The failure of Neoliberalism and how to solve it | George Monbiot interview

[@hyper_fn_al1459]

"Broadly speaking: we are a society of altruists, governed by psychopaths." - George Monbiot

[@Andy.Smurphy]

So very very true ...

[@swojnowski453]

or in other words, If you assume that everything is a scam, 95% of us, sincere people, is employed by master scammers to help them to scam others. Scammers need sincere people or they themselves will get scammed. Scammers for capitalism are what psychopaths are for politics. Word of politics and world of economics are parallel worlds and each of them has been taken over by its particular type of psychopath. They can only function if we are divided and fighting against each other under different flags, in corpos and political parties. How to defeat capitalism, it is simple. Impose on central banks the rule to keep inflation not at 2% but at -2% and see what happens. Why everyone either is or will get greedy, because we all know the prices will go up in the future, and we all are scarred that what we have now might not be enough till we die. George said a lot of interesting things, but what he has not stated is : every process is growth or decay. To stop the growth we have to make inflation negative. Another world is possible, and it is closer than we think, the only one who stand between us and it are the central banks. Degrowth is the only option to preserve the planet and save nature and us from extinction caused by climate change. We will not die first, but if most insects die, there will be nowhere for us to hide, and the are well on their way to their extinction ...

[@simontist]

That's the norm everywhere, always has been. The most stable configuration unfortunately.

[@thefinestsake1660]

Best line

[@thefinestsake1660]

​​@@simontist Hardly the most stable configuration. It hasn't always been this way and doesn't have to be. Chin up.

[@Petraisshred]

Oh my days can't believe im actually hearing someone discuss the horror of the social care industry that surrounds young people and children in care

[@zoranblackie5921]

Exploiting the most vulnerable in society for corporate gain - how is this allowed?

[@SassyTheSasquatch96]

@@zoranblackie5921 just wait till you hear about PIP assessments

[@Non-Doctors-Music]

I was simply thinking "What the fuck!" as I found my jaw had dropped to the floor. It needs sorting ... NOW!

[@zoranblackie5921]

Also worth seeing the articles about the use of Deprivation of Liberty orders (DoLs) for children and young people

[@swojnowski453]

trading in humans has a good tradition in the UK. This is just another iteration of it. Nothing has changed and will not change until the people unite and stop it. This governing by the psychopaths has to stop or it will become a new normal one day ...

[@MrGavinBoyd]

Too late. Most of Britain’s state assets have been sold. The problem with Thatcherism is that you eventually run out of assets to sell to overseas investors so that they can rip off British consumers.

[@seafoodpizza]

If Arab states own so many of our services, shouldn't we all move to the middle East to benefit from their growing economies?

[@evolassunglasses4673]

Unfortunately the Left have embraced open borders Globalisation and have no solutions

[@evolassunglasses4673]

​@@howmanybeansmakefive unfortunately the Left have embraced open borders Globalisation and have no solutions.

[@normanchristie4524]

Or as that arch Conservative MacMillan pointed out 'selling the family silver'....

[@normanchristie4524]

@@seafoodpizzaexcept....it is only the ruling families in these countries that own that wealth.

[@oldishandwoke-ish1181]

I realised this aged 18 in 1979 ...... and here we are in 2024, it is reaching its logical conclusion: total economic meltdown.

[@SusannaSaunders]

I realised it in 1972 aged 9. It's only been down hill since then! I'm 61 now and ill-health retired from a broken system that doesn't give a fart about the units that make the wealth.

[@SusannaSaunders]

@JamJam0189 really? Wasn't it rather obvious that this was all just one big Ponzi Scheme for the rich to become richer? Even a kid could see that was obvious!

[@suburbanyobbo9412]

@JamJam0189Joining the EU didn’t revive the economy. It wrecked trade, agricultural and food standards, led the UK to try to join the European Exchange Rate mechanism which tanked the value of the pound and ultimately deepened neoliberalism.

[@cweatherfella547]

Exactly That's what has happened The billionaire media are the propaganda machine brainwashing everybody to believe that this good for them

[@lemsip207]

I only started to wake up to all this from the Falklands crisis, and then I looked at the key points in the SDP manifesto and joined them. The SDP were stronger than the Liberal and Labour parties where I lived at the time, so that was another reason for joining them and voting for them. They were also pro EC membership as well then. Then Roy Jenkins stood down as leader, and David Owen took over, which was disappointing. Roy Jenkins was pro the Liberal Party and wanted to join it at one time while David Owen was anti the Liberal Party.

