Famous Journalist Storms Out of Interview | "I Actively Dislike You"

[@CosmicSkeptic]

Get early access to videos, and get them ad-free, by supporting my channel at www.alexoconnor.com

[@jozefwoo8079]

Hi Alex, if you are still interested in learning from this conversation, I do think you should have skipped to another topic quicker. That said, it was also clear that Peter was in an adversarial mode from the first second.

[@joelabraham708]

hmm, I _also_ actively dislike you, but that doesn't seem to be able to stop this site from constantly recommending your shit videos to me

[@Chris-n2f9m]

Why you would entertain this pompous moron I do not know.

[@EllieBanks333]

I think when Hitchens got angry about the "what about alcohol" thing, Alex missed an argument. Alcohol is legal. We don't want people flying planes, driving buses, or doing brain surgery under the influence of alcohol. Why don't we already have a "testing" problem?

[@GoodmanMIke59]

I now recall the uncomfortable experience of your watching you, Alex, and will never watch another one of your videos again. You're a petulant and rude young man. ... I taught buttheads like you. You're the kind of young man I would ignore until I had to send him to the office. ... This was generally followed up upon by a phone call to the parents of spoiled children like you.

[@harlequin-grim]

This meltdown could have been avoided by a single: "Alex, I think I've grown a bit tired of this topic, would you mind if we moved on?" This just goes to show you it doesn't matter how intelligent or well-educated you are, if you don't know how to check your ego, you'll still find yourself behaving like a child every now and then.

[@bishop222556]

Bingo.

[@bubbacheese3929]

He kinda says that multiple times about how he’s board, how he’d like to move on, how he wasn’t prepared to talk about Portugal, etc… Plus the interview was only supposed to be an hour and it was 48 minutes on the one topic.

[@patbau96]

@@bubbacheese3929 Yeah but if it was bothering him so much he could've just been more firm about moving on instead of throwing a temper tantrum

[@scotttimbrell8632]

Could have been avoided by any awareness and decent questioning on Alex' part, also. Both are to blame.

[@riccardo-964]

Easiest solution.

[@slawssson9447]

"thank you for being here" "so far so good" what kind of reply is that? dude was upset from the start

[@joeyaiello2186]

He’s perpetually swallowed by his brothers shadow and will be bitter about that forever

[@marcuskissinger3842]

This guy was an asshole the whole time…

[@Keyboardwarrior1337]

Yea. He came in pissed. Forgot to smoke some bud in the morning.

[@sasanikolic5395]

Truu

[@varunsharma3532]

It was either pre determined that he will get angry or maybe he got angry because of some random fluctuations But he did not have any free will to not get angry

[@snapgab]

Imagine writing a whole book about how you support a war on drugs, being invited to talk about drugs, and then getting mad about being asked about drugs.

[@Aussiesnrg]

I thought the same thing

[@ragegaze3482]

yea and when hes asked questions on said book, he says he doesn't have to answer that because it was answered already in the book or in x blog. If you wrote the book or the blog you should be able to answer questions without referring back to them lol.

[@snapgab]

​@@AussiesnrgLMAO it's gotten even dumber now that I'm watching the interview. He, in one breath, complains first about Alex asking him questions about this when his views about it are already well known since he has already written a book about it, but then complains about how nobody bought his book or even knew it existed! Just completely nonsensical, what a sad insecure excuse of a man.

[@minkusmaz]

​@@ragegaze3482he is mad that no one gives a crap about his book, it's sadly transparent

[@KraYarK]

I can respect someone not liking drugs, not taking them, or not wanting them to be sold in a black market. But anyone who supports a "war on drugs" it's just delusional and not to be taken off seriously in my opinion.

[@sergiocarranza8264]

If someone treated me like a liar, a moron and refuse to listen to my rational explanation of what I think... I would never be this calm... amazing restrain Alex, truly amazing

[@potassiumk3630]

ikr? if you put yourself on his shoes you can see that he is nervous, like every human being in this situation would, but the fact that he dosen't express it or externalize it as much, that deserves some respect, i rarely see people like this i wouldn't know how to react

[@potassiumk3630]

i guess you could say he is "within reason" 😃(i will see myself out 🚪🚶)

[@RobertoLeo3]

You have to say "F*** O**! and don't come back!" just as they are leaving. It's an easy win

[@reidtrevar]

"1 minute would've been too long to talk about drugs." - a man who wrote a book concerning drug use

[@user-soon300]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@steveshooter9010]

As if he said, " I wrote a book about it...enough said".

[@adamsmith9184]

And Alex cleared the topic with him multiple times in advance 🥴 Old bastard

[@user-nd5iv5bm2n]

he only wants to talk about it if its the propoganda being unchallenged. no intellectual integrity allowed.

[@shawnellemartineaux6212]

Who was invited to discuss drug decriminalisation. 😅

[@henhouseharry6193]

Peter's problem is that he believes once he's explained his side of the argument you have to agree with him.

[@jerrmhs]

What's weird is people are commenting as if Alex should just move on when he gives his answer. The whole point of an interview is to critique ideas and to see how they miss with other ideas

[@hugo3627]

I think he is fine with not agreeing with him, he keeps reitorating "that is just my opinion". He just does not want his opinion to be challanged. Typical fake tollerance you see a lot, everyone is allowed to have their shitty opinions but you are not allowed to have a opinion about the opinion.

[@BrendaCreates]

That's what we call a bingo.

[@HeathB]

God , I got this exact feeling from him. "I've said my part, thanks for agreeing with me."

[@juan_153]

@@jerrmhsI thought people did that when they engaged in polemics, or a debate, even dialogue, but not this back and forth arguing and calling it an interview. Correct me if i’m wrong

[@johannesbrahms9528]

"You're obsessed with drugs." -Guy who wrote a book about drugs. "I think you've behaved disgracefully." -Guy off screen because he stormed out after insulting the host.

[@trumanfalkner3475]

The lack of self-awareness is truly embarrassing to watch. But I can’t look away. Was this an episode of the office?

[@Si_Mondo]

​@@trumanfalkner3475 "The lack of self awareness...." is why I suspect that secretly, he's *still* a Trot, and all his lip service towards conservatism is just that; lip service.

[@gsomethingsomething2658]

@@Si_Mondo Yes, interesting thought. You could be right.

[@neptuneamaru5649]

I agree that Hitchens' off screen rant was unprofessional but if they really agreed to 1 hour then it's Alex's fault. He's the one interviewing Hitchens and he should change the subject every 10-15 minutes. Alex didn't do a good job of time management and that's on him.

[@gsomethingsomething2658]

@@neptuneamaru5649 _"... but if they really agreed to 1 hour then it's Alex's fault."_ - But as clearly stated by Alex at the beginning, that _isn't_ what they agreed to.

[@thomaswrites]

"I'M BORED!" *proceeds to stay and argue with the interviewer for eighteen minutes.

[@OkayVonny]

😂

[@ApostateProphet]

This is so weird. He complains that his views on drugs have been suppressed with hostility and then he gets annoyed because you make him talk about his views.

[@NightsideOfParadise]

Yeah, I wonder if the guy has personal issues going on.

[@jonas6120]

He could use a few puffs to calm him down

[@SundayMatinee]

He wants to express his views WITHOUT being challenged. Hence, his frustration because life just doesn't work that way.

[@dawnkeyy]

"My views won't change anything" I'm not through the whole trainwr... I mean, interview yet, so idk if Alex does ask him, but I'd like to know why such a cynical nihilist bothers to write books or take interviews on the subject then. Who's "the obituary" for?

[@NightsideOfParadise]

@@Domesticated_Ape Yeah, doesn't sound like he was just bored like he said.

[@tripkev6522]

Imagine he’d gotten Hitchens to sit back down after 20 minutes of arguing. “So… God. … Do you think he’d have decriminalised drugs?”

[@anneamus]

Well played, Sir.

[@john-ic5pz]

lmao 👍🏼 WWJD

[@saintetienne755]

Bravo - would have been a peach

[@maval4537]

lol!

[@torstenheling3830]

Yeah. Can you imagine if Alex had sat down and said that? It would have been hilarious. All he wants to talk about is legalizing all drugs, and I’m not sure which ones; however, all I can imagine is marijuana because his focus was on marijuana. Marijuana has been legal for purely recreational purposes here in California for over 6 years (and is legal for purely recreational purposes in 20 other US States, like all of New England from New York up to Maine and several others), and I haven’t noticed the slightest change in society during that time. And I’m no Gen Z. I’m 65, and I frankly couldn’t care less about the topic. It’s a non- issue here and laughably boring and uninteresting. It would be like debating whether Irish Whisky should be legal. Okay, so what else is on the agenda?

