christopher Hitchens!!!.

[@williamkinch3182]

He was indeed, Ms Allison. A lion among men, I mean! Since 'Hitch' passed away in December of 2011, at the relatively early age of 62, he has been missed by a great many people - including a considerable number of folk who never knew him personally.

[@CaptainKarma1972]

Wow ! Amazing interview with Simon at the end with an insight into quality of the conversation / discussions Hitch had with friends . I’m battling a similar illness ... and that anecdote about Hume at the end really did it for me ! Hitch was fearless !

[@Mgbeckett]

A legend

[@jackieandrews8016]

He was such an amazing mind!

[@mikecsiki22]

He was ballsey......we need lots MORE like him.......

[@ausox211]

“The way to see by faith is to shut the eye of reason.” ― Benjamin Franklin

[@SelfStirringPot-com]

anyone who dies rather then change what they believe in is special, since 99% of humans won't do that.

[@manthasagittarius1]

Among so many of these short fine tributes that have come up since Hitchens died, each of which has its own weight and tone, and each of which reflects its compiler as much as the man, I think this one stands out as one of the very best. Schama's comments at the end, all by themselves, richly repay time spent to watch it. Thank you for compiling and skillfully editing it, and for posting it to share.

[@LegacyProductionsOrg]

as valuable as any intellect in this world.

[@JoJaDaRu]

In regards to people praying for him Hitchens said: "If it makes them feel better then they have my blessing." He didn't want to do it himself but fully supported others if they felt like it.

[@4271580]

Hitchens,He was and is superb.

[@niel7250]

If a man with such strong convictions like him could get elected... our society too often elects people on the power of their personality without looking what that person is really about (Obama, Blair, Bush, Clinton.. I could go on) But deep down this guy had something going on, as a previous comment said, this man really was meant to shake the world.

[@JeffersonDinedAlone]

Except that Hitchens would never have pursued an elected position; the inherent constraints would deny him the capacity to be all that he actually was.

[@JohnMorley1]

JeffersonDinedAlone You are starting to jesusify Hitchens. If you tell your grandchildren about him and they can't pass on the story properly through not knowing what you were talking about and we have ourselves a guy who never sought power because that would be sinful. Gave all his money away to starving kids (because that would fit in with the general vibe here). He could either wind up a prophet or a god depending on how confused the story gets. He accepted the job of editor of vanity fair. That was a little material wealth and power. That job is sort of like getting a pulpit to preach from. I think he would have run for power if he had had a realistic chance. I'm pretty sure he felt his political beliefs less dangerous than his competitors and would not have said "no you have it" handing control to others who he often criticised the decisions of. Our first schism in this proto religion is already here.,

[@MrAlexanderleigh]

I am an atheist but I see myself as someone of immense faith, faith in humanity. Faith that we may one day have the strength to stand together in the face of death, godless, fearless and ready having lived and loved one another simply because we can. For me the love and strength of 7 billion friends would mean more than any shadow of a God could ever provide, Hitchens fought for nothing but love, peace and equality.

[@Lethoras]

While I disagreed with some of the things he said and wrote, I really appreciated that he was one of the few people who boldly expressed and defended their opinions. While often perceived as arrogance, this is a rare form of honesty. It takes a lot of courage to say what you think disregarding how people judge you for it and I wish more people would chose to do so and learn to appreciate it.

[@vincentk99143]

Ditto . . . I want to live my life taking the risk all the time that I don’t know anything like enough yet; that I haven’t understood enough; that I can’t know enough; that I’m always hungrily operating on the margins of a potentially great harvest of future knowledge and wisdom. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Christopher Hitchens . . .

[@dukeon]

Hitch is a legend. I miss him.

[@wotmot223]

I admired CH, I respected him, he was an excellent speaker for the most part, and was acomplished at debate. And yet, listen closely to his speaches, so often he devolves into mockery, derision, and insult. He was often comptemtous of women. Mockery, derision, and insult was a trademark for him. He had his warts, they were big ones, but he was an extraordinary man.

[@vincentk99143]

“Death is certain, replacing both the siren-song of Paradise and the dread of Hell. Life on this earth, with all its mystery and beauty and pain, is then to be lived far more intensely: we stumble and get up, we are sad, confident, insecure, feel loneliness and joy and love. There is nothing more; but I want nothing more.” - Christopher Hitchens, The Portable Atheist

[@summerfrostbite]

If Mr. Hitchens is in hell, I'm going there. If it even exist, that is. Which of course, does not.

[@ConradMcBad]

thanks!

[@PoetlaureateNFDL]

Good report. RIP Christopher!

[@FerrariFanPage]

R.I.P Christopher Hitchens

[@JeghedderThomas]

Blimey, it's been eight years already. I really miss Hitch's voice in the religious debate, there's nobody with his bite and energy currently in the public view. Hitch was cool beans.