[@fabiodeoliveiraribeiro1602]

Yesterday an English friend sent me an adorable video in which a little girl shows immense indignation because they wanted to charge £9 for two ice creams. With £5.90 I buy a 2 liter jar of pineapple/wine ice cream in Brazil. The video was the beginning of a long conversation. I was shocked to learn that she pays £5 a day for electricity. Her family's monthly electricity bill (£150) is equivalent to 64.5% of the minimum wage in Brazil. Most Brazilians would not be able to pay this electricity bill. Here I pay the equivalent of £13 per month for electricity and another £77.39 per month for condominium fees (including water and piped gas with no usage limit). The prices of things in England are insane and that's what the neoliberal bastards want to bring to Brazil.

[@globalist1990]

Keep in mind that the minimum wage comes around at £1800 per month, IF, you manage to be employed at full time, which is an increasing rarity. You can get zero hours contracts, where you are employed with no guarantee of work and here everyone is payed by the hour. There's no minimum monthly salary guarantee. They even take holidays from you if you don't work full time. So if you work half time, you only get payed for half the normal holidays. This makes the uk an extreme case of neoliberalism in europe, but the rest of the countries are following suit.

[@oldishandwoke-ish1181]

Yep. The U.S. model (el modelo!) must prevail......

[@richardgregory3684]

Average income in Brazil is $750/month. In the Uk it is $3,500. Brazil has the second most expensive energy in the world; the average Brazillian household spends 25% of their entire income of energy bills. Eveything is expensive in Europe, Britain is no exception to that.

[@carlosjbittencourt5796]

@@richardgregory3684, that’s not true. According to research done by Statista, for fiscal year 2023, Brazil has the 17th most expensive electricity cost in the World , in USD per Kilowatt hour.

[@swojnowski453]

because nobody stands for consumers in this country. It is a wild west by corpos from abroad. Customers are fixed targets with their mortgages, they can be charged whatever, council tax 170, water 80, electricity 200 quid a month. The UK is an example of what happens when you sell your assets to those whose only concern is how to make more money.

[@efghggdxlmfn33]

“Inverted totalitarianism, unlike classical totalitarianism, does not revolve around a demagogue or charismatic leader. It finds expression in the anonymity of the Corporate State. It purports to cherish democracy, patriotism, and the Constitution while manipulating internal levers.” ― Chris Hedges , Empire of Illusion: The End of Literacy and the Triumph of Spectacle

[@kaoskronostyche9939]

Thank you very much for the quote. I read that when it came out and was impressed but that was years ago. I was fascinated by Inverted Totalitarianism. You reminded me and I'm going to take another look at that. Thanks again.

[@almillar7280]

Sheldon Wolin is an OG

[@efghggdxlmfn33]

@@almillar7280 Chris Hedges , Empire of Illusion: The End of Literacy and the Triumph of Spectacle

[@Andy.Smurphy]

George Monbiot a true British hero, if only we have more of his kind dominating politics ...

[@carnmarth334]

Wasn't Monbiot one of the Guardian "journalists" who went out of his way to smear Jeremy Corbyn again and again? And if so, what right does he have to complain about neoliberalism, after smearing a socialist and thereby helping a fascist (Boris Johnson) into power? (Clue: yes he was.)

[@haomingong]

Monbiot has a vision of England, beyond the harms of capitalism, that returns us together to our truer selves and better relations. As an older (59) person, the fact that the younger generation tend to want and advocate for this kind of comradely, empathetic, sustainable future, fills me with hope

[@dolmen6613]

and how -apart from whinging- is he going to achieve this paradise?

[@tr3vk4m]

@@dolmen6613 me mer me mer me mer mer mer me merr...

[@cpcnw]

@@dolmen6613 There's no doubt that authors can change peoples minds. Thatcher herself was a massive fan of Ayn Rand. I always find it interesting that when people highlight issues, the detractors rarely engage with the issues but more so, attack the critic.

