Peter Hitchens on Trade Unions, Tony Blair and the End of the Monarchy | Downstream

[@marcusmalone]

This is among the best slices of any sort of media I've seen in a while. Bravo for actually engaging in good faith ideological debate 👏

[@CommonScents952]

Agreed! However, perhaps Aaron should change his ideology before deciding to engage in another interview / debate with Mr Hitchens

[@KarlHamilton]

Viva Commodore!

[@ls6097]

LOL more like bravo for being dumb enough to step out in front of an intellectual freight train...if that sort spectacle is desired.

[@fulltimeonfire8536]

I agree, it's a shame more conservatives aren't capable of being this rational.

[@MusicMatters95]

There should be more of this type of interview. Proper respectful debate across the political divide rather than guests agreeing in an echo chamber. In an increasingly polarised country this is truely encouraging.

[@firebirdstark]

Yes, it’s great to see Aaron meet his senior, future self that is able to point out the folly of being in that spaceship of ideology.

[@readsomebooks666]

Are you kidding? Peter utterly destroyed him here.

[@Madonnalitta1]

Lol. Peter was laughing at Aaron's childishness. This is why the left won't debate the right.

[@huveja9799]

Could someone provide please the name of the 1990's film about the reality of the Soviet Union? Thanks!

[@MusicMatters95]

​@@readsomebooks666exactly 🙂

[@DM_Curtis]

I like the part where Hitchens basically said that Aaron should renounce his own book.

[@Ruda-n4h]

The interviewer is in way over his head, another smirking liberal.

[@highseasailing8624]

Total gold!

[@glasp-q8n]

Give it ten years, these will all be 'I used to be a communist...'

[@johnmoser9731]

Yeah hopefully it's another Dave Reuben/Larry Elder situation.

[@CommunismIsCringe]

So the whole thing?

[@pault1289]

Long form interviews are essential to really explore ideas and the lack of them isn't a good reflection on our ideas or contemporary politics. Thanks to both Peter and Aaron for this conversation.

[@anniew4105]

Isn't this platforming hate speech?

[@maybepumpkins]

@@anniew4105 Which part of it was hate speech? I didn't hear any.

[@blackmore4]

​@@maybepumpkins Unless it conforms to a mind-numbingly tiny Marxist inspired worldview, all common sense and hard evidenced data is condemned as "hate speech" these days.

[@skumar1993]

You can't call everything you disagree with hate speach!

[@anniew4105]

@@maybepumpkins but hate speech is totally a real thing, right?

[@steve4562]

Best interview of Peter Hitchens I've even seen. Don't think I've ever seen the notoriously cranky Hitchens enjoy himself so much (I think he even laughed once). You are a gifted listener who clearly understands why people are watching - to hear the guest speak.

[@chrisjones3901]

He was happy because it would never be a debate knowing the interviewer was not in his league.

[@Alex-mj5dv]

I think Peter was visibly staggered sometimes at how unread Aaron is. Especially for the quite ‘out there’ form of socialism he espouses. I think Peter maybe saw glimpses of himself as a student …

[@jamesmoore4827]

You needn't worry because Peter is right back to being his cranky self 😂

[@TheM41a]

I like how the interviewer didn't spend half an hour on the same topic, unlike Alex O'Connor. A good interviewer should know when to move onto the next stage of the discussion.

[@chrisjones3901]

@RugbyPass81 seems I may be conditioned by your comment that you think I'm a fan of Peter Hitchens. Not sure why you refer to one particular podcast when there are so many to pass comment on. I will imagine that you have seen one podcast in your life then.

[@jobbyjaws8050]

This is the kind of content that will take this channel to an elite level. Anti echo chamber, good faith debates FTW!

[@josephinebrevig8748]

I agree

[@tcgfade0ut]

I couldn't agree more with this. We should never simply sit and stagnate in our own ideas. We have to be willing to listen, engage with, challenge, and be challenged by opinions that aren't our own.

[@timjkoala7556]

I agree

[@evsm3923]

@@muntingianinja3210 didn't catch right wing media to have any debate with opposite views

[@XavierJAlexander]

@@muntingianinja3210 that’s bullshit lol you never see debates like this in right wing media, traditional or online

[@Dan-pj6sj]

A great interview with Mr Hitchens. He has lived the experience of being a young revolutionary, a place that Mr Bastani ideologically resides today. Peter provides clear warnings that the communist fantasy doesn't exist and it's folly to chase it. It's rare for younger generations to hear and engage with opposition to their beliefs and are currently flying in the 'spaceship of university', unchallenged. I hope this sobering message resonates with the audience. Great work.

[@oldtimergaming9514]

Yep, but he will learn nothing from this until another 40-50 million bodies stack up.

[@Bread_Media]

That's all very well, but there needs to be some acknowledgement that neoliberalism is also a fantasy - it isn't working and it won't ever work. The bodies are stacking up, and those in charge have their fingers in their ears.

[@Duranous.]

@@Bread_Media Populist from the other side of the political spectrum agree too. Neoliberalism is just a bunch of elitists trying to screw over the average person. You see it in everything they do, why do they want the masses to consume less? To save the planet? They say so but based on their actions, it's clearly so they can consume more. We need to get away from the dehumanizing focus on material and mind manipulation and get back to a state where individuals can can some semblance of determinism.

[@AlexReynard]

I don't know who said it, but it's a great quote: "The Right likes good systems that work. The Left likes better systems that don't work."

[@SirDennisReynolds]

@@AlexReynard It's a great expression for people that summarize their views in self reinforcing quotes made for children.