[@finnrothery2928]

Imagine this grown man who, instead of saying “Sorry, Alex, can we move onto a different topic”, decides to have a full on tantrum 😂

[@Fairburne69]

100% If he was so tired of talking about drugs after 30 minutes for example why didn't he just say, "I'd like to switch topics now. This one is boring." But instead he has a temper tantrum like a 5 year old child.

[@tiyenin]

​@@Fairburne69You get that Peter wasn't actually "tired of the topic," right? That was his excuse, but it was clear that Peter just kept growing increasingly mad that Alex was bringing up salient points that he simply could not refute. This is what frustration (particularly with not being as smart as you'd like to think) looks like.

[@unduloid]

The issue is that Alex pointed follow-up questions showed how weak Hitchens' answers are. Hitchens really hates it when he gets exposed like that.

[@cesarvillalobos1692]

He did say it at the 11 minute mark. I think, however dislikable he is, he did say he didn't want to go on about it, at least once.

[@finleylogie7288]

11:50 he said he doesnt want to go on about the subject

[@scottseymour4787]

You were so polite and informed. Peter is a dangerous man, his mental health is dangerously unchecked and he has the audacity to make those assumptions about drug decriminalization. Pure gold. Respect to you for airing this interview of this absolute baby of man.

[@treasurewuji8740]

There is no proven connection but there is a strong correlation between mental problems and audacity based on common sense😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂. I am sure Peter Hutchins does not necessarily agree.

[@vkl47]

I've never seen someone take so long to storm out of a room

[@michaelmick6167]

really

[@towag]

😂

[@justinjones8583]

It’s because he likes to go in circles. Both physically and argumentatively.

[@ablemad1]

reminds me of the Key and peele sketch :P

[@JesseP.Watson]

Peter Hitchens basically saying: "I HAVE BEEN ABUSED, THIS IS MY LIVED EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO CONTRADICT THAT!" ...Now that is pretty ironic! 😂

[@davidsimpson7229]

Ironically, Peter Hitchens succeeded at proving that you can have a complete mental health breakdown WITHOUT marijuana.

[@pitmclord]

Smoking a bit would probably do him a lot of good

[@davidsimpson7229]

@@pitmclord Personally, I think weed is often harmful. But yes, for him I’d probably agree 😂. Gotta learn to chill.

[@d3rduck]

lmao

[@MarcusCicero1]

This was clearly caused by interacting with a irritating millennial, not marijuana

[@andralfoo]

@@davidsimpson7229 smoking anything is always harmful, but adults should have the agency to make their own mistakes

[@ryaneliasbaker]

“Thanks for being here.” “So far, so good.” Already off to a tragic start. Man, what an absolute grump of a man.

[@GucciButNotGuilty]

Foreshadowing irony

[@jbrassic5434]

Yeah I clocked that too, that was brutally rude. What an entitled old prick.

[@Aquascape_Dreaming]

I think the biggest struggle with Peter Hitchens is that he has become quite used to anticipating ambush, antagonistic journalism. That shouldn't be Alex's problem, though. If Hitchens has lost the ability to retain a sense of good will and benefit of the doubt, then it's time to hang up his hat and coat, and get out of the game. He can bang on about morality all he wants, but if he doesn't observe the milder courtesies (also under the morality umbrella), then he's no better than the thing he rails against. What a poor example and message this sends to young people, that you can expect the older men you look up to to look down on you with derision and suspicion, devolving into outright false accusation? Hitchens should be the one to eat an entire patisserie of humble pies, and apologise to Alex. It's obvious Peter has given up on life and society.

[@the-coop]

I noticed that too and got 5k views on Twitter for saying so to him, but then people responded accusing me of helping Alex spin a narrative? I'm not biased in Alex favour, I have no idea who he is. I was biased in the favour of Mr Hitchens and still disappointed here.

[@Aquascape_Dreaming]

​@@the-coopI don't really think anyone could accuse Alex of trying to spin a narrative, because every time he opened his mouth to speak, Hitchens cut him off and drowned him out.

[@ewanthomas281]

42:48 & 48:51: The double takes to the camera and notes disposed of are priceless!! 🤣🤣🤣 Alex's composure during the walkout/tirade is compelling as it is impressive. A young man making an elderly man look like a toddler. Well done sir.

[@G_Demolished]

I always thought he seemed insufferable when debating his brother, but I attributed that to sibling rivalry. It would seem he’s more consistent than I gave him credit for.

[@thedoctor.a.s1401]

Finally someone who understands

[@hewasfuzzywuzzy3583]

He hates it when people don't agree to his point and stay focused on his point. He's of the type that if you're talking or arguing about a specific discourse; then stay on topic and don't change the subject so to speak about another already established issue. He's kind of got a point. But he doesn't state it clear enough I guess. Or at least in a way that gets it out there that he wants the interviewer or person arguing with or against him to stay on topic. Maybe there's something else. But I'm getting this vibe from this particular interview.

[@DeaconShadow]

Yeah, he’s always been an obnoxious jerk. Like you said tho, it could have seemed more obvious when debating Chris. But when I looked in on other conversations people had with him he had that self satisfied arrogance far too many apologists possess.

[@JonathanFitt]

Yes he’s always been an insufferable twat. I don’t think anyone would give his opinions the time of day were it not for his brother.

[@Gee-xb7rt]

I feel like he could have been less of a boomer and stayed in his chair and demanded the subject be changed without all the drama. All I learned is he doesn't like Portugal and Alex.

[@gusyeates5408]

Hitchens wants to call Alex rude but he constantly talked over the top of him and raised his voice, speaking down to him. 🤯 well done to Alex for remaining polite and calm.

[@estellehebert5429]

Totally agree!

[@octoBadger]

100% He misunderstood Alex, then spent several minutes berating him whilst not letting him explain. Alex showed superhuman restraint.

[@art-fw7ci]

I used to have respect for Hitchens, but that was pathetic.

[@ChrisPatrick-q6k]

It's a shame Alex didn't introduce the concept that those who want to smoke cannabis do already, and legalisation is unlikely to increase the rate of consumption.

[@alexandergingell9578]

Hitchens was a little arrogant and derogatory and his accent doesn’t help. However, Alex did keep asking the same question -why? He didn’t like the response and was trying to illicit another one? His style seems to be presenting a conversation between equals not as an interviewer. When it was obviously all going ‘pear shaped’ as the interviewer he should have found a way to plus if he was supposed to talk about other subjects he was a little disingenuous. His grovelling at the end was embarrassing and must have emboldened Hutchins.

[@adamm6290]

If you took a shot for every sentence Alex got through without Peter shouting over him, you would be as sober as Peter wants the entire planet to be.

[@afdave7]

Hahajaha!!!!

[@JoshWiniberg]

😂😂😂

[@padfooterz]

What a miserable lad he seems.

[@smallestmikenike9261]

i will now be playing this with a dab pen

[@validatedclassified2564]

The real question is, is Peter even sober himself?

[@dexterrity]

This should be used as a case example of a narcissist meltdown.

[@thevinlanddragon]

I've never seen someone voluntarily go onto a podcast who so vehemently does NOT want to have a conversation.

[@for111]

By his own admission, slogged across London on a bike aswell to have said conversation he didn't want to have.

[@misstrunchbull3953]

​@@for111really???😂😂is he mad?? Lmfao what a slag

[@travtotheworld]

Kanye West on TimcastIRL.

[@Reformpartyofficial]

@@for111m

[@anthony-kelly]

He is also doing it for free. Alex gets a lot out of it and Mr Hitchens gets nothing but an hour in the company of a entitled pseudo intellectual.

[@adamdavis1228]

Hitchens writes a whole book about drugs, admits nobody read it, then gets mad about being given an opportunity to have his ideas broadcasted to a population that probably doesn't know his views.

[@PhoenixdiCorvo]

As an addict, I honestly wanted to hear his views… sadly he showed himself to be a COMPLETE ASS! Not an advocate, he’s actually harmful and not helpful.

[@kyleb7347]

Not to mention that the interviewer was the one person in the world who read his shitty book lmao What an emotionally immature and intellectually stunted toddler

[@cosmolosys]

He even mentioned at the end that he wasted years writing a book. He strikes me as sad and bitter. I feel bad for Hitchens for feeling this way, but the accountability is all his own.

[@RigatoniMadMax]

Who the hell wants to read a book about why we shouldn’t legalise drugs. Who is a book like that aimed at?

[@IDC-z7i]

@@RigatoniMadMax like any subject it's aimed at people with critical thinking who want to see a different opinion than theirs or people which already agree to that idea

[@whatismyusername7153]

He knew this was going to look bad for him. If I thought I was mistreated by an interviewer I would not have a problem with them airing it, unless I thought I also was at fault. His line about “don’t think you’ve bested me” was the most telling. He definitely felt bested.