[@Vesividad86]

he's a globalist and a communist

[@rudeigin]

​@@dolmen6613through communist totalitarianism; the criminalization of private property; destruction of all private business; industrialization of agriculture & expropriation of land for direct state management of food production; vigorous policing; mass immigration.

[@willrogers6635]

One of the best assessements of the current state of power in our society that I've ever listened to. The problems we have are painfully avoidable and only exist due to the motivations of the wealthy. Everyone should listen to this

[@td6460]

Marx thought he was living in late stage capitalism, but he hadn't seen the modern world. This system is eating itself alive.

[@lagringa7518]

Well no, actually it's eating YOU and me alive, THEY (the system that bought off your politicians and turned democracy into a mafia shake down of the majority) are doing quite nicely thank you, playing winners take all... easy when you rig the table.

[@sarat1325]

Exactly that. Good comment.

[@malcolmmitchell6529]

And completely unsustainable.

[@krispysox]

A grotesque ouroboros

[@DJWESG1]

His world was also modern, what he didn't see was our time with his own eyes. However, he did say toward the end of capital that.. 'in a credit system, everything changes'

[@mikepotter2561]

George was just talking about our public services being outsourced to foreign states and my viewing was interrupted by an ad for EDF. Couldn't make it up! 😩

[@Skylark_Jones]

EDF is one of my utility suppliers, for years they've had ads saying they're investing in green energy which is supposed to be cheaper but my bill is still high! They're all f**kers.

[@oldishandwoke-ish1181]

Taking back control! Ahem.....

[@Glashome]

In fairness, that sounds quite like something a dystopian fiction writer would make up.

[@lemsip207]

I watch videos on atheist or anti cult channels and then an advert for a Christian organisation pops up.

[@Inkulabi]

😅

[@richardday6220]

Weirdly, I've been thinking about this over the past week or so, feeling pretty crap about myself, but not able to articulate what is bothering me. To hear someone basically explain what my thoughts are in words I could never muster was refreshing.

[@dogeared100]

Organize.

[@shinydarknight01]

Great interview, should be on national television

[@brianbarham2277]

Don't hold your breath for that to happen.

[@oldishandwoke-ish1181]

@@brianbarham2277 You said it for me!

[@juliewake4585]

Agreed, but can you imagine what all the right wing press would say?

[@swojnowski453]

It does not have to be on national television. Nobody sane watches that any more. Then you do not need a TV licence to watch it. No going back to the one-way broadcast of the last century, nobody should.

[@james4ddy]

National television is properganda from mass media information warfare to a large percentage of fictional TV series and movies

[@daviddobarganes9115]

When they were saying "Capitalism is the end of history" they weren't saying we will never find a better system, they were saying we will never dislodge the giant tick bringing humanity to its knees

[@Invisible-Rhino]

the french knew how to remove it - and it will not leave without being forced to leave - if it can be persuaded of that then maybe it Can step back without the need for unpleasantness,.,.,.,

[@deathrides4756]

@@Invisible-Rhino You are asking the tick to be considerate?

[@Invisible-Rhino]

@@deathrides4756 more like showing it the possible futures and inviting it to pick the mutually beneficial solution.,.,.,

[@gmonkman]

capitalism is fine in a well run mixed economy

[@Om-ry4tb]

Really glad youre talking about the horrific way young people in care are being profiteered from. Absolutely depraved disgusting people running companies to make money that way.

[@frasercook5823]

So happy he mentioned children in care. It’s why as a care experienced person I rejected the status quo and anti neoliberalism.

[@maryannemckay3606]

Yep!…right from the verrrry beginning!!!

[@lizziestevenson1908]

The way 'cared for' children are treated, to me, is the worst travesty. It just exaccerbates the unhappy, disconnected, aimles and in too many cases unloved society of today.

[@cormacatcyclesierranevada1451]

Conversely, George was all for masking children and shutting schools during the pandemic. I wonder what affect this had on working class kids and their attendance post lock downs. What does it mean for their future?

[@gazfisher7391]

"The elite ruling class wants us asleep so we'll remain a docile, apathetic herd of passive consumers and non-participants in the true agendas of our governments, which is to keep us separate and present an image of a world filled with unresolvable problems, that they, and only they, might somewhere, in the never-arriving future, may be able to solve." William Melvin Hicks

[@tonjamarshall4842]

I think it's called being "woke."