[@josephinebrevig8748]

Aaron thank you for this. We need more candid and politically opposed debates like this. Grown up, refreshing.

[@jontyson5407]

I was going to write a comment but you said it better than I ever could.

[@PoldarkGodzilla]

Douglas Murray next 👍

[@Jonathan-qo1ir]

And poor Aaron got completely owned. He shouldn't of bothered uploading it to save himself the embarrassment

[@Viddaric]

"Bloodstained utopia to-do list" is a perfect summation of the entire communist ideology, and I'm going to use it in the future.

[@ethelmini]

Calling yourself a communist does not make you a Communist. If you claim absolute power over other people's lives you are a dictator in a totalitarian state. That's about as far from communism as you can get.

[@Viddaric]

@@ethelmini it is impossible to actually implement communism without totalitarianism, and even if it was implemented "correctly" (which will never happen) it would be an extremely fragile system that would collapse at the slightest crisis.

[@Gooseplan]

@@Viddaric Wrong

[@robh3007]

@@Gooseplan No, he's pretty well right. The main reason it will always collapse under its own weight are basically summed up thusly: 1) Those who impose communism on people always expect those people to respond to it in a way that matches their imagined utopia, and 2) those who impose the communism cannot accept that things have gone wrong because they are wrong about human nature, so they end up taking revenge on the people refusing to go along with their imagined utopia, and historically, millions of deaths result. And as people die off and the truth of the history is lost to younger generations and antiquity, the Monday morning quarterbacks will always be there to state that "communism has never actually been tried." The human nature that the communists always get wrong is at least twofold: They make assumptions that the politburo or the leaders at the top will not go radically off the rails idealistically and turn into paranoid, power-intoxicated maniacal tyrants who gradually end up suspecting everyone around them of plotting against them, or worse, they descend into utter corruption, and rot the whole thing from inside out, top down because of greed. And usually, these leaders end up going down both paths in some form as time goes by. The other human nature they constantly get wrong is that of the people they mean to impose the communism on. They assume that everybody is all about "from each according to his ability to each according to his need." They discount the notion of the lazy, the indolent, those who are only looking to make a fast buck, those who want to game the system, those who seek to create black markets and a hundred other nefarious impulses that people act upon. These people will always exist, and it always comes as a result when people realize they can vote themselves largesse out of the public treasury, so long as there are leftists in government who decide that the answer for these people is more public welfare. When you subsidize bad behaviour, it comes as no surprise to anyone that you end up getting more bad behaviour as a result. The people marry the government, and the government, in turn, keeps these people trapped in the lower quintile of the income distribution in various forms of dependency. In Stalin's Soviet Union, owners of establishments like restaurants got paid whether they had any customers or not. So proprietors often saw customers as a pain and a nuisance; a distraction from their other illicit money-making operations going on behind the scenes that the restaurant was a front for.

[@Gooseplan]

@@robh3007 He’s not

[@zachthornton8337]

I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to watch two people engage in a good faith conversation about politics. We all gain so much more from engagements like these.

[@sailyousuf]

I am a lefty but I think Peter Hitchens makes valid points on many issues and I often find myself agreeing with him .

[@jacobvasquez7862]

Using "lefty" instead of "leftist" is sus.

[@Karl-gf5gx]

@@jacobvasquez7862interesting - I tend to find “lefty” quite common parlance among actual working class left-wing people. “Leftist” on the other hand is more commonly uttered by middle class university educated performative socialists.

[@Vrailly]

My dad, whose career was mostly spent as a bus driver - in which he was a union organiser - uses lefty to describe himself. That and Marxist. Lefty is fine.

[@colincampbell4261]

I don't agree with his attitude towards cannabis, misguided imo.

[@space.youtube]

"I'm a lefty but..." ? Name a couple of things (hitchens said) you agreed with, that you consider incongruent with being "a lefty" ? Not banal statements of the obvious, but actual points of contention that warrant the "I'm a lefty but..." qualification at the start of your comment.

[@worship568]

I am enjoying this interview so much. A good example of engaging with people who think differently.

[@GeoNeilUK]

Especially when both sides are prepared to engage.

[@bettiekehrt4950]

@@GeoNeilUK ì

[@bettiekehrt4950]

@@GeoNeilUK ì

[@space.youtube]

Yes, it is a good example of "engaging with people who think differently" Unfortunately it wasn't a good example of testing whether the underpinning assumptions of those "differences" would stand up to rigorous scrutiny.

[@michaellabram5980]

Yes

[@notgodzod]

What a great interview. Aaron's admiration for Peter, despite disagreeing with him, was palpable (and rightly so). And that in itself is a very beautiful thing.

[@naylorbroughton1159]

Just watching both these men just talk. Just refreshing. Keep it up!

[@Feline-friend007]

One of the more enlightening interviews i have watched of late. I felt the host did his job in challenging peter, which seems to be an unenviable task for most. And then towards the home stretch the tone became noticably more amicable and relaxed. This was time well spent.

[@thebenevolentsun6575]

I dont find Aaron particularly likeable but he does an amazing job of making himself liked by his interviewee which is quite admirable.

[@JoBo301]

These two may be at opposite ends of the political spectrum, but this was conducted in a very civil and respectful manner. No loud voices, no screaming or labeling the other person, no point scoring, but a meeting of different ideologies. If you watch his appearance on Question Time over the years you can see that Peter Hitchens has been years ahead of his time, and predicted much of what has happened in this country. Thanks to Aaron and NM for hosting this.

[@Jimmy-es8bc]

Yes, Aaron is at the wrong end and Peter is at the right end.