[@PeteJohnMcGarvey]

100%. If I thought I was mistreated by an interviewer, I would be *demanding* it aired, not telling him not to. The ‘feeling bested’ comment was indeed extremely telling.

[@lewreed1871]

In my addled haze, I read "felt bested" as "self bested". He really did outdo himself!

[@lemonynora]

@@PeteJohnMcGarveyyeah he was definitely bested. And I thought Alex was going soft here. Peter was very unprofessional here there would have been way better ways to move on from this topic than him standing up and doing 15 minutes of personal insults and a hissy fit

[@mpayson]

My thoughts exactly. That was a clear concession of defeat, even if he didn't intend it that way.

[@hive_indicator318]

"I'm definitely not mad. Don't put in the papers that I'm mad" lol. Dril's tweets are useful so often

[@Ed-fr2mx]

First time viewer. Subbed due to the way you handled yourself Alex. Cheers form Canada

[@theotherson]

Same here (except cheers from the UK😊) - much respect for standing up to a dinosaur in denial

[@birlove1471]

Have to agree.. Alex did extremely well remaining poised and calm in the face of this grown mans childish behaviour and name calling. He literally regressed into a baby there at the end. Peters logic went out the window and he just became rude and confrontational! He should be very embarrassed and ashamed with himself on viewing this later.. Thanks for running the full thing uncut. Quality entertainment and a good example of how not to behave 😂

[@iggysh2427]

Dear Alex, you behaved politely, gracefully, well-mannered and were absolutely honest and brilliant as always. Thank you

[@George.Andrews.]

@iggysh2427 . Alex was a pain in the arse. I'm no big fan of Peter, but man, enough was enough.

[@jamie835]

​@@George.Andrews.Totally agree. Then running the argument afterwards when Hitchens was off camera seems a bit sly to me

[@sannytizer7772]

This guy was determined to go on and on about decriminalisation, which he admittedly wants, and that was his agenda.

[@ucheogwude2516]

In the literal first minute: Alex - " Thank you for being here" Peter: " So far, so good" That in itself should have been a MASSIVE red flag.

[@ink7761]

to be fair to him he does often say that in his interviews. I remember a much more constructive conversation with Novara Media

[@kil93]

He says it in every interview. The fact you dont know this shows how ignorabt you are of him

[@firehot006]

Tries to start it off with a witty start like Christopher would have done, but fails.

[@Feverm00n]

@@kil93honestly that doesn’t make it any less of a red flag lol

[@johnmcway6120]

​@@kil93why wouldn't one be ignorant of some old goblin looking rude mf? Anything wrong with it?

[@alexcalvoimagery]

Never seen a man who could use a joint quite like this gentleman.

[@clivehanforth6283]

Lmaooo, he really does

[@queenknow]

I’m dead.

[@kidusgetachew9215]

Let me academically argue with you how Marijuana use can strategically harm you and let's deconstruct how lazy a society becomes when consuming the devil's lettuce. I should also add we can spend 24 hours talking about this. Marijuana usage is my whole personality and since I have already expounded it on my book I already have enough materials to answer your questions.

[@turbulent_glider]

😂😂😂

[@Andres-rr4gj]

you mean man child?

[@RafaelMichaelJackson]

42:00 He really wanted there to be a microphone attached to his shirt so he could take it off to add extra drama. But there wasn't one 😂

[@largefam3109]

The way this man consistently cuts you off mid point, takes half of what you said, answers it badly, and then throws a tantrum about it is just astounding

[@xbudzix]

This was the most painful part of the "interview" to watch for me by far. Just let him finish the question once Peter, please.

[@iemy2949]

Ya, some serous projection Peter was demonstrating calling Alex rude.

[@dralford1]

Peter Hitchens has embarrassed himself by exhibiting the most ill-mannered and ill-tempered behavior I've seen.

[@obiwanduglobi6359]

@@iemy2949 Projection: the propaganda alligation was another example.

[@iemy2949]

@@obiwanduglobi6359 ya fr.

[@towelful42]

He writes a book about drugs, but thinks it's unreasonable to ask him about drugs. He starts being angry and rude after about 16 minutes of the interview, then accuses you of behaving badly. Unbelievable.

[@justiceperhay8328]

Right? He writes books and articles on a subject that's so "boring" to him?

[@algorithm007ify]

why keep going on about drugs........though...it was way too repetitive... He needed to move on

[@travisbickle3835]

this tells you that you shouldn't read his book

[@david2869]

Later he says he didn't want to spend 1 minute talking about drugs in the first place! So why agree to an interview?

[@smilloww2095]

@@algorithm007ify Was it though? They only had 2 topics to discuss. Drugs and God. Also, even if it was too long, Peter could have simply said "Hey Alex, why dont we move on to the next subject, Im getting bored of talking about drugs all the time" Or something like this.

[@sjr1179]

This was so much more absurd than I could have possibly imagined. The more composed and genuine you were, the more irate he became. It was such a grossly disproportionate response and the level of projection in claiming such maltreatment from you despite staying 15 minutes just to berate you whilst you attempted to reason with him and explain yourself is utterly INSANE

[@kusiimat]

This was exhausting . Alex is a really calm and respectful person who deserves better interviewees

[@byebaum]

You have the patience of a saint, Alex. I cannot even imagine being that polite, for that long, with that man.

[@FreeXenon]

Right! I have not idea how people like him do not come out swinging and swearing up a storm.

[@mbvurawn370]

He should not have taken all that. He should have told him I'm sorry u feel that way. It wasn't my intent to waste you time. But you can get the fuck out now. He does not need to sit there and take that man's tirade. Just agree to disagree and throw him out. Just one more example of why you should never meet your heros.

[@l333ky]

What a pompous prick!! No wonder nobody listens to him.

[@azuravian]

​@@mbvurawn370Peter Hitchens is someone's hero?

[@v3g499]

Yeah honeslty i would have thrown the water on the table on his face

[@dickyguapo]

If anything could drive people to drink and drugs, it would be listening to Peter Hitchens.

[@TheLemonsims]

I can’t stand the way he talks!!!

[@moonandstars1677]

It’s pretentious and made worse by the whistling of his S’s.

[@duderyandude9515]

I was smoking weed when watching this.

[@fordcapri6288]

Pretentious arrogant toff

[@fordcapri6288]

@@ellydian8145 i think you missed the point the interviewer was trying to make, in the portugese drug legalisation experiment "In the first five years after drug policy reform, use of illegal drugs rose slightly among the general population but fell again in the following five years" and that general crime declined during this period. Most likely making a correlation between criminalization leads to more crime. (Put simply). However it is likely imo we are certainly going to see an increase in crime here in the uk, but that will be more from an increased population, uncontrolled immigration, and conservative party that has destroyed the economy.

[@rogman512]

I am blown away at how disrespectful, and childish that man was. you handled that awkward situation way better than I would have.

[@nizzie16]

He’s a spoiled child, unhappy with himself and his life. Just listening to him whining that his book didn’t get the praise he thinks it deserves explains Hitchens entire personality. The thought that the book was maybe just rubbish doesn’t even occur to him.

[@PrivateSi]

Have you never read his columns or seen him on TV before? When he's not angry, aggressive and insulting he passive-aggressive, fuming inside and still just as insulting. He occasionally adopts a Libertarian stance on the odd issue but is basically a full-on Conservative D*CKHEAD... Authoritarian nutjob with more in common with Commies than Libertarians and Liberals. The more Conservative you are the more joy & jobs you want banned, and the more kids beaten, and prisoners executed. Nasty moronic NANNY-COP STATIST.

[@HillbillyYEEHAA]

Too busy thinking he's superior. He's very stuck in his ways of thinking

[@YingGuoRen]

He is a notorious contrarian. If there were a massive Christian revival in the UK he would become an atheist. If there was a sudden surge in social conservatism he would advocate for liberalism. He believes in nothing beyond holding unpopular opinions.

[@ANPHKI]

To be fair, I kind of get where Peter is coming from here. An utter drab of a "debate", or a "conversation", or whatever you want to call this. I would be bored off my noggin, if I had to sit there reiterate this sort of base level back and forth on a subject being trodden through many times, more articulately and with better prepared opiners on the issue. I am certainly not for legalization of harmful drugs as a policy myself, but that is neither here and there. The point here, is that Alex O' Connor really missed the mark and did not capitalize on an opportunity to have a fruitful and intellectually challenging conversation with one of the better pundits and political opiners of our time.

[@Simfukwe]

Peter: "I'm so freaking bored about arguing about drugs..." SIR, YOU WROTE A BOOK ON IT. THIS IS YOUR FAULT???

[@evilduck1000]

To be fair that's probably why he's bored, potentially spent too much time on the subject.

