Peter Hitchens | Progressives Ignore Evidence |

[@the_forbinproject2777]

"who cares about who is right if they have the power to impose what they want " thus modern western society is summed up

[@jessepalmer3735]

Imposing equal rights? How terrible

[@the_forbinproject2777]

@@jessepalmer3735 imposing equal outcomes on a diverse population is terrible

[@ravarga4631]

Equal outcomes ? If you have the same qualifications, experience/time on job and union/leg8slativve support it might happen ie an rn with 2 years on job , working same hospital, same shifts will have same outcomes as far as income and benefits. If you are a realtor with swme trainijg, same yearson j9b, getting same commissi9n, same market, outc9mes w8ll vary. Does not seem complicated to m3.

[@the_forbinproject2777]

@@ravarga4631 we I agree but the equal outcomes arguement is that the realtors should both get equal pay , normally used when comparing men and women . same job same pay structure has been law in the UK for decades now but women often have less pay as they have more time off ( children) and/or work part time . thus pay is different and this is regarded as unfair and sexist to women , ergo equal pay per job title is a goal ( regardless of work put in ) . why this is fair to those who put more effort in is not explained by the equal outcomes proponents

[@slickstrings]

@@ravarga4631 nothing is equal. 2 people in the same role with the same time on the job will not perform the same. One will out perform the other, be it with innovation, production, willingness to do overtime etc and hence be more valuable to a company and can demand more money. Equality is a myth and trying to impose or regulate it is the perfect way to destroy economy's and society's as a whole.

[@forthfarean]

John is the sort of Australian we all knew and respected in the past.

[@georginawhitby1320]

Another unscrupulous way of denigrating those who don't swallow the latest instant- orthodoxy is to call the dissenter a " conspiracy theorist ".

[@brianmontgomery1619]

Heretic.

[@jillzy1182]

I’m almost 50 years old. My older brother has never, not once ever called me a conspiracy theorist. However, in just the last 12-14 months he’s either directly called me one, or mentioned tin hat wearing or other condescending remarks at minimum a dozen times now. It’s very upsetting to me because rather than have a discussion, or ask where I have gathered my information, he will call me a name then tell me he doesn’t want to debate me. I don’t want to debate either. I just wanted to talk and share information. It’s very hurtful, and truly bothers me this is happening to peoples minds. It feels like a cult. It really does

[@DieFlabbergast]

This is perfectly true, and thoroughly unethical. But it works precisely because there IS a host of real conspiracy theories out there. Before the advent of the internet, the average bloke (believers in conspiracy theories are mostly men) would only come across conspiracy theories if they were personally cornered by an articulate tinfoil-hat "preacher" in the corner of the pub, or maybe at work. And thus the number of such theories to which he would be introduced was small. Now, gullible people can easily end up subscribing to a vast array of borderline insane beliefs. You can make up your own mind whether there are more left-wing conspiracy theories (e.g. The Patriarchy, White Guilt, etc.) or right-wing conspiracy theories (The Great Replacement, the various QAnon beliefs, etc.). Personally, I see a case of "six of one, half-a-dozen of the other."

[@paryanindoeur]

If you're not a conspiracy theorist in 2021, you're a fool. If you don't believe 2 or more people discuss plans on any and every important issue, intending to keep those plans secret, you're a fool.

[@robertspeakman2075]

@@jillzy1182 Trying to have a reasonable conversation using facts logic and evidence these days with some people is like shoving sh?t against the tide you have my sympathies

[@DavidH-D]

Logic and evidence are the enemies of emotional agenda.

[@GMN360]

In the last 10 years leading up to my retirement after many years of a happy and good career, I was very troubled with change in attitudes of people and their actions. Things started changing in the corporate world mid 90’sThings were changing rapidly which I didn’t like what was being offered, but I never believed we were been taken down this path of destruction. Logic and evidence had been overtaken. A sad ending of many good years of productivity and good working relationships. (And fun and laughter was allowed in the work place in the old days!)

[@oatnoid]

@Futures What evidence shows that? Could you provide an example? I have good emotions of happiness and gratification when reason brings about a good result.. The emotions didn't bring about the reasons for them.

[@DavidH-D]

@Futures I feel that it is true, therefore it is true?🤣

[@DavidH-D]

@@oatnoid “The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they are ignorant; it’s just that they know so much that isn’t so” -Ronald Reagan

[@yourpersonaldatadealer2239]

@@oatnoid some big guy on a bike was looking for you earlier.