[@matic93t]

That's how it should be, i mean this for both sides, credible people from both sides

[@George-nv1ri]

@@Jimmy-es8bc well Aaron is at one end, Peters somewhere in the middle

[@5ynthesizerpatel]

Are they at opposite ends of the spectrum? PH is on record on many occasions as being what we would consider today as far left in terms of the kinds of economic policies he supports (admittedly this isn't particularly far left in the great scheme of things) - he's broadly in the same camp as someone like Corbyn on those issues, and has indeed written nice things about Corbyn. Conversely he has been considerably less supportive of the economic policies of Thatcher (describing her as a Liberal - which is technically correct in a classic and economic sense). He was deeply sceptical of Thatcher's work as archiect in chief of Britain's relationship with the EU which PH never supported and found her rhetoric that "there [was] is no substitute" deeply suspect and dishonest. He's really only socially and culturally conservative - in other aspects he's still a leftie - just not a Trot

[@JoBo301]

@@5ynthesizerpatel I'd be very surprised if Peter himself would use the label of 'Leftie' to describe himself!

[@therainman7777]

He may have the single greatest voice I’ve ever heard. Listen to this with a subwoofer if you can. It’s just unbelievable the depth and power in his voice, along with how articulate he is.

[@Sas1256x]

This is prob one of the most posh type of accents you can hear, and now you know why

[@therainman7777]

@@Sas1256x It’s awesome

[@Alorand]

The best thing about this interview is that Aaron lets Peter Hitchens talk.

[@BulletPointFitnessPodcast]

Piers Morgan could take a leaf out his book eh!

[@EE16SVT]

and the worst thing is Mr. H never lets Aaron complete his question. You could see the frustration often.

[@louisadriaansteyn5827]

I am a big fan of Peter Hitchens, but he has an annoying habit of waiting until his opponent/interviewer starts speaking before continuing his answer. His brother had the same habit funnily enough. Credit to Aaron for being so gracious and patient.

[@abazely2743]

So much of what Peter Hitchens wrote in 'The Abolition of Britain' over 20 years ago still has much traction now about being well on the road to 1984 and the brave new world.

[@dustinliam7878]

To the radical left, dystopian novels, (vis-a-vis Fahrenheit 451, 1984, etc) are guidebooks, not advisories.

[@SirDennisReynolds]

@@dustinliam7878 Which is why the right wing in the United States is banning books. I thought they considered Fahrenheit 451 to be advisory? Hahahahaha you have no idea what you're talking about, just living in fantasy land in your head

[@enanden9025]

the poor will live in 1984 and the rich in brave new world.

[@dustinliam7878]

​@@bluelanterns2982 1984: -State spies on its citizens -Denizens are divided into 2 categories, Party members (the actual "citizens") and the Proles (the lower class) -Party members are held to rigid standards of conduct, Proles are given much more leeway in debauchery (i.e., the Party must uphold noble virtues, but the base Proles can't help themselves and are savages) -Dissent is swiftly and cruelly "corrected" by governmental agencies (e.g., MiniLuv) under the guise of reformation -Statist propaganda leans towards the notion of the common good of all, vice the good for the individual Brave New World: -From the start (and most controversial point), children are introduced to sexuality at a very young age (early prepubescence) ---Not only introduced, but ENCOURAGED (erotic play is promoted and supervised by adults) -Promiscuity is also championed amongst adults, point in fact, no one is allowed to refuse any asking partner, eliminating monogamous relationships entirely -All children are vat-born, surrendered to State control -No person has personal agency in their employment, instead, they are manipulated (sometimes intentionally deformed) to becoming whatever profession the State NEEDS them to be ---All vat-born children are actually spliced inseminated eggs, producing hundreds of children from a single egg. Important with the previous point, in that although identical, a not-insubstantial portion of those children will be MODIFIED (through reduced oxygen during development) into becoming slave labor -Society as a whole (and can be seen as an argument against leftism) has devolved into pure consumerism (the State leader is even called the "Ford", after Henry Ford) -Society has also been medically placated with Soma, the wonder drug designed to keep everyone happy and compliant with State-mandated statutes Fahrenheit 451: -Society has begun burning books en masse, due to people being offended by the words ---Anything that is deemed offensive by anybody is culled, whether the print in newspapers or books, or even from the television is swiftly culled ---Anybody found harboring offensive material is labelled as anathema, and are themselves culled from the population ---The agency tasked with cremation of said materials is State-sponsored, and anybody that shows signs of dissent, are labelled traitors, and are again, culled

[@dustinliam7878]

@@bluelanterns2982 I have some more additions to make, but that post I just made was already extremely long.

[@mirgrande7683]

First time in life I have listened to him. A good man,. Must hear more.

[@maccyjames64]

As a conservative, I haven't watched much Novara Media before. I must say I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the interviewer.

[@Silphwave]

I'm glad he took the time to read Hitchen's books. That showed good faith and a genuine openess to engage and learn. Very rare in these circles.

[@DP-cd5wr]

@@Silphwave good faith goes a long way. More of this, less of the twitter styled spats would be fantastic.

[@Listlesscheese]

Aaron, I've only watched 10 minutes of this and it's already the best Peter Hitchens interview I've heard. Thank you so much

[@Exsugarbabe1]

I could listen to this man all day. He is incredibly thoughtful, freedom loving and experienced.

[@stevepottinger471]

I agree, the days of full and proper interviews ended once Wogan started his TV show. It's about promoting the latest book/film/ TV series/Podcast or whatever, it is such a delight seeing two individuals of opposite opinions and views being able to discuss that difference in a polite and respectful way and to present their arguments rather to try to enforce them. It is such a pity our political masters can't run our country on similar lines. (Although Peter would disagree with that as he is a great supporter of the adversarial system).

