Thomas Sowell on Intellectuals and Society

The author of more than a dozen books, Dr. Sowell is now a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution. In his newest work, Intellectuals and Society, he will discuss why so many disasters of our time have been committed by experts or intellectuals. You may remember FDRs Brain Trust which according to later studies is a prolonged the depression by several years. The wiz kids at the pentagon under McNamara who managed to mess up the Vietnam War, you can run through an impressive list of things, of disasters brought about by people with very high IQs

[@buybuydandavis]

"It is far easier to concentrate power than it is to concentrate knowledge." Wow. That's a good quote.

[@iant419]

He's an absolute factory of amazing quotes.

[@veredude]

When I listen to Dr. Sowell, I'm reminded that America's divide is NOT racial, as much as it is cultural.

[@fredorman2429]

Dr Sowell inspires me but the fact that he is aging and we can’t keep him with us also saddens me.

[@angelalovarco2680]

"Many of the great disasters of our time have been committed by 'experts'..." - understatement of the fucking century!

[@swixican]

Somebody give the guy interviewing Sowell some credit!!!

[@kcmaldonado3948]

Sadly, so many black Americans have no idea who this man is.

[@besto8212]

There’s nothing older than the idea that “this is new” -Thomas Sowell

[@theunrealjackson]

"Gun control is like OSHA for burglars.." Well said Mr. Sowell!

[@danielgallardo7249]

Can we take a moment to compliment the interviewer? Not only is he well spoken and well read of Sowell's work, but he asks terrific questions with quotations from Sowell's body of work. And he allows Sowell the necessary amount of time to elaborate his answer.

[@FOR_THE_Pascal.]

He's so wise that he doesn't spend any time trying to convince you, he just lays the facts on the table.

[@agh8607]

"He is happy with the data that he got, why would he go further?" That statement sums up so much that is going wrong in this country. Please go further, please seek information from all sides, be a thinker. It's a gift we all innately share but to few choose to utilize. 🇺🇲

[@robbyrobrob1]

Sowell: Depth of knowledge expressed with minimum words. Also, expert yet unfailingly polite debater. Well done Professor .

[@robbyrobrob1]

oops, I mean thank-you Professor.

[@mediasawdust2458]

"There's nothing older than the idea that this is new." Fantastic quote.

[@jlilly1961]

Dr. Sowell is my hero.

[@maryelizabeth1345]

jlilly1961 Mine too!!

[@millamilla10]

jlilly1961 mine too! :)

[@jumbojet8]

Thomas Sowell is an American treasure.

[@gregogrady8027]

This is an amazing interview. The host never interrupts, belittles, or yells at his guest even when he disagrees indeed it is hard to even tell when he disagrees. What a wonderful way to conduct an interview I wish news media outlets would take note.

[@jakejakey5328]

thomas sowell is honestly one of the best americans of our generation

[@mattturner7531]

Sowell is a true scholar, but one who forms opinions on facts, evidence, and in his case a bit of personal experience. This is what I always pictured a college professor to be!

[@mrblank-zh1xy]

I just feel like he's the smartest person I've ever listened to.

[@ee.es00]

He's great but don't go too far.

[@Min-xm8tp]

I watch Thomas Sowell Regularly to remind me I'm not in the Invasion of the Body Snatchers

[@shifra6]

"Are we becoming a nation of intellectuals? I hadn't thought of that. It's a chilling thought".

[@SequentialTreasures]

"When you spend a decade writing a 900 page book, something is bugging you!" Absolutely brilliant... as well as very funny, too. :)

[@mjayc321]

The clearest, most pragmatic, and cogent thinker on the issues of race, economics, and politics of the last half-century.

[@MayaAMorella]

This should be in all Primary Schools in the Western World

[@TheRaveMusicArchive]

This is an absolute joy to watch in 2020. Oh how the world needs more Thomas Sowells.

[@dreadarmy]

Watching this again almost 10 years after it was posted.... and it seems like it could have been posted yesterday. So topical and on point for today's political climate.

[@KManwarren]

Thomas Sowell reminds me that I am not an idiot when it comes to my life...the intellectuals outside of their field are.

[@karakelian]

Sowell is a national treasure. His books should be included in every high school and college curriculums as required reading. Our country would be MUCH better off.

[@MichaelHarrisIreland]

First time hearing Thomas Sowell and it's enlightening.

[@BrownSwiss5]

***** Not just him, but his right-hand man Milton Friedman.

[@BladeOfLight16]

Welcome to one of the most refreshing experiences in politics.