[@wiley-harris-anderson]

I like Peter's strategy of waiting until the EXACT moment Alex starts speaking to talk over him

[@thecakeredux]

Yeah, that was wild. Every single time, without fail, Alex waited for Peter to finish, give a small pause to be sure, inhale and Peter would cut him off immediately, often with mere grunting noises. Bewildering, really.

[@Kay-kg6ny]

​@@thecakereduxIt was like something out of a cartoon

[@iDrawWithPencils]

It's infuriating. I hate people that do this

[@BaronSpamedi]

@@thecakeredux lol. Hitchens is a conversation hog. He does that all the time.

[@ralaun2000]

And HE’S the one who continuously said that Alex was rude. Staggering in his unawareness.

[@helmanticus8624]

If my sole income consisted of getting 1 million dollars for any time Peter Hitchens ever says to anyone “I agree”, “You’re right” or “You have a point”, I would die in abject poverty.

[@user-os9ge2we2b]

Alex was such a weasel

[@helmanticus8624]

@@user-os9ge2we2b Even if that were true, it would still be irrelevant to my point.

[@MensHominis]

⁠@@user-os9ge2we2b People questioning other people’s claims in a calm manner tend to have this supposedly “weasely” effect on those who blindly follow said other people.

[@crawford1083]

One of the many virtues of @ClarkeMicah is he is not a fence-sitter or a lame-arsed liberal or "cuck-servative" as my 26yo son refers to fence-sitters and "oh yes you have a good point there" merchants. On drugs, few have better overall perspective than @ClarkeMicah, so AO'C's attempts to justify places where legalising or decriminalising have b een a "success" wi be pointless. To his credit AO'C has done a vid on Christopher Hitchens and his bullshittery that so many leftoid cream their jeans over...

[@amicellnandan3245]

@@user-os9ge2we2b Explain it then? Bet you wont

[@UnsafeSpaceAmir]

He did the exact thing to me! I read his book when it came out, asked him questions about it on Twitter, he - without ever having met me or ever engaged with me before - immediately told me I haven't read his book. Wanting to continue the conversation, I welcomed him to challenge me on his book by asking questions you'd only know if you had, to which he surprisingly agreed. He proceeded to ask question after question, each of which I answered (without him ever acknowledging, only moving on to the next). Then he asked an ambiguous question, which I responded to, he claimed that I was wrong, and blocked me as a result. He's a child.

[@garymitchell5899]

Hitchens NEVER blocks on twitter. You are a liar.

[@gownerjones]

Any chance you could share your twitter handle? I would love to see this conversation.

[@imranmeco3393]

Well of course you didn't read his book! He is undoubtedly and objectively correct, so the only reason why someone might possibly disagree with him is either because they didn't hear his arguments, or they're too stupid to understand their correctness!

[@arcticwolf6402]

Hahahah that's so funny. 😂😂😂

[@garymitchell5899]

@@arcticwolf6402 It didn't happen

[@yehude]

Dear Alex, Thank you for demonstrating empathy and respect towards Hitchens. While he exhibited aggressive behavior, it was evident that he was in distress.

[@dangallagher6176]

Hitchens should be embarrassed and certainly owes you an apology. Massive respect to you as always Alex. You're a role model that Peter, despite being almost 50 years older than you, needs to follow.

[@RyanC232]

Your guest was disrespectful and combative from the beginning. Your patience is that of an industry professional interviewer. The class you displayed was great to see even as you defended yourself. Please keep up the good work and check people who won't let you finish a single sentence.

[@Pheer777]

Yeah what kind of response to being welcomed onto the show is “so far so good”?

[@LUSCIOUSDUNCAN]

im seriously getting short of breath watching him leave and my heart is racing 😣

[@gillespaling7039]

@@Pheer777 It's a Peter Hitchens trademark.

[@jpmzd8586]

So biased

[@paulinerelph]

Maybe count the number of times you said the word decriminilisation might be a clue?!

[@esztiszep6334]

He doesn't let you speak more than 3 words at once, talks about drugs for an hour, winds himself up in the process and then freaks out over having had to talk about drugs for an hour. This was painful to listen to and your patience is admirable

[@johnbr59]

It was painful to listen to because of Alex's lines of questioning

[@7PlayingWithFire7]

Wasn't even an hour though. Was 40minutes. Of a 2 hour schedule interview.

[@DanielMorrisAgency-Band-Hire]

Alex. Absolute respect to you. A master class from you in professionalism and restraint.

[@Risera5762]

It's insane how unprofessional Hitchens was here. From the start he obviously didn't want to be there and insisted on interrupting and verbally abusing you throughout the interview. Props to Alex for being calm and well-mannered throughout the interview even when being lied about and threatened. Consider it a blessing that he never wants to talk to you again. Earned a subscriber here. Fantastic professionalism on your part.

[@redbadger2255]

Alex: *tries to say literally anything* Peter: *interrupts with stupid accusations and stuttering* The irony of this man-child saying that Alex is being rude is mindboggling.

[@justoalejandrogonzalez5097]

The interruptions were the things that most amazed me. I'm thinking about seeing it again and counting them.

[@davidrice6224]

Christopher clearly got all the charm and charisma - Peter was sadly left with nothing. Hopefully this video will make him crawl up his own a$$ and disappear.

[@whysocurious7366]

If you took a drink every time he interrupts, then you would not be able to watch the whole interview.

[@blackbelt2003]

I think this was bad on both sides. Peter Hitchens was clearly in a disagreeable mood to begin with and made ad-hominem attacks repeatedly, whilst Alex kept circling the interview back and forth after the subject had been exhausted, making it more like a debate without a moderator than an interview, which clearly made Hitchens even more annoyed. Neither man would agree on any of the topics, but countless productive interviews have been completed in the past despite that. A good interviewer and a good subject don't have to agree, but if it devolves into a point-scoring argument like this in which no-one wants to be the bigger man and move on, it's unrecoverable.

[@davidrice6224]

@@blackbelt2003 the war on drugs is Hitchins game, and he agreed to it being one of two subjects he was prepared to discuss. If he didn't want to talk about it, as apparently he didn't, then don't agree to it. And if he'd actually let Alex speak it may well have been done in 20 minutes. Alex bears absolutely no responsibility for this, but Htchins has shown himself to be an absolute man-brat.

[@NickMurrayPhotographer]

I almost never comment on KZbin videos, but what a monumental baby Hitchens is. I’ve never seen such an immature response to an interview as this. You showed nothing but patience and accommodation to his infantile outburst. I’m genuinely astounded by his behaviour.

[@DougieJR]

Dude. Don't just call Peter Hitchens "Famous journalist". He's "BROTHER of famous journalist."

[@suz1132]

This was a difficult watch. You handled yourself with grace and patience, Alex.

[@syedalirizwan-ok7qm]

Yeah you can see at 48:50 how pissed off he was but he didnt lash out and acted very gracefully.

[@nemomeimpunelacessit8121]

Don't let a guest mistreat you like that, Alex. The thoughtful questions and the counter-arguments you put forward are what make this channel enjoyable to watch. All I have to say about Peter, is that he proved once again that Christopher was the better man.

[@koshka02]

true. was never a fan of Peter Hitchens to begin with. Always enjoyed reading/listening to Christopher Hitchen's polemicist works in Vanity Fair and in oral debate / interview. CH was just on another level entirely.

[@williamauld4083]

Christopher was no better or worse than Peter. Both were/are egotistical, ungodly people. Peter just showed that he is an awful ,self centred, opinionated fool. Same as his brother was. Neither of them are worth wasting time with. Both were/are far removed from truth.

[@archbishoprichardforceginn9338]

Peter needs to Remove the Branch from his 👁 as Jesus said. In Peter's case Jesus would have said," Remove the Hole Dam Tree from Thine eye"

[@jamesnordhoff3536]

@@williamauld4083stop listening to what other people tell you and and do some real questioning and research for yourself maybe you won’t have such a nasty obviously religious opinion

[@ahtech1990]

@@williamauld4083 sure

[@amosdeanludwig3135]

The display of Alex’s capacity to remain level headed alone is inspiring enough to post the interview

[@jeffwilliams59]

Lecturing Alex about manors while interrupting repeatedly is god-level (no pun intended) chutzpah.

[@mysticknight48433]

Hitchens: claims Alex isn't listening to him Also Hitchens: interrupted almost every sentence Alex spoke.

[@patrickmcevoy5080]

Right - it's as though that's Hitchens' entire rhetorical method, to wait until the other person was about to speak, and then interrupt as soon as he opens his mouth. Very annoying.

[@michaelmadcat]

Great call out! I'm 45:30 in now and Hitchens has definitely had way more mic time and has barely let Alex get in a complete sentence without an interruption. If anybody is to blame for the conversation being stuck in place, it's him.