[@metalrules1135]

I'm totally with this guy in that I've reached a point where trying to have these conversations is recognized as a useless endeavor. You can't be heard.

[@danrobinson8380]

@Notya Define your idea of 'wrong'. Not being combative, I'm genuinely interested.

[@metalrules1135]

@Notya OK buddy. Thanks for your input. Later.

[@scalesofleviathan9697]

@Notya Political debate is a waste of time because most people are incapable of independent thought. They acquire their beliefs from ideas, which are spread through institutions. This has always been true. If you were born in 15th century Spain, you were a Catholic. Not because it's a reasonable position you came to believe through logic and debate, but because the institutions of the time were all Catholic and spread Catholic ideas. You are conditioned to believe that anything that contradicts its dogma is absurd. If you were born in 20th-century Britain, you likely believe in a secularized liberal democracy. Again, not because it's a reasonable position, but because the institutions tell you that this is the new enlightened worldview that all right-thinking people adapt. And the reason that every prestigious institution holds this view is because it is the view of the existing power structure. These institutions maintain their status and prestige by evangelizing the new progressive religion of the global oligarchy. Thus, from a Darwinian perspective, truth is not selected for. Ideas that reinforce the existing power structure are selected for.

[@empoweryou1]

@Notya Any of us "might be wrong" but a genuine exchange is what is wanted by anyone who's intellectually honest. It starts with some civility and actually considering that the person you're conversing with might be right.

[@empoweryou1]

@@scalesofleviathan9697 You make interesting, well thought out points. I think you're right, but throughout history we also have examples of people courageous and bright enough to challenge "conditioned ideas" Otherwise we would still have those beliefs from the15th century to use your example. Ultimately, I agree with both Hitchens and Anderson.

[@59jalex]

Being taught what to think, not how to think. Such a damning observation of today's education system. People today seem bent on protesting, even though many don't seem to fully understand what they are protesting about.

[@philipprice171]

I think you are being too kind. They do not "not fully understand". They know practically nothing of the subject they howl about. Reading "Noddy visits the doctor" is not good grounding in medicine. Lack of knowledge is often directly proportional to excess of zeal.

[@ronbridegroom8428]

Progressive belief is a religious belief based totally upon feelings not upon thought, research and analysis. Despite separation of Church and State we now effectively have a State Religion which is Progressivism

[@drewwilson6639]

and there is no room for dissent in this new authoritarian religion

[@riverdonoghue9992]

Replace the word progressism with thought control and fascism.

[@larrydugan1441]

There should be a constitution that bans the state from pushing religion on the citizens. Islam demands that and it doesn't go well.

[@delicatelace8830]

Spot on. The US Government in now the Church of America.

[@CrunchyNorbert]

the United States was a progressive Jacobin experiment thats run its course

[@Mark_Dyer1]

Wow, PETER, you're on fire! The equivalence you identify between the SUBMISSION which is demanded by 'climate-emergency' devotees, and that required by Islam, is especially good: particularly when coupled with the duaistic philosophies of each of these 'religious beliefs'.

[@sabejreid2072]

AGREE 100%

[@tombryant52jumpscoach]

When I started questioning anything, I started to realize how little I really knew. The more I learned about anything the further away did the horizon of knowledge become.

[@blue24563]

I’m the same about climate change. I’ve read the IPCC reports over the years plus around 25 other books on the subject. I’ve spent a huge amount of time reading about it to try to understand it. The result is I still haven’t got a clue. All I could honestly say on the subject is I know next to nothing about it. But the whole world seems to fawn over a child brat like Greta Thunberg as if she’s some kind of expert in the field. It’s dogma in practice. It’s particularly problematic that we have a society and technology which encourages people to feel they have the right to express strong opinions on subjects about which they know nothing.

[@michaelsorensen8670]

John Anderson has done some great interviews. Keep up the good work. And Peter please realise two things. Firstly you are making a difference because lots of people agree with you and are being encouraged to speak out. Secondly quit the pessimism and have optimism. There is hope in the individual. Once people detach themselves from the sheeple. God bless.

[@CrystalJ7]

I'm sure that Peter knows that not everyone wants to club him to death! In fact, I believe there is a sizeable number who love to hear him speak because he gives them a voice (in the increasing wilderness). 👍

[@iceman4660]

To quote a friend - "never let the facts get in the way of a good story"

[@betterdaysahead3746]

Thank you, both. Please keep up the good work. God bless.