[@GKEL18]

@@tonjamarshall4842no you complete miss the point. This is all right wing BS. The only thing you can accuse the left of is caring too much and for everybody.

[@LyricalLacerations]

I think a law needs to be passed that scraps private ownership of public services. They can sell the water and rail back to the public, but the cost of rebuilding comes out of that sale. If the amount needed to fix the service is greater than the amount by the sale. The shareholders are then indebted to the state for said amount. This is an insanely unfair deal for the shareholders, but you know what fuck em. They basically fucked us over and I think this is completely just.

[@dogeared100]

Those laws used to exist.

[@chuck1804]

Ok. Now all we need is a political party to stand on that motion, 650 localised candidates across the country, a few million pounds in campaign funds, at least 1 in 4 voters to support, and another 5 year wait for that magical one day window when we actually get a say, because one thing for certain is, it will not happen under Labour, or indeed under FPTP.

[@karenwilliams7600]

George hits all the metaphorical nails on the head. I live in Spain because society still exists here, a non-economic culture still exists. The British disease began centuries ago. George has my undying admiration.

[@lemsip207]

There was a post war consensus between 1945 and 1979 when neo liberalism was rejected and community valued more. People found community in the workplace more then. So it was a hiatus from that old thinking.

[@ciano9535]

I think we've moved passed neo liberalism and we live in a full on oligarchy

[@MattAngiono]

Techno feudalism... They own us already. George Carlin was right lol

[@Layla-kd4ui]

I think of it more as neofeudalism...which is just a little more British sounding...

[@MattAngiono]

My previous comment seems to have disappeared, but I fully concur. I think the more we point out that capitalism has predictably morphed back into feudalism (either neo- or technoz- both sound accurate to me), and an even more stratified version of it, the sooner we can start to discuss real alternatives. So many people are still caught in the capitalism vs socialism debate and fail to realize we don't have the former and the latter is also insufficient on its own. We need to change the basic values that structure the system. Some interesting people to listen to on this topic are Yanis Varoufakis and professor Sam Vaknin... Cheers

[@MattAngiono]

@@Layla-kd4ui my last comment was meant to reply to you

[@PetaloudesTouYialou]

Coz of the rubbish climate we lack open public spaces. We need sheltrerd halls and indoor community spaces where we arent required to pay out money constantly to be allowed in. We only have libraries, really. We end up broke and alone, and that batters our mental health. Community cannot really be found in most workplaces - good will is conditional, compassion discouraged, affection forbidden.

[@globalist1990]

On point. There are no public free spaces left. Parks and libraries. That's it.

[@gavincutler8889]

And in those remaining public spaces, most folks have got earphones in, staring at their phones and scrolling 😂

[@zoranblackie5921]

Its a big part of facilitating community collaboration, to have community assets (look up asset based community development) but after long austerity these are all the things falling to the wayside as councils literally have to divest of every 'nice to have' to prop up increasing demand and complexity in social care, education and housing

[@BunnyYotsi]

And they're closing libraries down!

[@enriquemoran9094]

I live in Canada. The same situation happens here. Only parks and libraries remain, but you cant make friends out of books. Parks are poorly designed making their use inefficient and discouraging. Benches are seen as enemies taken only by homeless people. Add to that the excessive use of the car and the long distances between places and you have the perfect cocktail for a mental breakdown. The system has won, at least for now. We are only peons that feed it everyday until death. A perfect example of social isolation is the use of handheld devices in public places. The triumph of individuality for sure.

[@atverde]

Wow! What he explained about the situation around social care of children is absolutely incredible and shocking.

[@charleyhullah]

I cried hearing those stats on children in care. Within my family, I have experienced this with my cousin being moved into a huge shared private young persons home in Manchester. All he knows was Worcestershire. I didn’t understand why the action and decision was so drastic but it makes complete sense now.

[@BetjeWolff-v2s]

It is the same here in the Netherlands. On top of that child care is also the place where pedophilia florishes. And drugsdealers find a market. Children are always screwed in every way in every time period. Humans are a ruthless, agressive species. We are all born with empathy, social instinct. help each other, untill we are betrayed by those who are supposed to care for us.

[@leerowland9621]

30:39 "Broadly speaking, we're a society of altruists governed by psychopaths." Brilliant, George. Nailed it.