[@sudeeptibandi3984]

That's Hitchens

[@MrDiveDave]

Thats because he was there to lecture the simple minded people not to have a discussion, and one of us simpletons had the nerve to push back and imply they disagree with his holiness opinion.

[@2degucitas]

​@@MrDiveDave He does come off as elitist. And a poor sport.

[@Sans-ih2el]

Every time insolent people get on my nerves, I watch this video. Alex's patience and calm demeanor in the face of a childish tantrum is truly commendable.

[@Urb4n0Ninj4]

it makes me SO MUCH MORE ANGRY that Alex is trying every conceivable way to placate this man-babies desires, but he JUST KEEPS WHINING. "YOU BROUGHT ME HERE UNDER FALSE PRETENSES" "I explained at the beginning..." "WELL IT WASN'T SUPPOSED TO BE AN HOUR" "It wasn't intended to be an hour" "WELL ONE MINUTE WAS TOO MUCH" "Then why didn't you say so at the beginning?" "YOU LAUNCHED RIGHT INTO IT" "I asked you if you were ok with the topic" "WELL I HAD TO BIKE HERE IN THE HEAT". My god, if Christopher could see his brother now he'd fucking disown him.

[@c0k375]

@@Urb4n0Ninj4 I think his brother would not disown him. I think his brother would of put him in his place more than Peter did.

[@Urb4n0Ninj4]

@@c0k375 You think Chris would have acted to Alex the way Peter did? You're delusional.

[@SporkyMcFly]

​@@Urb4n0Ninj4 Christopher Hitchens is a world-renowned asshole in the sphere of discourse. He would go on tantrums to disprove the idea of God and speak in a less controlled tone to this lesser copy of him. If Alex had brought up the Iraq war (or whichever one Christopher supported) this would have looked eerily similar. One thing I would think would be entirely different, however, is that Christopher would not walk out and claim to be there on false pretenses, because he enjoyed debate.

[@jackkingsby116]

I was getting so upset at how he couldn't get a word in. Clearly someone who likes to hear his own voice.

[@JK_Vermont]

I stumbled across this 11 months later, and legend has it that Hitchens is still storming out

[@arsenypogosov7206]

good one

[@ivankaramasov]

That made me laugh out loud😂

[@Father-klovkoski]

He reminds me of an angry hobbit. It could easily be his 2nd career.

[@indeed8211]

you're a clown mate what you wrote didn't even make any sense

[@negligent_omnicide]

This comment is perfection. 😂 Well done.

[@herpetologywithjon]

So entertaining, I love this

[@George-zj9rr]

As a person who is overly apologetic and has been bullied verbally and manipulated by bad actors, I want to say thank you Alex for not apologizing. You stayed firm as you should have. You've got spine and Hitchens has issues.

[@lmr1049]

Yeah, same. It’s really great to see someone my age be so unbothered by the loud ramblings of a gaslighting older narcissist (who’s pretty famous, as well). I could never. Just watching this I already felt sort of intimidated haha.

[@walterwilkinson1499]

Well, Alex did apologize several times "if it went on too long".

[@George-zj9rr]

@@walterwilkinson1499 alright he did say it in that context, I was listening closely to this outburst and it was happening quickly. Alex stood strong and didn't bend to Peter's complaints. Seeing as Hitchen's seemed to really want to linger and make his storming out a huge deal, while also furthering the discussion of drugs by asking Alex why he supports legalization, I'm guessing Hitchens just wanted to bully and self aggrandize.

[@garymitchell5899]

@@George-zj9rr Why would he apologise seeing as he created the situation? He was very passive aggressive, as indeed are you.

[@RaphaelAmbrosiusCosteau51]

Fr bro there’s a non 0% chance I would’ve started crying, either that or like lost my shit on him for being so arrogant. Either way, props to Alex for being able to stay calm and not do either of those things.

[@edwardlauder]

It’s amazing how Alex is able to keep his cool during Peter’s awful rant. He called him rude, incompetent and extremely dishonest. What a prat.

[@MarcusCicero1]

He was going around in circles on the drug subject. It was boring me as well. Interview a cranky old man and get a cranky old man. I find millennials irritating as well

[@jazzman2516]

You can tell his mindset was off going into the discussion with “so far, so good”. Utter git. 😂

[@CommanderCodyChipless]

​@@MarcusCicero1if you watch closely, Alex didn't even get to the meat of the point he was trying to get across. I was listening to him try to cross examine the laws and the cultural shifts of something like tobacco and alcohol as well as marijuana. With all of the interruptions from Hitchens, Alex didn't even touch the subject that Hitchens FIRST brought up in his opening where he said that marijuana has correlation that enough damage us already done that is doesn't even need to be counted as a gateway drug. Which, as a viewer I was very curious on that challenge from Alex.

[@louisrobertbrown]

​@@MarcusCicero1Alex is from gen z (he was born in 1999)

[@MarcusCicero1]

@@CommanderCodyChipless I thought Peter explained it quite well. That is the danger of Marijuana shouldn't be diminished by classifying it as a gate way drug. Hitchens certainly should have been more patient whith the interviewer but the older you get the less tolerant you get with stupidity, real or perceived,

[@subliminal_donkey]

I like how, even in spite of the disagreement, he still gave you the full hour he promised. 40 minutes of drug debate and 20 minutes of him throwing a hissy fit. The man cares about the algorithm

[@resir9807]

Truly, he was so boring for the first half that he decided he had to make up for it in the second, and he delivered

[@jassonsw]

@@resir9807 In spades 😂

[@NR-py3to]

Even in the first 40 minutes the lesser Hitchins was rude, answering questions before they were finished, and misconstruing points made to him. I can see why he's not taken seriously

[@calimar41]

@@NR-py3to He turned hypocrisy into a form of art, really.

[@crazydragy4233]

Anyone pointing that the rant started only 40 minutes in must be less sensitive than me, I raised my eyebrows at the derailment before the 30 minute mark of the video

[@MelissaGilmerSalamanca]

Wow, I’m amazed I’m just now seeing this interview. Alex, you behaved very well, especially in such a bizarre scenario with someone who is obviously so unhinged. You are a fantastic interviewer, which is why, even though we disagree on most things, I always come back to your channel.

[@SuzieGrime]

What a narcissist. Constantly interrupting you and acting like he's intellectually superior. Throughout the whole interview he kept moving the goal post whenever you made an argument that cornered him. Good work on your part, great questions and the fact that you stayed cool and collected during his meltdown. Chapeaux

[@sarahm9723]

People who interrupt constantly, are scared of being exposed.

[@IceKoldKilla]

He couldn't handle being proven wrong.

[@user-zq4fv8sj6v]

Very well put considering the Ivy League narcissists imploding on their own 💩💩💩 as they submit to CAPITALISM!! 🤭

[@leonardstein5245]

Completely, main character issues for sure

[@rahuldahoob]

His brother was a lot smarter!!!!

[@seanlarochelle4173]

This was so cringe. Amazing to see you operate in real time realizing how ridiculous this situation was. Impressive how you held your cool and carried a respectful position through the entire episode.

[@Robobclart]

*cringeworthy.

[@FreethinkingSecularist]

@@Robobclart Ah, it appears there's been a slight oversight in your correction. You see, the evolution of language is a captivating journey, marked by the ebb and flow of colloquialisms that become embedded in our contemporary lexicon. The term "cringe," while originally a verb, has metamorphosed into an adjective within modern vernacular, particularly among younger demographics. Thus, saying "this was so cringe" is not only syntactically acceptable in today's parlance but also offers a succinct portrayal of a sentiment.

[@RandomTask]

british english only

[@salthin]

His rudeness is astounding. I had a passive increased respect because he had the hitchens name, but I was terribly mistaken. He plays victim immediately after being uncomfortable, and in accusing you of manipulation, manipulates you and us, the audience. It's like he was trying to find drama. Like he was waiting for anything that he could twist into being a slight against him.

[@Gee-xb7rt]

He doesn't have any respect for Alex, it was off to a bad start from there, he is obviously a "respect has to be earned" boomer.

[@Loots1]

Respect is earned not given out by last name, you dont sound very wise

[@theunclejesusshow8260]

He became totally abrasive towards any true gentleman like questions Alex asked

[@lenbones7940]

when are these old boomers gonna learn that we all know things are the way they are everywhere due to the terrible choices and actions of there generation and most if not all current strife is still caused by them not getting out the way but doubling down on there awful ideas .. we were taught to respect our elders but when we've come to realize such a large age group are and have always been nothing more then pompous asses who think there opinions matter when there lifes have been spent just talking like they know better and being I favor of laws and bans that show how little real world experience or thought has been used... they should all just start wearing white wigs so they'd look exactly how they sound and at the very least the value of us enjoying there mockery might count toward the net negative to the world they've thus been..