[@theotherguy5516]

Having seen the whole interview, I'm fairly sure this is the best interview with Hitchens I've seen. He's on absolute top form here.

[@philiplevins6702]

coming together with a good heart, honesty and being true to intelligence and reasoning...mostly results in positivity and progress...have a huge amount of respect for the Hitchens' clan...peace

[@simonprodhan5050]

absolutely superb interview, hitchens is a diamond in the rough, a beacon of light in an ever increasingly dark tunnel, superbly conducted by novara media chap, great stuff and so gripping!

[@nowthenzen]

Thanks!

[@helencarr279]

Thanks

[@amandatillmann8981]

HITCHENS is so interesting, but full credit to the interviewer too; prodding, never craven; great content.

[@smithswoodrookie]

Absolutely adore finding a new long form interview with Peter Hitchens. What a man!

[@swampy1234]

You're easily please then my friend

[@RedScouserJohn]

@@swampy1234Why’s that ?

[@fraggit]

@@swampy1234 He is not within your bubble, I take it.

[@joshuagonsalves3904]

My favourite is his interview with Alex O'Connor where he throws a temper tantrum

[@raddimusmcchoyber3362]

As a culturally conservative Novara viewer I was really pleasantly surprised when I saw that this was happening and it absolutely did not disappoint. Excellent stuff.

[@thecriticalgamer8462]

Just out of interest, and this is a genuine question, not looking for an argument, what do you mean by 'culturally conservative' exactly?

[@raddimusmcchoyber3362]

@@thecriticalgamer8462 Ah sorry yeah, I probably should’ve written “socially and culturally”. I take a pretty strong small-‘c’ conservative position on many social or cultural issues: policing, crime and criminal justice; immigration; free speech and individual liberty; privacy rights and the size and scope of Govt in relation to them; national defence and foreign policy etc. I’ve revised my view on the interview slightly as well (not that it remotely matters, but your response to my original comment has reminded me). I’m still very glad Novara got PH on, but I’m not keen on PH’s approach for quite a bit of it (consistently interrupting Aaron, particularly not allowing him to properly ask follow up questions or express responses to PH’s points).

[@thecriticalgamer8462]

@@raddimusmcchoyber3362 that's interesting. So just for example, if you have the time, could you expand a little on your position around policing? Just as it was the first point you listed. What would be your view as a cultural or social conservative on the role of the police, how that has been enacted over the years and how it may provide some solutions to some of the problems we have seen over that time? It's a big question I know, but I'm interested to hear it if you have chance.

[@raddimusmcchoyber3362]

@@thecriticalgamer8462 Can you tell i’d had a terrible morning at work? Throwing “disgraceful” and “disgusting” about a bit much in my comment! 🤣 How foolish!

[@bpdlr]

Peter is starting to mellow and develop the sort of sardonic humour that made his brother such a joy to listen to.

[@marylou3995]

They were both very brainy too.

[@evanfirebrand]

Very mature. Good humoured. Captivating and intelligent. Both of the men. Worth the nearly-two-hours sitting.

[@danieljohnson1924]

Excellent conversation. Thanks for putting it up.

[@neilthefish]

I agree with you, excellent upload by Navarra media we definitely need more of this.

[@lowrider007007]

Interviews like this give Novara a lot more credibility imo, good to break out of the echo chamber once in a while.

[@James_36]

Novara would have more credibility if it ditched its religion like PH is hinting at all throughout this lol

[@rebeccaconlon9743]

They didn't exactly, they hoped his trotskyist links and past would lead to common grounds

[@lostalone9320]

Well they were wrong 👍 Hitchens' history with Trotskyism just gives him experience of how Communism does not have a monopoly on improving society.

[@dbaggins1159]

@Utoobe Izkaka Much like most of socialism’s advocates s today, actual workers do not have time for political frivolities.

[@The_Nowhereman]

You shouldn't wait for your echo chamber to change its tune. You should always seek out alternative views and actively challenge your preconceived ideas with an open mind. A wise man knows he knows nothing.

[@manusha1349]

Great conversation! Just discovered this channel and have subscribed. Peter Hitchens is a force of nature! His late brother, Christopher, is a Legend ♥️ love their work. Thank you for being a respectful yet challenging host.

[@Libertariun]

I subscribe to novará media, but never really heard anything worth much until this interview. I’d listen to another x hours. Only regret was that Mr Aaron Bastani didn’t push back more on Peter Hitchens, as it looked like he was enjoying the cut and thrust. Best interview I’ve ever seen with the force that is Peter Hitchens.

[@adamsharpe9452]

Amazing interview Aaron, I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish

[@eastchchkea6475]

This interview was refreshing, great job

[@jobl5505]

Great interview, Peter Hutchins is an interesting, sensible, brilliant and articulate mind. Always worth listening too.

[@MontyCantsin5]

Just a shame that he is so irrational when it comes to his core worldview.

[@eoghan375]

Not always, alot of his views are seriously out dated. Especially his opinions on drugs. However you can't deny he is intelligent and true to himself and his ideals. As far as conservatives go he's intelligent and interesting to listen to.

[@sanniepstein4835]

@@eoghan375 Outdated? What does fashion have to do with it?

[@Kavafy]

@@sanniepstein4835 The facts have long since overtaken his view.