[@fredvonhayek4762]

I love it..."restrictions on guns is like OSHA for burglars"

[@ericgarland3133]

So much knowledge in such a humble man. He is saying that so called intellectuals are not superior to the rest of us.He is making a very good case for common sense. All that and I watch this and think he is definitely intellectually superior to myself.

[@johnstockwellmajorsmedleyb1214]

Your statement "I feel he is definately more intellectually superior to myself." Is not uncommon and is fully morally wrong to compare ones self to another in any way let alone to speak of superiority is not fair to yourself also not fair to Mr. Sowell. I believe thats what he is saying right before 3min. I get it, thats what you believe but We are all intellectually totally different.

[@equinos111]

No he is not

[@Stiekskuh]

Eric Garland Thomas Sowell is talking about himself, since he's one of these - so called - "intellectuals"!

[@davidrebatto6713]

Yep, it's a good example of the liar paradox.

[@dassemultor6940]

Now this, this is an actual interview. You can tell that the interviewer loves his work very much.

[@anthonydicianni3509]

One of the reasons I think Reagan was such a good president was because he knew his limitations. So instead of acting like he knew economic policies, he sat down with 5 economists and wanted them to come up with an economic plan. That shows a great leader, something that is missing with politicians today who think they know best.

[@Mystyx-Sama]

This man's knowledge is positively nutritious.

[@amostake]

This is why I like Thomas Sowell. He's real. He takes sometimes difficult topics, and speaks them at a level anyone can understand. Haven't you heard someone who was really smart, but you couldn't understand anything he says? Not Sowell. You can read his stuff, listen to his interview, and grasp everything he has to say. I am going to get this book.

[@non_ez8854]

I just found out about this guy and im bingewatching now 🥳

[@therose1277]

"There's nothing older than the idea that, 'This is new'." - Thomas Sowell A clever restatement of "There's nothing new under the sun,"...said in a way that people will see as a new way of looking at things. :)

[@comesahorseman]

Never underestimate the appeal of feeling superior to someone else. And, never underestimate the hubris this can generate.

[@shamrock32]

All Thomas Sowell videos and interviews need to be downloaded and saved in archives.

[@pfcampos7041]

It's amazing how this video is 12yrs old and is still relevant!

[@timothyf7621]

Every time I read/listen/watch Dr. Thomas Sowell... I get smarter! And so does he!!!

[@amythompson7700]

I wish I could give this interview with Thomas a hundred thumbs up!👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@josephmro]

Huge credit to peter as well for a really provocative and respectful interview of this brilliant and courageous man mr sowell

[@GeoffreyJohns]

Uncommon knowledge has become one of my favorite channels

[@kvps27]

jesus..I just discovered this guy. i am in love with him. why is he not a goddamn legend?

[@michaelthompson1110]

Great chemistry between these two. Some of the best interviews I have ever heard. Petersen is excellent and Mr. Sowell is a genius. Well done fellas. We appreciate you both!

[@dnganga]

How I wish I had known of this man much earlier in my life-he is great!

[@thinman8621]

January, 2021. We need more Thomas Sowells.

[@lmc9862]

The fact that this man can come up with an illustration and explain something complicated as simple as he does, is incredible. That's not just mastery, that's love: selfless love.

[@Dommo1992]

"there is nothing older than the idea that this is new" great quote

[@anamneses28]

What a fantastic interview. I could've listened for hours. Absolutely intriguing!

[@gregggoodnight9889]

Sowell is a genius and a national treasure. Most intellectually honest person in the world.

[@rob-robi]

Thomas speaking generally is just loaded with great quotes.

[@C2yourself]

This ought to be mandatory viewing in all high school US history and civics classes!

[@joemachunda]

Intellect and book smart cannot always be compared to wisdom

[@cliftontorrence839]

That anecdote about the aircraft landing gear is priceless. One personal mantra throughout my adult life has been, "What do we 'know' that is actually worth knowing?'" For 50yrs of working life I was a cabinetmaker surrounded by dangerous tools and equipment that could remove my hands or kill me in an instant. It took a long time to learn how to behave and succeed in that kind of environment. Point being: production separates wheat from chaff. Sowell is right about ideas.

[@ryinewman7265]

Just So much Common Sense coming from this man. Love him

[@LmtdShady]

I would like to note that the host is also very intelligent and keeps a conversation very well.

[@photomukund]

There is a certain joy in listening to two knowledgeable people talk and at least understand a bit as a listener.

[@vinestreet4031]

Dr. Sowell is an intellectual grounded in reality. He has a Mark Twain and Yogi Berra quality to him that’s not moved by BS.

[@LoliPantsu8]

Sowell is brilliant. He reminds me of Hayek.

[@ShiftEnigma]

He is the only person alive to be taught by hayek, freidman and stigler .