[@jaebird3077]

I didn't even know Hitchens had a brother. I had never heard him talk and he certainly didn't leave a good impression on me with this discussion.

[@lennydeluca8695]

your patience and politeness is inspiring ! and yes we all agree with you

[@kerplunk1774]

I really love a person (Hitchens) claiming that he was treated rudely by talking over Alex literally every sentence. You have much more patience than I do, as I would have devolved to spite nearly instantly.

[@benwil6048]

As a religious nutter he is skilled at projection.

[@thomasgladstone6531]

"I don't like you" "That's fine." Alex, you are literally the most agreeable person ever lol

[@leoskyi]

Agreeable yes but mostly professional

[@mathiasrennochaves3533]

That was cold blood as hell lol... But he is actively debating every guest in the most confrontation way. It seems very difficult to see how someone extremely agreeable would do that.

[@leoskyi]

@@mathiasrennochaves3533 "...debating every guest in the most confrontation way." Hmmm are we talking about Alex O'connor ?

[@mathiasrennochaves3533]

@@leoskyi wouldn't you say so? Point me in one interview that he didn't repeatedly challenged the beliefs of his guest even when he agreed with him.

[@leoskyi]

@@mathiasrennochaves3533 playing devils advocate is not what I would call being confrontational. But I see what you mean now

[@priley91390]

This is a masterclass in dealing with an angry, irrational, and incorrect person. Alex, you handled this with grace, patience, logic, and correctness. I respect you tremendously for being kind while also standing up for yourself. Anyone, whether or not they agree with your positions on this topic or any topic should see that Hitchens was being cowardly and ridiculous. Thank you for posting this.

[@ghevisartor6005]

i think that 1 minute of that is already enough, why would i be wrong? after 1 or 2 attempts to calm him down dont work gtfo who the fuck are you with that behaviour.

[@uncatila]

Alex must be a sis male.

[@gabrielmccavanagh3458]

He definitely handled it way better than I would’ve.

[@georgehatzimanolakis1904]

A masterclass in being a wimp. Do not take the OP's comment as the correct response. Do not let old people talk to you like that. That senior did not deserve to talk like that. No wonder he didn't want to talk about the royalty, he would end up exposing his royalty complex

[@SeanusAurelius]

It's not a masterclass at all, it's a poor interview.

[@romanmay2867]

27:30 this was the first time I heard of this guy and his opinions, and I can see why people don’t review his stuff. and why he isn’t on podcasts anywhere or in any interviews. A lot of writers have this big issue with just telling people parts of their book or parts of what’s in their book. They seem to have the inability to just explain and give context so that maybe if you’re interested, you can look more into it, but instead, they act as though they have the sacred secret information that only they can portray properly in their book, and they act like the podcast is completely useless, and only there to promote their book.

[@tamalafaiki4512]

The first thing that came out of his mouth was "so far, so good" when you thanked him for being a guest, so he was already in a bad mood for whatever reason.

[@tonig2255]

I would like to have seen the pre-interview to observe if there was any malice between Peter and Alex.

[@Dynan117]

He's always in a bad mood.

[@SoldierOfChrist8]

Thought so too but if there was any issues preinteview, he would have mentioned it in his rant

[@hogwash1462]

Defensive from the word go because he knows he can't hold an argument unlike his late lamented brother.

[@Milliardo66]

Probably fell down with his bike on the way

[@daminox]

Hitchens: writes book about subject Also Hitchens: gets mad at anyone who wants to discuss that subject with him because the subject bores him

[@zeroglitch1310]

Hitchens: Writes book about subject Man: Reads book and disagrees with his point Hitchens: You obviously didn’t read my book. Otherwise you’d agree with me.

[@jessiebrinklow1595]

​@@zeroglitch1310 Absolutely right he is bored with himself. Peter Hitchen is unbelievably arrogant. Reminds me of another pain that I know personally who is just completely impossible to talk to.

[@sirhumphreyappleby6498]

@jessiebrinklow1595 - hate to tell you, but Alex is also unbelievably arrogant. Hitchens is a bellend, but Alex did want to interview him. He should have taken the hint about 15 minutes in that Hitchens did not want to discuss drugs. Alex didn’t mention the book, Hitchens did. When he said “he’s made his arguments in his book, this isn’t the venue to discuss them and people can read the book if they want his opinions” should have been Alex’s cue to move on. But no, we had to listen to follow up after follow up, including the inane Portugal thread. I can’t stand Hitchens, but when Alex went to Portugal, it was clear he had an agenda and he wanted to press it. His passive-aggressive, smug attitude tells me he knew exactly what he was doing. Did Hitchens handle it well? No. But Alex is not blameless here.

[@sbeast64]

It makes no sense whatsoever. Maybe he just realised he was losing the argument?

[@zeroglitch1310]

@@sirhumphreyappleby6498 that’s not arrogance that’s being an interviewer. You know what I do when I’m having a conversation I don’t like? I change the subject. Or let the other adult I’m talking to I’m done talking about it. I don’t sit there and fume until I can’t take it anymore and explode at the interviewer

[@2shabbs]

"So far, so good." The opener of a man ready to leave.

[@fang_xianfu]

I dunno, his delivery of the line struck me as something his brother would've said. Christopher said a lot of that kind of thing, but it was usually in good spirits. Christopher said those things as jokes - Peter, not so much.

[@cosmicmuffin322]

Exactly. Christopher would have said it in jest. His brother oozes self-pity and childish petulance. Not to mention a repulsive lack of good manners.

[@randomdaveUK]

​@@fang_xianfuChristopher had a very different outlook on life to his brother. Without immortalisation in an afterlife one is very aware that you treat others with respect because this is it, why waste energy reducing others unless they themselves look set to cause harm to others. Peter thinks he's right, convinced of that, and obviously felt this was beneath him. From the start.

[@TheAusugn]

Thats what i was thinking too

[@christinelouiseonpaper]

“So far so good.” ….What a STRANGE first response to the opening of the Podcast?

[@trip2439]

I mean, I'm about as against drugs as Peter is, and it's offensive that he calls me a druggie because I would agree with Alex on this. I certainly understand his lack of enjoyment from the interview. But that's because I think he just hates the idea of anyone arguing toward drugs. I would feel the same as he did. However, that is our shared personal bias, and that's completely different from this interview being disingenuous. It wasn't disingenuous at all. It went too long on a topic he and I passionately are against. That's all. I wish he could just admit that and be mature about it. Edit: I just realized this video is over a year old. 😅

[@chuckgaydos5387]

You should apologize to Hitchens for offending him and beg him for another interview. Tell him you want to talk about God. Then when he sits down, ask him, "When Jesus starts his thousand year reign, do you think he'll legalize drugs?"

[@kamil.g.m]

funniest comment i've read in years

[@obad.iah.]

As a Christian, this is hilarious 😂

[@shirarohfritsch]

😂

[@pmeosullivan]

Excellent suggestion!

[@rAndomlight1069]

😂😂😂😂

[@TBathory]

This is a tired, embittered, old man that cannot handle being challenged.

[@trumbaron]

Yes, and HE didn't listen to the questions. Didn't let the host finish making his points. He was not interested in debating even.

[@reunionproductions]

It's funny because basically he got pure softball shit from the UK media for so long, now a new generation is starting to press him on his god awful opinions and he can't handle it. He's a coward

[@Pythonzzz]

“You’re a propagandist for drug legalization” I’ve literally never even heard Alex talk about this subject before, lol

[@erwinh7175]

And it appears you as a listener have now been demoted by Peter as a "druggy friend."

[@BumboLooks]

Well now you have galaxy brain.

[@alkintugsal7563]

😂😂

[@DeltaNovum]

Well that changed haha 😂. The big difference between the two is that Peter is incredibly and deeply biased, not able to change any of his points of view. While Alex is open to being challenged and learn. Alex tries to follows science, whereas Peter follows feelings and anecdotal experience. A healthy ego vs a very unhealthy ego.

[@RalphBrooks-gb2ek]

@@DeltaNovum I think that's true; in addition Alex has much better manners and better temperament. What Also found distasteful as someone of about the same age as Hitchens, is an older man trying to bully a younger one and or, expecting some sort of deference.

[@verythorough511]

i will say this about brits- most polite disagreements about each other ever. If these were Americans you best believe there would have been hands and a slammed door, swearing, and the like. He seems way out in left field about how you treated him and i do believe you were quite civil in your responses. Even his constant interruptions, you were quite patient.