[@MrZORROish]

@@eoghan375 facts and truths are never out-dated unless you think they should be ignored when inconvenient

[@cxj810]

Superb interview. Can’t thank you enough for interviewing Peter Hitchens. The Blair vignette made it all worthwhile.

[@Ruda-n4h]

That was frightening.

[@kiwitrainguy]

"Portugese?"

[@plugdude69]

Great interview/conversation. I really appreciate Peter Hitchens perspective on so many issues and Aaron was awesome on the other side of the table from him. Great listening :-)

[@rolandrothwell4840]

This is the best interview I have seen for a long time. Its candid and combative at times.

[@raymondc6249]

First time viewer on your channel, and have to say absolutely fantastic and enlightening.. I'm away to order the books mentioned... Thank you to both of you..

[@MangoEV]

Peter makes compeling arguments about most things. He is a terrible contrarian at times! But fascinating character who holds a lot of respect. I enjoy his individuality and objectivity.

[@Liam-yr4uf]

Contrarian? In what way? That's demeaning.

[@beachcomber2008]

@@Liam-yr4uf No, it's not.

[@182dunc]

Being a contrarian would involve not having a rational, testable argument on the subject. What you mean is you disagree with him on some things, why you feel the need for ad hominem attacks is only known to you.

[@yannichudziak9942]

@@Liam-yr4uf I would more say that they mean devil’s advocate here in that he will push people to stop and think about the opposite or diverging opinions.

[@MangoEV]

@@182dunc no, not at all. Its in the way he struggles to agree with anyone in a conversation. For the sake of it some times. We've all met one.

[@banjokazooie370]

We need more interviews like this where there are 2 people of opposing view points talking to each other. It is also rare to find a debate where they are not trying to shout each other down, not answer the question with another question, not let them answer the question or actively trying to humiliate the other person.

[@WiseOwl_1408]

Hard to argue with Peter

[@SirDennisReynolds]

@@WiseOwl_1408 He's right on foreign policy, completely and utterly wrong on divorce and abortion

[@drifter402]

It makes for bad clickbait

[@maiqueashworth]

I thoroughly approve of your stance. I believe one of the major issues we have nowadays is not listening to other people's opinions. Then we end up with two camps throwing metaphorical stones at each other, when actually on many issues, most decent people would agree on many issues. And what's happening at the moment is that the reporting style of many outlets promotes blindly following the beliefs of influencers.

[@harald6452]

“Been a joy, thanks” delivered in perfect English monotone. Great interview.

[@exitnightenterlight5327]

Thank you Novara Media great interview. 12 years ago when Peter Hitchens brother died i was sad, as i was a big fan of Christopher Hitchens. I did not know of Peter Hitchens back then, but i would have disagreed with almost all of his positions. Now 12 years later alot has changed for me. I now agree with Peter on about 80% of the things he said in this interview. Peter speaks alot of uncomfortable truths that alot of people don't want to, and cannot understand.

[@justgivemethetruth]

I had the same experience of hearing Christopher, around the time of 911, and then looking back on videos that show him with William F. Buckley and so forth. I was annoyed by Chris' attacks on religion, odd since I am not religious in the least. I prefer Peter's manner. Still disagree with him on many things, but it is never unpleasant to listen to him and always educational.

[@kevinb9830]

it's the tried and tested slow lurch to the right as we get older. Wisdom and reality hit, things change.

[@justgivemethetruth]

@@kevinb9830 The original condescending attitude from the greedy, criminal Right-wing.

[@kevinb9830]

@@justgivemethetruth Nope, you get less greedy and less self centred with age.

[@samdegoeij6576]

I'm from the Netherlands and our media landscape is as appauling as the British is or perhaps even worse. I thoroughly enjoyed this eventhough I vehemently disagreed with Mr. Hitchens, it was fascinating.

[@chillwinston8961]

@@BettBeat_Media I’m thinking of moving to the Netherlands what’s so bad about the media?

[@carletonraisbeck4137]

Great! What a delightful interview. Thank you.

[@christinesloan1515]

Enjoyed Peter Hitchin's discussion. Long interview ... but very enlightening.

[@jagonchichon590]

Big fan of Hitchen; He's incredibly erudite... I'd say I don't agree with him on everything but then he's so well informed, it's difficult to challenge him. Listening to Hitchen and Aaron, though, encourages self exploration and learning

[@James-wy6qu]

Peter Hitches deserves respect because he's genuine. As in he actually believes what he says, which is rare enough in political discourse.

[@DarrenBurgess1989]

So was a certain German leader in his views. Genuine in your hateful beliefs should not be respected.

[@James-wy6qu]

@@DarrenBurgess1989 Godwin's law... Not sure I can detect much hatred. And the lack of agenda or ambition is also pretty laudable. We should be able to speak to authentic people who disagree with us without calling them hateful.

[@DarrenBurgess1989]

@@James-wy6qu it’s not godwins law as I wasn’t comparing him to a natzee so I’m not sure what purpose that was for apart from a demonstration of your intellect. He lies throughout. Perhaps that’s a me problem that I find lying that has real world consequences abhorrent.

[@James-wy6qu]

@@DarrenBurgess1989 Sorry I assumed you meant *the* certain German leader, lol. Not so much an intellect thing, just shorthand for a longer point. Didn't catch any lies but maybe I wasn't listening closely enough. (Caught plenty of things that I would consider wrong/misinterpretations, etc., but no lies).

[@Ruda-n4h]

@@DarrenBurgess1989 They are not hateful beliefs.

[@syddog44]

More like this, the two sides must listen to each other more. No more divide and conquer.