[@mesolithicman164]

I want Thomas Sowell to live forever, can we please arrange that?

[@snapcracklepop3228]

God Blessed this man. Dr. Sowell, Thank you for everything you have taught me over the many years. I have listened closely. Good health to you Sir.

[@filbird]

I’m always astonished by the ease and speed with which Dr. Sowell responds to complicated questions.

[@freedomandliberty93]

His compassion between the engineer and the intellectual has immense validity.

[@nasticanasta]

God, please don’t take Mr. Sowell anytime soon, we need him and this idealism more than ever!

[@Chris-ro7mn]

The fact that Sowell is barely on TV tells you all you need to know about the agenda of tv networks. Muddy the waters.

[@flashwashington2735]

Thank you for this. It is joy to witness the man's good humor and alacrity of mind.

[@jdcalderone5140]

Sowell is an incredible man! Such great beliefs and a great story.

[@laotzu3258]

Putting power in intellectual hands has turned intellectuals into crooks.

[@ninjaturtlefan2003]

Let's all remember this came out ten years ago...and every word is still relevant. Dowell is brilliant and our culture is only going more downhill.

[@lacedemonians]

Wow, Sowell is absolutely brilliant.

[@ridethenimbus]

Mr Sowell is a Phenomenon of Wisdom...

[@motto775]

this guy is one of the best kept secrets around. god bless you thomas sowell!

[@devilsadvocate5817]

I would give my left eyebrow just to have dinner with Dr. Sowell.

[@joshstanton267]

If I was living in the US I'd be trying to get into his lecture hall. I wanna hear more. Man's clearly a wealth of knowledge.

[@dolobandz7431]

That man Dr.Sowell with those cazal frames 🔥

[@Rockstago]

Dr. Sowell is TRUELY an American treasure!

[@dlive1391]

Too many people just don’t get it. This good Sir gets it! I have the utmost respect for this man

[@jimibarrett8362]

It would have been so cool to have him as my history teacher

[@arnieus866]

We do NOT all have the same potential. I would say we all deserve the right to develop the potential we do have. I have studied chess and every Bobby Fischer game. What I really learned is that I don't have the potential to be a chess grand master like Fischer. I understand concepts but can't visualize consequences of moves like him. I can never play basketball like Michael Jordan. I can never sing like Caruso. I can't play jazz like Charlie Parker. I can't understand most of what Einstein talked about. I have attempted all the above. Thankfully I discovered my potential in graphic communication and web programming.

[@andrewcalvarese]

This man is brilliant.

[@EngineeringRevue]

Thomas Sowell is beyond amazing.

[@jacirasantanna7221]

Dr. Sowell an American personality , a treasure for all the Western World.

[@derikandreoli5177]

Watching this in 2021.... after being red pilled about a year ago.

[@rcrkbr]

From Brazil: it's one of the best books that i read in my entire life!! Sowell is perfect in his ideas, because he don't fight against facts. The utopians, and leftists in general, do it.

[@budthecyborg4575]

Timeless interview, there will never be a day when the words spoken here are not applicable to society.

[@rdenHotEd]

"You can become president of the United States with no contact with economic reality." Truer words have never been spoken.

[@suzyschwarz7023]

What a pleasure to listen to intelligent thoughtful conversations,we need so many more. Very edifying thank you.

[@panzermarche]

Love Dr Sowell's laugh,it drives the intellectuals crazy.

[@aryrosh4344]

As a French I can say he talk like a bourgeois . Not average American doesn't talk like him...beautiful to listen him talking.

[@alejandrogonzalez8150]

I feel enriched having watched this.

[@jazeenharal6013]

I absolutely love this man.

[@deucedecker4903]

WOW 16:50 ! Sowell's observation mentioned at that moment lays bare one of the reasons for the confounding behavior of humans as members of a society. This is one reason why people like Sowell are so treasured ane who's works must be read and thought about.

[@DenonGregory]

This man is amazing! His state of mind is so healthy.. Perfectly explained everything and I agreed with every bit. It's nice to find someone or some people similar to yourself when you're surrounded by people who think nothing like this nowadays.

[@angusmcangus7914]

This man is golden. He is up there with Sir Roger Scruton (RIP). A discussion between them would have been brain-food of the highest order.

[@rjjstephan]

A W E S O M E.....my idol, Dr. Sowell is a philospher's philsopher!

[@phyllisjohnson8456]

Looove this black man, he’s a jewel.

[@johnedwards785]

Dr. Thomas Sowell a wealth of Wisdom; and yet that's an understatement.

[@lumberjackcity9199]

"There's nothing older than the idea that this is new." Classic!