[@aem7270]

My takeaway from this interview is that my previous belief that you seem like a genuine, kind, intelligent, professional, respectful, and mild-mannered person has been strongly reinforced. You granted him so much more grace than most people would have, and I think your response to his outburst is a very lovely testament to your character. Keep on doing what you’re doing! 💕

[@serversurfer6169]

Yeah, there's no way that I would have responded to Pete's tantrum as graciously as Alex did! 😅

[@Redlox70]

​​@@serversurfer6169I'm embarrassed to admit that I would have let myself down when he spat the words "you are lucky that I have enough restraint that I haven't swore at you" or words to that effect, by responding with "oooohhhh, you're hard" whist nonchalantly waving my hands to prevent a likely violent attack 😳

[@sansy_trashbag8534]

Indeed! I'd have told Hitchens to shut up already and listen to the point being made at least 20 times in the first half of the conversation.

[@melovekittie]

“My good nature was abused” WHAT? My jaw was absolutely dropped so many times at what he said about how good of a person he is after being unable to handle a simple conversation, getting angry at every turn, and hurling insults.

[@rvosta2450]

Classic narcissistic.

[@BostonRedSoxForever]

That man is clearly confused, since I'm still looking for his good nature that he has talked about.

[@nerdtalkvanwilliams6227]

Everyone here prefer Christopher?

[@david2869]

And of course, he had to interrupt Alex at almost every word.

[@michaelevans4110]

​@@nerdtalkvanwilliams6227 Peter's way more honest and moral.

[@NonRandomNonSense]

If Peter is correct that Alex treated him badly, I don't understand why he thinks it would be immoral for Alex to air an interview which would show Alex acting badly! If anything, Peter would be daring Alex to release the video because it makes Alex look bad.

[@se7enhaender]

Now I feel stupid for not realising that myself right away. 😵

[@artistsanomalous7369]

@@se7enhaender He clearly thought Alex would edit it deceptively as he'd come to the conclusion that the whole thing had been a trick from the start.

[@susandavorn3249]

Spot on

[@CrypticCode]

@@artistsanomalous7369 I doubt that because even after Alex said he would post this in full he kept at it. I think the real reason is because he knows he is in the wrong and thought he could bully Alex into not releasing it. Most likely realized he was not answering the questions up to his standards so decided to nuke the entire thing, but it back fired.

[@artistsanomalous7369]

@@CrypticCode It's hard to know exactly what he's thinking. It even started to look like Alex was winning him back at one point when he offered to just talk about religion/secularism from then on and not even publish the drugs bit, but then that's when Hitchens just goes and directly insults him pretty much out of nowhere. It's like he'd just decided he'd taken against him and wasn't gonna budge. I guess him being so stubborn and irascible is to do with his age. Though it's also a lesson a lot of adults generally don't seem to have fully learned, that just because you're angry doesn't mean you're right.

[@3harder780]

I don‘t think you got him to the interview under false pretenses, however you clearly pressed him multiple times on topics to which he basically said: „I don‘t know“, „I haven‘t prepared for that“, „I don‘t care“, „I have no opinion about that“, „I am not interested in that“, which can certainly be seen as bad mannered.

[@serchtopo]

HAHAHA just the opening: Alex: “Thanks for being here!” Peter: “So far… so good…” Alex (thinking): what a f****ng weird way to say hi, but ok 😂

[@ZekeMagnar]

First thought to cross my mind. Haven't watched the whole clip yet, but for some reason he sounded defensive from the jump. That's definitely not normal.

[@billyjoelbeans]

@@ZekeMagnar eh, I think that's probably a fine, realistic view of affairs. No need to be unnecessarily positive. this might be a hindsight thing. That phrase on its own in this context is completely okay in my eyes

[@getasimbe]

@@billyjoelbeans Nah it's definitely defensive. Not only the words, but also the way he said them

[@joerdim]

my thoughts too

[@fahrenheit2101]

​@@getasimbehardly. Could easily be construed as just an endearing thing to say, jesting about the unlikely possibility of some sort of disaster, to, somewhat contrarily, show that you're not after anything like that, and you want things to be civil Actually wait that is a tad defensive...

[@patrickgreen3559]

Hitchens took 17 minutes to leave. Let that sink in.

[@edwardcatt2399]

That’s nothing. We once had to call the police to evict an irascible and impecunious aunt who was vociferously demanding dinner after showing up ‘randomly’ to be invited to stay for dinner for a fortnight and had since come to expect it . . . 😂

[@louiseyvette2261]

What's the significance of 17 minutes?

[@ProgressIsTheOnlyEvolution]

@@louiseyvette2261 Yeah I was thinking the same thing 😊

[@patrickgreen3559]

@@louiseyvette2261 If one is genuinely appalled at another's behavior, it wouldn't take them 17 minutes to leave. Hitchens comes off as a conversational narcissist throughout, unwilling to face scrutiny on his positions, which is why he had to take this amount of time and repeat himself to try and frame Alex as a villain. For reference, I re-listened to the final 17 minutes and pulled this tally of these rough categories: Run it - 4 Don't run it - 12 False Pretense - 12 This has been on nothing but drugs - 17 I've been here for an hour - 10 Bad manners - 22 I don't like you - 5 I'm bored - 6 A lot of the final 17 minutes was muffled as well. There's likely other phrases he said that fit into one of these categories which I've missed, or another category I could create which he repeats the same quip over and over. For example, something about his book and how Alex hasn't read it, or doesn't understand it, not listening to answers, etc. The icing on the cake is at 46:39 when Hitchens says "this isn't because you've got the better of me". Petulance at it's finest.

[@moatasemkassab4517]

I bet he took longer than 17 minutes to let his drugs _sink in._

[@WattaYog]

Love how he accused you of not listening to him while he interrupted and presumed the whole time. You are such a great example of patience and curiosity. Thank you!

[@marioluigi9599]

Yes Hitchens did go over the top, but I actually understand why he got so angry over it. The subject hit a real nerve in him and you should appreciate that, rather than just calling him a loony. Now Alex has an interest in the subject because he is a drughead himself, but he KNOWS that Hitchens absolutely despises drugs and what they do to society. It was because of the decency of his manners that he stayed there for 45 mins enduring Alex interviewing him about drugs, waiting relentlessly for the topic to move on. Really, he would have much rather only spent 5-10 mins on it. No more than that. So I get how it frustrated him. Alex was just being relentless for him

[@marioluigi9599]

I think Alex should have known better and not caused an elderly gentleman to become so aggravated over this crap. Hitchens is really bitter about the subject, because like he said, he highly regrets having wasted years of his life on it. Alex, having read his books, knew that and should been more respectful to him by swiftly moving on with the subject. He DEFINITELY shouldn't have tried to spend a whole hour on drugs with somebody who is so resentful against them. Just because Alex is a drughead, doesn't mean he should use Hitchen's time to make arguments for drugs and to try to convert more people to becoming drugheads. That's really what made Hitchens angry. I get it. It was insolent that his time was abused in that way by Alex for his own druggy motives.

[@stevewebber707]

I get the impression that to Peter, listening becomes equated with agreeing with him. At least in his head.

[@MenchieExtrakt]

@@marioluigi9599”elderly gentleman” 🤓

[@MenchieExtrakt]

@@marioluigi9599Alex told him the interview topics beforehand. Peter wrote an entire book about anti drugs, so clearly it’s a topic he wants to talk about. So it’s weird for you to say that Peter wouldn’t want to discuss this topic.

[@myrawest]

Hitchens was so insanely rude the entire interview. Constantly talking over the Alex. It seemed the moment Alex opened his mouth Hitchens was actively trying to talk over him. Horrible disposition on the outset. Then to accuse Alex of being rude or having bad manners... the audacity. I was getting angry at how much disrespect Hitchens was throwing at him the entire interview.

[@dohpam1ne]

This is fantastic content. You get publicity, you get good content for your channel, and you come out of this looking like a saint for your patience while Peter ends up looking like a complete tool. Good stuff. I like how the first thing he says, in response to you thanking him for being on the podcast, is "so far so good." What bizarre and obnoxious behavior.

[@cursed_multicel]

I was already primed to hate the guy after reading the thumbnail and Hitchens' wikipedia article, but I didn't expect his very first sentence to confirm my detestation. What an extraordinary jerk.

[@michaelmcaree6296]

Yeah the video started with him actively disliking the interviewer. So why did he come on the show? To blow hard about how smart he was, to make the young man look foolish. Then he had to retreat to silly arguments like "sure, drug decriminalization might have had an effect on decrease in drug deaths. Or it might have been global warming," as though he had made a clever retort. That Alex ignored that and didn't bother to make fun of it is, I think, what really started the down turn in Peter's temper. This guy (whom I had never heard of before) appears to be a "gotcha" debater, unaccustomed to having someone calmly and detachedly talk with him on the subject of his book. I thought it was especially sad that Peter had to keep going on about how Alex had not prepared, and then had to remind himself that Alex had read his book, only to follow up "yeah but you didn't understand it." He did that at least three times in his post-interview rant, forgetting and then remembering each time that "you know nothing" was not a good attack in this case.