[@c.j.griffin]

I respect Aaron moreso after seeing this. Patient, careful, persistent, and intellectually generous... there were occasions where it seemed difficult for him to get a word in edgeways, but a recognition, I think, that Hitchens was the guest/content and to let him proceed. Skillful.

[@pablisimo666]

I would just like to say thank you both for an engaging discussion.

[@christopherhazelwood777]

I must admit that I overlooked this, but I am pleased that I took the time today to appreciate the highly intellectual discourse of Peter Hitchins. 👍

[@stmatthewsisland5134]

Great interview I thought you drew out some very interesting facts and insights, other interviewers tend to get him a bit defensive but this showed what amazing experiences and fund of wisdom he has. I liked the mutual sharing of life experiences and ways of seeing things.

[@freshwaterspaceman7194]

Big admirer of Hitchens, great interview thanks Aaron! (and Novara)

[@peha9942]

Love the way he describe Tony Blairs mental capacity by the Brazilian language story.

[@davelewis7098]

I absolutely love Mr hitchen he once again shows that you cannot argue with the truth !! the opposition is left speechless bravo and God bless him

[@deathofcommonsense]

The best interview with Hitchens I've ever seen simply because it was in depth enough to get a clearer picture of his personal history thus why he thinks the way he does and have the opinions he does and uses the rationale he does for his views. I now have a greater respect for him than ever.

[@simonbooth1622]

Peter is brilliant in this interview

[@TheNamesBettyNyahhh]

The world is much enriched thanks to both the Hitchens brothers.

[@reforest4fertility]

Oh, so he's Christopher's brother & not his son? Makes sense, given this guy's lack of tender age.

[@queenvagabond8787]

For an often slightly pompous and overly-self-assured individual, its annoyingly difficult not to like Hitchens on some level... Though he does rely on interrupting to disrupt a debating opponents train of thought at times, which isn't great.

[@ceplondres]

And you have to give him credit for accusing his interviewer of not engaging with his arguments on abortion when the opposite was true with his “objective truth” bullshit.

[@maxphillips7510]

Except he feeds the Daily Mail hate machine.

[@queenvagabond8787]

@@ceplondres I have to say, I think people often get caught in a trap when arguing for abortion rights. Never argue about a 'baby' or 'foetus' - it doesn't matter. the fact is a person has autonomy over their body regardless and a would-be/could-be birth-parent has every right to be a tyrant in determining life of death of that which grows inside them. There's no reason to apologise or to make any arguments about the 'right' of life. If something is inside you, growing from your body, you are god as far as that is concerned. The choice, and the personal consequences, of choosing to end that life or bring it into the world as an autonomous being, are that person's entirely, something no-one should interfere with. Of course a Doctor can refuse to help on their own grounds, but is not the place of a state or religion to make that decision. There are consequences regardless. Having an abortion can leave deep emotional scars, it hurts, it isn't always an easy choice, but those are *natural* consequences and its arrogant of anybody else to think they can take that choice away from the gestator. To an unborn child, Mother *is* God and that is right and as it should be. Only men, uncomfortable with that ultimate power of woman, or women, incapable of avoiding projecting their own feelings on the matter onto others, would say otherwise.

[@wtice4632]

You arent describing hitchens. You are describing leftists.

[@sanniepstein4835]

@@queenvagabond8787 Thank you for your honesty. Few pro-abortionists will openly say "All societies condone killing people under certain circumstances, and we condone the killing of unborn people (and sometimes, those recently born)". That at least allows the real debates to begin.

[@laogong52]

Very appreciated and refreshing interview. Letting Mr Hitchens talk out and nuance his points of view is almost unique in today's media environment. Though not agreeing with him on all issues it is important to understand that a diverse and varied life and work experience is to be respected and has validity.

[@starmersbarber]

I've come to this very late...but it has been well worthwhile discovering this. Excellently and thoughtfully conducted by Aaron and I found Peter Hitchens a powerful presence. Thanks for this- it will lead to further journeys to other conversations.

[@burtcocain1986]

Always great value, Peter Hitchens.

[@Walt1972]

Well done on interview conduct. Tempting to get stuck in ideology and argument as most of these interviews do, but hearing someone out to the full lets you get some common ground. Not to mention Peter makes some persuasive arguments.

[@patrickselden5747]

Fascinating conversation, gents - thanks! ☝️😎

[@seriouslyshortofnormal925]

It was a pleasure watching Hitchens calmly dismantle Aaron's worldview.

[@MassDefibrillator]

You don't understand what an interview is?

[@jamesnorman6089]

I rarely comment on videos but this interview was simply excellent and well done absolutely loved it you have earned a new sub

[@Ismailhrashid]

An extraordinary interview with a fascinating man. Well well done!

[@wardropper]

Fascinating discussion. I just happened on it because I suspected this Hitchens might be the brother of Christopher, and he certainly reminds me of him in many ways - particularly with his quickness of response, as if he knew exactly what his interviewer was going to say next. This discussion covered a lot of interesting ground. Thank you!

[@polymathable]

This is a good one. Do more on Peter Hitchens!

[@janebaker966]

Young man. I was born in 1955,but I'm still here. You've just made me feel VERY OLD. Sympathy to you for having lost your Mum. Now Mr Hitchens said he was born in the 1950s but was brought up in the 1930s. I can identify with that even if Mr Hitchens didn't mean it how I interpreted it. My parents got married in their early 30s,so their ideals and worldview and even entertainers in their mind worlds was of their formative years in the 1920s/30s of which a big feature was the Great Depression. But the area where we got our family home was full of young families but these were all young mum's in their early 20s,it was a huge and unbridgeable cultural chasm. I'm actually really glad because I feel that I have the mental structure to cope with an era of frugality (enforced) and doing without. It was not a good mindset however for the consumerist,materialist, consumption driven 1960s to 2010.