[@aron6964]

6:50 "I've used many other organs to blaspheme as well, if it comes to that" Haha, classic Hitchens humor, even while the subject of the conversation isn't a happy one. I can have nothing but deep respect for his life and even for his death and how he faced it. Brave, rational and even with a touch of humor. Us simple folk can only ever hope to come close to his greatness.

[@patsofatso]

you'd be surprised by how much your efforts calm me.

[@tonygareth221]

I don’t know about all of his beliefs and opinions, but I agree with him completely when it comes to God and religion. Seems so obvious, but sadly religions still confuse soo many people even in 2019! I miss CH but I’m glad to have known him through KZbin.

[@michaelroble4834]

He touched every rail.

[@MrMaxTruth]

You make my point once again ! - Thanks.

[@zabbygrl]

Definitely a life well-lived. I do speculate that if he could have gone back and not smoke and not drink he would for the chance at 20 more years of life. (I'm sure my own age and past choices influence my thoughts on this.)

[@sashadrews754]

" A divine North Korea." All that clarity , in one phrase. Oh , to be "hitchslapped" just once , by this man. Miss me , some Christopher Hitchens.

[@funkchurches]

Hitchens didn’t go for war, he fought for truth. Astronomical difference.

[@ophelia_III]

My mom died from smoking. My dad died from drinking. Similar personalities to Christopher. I have both quit smoking and drinking. Like my parents I think Christopher was stuck thinking, it’s my life and I’ll live it how I like. Not realizing the emptiness they create by leaving this earth. I don’t think they realized how much they meant to us.

[@deadinthebed963]

Hitch was one of a kind

[@jamesyount2423]

Someday we will look on death with the same nonchalance that we look on bedtime.

[@coxac1]

I heard this lady say "a passionate believer in atheism" what a joke. In that case i'm a passionate believer in unicorns not existing. RIP Hitch

[@3BALL4]

I'm a Christian and disagreed with the great majority of Hitchens But I had the most respect for the guy.

[@folkengames]

"I've used many other organs to blaspheme as well"

[@squamish4244]

Hitchens even talks about Krauss' work in his last address, in the 'Epic Last Words' to the right of this video, at 10:12.

[@Luteole]

Happy birthday Chris! Drinking and look at your videos... Cheers mate!

[@mfunke]

Politeness and political correctness are overrated. How can you not love the perfect mix of honesty and intelligence?

[@760inthehouse]

Really? There are many more prominent atheists that atheist admire. We have lost an awesome person, but people like Dawkins and Fry are still alive and kicking.

[@TBat87]

There is an event that takes place millions of times each and every Fall that has a very low probability. This event is a leaf falling from a tree and landing at a particular location at a particular time. The odds of someone correctly identifying an individual leaf falling at a certain time and landing at a certain location has been calculated at 19 trillion to 1, and yet it is a very common occurence. Just because something has low odds of being predicted does not make it an improbable event.

[@mrplease66]

Atheism does not require idols or saints as that is the domain of theists. And it is the epitome of emotional honesty to mourn those who one will truly never see again, the absolute extinction of a unique and singular light without hope or expectation of a thereafter.

[@squamish4244]

"Each different universe within the multiverse could have different laws of physics, and that's really interesting, because it could mean in that case that the laws that we see here are not, are not fundamental at all. They're just an accident, an environmental accident." - Catalyst Radio Program quote - what is so hard about googling Lawrence Krauss multiverse?

[@underpantsontv]

"...you'd be surprised by how much of a difference it can make." (i think)

[@pretorious700]

As amazing as medical progress has been in the last 50 years, I must say that chemo/radio therapy for cancer is for all of it's best intentions, antithetical to the humanity of the sufferers. If I should ever be so afflicted, I would rather just let it take me than succumb to the debilitation physically and spiritually.

[@760inthehouse]

You haven't? If you're an atheist check out his speeches. He is an excellent speaker.

[@jimmy8806]

You are lost in a world you will never know and will die to nothing like the rest of us. I pity you.

[@realtyofislam]

If Christopher Hitchens would be a Christian he could be glowing but we can see a clear uncertainty, stressed, confused and fearful face. Recent a 10 years Christian boy died with cancer. His parents were Christian and taught his son to trust in God too. This 10 years boy was so peaceful, comfort and glowing as nothing terrible happening in his life. In his interview he seems to me as knowing where he was going. He was just happy because he had hope of good life with Christ Jesus after his deat

[@SuperPatrick777]

He also preaches speaking the truth .

[@jkhall9665]

Enjoyed his life! Good lesson for us all. He's my, who would you love to talk with who's past. Religions purpose is to destroy humanity and logic and comin sense. It always succeeds.

[@Enzo012]

"a passionate believer in atheism" Hitch would be turning in his grave.

[@lesleydavis5229]

Metal, you clearly haven't read or watched Hitch. He was always "sober and objective". He wasn't "bitter and resentful towards the lord". He flat out didn't believe in a lord. He was a longtime atheist. Your comments are an insult to him and those of us that "got" him.