[@chinkasuyaro8983]

@@michaelmcaree6296 If you think Alex has demonstrated patience, imagine growing up as his brother! Edit: I should probably mention, since you hadn't heard of him before, that the famous author/debater Christopher Hitchens was his brother.

[@arogueburrito]

No way! No way Christopher and this idiot are brothers@@chinkasuyaro8983

[@aabrightlove]

@@chinkasuyaro8983 I see Peter's brother got the brains in the family

[@JPxKillz]

Thank god you shared this. He abused you, bullied you, and this is one of the most childish and immature explosions I've seen from an "intellectual" in maybe my whole life.

[@cogitoergosum3433]

I would hardly describe Peter as an intellectual. He sounds much more like a highly opinionated pompous ass.

[@joecurran2811]

...You owe me a long letter of apology...

[@markk_g]

pathetic fan boy over here is too dumb to see that Alex is a smug and pretentious dipshit with no background in the things he talks about and no credentials at all

[@oo7tease]

Oh do shut up. He abused you? Bullied? Are you a 16-year-old schoolgirl? He clearly didn't like Alex and let him know. Alex has an imperious way about him, even condescending. He may want to look at Andrew Gold on how to conduct a respectful interview.

[@d_no_allyn_86]

Yeah pretty pathetic.

[@JamesBrownMagician]

Imagine how the podcast would have gone if Peter stopped for even a moment to listen to what he was actually being asked and responded. Thank you @cosmicskeptic for a masterclass on human decency and interview integrity xx

[@julianrasmussen2308]

This guy just accused him of 1000 things that he is doing himself

[@Pumpkinking64]

Peter is the definiton of bad faith. Thank you for standing your ground, Alex.

[@tobynsaunders]

It seemed like something deeply emotional in Peter was triggered and he then behaved like a child.

[@gyorgyfekete4161]

"Bad faith ..." which one of them (faiths) is good?

[@gyorgyfekete4161]

-(9:58 or so...) Oh, the children again. Let's just keep kids' access to tobacco, alcohol and firearms.

[@tiaisirradiated]

Right before they even began speaking he replied to the thanks with "So far, so good", he was bad faith before the debates even began.

[@ashcross]

Bad faith?? Justify this. You are saying he is arguing with Alex without believing in what he is arguing with Alex about?

[@joshhoward8848]

The weirdest part of the interview was the beginning when Alex introduced Hitchens and he said "so far, so good" like he was just eager to find something to complain about.

[@billguthrie2218]

Yah, Inoticed that too. Like Peter was primed and ready to make the interview implode.

[@jpa_fasty3997]

It was a joke. Don't read too much into it. He was being funny. Obviously with the way he ends up being with alex, it doesn't seem like a joke. But this is the sort of thing he says regularly

[@dohpam1ne]

@@jpa_fasty3997 he probably says it regularly because he's primed to throw a tantrum in those situations as well, he just doesn't usually get asked actual questions about his positions so he doesn't storm off like a 5 year old

[@scaryperi3051]

He mentioned having ridden his bicycle to the interview--perhaps he needs to change the seat?

[@jpa_fasty3997]

@@dohpam1ne Well yeah it's super easy to be uncharitable, but I'm telling you for sure that he was making a joke. He has a cantankerous public persona that he plays up to for humorous effect. At the end of the interview he's being a genuine cantankerous git... but at that point he was joking.

[@TK-sn3rx]

Hitchens certainly seemed more unhinged here than the supposedly unstable marijuana users he vehemently warns us about.

[@fenderhow]

What WAS petey smoking before the sperg fest, anyways?!?!?

[@paaklapi]

His outburst came completely out of the blue. I didn't think his reaction to or characterisation of Alex was remotely justified.

[@freedomafterspeech]

I don't condone his outburst but it's nothing like as erratic as someone unhinged by drugs

[@evemaria37]

I think this dude should smoke some weed and relax. He seems to have anger management problems.

[@lenorabarclay275]

@@freedomafterspeechnever seen anyone unhinged on cannabis.

[@doptagd]

“So far, so good” at the start = “I’ve got a chip on my shoulder, Bucko.”

[@davidjakubowicz9921]

This is a great ad for those microphones

[@nima3633]

LoL So True

[@-rr-4172]

Incredible 😂

[@RaynesX]

Never seen an adult "academic" have a tantrum. He felt so empowered to disrespecting you, so flagrantly verbally abusive. I hope he never sees the end of this. Truely shameful.

[@kil93]

Shows how much you know about him, Hitchens isnt an academic

[@gonufc]

Academic?! He's a scaremongering Mail journo who likes to exclusively preach to the converted.

[@proudatheist2042]

I don't see how anyone could call Peter "an academic." His late brother was one of the most brilliant people to ever walk the planet.

[@whl845]

I used to think that he's an esteemed respected expert, but after hearing his arguments I'm now convinced otherwise.

[@BostonRedSoxForever]

​@@proudatheist2042 He was brillant at constantly being on the wrong side of history as a classic islamophobic warmonger who never cared for the Palestinian people one bit, but loved to side with the war criminals in Washington D.C. and London who thought that it's nice to start an illegal war of aggression in Iraq, based on no/fake evidence. I guess the over one million dead Iraqis might miss that "brillant" guy the most - don't you think so, too?

[@se7enhaender]

The fact that his very first words were "So far, so good." is just pure gold. He already sounds bored and passive aggressively "stand-off-ish", like he's just waiting for a reason to be pissed. 😂

[@zacharycates5485]

You hit the nail on the head! He came in already wearing "I'm being attacked!"-tinted glasses, so everything he saw looked like an attack.

[@yoyo-lf3ld]

His an old man lol its to be expected

[@martingarreis]

​@@yoyo-lf3ldnope

[@bigzed7908]

@@yoyo-lf3ld I've talked to old men about subjects we disagree on and I've had run ins with absolute tools and true gentlemen. This is just disgraceful, I agree with some of the things Hitchens is saying but God damn, way to go off the rails and not fight the argument. He seems like a person who's mad the world isn't going his way, grow up... And if I were Alex I wouldn't have been even closely as patient as him. Cheers!

[@Nikolajnen]

@@yoyo-lf3ld exactly, probably dealing with chronic pain which makes him cranky too

[@alexharper7699]

I did not see the 5 policeman unpacking their van when I walked right into the hornets nest smoking a joint recently in Liverpool city center. One looked at me, smiled, cracked a joke about me being cheekier than Pablo Escobar and then they continued to unpack the van. Great stuff 👍

[@Nico-ss9lr]

It's incredible how someone can interpret a situation so differently from everyone else. For most people watching this interview, it's clear that Hitchens was being rude and not listening to Alex's questions throughout, but at the end he accuses Alex of being rude himself 😂😂

[@diegog1853]

"If marihuana is legalized there would have to be constant testing of everyone doing important jobs" "well alcohol exists, it is legal and it is a great danger if people that do important jobs are drunk, and yet there is no need for constant testing" This is a completely valid counter point... and it is pretty obvious that he is getting upset because he has no answer... probably not in his book either.

[@benwil6048]

Telling he is still using the reefer madness term for cannabis too; it’s those damn Mexicans coming here, smoking marihuana and raping Our wamens!

[@Happyisboss]

He literally says "never mind alcohol thats something~" then completely changes the subject

[@iankelley9704]

I had the same thought, but to his credit, he did say he wants more stringent laws for alcohol. That was kind of what he went off on Alex for.

[@murph8411]

Given how widespread he also says it’s use is and how he thinks its ignored by the police (even though more people are still arrested for possession than supply in the UK) you’d think testing would be just as necessary already. Given that in some places where cannabis has been legalised there hasn’t been a sudden huge increase in people using it if reports are to be believed. I’m surprised Hitchens used Colorado as an example of children getting a hold of the drug from legal sources easily given you have to show photo ID that you’re over 21 and the shops have to keep video records of buyers. When it was first legalised in Colorado the numbers of users between 12-17 dropped according to a federal report. I could understand if he’d used Colorado as an example of an increase of use by adults. Some studies show decreases in the numbers of youngsters using and others show increases so I don’t think it’s anything like as cut and dried as people like Hitchens like to say.

[@JCMcGee]

Is it...or is it a false equivilence.

[@thefishbowlman]

That was... fascinating! How does a grown man expect to be a part of public debate, if he turns into a toddler when his views are even slightly challenged? You are a true professional, Alex! Thank you!