[@mrhappyendland]

Very good, nice to hear reasoned and balanced conversation which is quite rare nowadays.

[@sticksman1979]

Peter Hitchens 'on tea.' The question I didn't know I needed. Thank you!

[@Magna_pinna]

Great interview. His one with Owen Jones is great too. Novara media need to have more debates with people who have differences of opinion instead of the echo chamber. It could really elevate the channel.

[@JordanJLyon]

Agreed

[@josephinebrevig8748]

Agree

[@kittytrail]

could be way more interesting than the usual echo chamber effect. 😏

[@patcampton7163]

Novara is a welcome echo chamber for me as most of the media is a right wing echo chamber. I remember when the BBC used to do these sort of debates so it's great to see this. However I come to novara as a break from the MSM in which the left is barely heard. Sometimes it's great to know there are people with similar views to my own.

[@Yeeeooo]

@@patcampton7163 I'd be interested to know where you believe the BBC is right wing, considering OFCOM's recent report.

[@bfoster417]

I love listening to Peter, I'm going to buy his books.

[@johnmatrix1232]

Followed Peter Hitchens for years, agree with him about a lot, Aaron Bastani is someone I’ve always liked as well, I agree with a lot he says as well.

[@colinneilson2630]

massively underrated is Peter Hitchens

[@desertwhisperings]

Excellent interview. Peter really got Aaron to question his assumptions a couple of times, and it was great to explore his perspective and world view in a long-form format. Peter is definitely a contrarian character but he thinks deeply about many issues and is not afraid to challenge conventional wisdom no matter the pushback.

[@Yeeeooo]

Perhaps, but unfortunately people like Aaron will sleep and awake the next day having taken absolutely none of this onboard to becoming a better person.

[@johnwade1095]

I don't think Aaron represents conventional wisdom.

[@Madonnalitta1]

There is no conventional wisdom in Aaron. Only crazies think this way, the rest of us have a family to look after. Hopefully he'll have learnt alot but I'm doubtful. Peter knows first hand what Marxism brings. It brings death.

[@somebloke13]

@@Yeeeooo The brainwashing is deep in that one...

[@DP-cd5wr]

@@Yeeeooo maybe not the day after but as he goes through his own life and experiences he will inevitably look back on parts of that conversation with different perspectives and understanding that only comes with experience. Its how life goes for most.

[@DAJDC]

Amazing interview! Aaron is a great interviewer and Peter Hitchens is such an interesting breath of honest conservative air.

[@DarrenBurgess1989]

But he told at least 15 lies.

[@Lotvk]

@@DarrenBurgess1989 name 10

[@DarrenBurgess1989]

@@Lotvk hyperbole little fella.

[@Lotvk]

@@DarrenBurgess1989 name 3

[@DarrenBurgess1989]

@@Lotvk the reason why there’s no many Lenin statues is a good start. The feeling of Soviet’s after the collapse and the aftermath. He surrounds himself not with working class but like minded bourgeoisie who had ambitions for private property but claims these are people on the ground. I’d love to hear what you think was true separating from his opinions.

[@crumplepunch312]

Can't stop laughing at the Blair Brazil anecdote.

[@TheYopogo]

The anecdote about Blair at 1:37:37 is absolutely priceless; really makes you re-evaluate the conventional wisdom around New Labour.

[@johnkeane1419]

That Blair was a clown is pretty much common knowledge?

[@wiggoER]

then i guess you should say the anecdote about stalinism is having a stroke while having personal doctors on stand by but too scared to help you

[@TheYopogo]

@@wiggoER I'm not being funny, but I genuinely cannot understand what you are trying to say. Can you try rephrasing it more clearly?

[@rakasin]

Did I like this interview? No. I fucking loved it! Knowledgeable people chatting and maintaining respect and civility. Splendid stuff! Hitchens is clearly a thoughtful individual and his interlocutor, whose name I forget, well informed on his interviewee and well prepared for the convo. Congrats all around 🤘

[@holnrew]

Can't say I'm a fan of Peter, but I have massive respect for him coming on this channel.

[@everything_is_fine90]

Great interview. I do appreciate Hitchens and his views. His push back on capital punishment was solid and some of his arguments for I've never seen displayed before.

[@Aarenby]

Nah- it was a flush with logically falacy

[@everything_is_fine90]

@@Aarenby really what logical fallacy did he do? I'm no debate lord, so intrigued what he showed.

[@everything_is_fine90]

And moreover I'm always interested in arguements and I've never seen some counter 'killing of innocent victims' like he did. I may not agree but I can appreciate it. Plus I know Aaron wasn't there to debate per se but he did appear to have him stumped. I probably would have aswell

[@Aarenby]

@everything is fine non sequitur was probably the most prolific along with false equivalence- comparing war to capital punishment for example. Some "is ought" fallacy too

[@AlienPsyTing1]

@@Aarenby why do you think the War/Capital Punishment point is false equivalence?

[@thetonyblair1]

Best interview I’ve seen in quite sometime time. I feel like I like him much more now as he’s not really what I thought he was.

[@skwrrskwr]

Love Peter Hitchens. Big fan of Novara.

[@jeepis]

This is an iconic interview that will stand as a great marker for our times. Thank you Novara for operating with an open minded, respectful approach to great thinkers/scribblers.

[@mdaniels6311]

Lol, do you watch many interviews? It was okay. I thought Aaron let him off the hook too much, and Peter ketp talking over Aaron. I found it a bit annoying.