[@lewisner]

He is spot on about climate change. Since this was recorded we are being assailed with daily propaganda about climate change, race and sexuality.

[@avishevin1976]

I am happy that climate change will bring about the end of humanity. As long as it's after my natural death, of course.

[@patriciaritter4090]

Thank you for the interviews and great minds you present to us, Mr. Anderson. It is much appreciated. Having said that, I must also say that it sometimes scares the wits out of me for what those most learned minds inform us.

[@drbyrom3]

and what about conservatives that ignore the dictatorship your home country has become?

[@user-ns3dq9sh9c]

No here's a good open and inclusive statement, fully supported by evidence & logic. A great example of exactly what is discussed in this video.

[@drbyrom3]

@@user-ns3dq9sh9c what|? i think you missed my point

[@Hindutvaiscringe]

What dictatorship

[@jasonx-ray3921]

@@drbyrom3 No he didn't Your post asked the question and answered it at the same time, so you are not framing anything as a debate. You framed the statement in a way in which you know you are right. No one debates a fool who knows he is right.

[@MrMjp58]

Two great men here. PH is the only public speaker who always delivers.

[@celtdickinson8666]

I believe you have over looked Douglas Murray ! He too delivers with spot on honest eloquent brutality

[@lewisner]

@@celtdickinson8666 And Jordan Peterson.

[@gbentley8176]

Love Peter. He is one of an increasing number voicing opinions many share. He thinks before he speaks and always portrays the topic of discussion with an eye on the past present and future, in my opinion. Importantly he is prepared to agree, disagree or crucially change his mind. Conversations are feeble when used on public platforms and generally allow those taking part to win regardless of their views. Debate, argument and discussion are far more potent. When logic, wit and scepticism enter the mix, you are listening to an orator.

[@MrMjp58]

@@gbentley8176 Exquisitely put.

[@celtdickinson8666]

@@lewisner Correct ! I am a big fan of him as well

[@ianwilliams7802]

'Their feelings don't care about your facts.'

[@onlygazza]

What a breath of fresh air to hear two people discussing subjects instead of trying to destroy the other person. I disagree with lots of my friends regarding politics but it would never cross my mind to hate them for having a different opinion, sadly to many people these days hate at the drop of a hat ⚠️

[@judygilbreath9478]

The situation as I see it : Pilate said “What is truth?” AND The TRUTH was standing right in front of him!

[@nuqwestr]

"The Gospel According to Pontius Pilate" - James R. Mills [MARK 7:6]

[@linmal2242]

What is truth? Reason. And reason was not standing in front of him, it was a man who claimed, CLAIMED to be the offspring of a Deity, however absurd that assertion is. I am with Pilate, he could not argue against an individual so imbued with his own self-importance that he called himself a god (or offspring thereof) !

[@nuqwestr]

@@linmal2242 I'm a centrists, a moderate, if you go too far one way you find secular absolutists, and too far the other, religious absolutist, but they are the same, in both spirit and character. That's part of Hitchens message in this video. MARK 7:6 has a message from Isaiah about hypocrites.

[@lesfox2010]

@@linmal2242 I'm not so sure about that. When he claimed he was the son of God, he also bestowed that title on all men. Basically too, we are all children of God. At his trial they asked him if he was the Messiah or God's (personal) son, he replied "They say I am", not I am. He acted as a simple man who trusted in God and was spreading the Christian message and was offended by the senior Jewish hierarchy that were acting in their own self interests and not of God. That is why they tried to dispose of him, as he was a threat to their power and authourity. His followers referred to him as "Rabbi", or teacher. I'm not particularly religious, but I have read quite a bit of the Bible and that was my take on it.

[@CrystalJ7]

@@linmal2242 wow...

[@JohnWilliams-iw6oq]

Today's world screams "Don't confuse me with facts, I know what I feel!".

[@ernestcote3398]

That concept of I must stay dumb should have ended with Flower Power in the 60s, yet every generation after wanted to top their demands on life. It just aches me that everybody just wants it now and refuses to work the effort needed. America has lost the Land of Opportunity characteristic. How disappointed those illegal/undocumented are going to be when the money runs out. Hate to tell you that trying to tax the richer won't achieve the amount needed for all the costs this government generates.

[@johnwilliams6880]

Dad, is that you?

[@JohnWilliams-iw6oq]

@@johnwilliams6880 sorry mate but no.

[@sabejreid2072]

Leftists who are immature, biased, threatened, entitled, shallow, corrupt and foolish.