[@ac4486]

George was a bit of a melt when it came to supporting the one person who could have taken us a step towards these things in 2017 and 2019.

[@PantomimeHorse]

More than 'a bit'. He made a choice - he chose to protect his media career rather than fight for a chance at changing the system he decries. Maybe that was the right call for him - We've all got to make a living, and I'm genuinely not interested in dragging one of the very few mainstream journos in this country that 'get it' - but it's sad nevertheless.

[@Fishstickification]

Ironic considering the way they were discussing individualism at the start of this video

[@adrianthoroughgood1191]

​@@PantomimeHorse I didn't see any of what he said then. Was he really telling people not to vote Labour?

[@ac4486]

@adrianthoroughgood1191 I'd refer you to - 1. Jonathan Cook blog post 'Whenever it truly matters...'. 2. Counterfire article 'An open letter to George Monbiot'. Also his response to Al Jazeera Labour files was a bit wet. Supposedly mega brained commentators like him feigning surprise at how disingenuous the "Antisemitism" stuff turned out to be, when it was obvious from the start to mere mortals like ourselves.

[@ac4486]

@adrianthoroughgood1191 an article 'whenever it truly matters...' from Jonathan Cook summarises quite well

[@jahithalil4097]

The past 30 years have been shit,and I'm one of the lucky ones!

[@evolassunglasses4673]

The 70s were so bad they created the conditions for Thatcher

[@philbraithwaite1316]

@@evolassunglasses4673 Post-war decline created the conditions for Thatcher

[@mozartsbumbumsrus7750]

I came to Londinium from rich California to further my career as a creative artist and serious high art classical musician. The monarchical class-system of Britain always was silly and stupid thanks to Willie the Bastard Conqueror in 1066. I only used Londinium as a base to get work on the Asian continent because Britain never gave me a break other than the occasional one off and even then they hated me for it. I played their game and beat them at their own game. I'm one of the lucky ones and live on full state benefits, thank you Britain. Oh, and I promised to pay the TV licence fee when/if the Beeb gave me a proper job. They never did and I never did a won/won or lose/lose situation for over 4 decades. Laaaaaaaavly. Cheers and trebles all around. More tea, vicar? Tennis anyone? Ah, life is grand!

[@dreamcrusher112]

@@mozartsbumbumsrus7750 verbal diarrhea

[@peteroneill2991]

Pre 1980 full employment was the policy aim of all governments and owning your own home was possible for many. University was free and grants where available for students from lower income families. If you were not academically inclined you could easily get an apprenticeship, even unskilled work was easily available. There where proper government retraining schemes for older adults which were scrapped by Thatcher. Pensions were linked to average wages not inflation. This link was broken by Thatcher in 1980 and as a result by the mid 2000’s its value had fallen to 15% of average wages, in 1979 it was 26%. We actually had council houses, government house building and reconstruction was in full swing

[@Chris-pp3hu]

George Monbiot always well research and fact based information.

[@maryannemckay3606]

…not always!…but definitely correct in this instance!…🥲

[@Peter-ww9bw]

I'm with you in Australia they sold critical services to foreign countries

[@davidpowellseattle]

We are all in this together. One planet. Time to figure it out.

[@Peter-ww9bw]

@@davidpowellseattle in what together, look into the London school of economics

[@kevinmallinson4170]

Was going to blame the Tories, but I blame the ignorance of the vast majority of British people who voted time and time again for these bastards

[@PantomimeHorse]

I would blame those responsible for fostering that ignorance. The marxist concept of false consciousness has gone out of fashion - 'patronising', apparently - but I can't find a better explanation for why ~45% of voters would vote for a party that nakedly exists to further the aims of the 1%.

[@finianlacy8827]

And decided to dedicate themselves ans/ or kids to the same neo -liberal fate...

[@giansideros]

You can't say it's a vast MAJORITY when it's no such thing, that's very flattering to the Tories and their loud supporters. They often win a PLURALITY, but that ONLY takes a minority, even if it is a large one.

[@Ghengiskhansmum]

English Tory rural voters voted for them like they voted for Brexit. It's the same in the USA where rural voters adore Trump. They're detached from reality.