[@squamish4244]

Schama is articulate but so full of himself it's hard to watch without thinking of the parody skits of him.

[@Foerdi94]

I dearly wish more on the left would be like Hitchens if it would only be to get a damn good debate. I mean that he is even able to change his views and give a fuck about Dogma makes him different in an very good way from many he shared the political side.

[@SuperPatrick777]

" there is nothing new under the sun "

[@BastEternal]

Why would you compare the demeanor of a child dying of cancer to a grown man's? Children tend to be happy in the face of death, because they really don't understand what's going on. I'm not surprised that in your story the 10 year old found peace in what his parents told him. Had his parents told him that when he died he'd end up in a wonderful place with unicorns and candy, he'd still be peaceful and glowing. C'mon, get real. The kid was happy because he believed what his parents told him.

[@andrewbarczak3921]

Well, some people are saying that old souls will ascend but the young souls will have to die here because lack of experience.

[@leesawford]

I like the description of him being a 'leveler'..For the people against the bully - this bully being religion. The biggest Bully in history..Look at how many people it has crushed and continues to do so. The Church especially is a machine of guilt that grinds people in to dust. Taking and taking. Causing suffering with its indifferent righteous arrogance. People apologizing for being fucking alive ! Religion in the middle East is coming in to it's own - so much love being spread, people coming together oh..not quite -as with religion every time it is bought in to force; more suffering, division, fear, hatred, intolerance, violence...all done in that great righteous way religion does. WHERE DOES THIS IDEA OF RELIGION BEING A MORAL POSITIVE FORCE COME FROM?..Because all I see when it comes to the forefront is death and suffering. Hitchens was a great voice in articulating the frustrations of secular people who don't accept that religion defines morality or if you are a good person. He showed it for the hypocritical bully that it is. He is very much missed by very many people.The world is a poorer place without him.

[@worldpeace8299]

elijah pink Religion is not a bully. But bullying comes in many forms. And Christopher Hitchens unfortunately fell into this category himself. It was an issue on which he was very confused and forgot he was dealing with people.

[@leesawford]

world peace The church can look after itself. Many people have been abused and killed in the name of religion. I myself have no time for it. Christopher felt passionately - and talked about the institution rather than individuals. He was FOR the protection of the individual, not against them. It was the institution he fought against.If people felt persecuted because their believes were questioned it is their problem Surely they should be so easily offended if they have belief in their convictions.

[@worldpeace8299]

elijah pink Yes, its about institutions and corruption - and that happens everywhere. Religion covers much too big a field. By the same rule we would have to condemn politics and science. What we need to do is put things under the right title. I dont think Christopher Hitchens did this sufficiently. He made some serious mistakes that put him in with what is wrong in the world for me. But Im not holding it against him. I just want to protect the rights of people myself. Life is too vast and complex for any model of how to live. We are called to different paths - the least we can do is seek to understand and respect one another.

[@SNAKEnBAKE1]

Why are those who do not believe 'lacking' anything?

[@Claronium780]

He was wrong about one thing - belief in a creator by no means necessarily makes us "objects" !!!

[@EdDueim]

magnificent.

[@ewen666]

Reading those comments with the advert music was hilarious

[@ilikezappa]

I fear bedtime.

[@grahambkk]

All the commentators can say whatever they want and will always do so in order to gain some notoriety for themselves in the shadow of a great man. The legacy of Christopher Hitchens stands, and no observer can qualify it with their own rhetoric. It is so simple - forget all interpretations and opinions of "observers". Simply go read his books, and watch his videos, and, for once in your life, start to think for yourself!

[@SuperPatrick777]

Thank you solomon .

[@MrLemex]

I have. I take responsibility for my own actions. Sadly the religious seem unable to do this.

[@SuperPatrick777]

It is still true .

[@shevb]

That advert at the beginning of the video is highly ironic lol

[@SuperPatrick777]

No , he rose , where have you been .

[@SuperPatrick777]

Oh boy .

[@YesYou123333]

Can you tell me when the next "unicorns not exisiting" convention meets? Thanks in advance.

[@andrewbarczak3921]

And now, I will follow your channel nash984954..ok?? Feel better now?? I am 34 and you are 61 years old, I am sure you I can learn a lot from a patriot like yourself.. Enjoy your weekend .,

[@skysteiner]

there's already a cadre of scientists that provide relentless facts that cast doubt on the existence of any supernatural being. it's easy to say the earth isn't flat; species evolve; here's the proof. what made hitchens great was his ability to challenge and destroy the claims that religion has superior/supreme morality by dismantling the argumentative premises of their morality proving it to be less moral and greatly illogical which doesn't rely of facts but requires pure argumentative logic.

[@GreggOliverBass]

I forgive you for the name calling.

[@JazzyKat2009]

Religious people are the most frightened people. Because they "fear" the god that supposedly loves them. Where there is fear, love is not.

[@rith5]

Damn right he does.

[@LtGregoryStevens]

Christopher hitchens Chris hitchens Christopher hitch Chris hitch