[@tonedowne]

It is the natural progression of capitalism. The customer is always right, and in this late stage capitalist reality where everything is commodified, opinions are worth money. So all opinions are right and all emotions are a valid expression of personal truth. Because it all creates marketing opportunities.

[@nicholasalexander3234]

The older I get the more I find myself in complete agreement with Peter Hitchens. There are so many taboo topics now on which one cannot express an opinion. It appears that the cultural elites of our society have been subsumed into a pseudo-religious sect albeit one without any deity. But surely the answer is always the same "The world is one great battlefield, With forces all arrayed; If in my heart I do not yield, I'll overcome someday" We must keep up the fight for the truth.

[@karenlynch5684]

Love the quote, where does it come from?

[@eamonnmurphy5385]

May I suggest that these 'woke' people are lost in life, many have walked away from their Christian faith or never had it! They need a substitute, a cause and a reason for life! They are to be pitied, not ridiculed. The best way to change them is to lead by example. Show them what being good really means by actions, not words! Eg: Nelson Mandela, Mother Theresa, Ghandi

[@evanpenny348]

It always did and it always will come down to some sort of show down, violent if need be. The bigots and self righteous will always proclaim some sort of superiority of vision and purpose. No argument, or other form of non violent persuasion, will shift them. Underlying all this, however, there are some very real questions to be addressed about the underclass within any and every society within the modern context. The reformers say that they want society to provide better for those at the bottom of the heap. Over and above this it must be recognized that this underclass has never had it better. the question is "what is good enough?"

[@GoTocco]

Those on the “right side of history” usually fought for liberty and individual rights, not censorship and obedience to authority.

[@jakewalker1586]

Peter Hitchens on great form talking about today's problems in a reasonable and sensible way.

[@EmilyRose1]

love these interviews, keep them coming! a 2021/2022 Peter interview would be great

[@tomasengstrom6362]

I live that John Anderson uses the correct word, sympathy, instead of the misused empathy! Good job! Keep it up....

[@garymitchell5899]

If you listen to the video he actually uses both and interchangeably. And empathy is a much better word and emotion.

[@tonedowne]

Sympathy tends to manifest as momentary pity for someone else's misfortune. Empathy is an understanding of someone else's circumstance. A society needs empathy to hold it together, because empathy is unity while sympathy is charity.

[@tomasengstrom6362]

@@tonedowne nope, you need to educate yourself of what empathy is, its not for everyone, doesn't mean that you are a bad person for not being able to feel that. One of the components included to be able to feel empathy is sympathy along with at least 2 other components... terminology is very important ;)

[@tonedowne]

@@tomasengstrom6362 It is impossible to feel empathy for someone when you have no comparable experience to draw on, so you can offer sympathy instead. You don't have to like someone to empathise with them, you just have to understand. I cant empathise with a Bolivian goat herder, I have nothing to work with at all.

[@tomasengstrom6362]

@@tonedowne agree!

[@beirbua3968]

Excellent- the Cofraud epidemic and the attitude of the Australian authorities is a lesson to us all

[@braxtonrussell998]

The problem in trying to understand progressivism is that “happiness” is not the point. It is all about getting payback for perceived injustices. Key word being perceived.

[@kjkontis]

To progs perception is reality. Perhaps illusory is a better word than perceived.

[@braxtonrussell998]

@@kjkontis Had to look that one up. haha.

[@thanksfernuthin]

A tough interview subject to be sure!

[@kurtfaber6159]

I think people who lived through soviet times would have a very good understanding of the West today. The ideology itself may be different but the primacy of ideology over reality (at all costs) and the complete intolerance of dissent is exactly the same.

[@tonedowne]

It is the mirror image. The same but backwards. We are living in the cult of the individual, they were living in enforced collectivism. Both are a lie which tell a story that doesn't reflect lived reality. You should watch "Hypernormalisation' by Adam Curtis. It is the whole thesis of the film.

[@avishevin1976]

In capitalism, man exploits man. In communism, it's the opposite.

[@Durram258]

@@tonedowne We dont live in a cult of the individual at all haha, we're very collective.

[@tonedowne]

@@Durram258 In reality yes. Human beings need collectivism to survive. But that is not the dominant cultural message. We are fed exceptionalism and told that our beliefs are valid no matter what they are because they our our own personal truth. We are encouraged to do what we want rather than what we need, because it is easier to sell us stuff that way. We are tied that the richest people in the world got that way because they just worked harder than everyone else, not because they were born in a rich country, wealthy family, with all their limbs, etc. Which gave them the luxury of economic security so they could find a way to charge millions of people rent for something.