[@zilefn9212]

@@mdaniels6311 Peter always talks until he finishes his point, and if that means talking over his interviewer, he does so. I find it annoying too, but that's how he rolls and everyone knows it.

[@jeepis]

@@mdaniels6311 I do and I enjoyed it, while arguments weren't always pushed to critical depths it was provoking and rare for this time. That is Hitchen's style, it's terrible but is best taken with humour if you can.

[@mdaniels6311]

@@jeepis fair enough.

[@jeepis]

@@mdaniels6311 do u have any great interviews you'd like to point me to?

[@dancollins3999]

This was a completely fascinating discussion. Enlightening, challenging and vital. The more of this you can do, the better.

[@robertwinslade3104]

Downstream has to be one of my favourite Novara segments!

[@jeanfrancoisnelson]

Class guest and a good faith debate. Aaron delivering as always.

[@papajahko7121]

Really……..Aaron was on the back foot for most of this……unfortunately Hitchens controlled this ……thought the BBC gave these ‘journalists’ an easy ride smh

[@laurieharper1526]

@@papajahko7121 You are doing exactly what Aaron is trying to avoid, which is seeing it as a game of one-upmanship. The aim was not to defeat Hitchens (a tall order - like him or not, he is well read and informed, highly intelligent and articulate), but to understand where he is coming from, even if you don't agree with him.

[@papajahko7121]

@@laurieharper1526 Nope !…..NM is supposed to be a critical thinking left leaning alternative to MSM….. especially BBC News & those so called journalists on brain numbing day time shows….. you know who I mean ! I agree that point scoring etc does nothing positive & proper debate n discussion,taking into account & trying to understand your guests position & thought process will always be best !………Where Hitchens spoke freely without a care of upset to any individual or group….even contradicting himself at times…. he still controlled the discussion……. Aaron though looked startled & lost for words… on the back foot so to speak….sort of scared to say the wrong thing that might not sit well with his ‘left’ doctrine & that of his peers …..Aaron needed time to think while Hitchens reacted…….. that’s all I’m saying & Ive been in that position myself many a time….lost debates discussion arguments etc trying to be fair & listening to others points of view. IMO interviewing people like Hitchens is fine although I think he’s got enough platforms to talk shite on , so I’d rather be interviewing people who are trying to make change at grass roots level…. people with differing Political stances need a platform more than this old hack n his like ! As for Aaron…… he’s the interviewer… he should be in control……that doesn’t mean point scoring etc… just means keeping some decorum in the proceedings No hate here…. Just my opinion ✊

[@laurieharper1526]

@@papajahko7121 Why does the interviewer have to be "in control"? If you allow someone free reign, rather than attempting to control them, they often give away more (and even show themselves in a poor light) than they would if kept on a short leash. Yes, Hitchens did say some iffy things (I found his casual dismissal of the fact that capital punishment means some innocent people will loose their lives pretty appalling). Better to see people for who they are, rather than a carefully sanitised version of them.

[@papajahko7121]

@@laurieharper1526 The ‘interviewer’ role is like the chairperson at a meeting…..letting the interviewee speak freely within the allotted timescale is all good with questions put by interviewer !………you’re speaking as if this is some informal chat ….it’s not !…… it’s an interview ffs……… but this interview was made by Novara Media on KZbin for public viewing to presumably show another side to their ‘progressive’ journalism & boost their viewing figures……by your thinking it might’ve been better to just give Hitchens an open platform where NM supply questions & he answers them in his own way if he can be arsed !…..because that’s more or less what happened here for the exception of Aaron staring into the headlights while we watched the Peter Hitchens show ! If you then like this style of interview I suggest you watch BBC news or any of the Political debate nights as they seem to follow this format…..hard hitting questions & no respect to guests seem confined for the likes of Mick Lynch or anybody speaking for Scottish Independence !….. Sorry if my reply seems a bit nippy Laurie…..not my intention to offend you Take care

[@agr7879]

Fascinating. Could listen to this intellectual heavyweight all day long.

[@Benjieboy247]

More content like this please!! Really great interview, good work

[@CarlinConnolly]

listening to Peter Hitchens makes me pine for Christopher's death - having a similarly individual intellect from the "left" is something the world still needs. But kudos to Novara Media and Hitchens... this is exactly the sort of debate / dialogue that no longer exists in the printed press (with the odd exception) and the television channels and we are all poorer for it...

[@seanmoran2743]

Sounds a bit Religious to me Lol

[@Sean-xy4hk]

Christopher Hitchens wasn’t left wing, he supported the Iraq War

[@neoliberalism_sucks]

You need to look at Chomsky. He's 94 now so not in his prime but still the greatest thinker of our time for the left.

[@hazelwray4184]

'pine for' Christopher's death? Or, 'pine over' Christopher's death? 'Lament'

[@CarlinConnolly]

@@bluelanterns2982 i doubt he would see himself as that - or in fact any off-the-peg label applied to others in order to make simple what is often complex.

[@macklee6837]

Hitchen's is like a wise wizard. No matter your political leaning, he's very eloquent and experienced

[@blackmore4]

Focus on the "wise" part of your review and ponder hard on which of the two debaters you attributed it to.

[@Imladris-lm3bo]

I don’t think it’s a debate

[@j.a.motteux2785]

Brilliant interview. Gets him out of his shell and also drives the conversation onto interesting ideas. Get him back!

[@Drayran]

Peter really is an extraordinary and intruiging individual. Very refreshing viewpoints all thoughout and an excentric in the most flattering way