[@Durram258]

@@tonedowne No we are not, meritocracy is dead and erm, the richest people in the world did get that way because they were either smarter, worked hard or were wiser than everybody else. Sure i'll give you the country aspect, but most wealthy people are self made and even if their parents produced it, if they are building on it, they are proving themselves to be like their parents. If they weren't capable themselves, they'd spend all their parents money in a week. And no, the rich have made everyones lives significantly easier, not the other way round.

[@ashn9172]

Great interview. I’ve watched these interviews with Peter Hitchens multiple times.

[@edwelndiobel1567]

He said it. People today are taught what to think not how to think.

[@julianmarsh1378]

People have not been taught how to think since we gave up on teaching Latin and a liberal arts based education system that stressed the classics...we are in a business mode now, where parents and students are shareholders and education is a product that is to be purchased and consumed...I remember once exploding when my son, then 16, repeated what his teacher told him: "You get good grades now so you can get into a good college so you can get a good job and make lots of money."

[@ukrandr]

Peter is echoing the words of a man his own brother greatly admired , Eric Blair. (George Orwell.)

[@Mackensen11]

Constant interruption is "irritating."

[@ModerateObserver]

Hitchens's big grift is to engage in sophistry and to parry argument...but then claim that his opponent is refusing to debate him. A total inversion of the reality.

[@cschulzke26]

"You are arguing from the premise that the other side will be distressed if rational debate disappears." More conservatives need to let that point sink in.

[@johnswanson4266]

a quote from Hannah Arendt:" The ideal subject of totalitarianism rule is not the convinced Nazi or the dedicated Communist, but people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction, true or false, no longer exist." This is where we are now.

[@foodieontour]

Deep words of wisdom that gave me goosebumps at times

[@sabejreid2072]

AGREE 100% but I do think it all stems from the corrupt Leadership in the USA, Clinton and Obama the Faker OBiden. We were lucky indeed to have knocked Clinton H off her course back to the WH. We’ll get Trump/Cruz in - and then Cruz/Trump or DeSantis. We will not give in to the Dirty Lyin’ Socialist Dem. Marxists 🇦🇺🇬🇧🇺🇸🇵🇱🌈🍀🇹🇼 🇨🇦 🇮🇪

[@johnoneill270]

This is profoundly depressing ...because it is profoundly so

[@niguel4438]

First time I’ve heard Hitchens sounding defeated. This is worrying. We need a greater push back of the emotional woke snowflakes not less.

[@sirwinston2659]

Hitchens has many times explicitly stated that he has accepted defeat since the 2010 General Election.

[@drgonzo4714]

He's been like this for years.

[@garymitchell5899]

He's been like this for years.

[@vicpower9394]

Exceptional and very true.

[@geoffreyreeks2422]

Thank you. Regards, Geoff. Reeks

[@whizbang2153]

An interesting disposition from Hitchens; he mentions that a friend of his had died the day before, I believe that accounted for his overly morose attitude. Good on Mr.Anderson for pressing on with the interview.

[@drewwilson6639]

It seems to me that he's always like that

[@whizbang2153]

@@drewwilson6639 this is true

[@worldofameiso5491]

And I suppose that when somebody you know dies you are jumping around smiling and laughing? Cut the bloke some slack.

[@danrobinson8380]

Years of being defamed, slandered and abused for having ideas that many of the powerful elites in academia, the media and government now despise would take its toll on anyone. Hitchens has tried and tried for years and now he knows that there is no reconciliation intellectually or morally with these people. As he said, they are interested in power and submission, not reason or meeting their opponents half way. He's just telling the unpalatable truth.

[@whizbang2153]

@@danrobinson8380 I wonder why it took him so long to come around to this reality? It’s easy for me on the outside of the institutions to make this conclusion, I suppose. There’s something for him to learn from this, but his intellectual vanity may be hampering him from realizing what it is.

[@Homeoftheclan]

Like an old Monty Python sketch two men throw sweeping generalisations around like confetti while bemoaning those who refuse to accept evidence.

[@bluequirk5384]

Well said Mr Hitchins well said.

[@mikegalvin9801]

"The number of people who if you show they are factually wrong simply don't think they need to rebut..." So true. Over 50 years ago in my high school debate practices we would argue one side for 30 minutes. Then we would break and switch sides and you had to make a case for the other side. That would be hugely advantageous to restore.

[@bentleycharles779]

Well contained, Hitchens.

[@spaceknight793]

I wish people would start acknowledging the insanity on their OWN side of the political fence. It's easy, pointless actually, to continue pointing fingers across the aisle but nothing will ever improve until each side starts calling out their own evidence-ignoring tribe members.

[@markcredit6086]

Maybe you should come back and comment after you read a book you make no sense at all

[@WhizzRichardThompson]

@@markcredit6086 Comprehension is obviously not your strong suit.

[@jeffsmith7369]

Democratic institutions have been undermined, but they've been undermined by conservatives who seem to prefer authoritarianism.

[@doughooper9918]

Hitchens is a prime example of what he is discussing. He ignores the mountain of evidence about climate change and dismisses it as faith. Might as well be talking to a wall or as he says might as well not even bother mentioning it to him.

[@sanniepstein4835]

Whether or not it's true, or a bad thing if it is true (warmth = life), climate change is serving as a pretext for totalitarian government and the crushing of dissent.

[@ulysseskruger]

The point of progressivism was never to improve lives, it was to exacerbate the struggles between opposites

[@ragnardanneskjold7259]

I don't know how empathy can exist without reason.

[@brianmontgomery1619]

It's not about empathy. It's about control. It's a form of narcissism. "I know better than you so do what you are told and your life will be so much better."

[@tombryant52jumpscoach]

I agree. With reason, one can understand. Then, empathy can be deep and meaningful.

[@michaelfern4079]

Interesting. I thought the issue was that you can have empathy for anyone or anything without Reason. Knowing what to direct your empathy at is the problem.

[@ragnardanneskjold7259]

@@michaelfern4079 I don't see how.

[@michaelfern4079]

Ragnar Danneskjöld Read ‘Against Empathy’ by Paul Bloom. 👍

[@languageoffootball]

Where is the full interview accessible?

[@udou365]

John is a great interviewer. I like how he lets him speaks

[@PrincipledUncertainty]

It seems odd now to see Peter without his mighty beard. Unlikely as it is to happen, Boris should propose him for a knighthood. At this point, I wonder if Peter would accept.

[@martynfenton3814]

Simple its a cult. You dont need evidence you just need faith , oh and dont ever forget you need feelings too :)

[@remotefaith]

I presume you are talking about Peter Hitchens christian faith here?

[@morgo5000]

He precisely articulates what I cannot get into words. I tried so hard for years on twitter to argue in good faith with people but I was just ignored or slandered. At least I'm on tbe same page as Hitch

[@captainchokdee1039]

Keep up the good fight against lunacy

[@lkyuvsad]

It seems a stretch to claim that progressivism has failed based on the current state of Australia. Two prime ministers ago you had Tony Abbott, who is profoundly Catholic. Scott Morrison is a Pentecostalist. The coal lobby has an outsized influence, as do Rupert Murdoch's media properties. In what sense is Australia remotely a progressive country?

[@Poagoo]

More Americans need to here this man speak

[@zeldaharris6876]

Yes - more people everywhere need to hear this man speak.

[@jamesburke2094]

"The serious education of the young has pretty much ceased." The reason I'm happy he's uttered those words is, having mentioned this a multitude of times, at least I don't have to put up with people trying to kid me in to believing the purported virtues of the activities of contemporary schools and universities. Like almost all public sector activities, they take place for the benefit of civil servants, of functionaries.

[@stevenbass732]

First thing first, I immediately discounted his rant when he said "our democracy". How many times do they have to be told that the United States is a representative Republic?

[@stevenbass732]

@J Oh, my bad.

[@garymitchell5899]

Representative democracy is the most common form, so it is fair to use the shorthand of 'democracy'. This is obvious.

[@matthewgabbard6415]

I like to think of myself as a political moderate, but Australia and Canada are two countries in which I would not care to live. Too many ridiculously high taxes on things that really should not be. It’s become prohibitively expensive to have a drink at a time where people are drinking much less but want quality at much lower amounts. You can’t do this in Australia because the government makes it impossible to afford a nice dram or cigar unless you are a millionaire. How do these people keep getting into office?

[@oatnoid]

I don't consider myself a "Liberal" but I do desire social justice. I don't hate or envy the wealthy, I just want to be wealthy too. I believe humans should have equal rights to achieve their goals in life unless doing so hurt other people in the process. I believe we should do our best to protect the environment but I have serious doubts about giving the greediest, dictatorial, totalitarian sociopaths in the world more power and more money with a belief that they would ever do anything about it.

[@mvs9122]

Reason is being replaced with emotions

[@bernardthomas4863]

The statistics show the World is getting better in many ways. We all need to keep aiming to be better, work harder and help our fellow human beings.

[@WillSavage]

materially, certainly, the world is getting better. Other metrics also point to rapid progress like infant mortality, female education, happiness etc. However, there is clearly a deterioration in civil and tolerant political discourse and also the collapse of trust in our institutions is not good. Likewise, in media and politics, you get points for going to the extreme rather than reaching across the aisle. We are all getting richer, for sure, but societies are becoming less stable and more atomised.

[@tycurtin7565]

This is more relevant today than ever.

[@danielthomas5486]

Wish his brother was around now too.

[@geneanthony3421]

I don't know why it seems unique but I've seen so many people I respect warn about the risk of government overreach and push for limited government that I assumed it was common knowledge at this point. I'm amazed how much blind faith so many people have in government control. Same with how willing people are to destroy systems when they never looked into why they were created in the first place. It seems so naïve.

[@pkteller8990]

Why does Peter wait for the other person to speak so he can speak over them? Irritating.

[@wiseonwords]

It's his way, I guess. If it helps, try to imagine him sitting at the family breakfast table trying to hold his own as his brother Christopher and their father launched into one of their brilliant and eloquent discourses on the issues of the day. Must have been a tough household to grow up in!

[@marclayne9261]

I have 2 of Mr Hitchens books....Abolition of Britain & The Phony Victory.......Excellant work.....

[@sdrawkcabUK]

Will the full interview be upoaded?

[@johnstranack4689]

No idea how to think. That is the issue.

[@brianmontgomery1619]

Power for powers sake is the greatest of evils. If you are willing to set aside truth for power you are irredeemable. At least in the old days there was the fear of damnation and that is a good argument for religion. It did not stop corruption, of course, but it may have tapped the brakes.

[@DavidNivenMiller]

An excellent and important interview, except that Peter Hitchens' elocution is so poor that I had to replay pieces just to hear his words.

[@BigDixter2]

Oh it's not that bad... They only ignore the evidence that contradicts them.

[@seanoconnor1731]

Thank God for people like Peter. Agree or disagree with him he is central to keeping us alive and vital in our attitudes and thinking . He does seem to be somewhat deflated insofar as he sees rationality being lazily ignored and possibly being replaced by ego based analysis and attitudes which presumably will eventually erode democracy and decency ?

[@timisherwood4149]

"...if we were in a primitive society I would have been clubbed to death..." Belly-laughed. Don't count your chickens yet Peter - there's time for a mass clubbing of us all yet!

[@xedasxedas]

Only submission...

[@hidekitojo2277]

"We have a society of power not reason." Philosophizing with a hammer

[@alexair7936]

Power over reason.

[@rpullman]

Everyone ignores evidence. Just a matter of how much effort it takes.

[@davidhunt7427]

*_Thinking_*_ is difficult,.. that's why most people _*_judge._* ~ Carl Jung *_The State takes the place of God...and State slavery is a form of worship...The State, like the Church, demands enthusiasm, self-sacrifice, and love, and if religion requires or presupposes the 'fear of God,' then the State takes good care to provide the necessary terror._* ~ Carl Jung, _The Undiscovered Self_ *_The increasing dependence on the State is anything but a healthy symptom; it means that the whole nation is in a fair way to becoming a herd of sheep, constantly relying on a shepherd to drive them into good pastures. The shepherd's staff soon becomes a rod of iron, and the shepherds turn into wolves... Any man who still possesses the instinct of self preservation knows perfectly well that only a swindler would offer to relieve him of responsibility, for surely no one in his senses would dream of taking responsibility for the existence of another. The man who promises everything is sure to fulfil nothing, and everyone who promises too much is in danger of using evil means in order to carry out his promises, and is already on the road to perdition._* ~ Carl Jung, CW 10, Para 413, _Civilization in Transition_ *_The great events of world history are, at bottom, profoundly unimportant. In the last analysis the essential thing is the life of the individual. This alone makes history, here alone do the great transformations first take place, and the whole future, the whole history of the world, ultimately spring as a gigantic summation from these hidden sources in individuals. In our most private and most subjective lives we are not only the passive witnesses of our age, and it's sufferers, but also it's makers. We make our own epoch._* ~ Carl Jung, _The Meaning of Psychology for Modern Man_

[@sierrawhiskey5155]

great quotes thanks

[@davidpartington6722]

I don't always agree 100% with him but he's pretty much on the money

[@thecomingman1591]

As evidenced by some of the comments on here there will sadly always be people with intolerant, irrational, closed and ignorant minds who deny evidence and the truth.

[@TheJohnDoeLibraryRoom.]

MR James was indeed a genius.

[@jaduyare]

The silver lining is that we now know that politics is not the tool for evading tyranny. Almost every step of progress has been taken despite rulers and their devotees, not because of them. To aspire for change is futile. We don't need change, what we need is creation. Creation of our own decentralized communities. This creation is what you is in the off-grid movement, Intentional Communities and open source projects like Open Source Ecology.

[@PaulFrank_paz]

I came here as a progressive on the chance I might find some reason regarding the title's proposition. I leave having noted some facility with declarative sentences. Possibly someone can help me locate something to hold on to.

[@ezekielbrockmann114]

I love these two men.

[@aaronmarygreenwood2868]

Will someone please explain the logic behind the term "Progressives" if I find them continually REgressive in their hysteria.

[@DavidH-D]

It’s just a euphemism for left wing whack job. Seriously, I don’t know the origin of the term specifically, but I think the left of liberal folk called themselves progressives because it is more palatable than calling themselves Marxists. I guess they think it sounds like they are “ahead of the curve” or “making progress”. Well, I guess they are; dismantling everything good and just about society.

[@aaronmarygreenwood2868]

@@DavidH-D 🤣 Nut jobs 👌. Thanks.

[@hidekitojo2277]

"Woman are different from men." Heresy!!!!

[@MichaelJones-xz8mm]

Memorized this in 8th grade history, 1959. " I believe the community is already in a process of dissolution. Where each neighbor begins to eye his neighbor as a possible enemy. Where non- conformist to the accepted creed are a mark of disaffection". Judge Learned Hand, 1952

[@az-wr1lb]

not sure why this appeared on my stream but mr hitchens' wiki page suggests zero grounding in applied socio-economic theory which is problematic since Mr Anderson is asking questions of this nature

[@az-wr1lb]

//our democracy is being challenged// This is usually code for: nobody believes the official narrative, the drugs we pump into our water systems to subdue the population are no longer working and we're desperate for solutions to ensure our conservative agenda continues working

[@hugoc1861]

How can you split higher rate students from the lower ones, on Primary School? So by year 8, Uk select the best cognitive thinking students from the entire territory. Then they proceed to do massive exams with them, select the best ones and separate them from the rest. What sort of thinking goes there? Then why, do after the student that don't get do Grammar schools sit on an inferior level of knowledge? What kind of teaching goes over here in Uk, where Grammar schools get to higher rate Universities, and the rest of the crowd goes to second rate education, civil courses, late Benefits?

[@jetteraismabash4186]

I hope this might have been an area where he and his brother might agree on.

[@roughpatches]

It absolutely would be

[@mirial2108]

I haven't decided if progressives/liberals/atheists are just in denial of what's happening or just don't have the perception and self preservation to witness what they have created.

[@avishevin1976]

Interesting that you place atheists next to progressives and liberals. Says more about you than anything you tried to say about those groups.

[@paulmitchell5349]

In the French Alps the Mer de Glace glacier has melted down several hundred feet in thickness. That is not an observation from faith, but of measurable fact. Warming exists. The question is how will it affect us, not whether it exists.

[@garyfrancis6193]

People are not interested in thinking but how they feel. You hear all the time that something makes them feel uncomfortable. That’s all that matters. If truth or reality makes them feel uncomfortable they don’t want to hear it.

[@petewick8627]

Ignoring evidence allows them to continue virtue signalling/feeling good about themselves

[@25dimensionsfrancis42]

Peter talks real common sense . People can talk common sense some of the time but Peter talks common sense most of the time .I have listened to a radio talk show that claims to be the common sense talk show but have presenters on it that talk rubbish and advertize themselves as the fastest growing talk show on the planet which would be difficult to prove. So even those who claim to be the best must think humility an outdated concept, just as hypocrisy would appear to have lost its sting among politicians and groups of protesters.If one is protesting for change one should have a deep understanding of the word hypocrisy and common sense.

[@tonybarker1335]

À la recherche du temps perdu. Times that were never there.