[@sdwone]

That is true... Politicians, at the end of the day, are simply a reflection of US! And they can only get away with anything if WE allow them to do so! And since we are sooo divided, then that's music to the ears of our corrupt politicians. I mean Hell... Some CRAZY individuals STILL want Boris back!!???!? That just about sums it up really! And is a reflection of the Insanity that's currently being played out, across the pond, in America... This will be an interesting year, for the supposed pillars... US and UK... Of Western Civilization...

[@alexandermccarthy]

As a kid born in near poverty in SE London in the late 1960s, I'm living proof that George's commentary is absolutely spot on! Things MUST change, and that change needs to happen by smashing the existing political class.

[@GKEL18]

No Alexander you’re confused like everybody else. The political class is merely a reflection of its struggle with the upper class. These are the people who have brought politics to this point, fuelled by the Media. They have found a way over decades to use it to solely their advantage. The beauty of Democracy is that it kept these people at bay, because we have voting power. But Democracy, public health and school, etc. have no advantage to them and only stands in the way of conquest. The same has happened to Unions and their demise. Brexit was the same kind of BS bullshit perpetrated on the British people by using anger, hate and mis-information and by recruiting any nit that would listen. It’s a war against the people. Its deliberate.

[@shimmime]

This is the best interview EVER. Everybody needs to watch it.

[@ziminar93]

its total bs to be honest. It makes me want to vote for the tories! and thats saying something!

[@shimmime]

@@ziminar93 Why do you think it's bs?

[@normanchristie4524]

George, you are so right...

[@keith214]

I am 40 with no ability to own my own home without selling off a family home when my parents die or winning the lottery. How should that be viewed as “normal”

[@lagringa7518]

Excellent synopsis of exactly where we are. Bravo Monbiot. I think most people who are not afraid to do their homework and are not obsessed with teams, have been seeing this go down for decades.... we see the culprits and the game... so now what?

[@JasperJohnD]

War. Every time society reaches the point of revolution against the corrupt system, they send the young men off to war.

[@MattAngiono]

Correct, but most people still do see this as team sports... That's the result of watching them endlessly for decades. Most people don't realize just how much such things brainwash us. Divide and conquer. The oldest strategy in the book, and still holding us all down

[@jondavid8830]

It’s refreshing to return to George Monbiot after several years without listening to. What I like about George is he genuinely tries to build bridges, and to avoid stereotypes of “the Left” and “the Right”, and has a deep desire to bring people together. That said, there are still many questions I’d love him to answer: Such as, Why has the interviewer brought up the subject of George Floyd in this conversation? I can only think it was some kind of “group inclusion signalling”, and I wish he’d stayed on subject. What does George think about the fact that when Margaret Thatcher took over, the UK was an absolute s**t show, with militant Unions really out of control, appalling management equally to blame, three day weeks, electricity cuts and a level of relative poverty for most of us that we would now fall in to the “absolute poverty” definition. Young people obviously don’t remember those days, and my generation quite understandably don’t want to return to them. Where does someone like George sit with regard to someone like, say, Jordan Peterson? They both appear to rage against “neoliberalism”, so clearly they have at least something in common. And whilst I’d agree that by many measures “Capitalism” has failed us, “Communism” didn’t exactly fair any better now did it. In conclusion, George is entirely correct when he states that you can’t just come up with a (highly intellectual ) set of radical policies and expect the public to simply accept them. They need to be fully explained, rationalised, costed, with controls and monitoring systems set up, and reassurances provided that “tote-Left” (and equally “alt-Right”) cannot get their hands on them for purely ideological purposes. Jeremy Corbyn failed abysmally on these matters, hence his drubbing at the polls. Finally, mass immigration is almost entirely a result of Neo-liberal policies, providing a cheap labour source yet inadvertently stirring great concerns amongst those most affected day to day (usually the poorest). Why champion it so enthusiastically now, rather than simply suggest “a pause”, a moratorium on immigration to the UK , a country that simply has not built the infrastructure to cope with it, nor addressed the undoubted challenges that rapid multiculturalism brings to the receptor communities. They must be allowed their say.

[@marksmit8112]

Agree with 99% of what was said. Its refreshing to hear someone telling the truth for a change

[@sukotu23]

And the 1% you didn't agree with was..?

[@chaoscarl8414]

I'm afraid there's no way to solve this until it's too late. To solve a problem, you first have to acknowledge that the problem is there. But even the 2008 crash wasn't enough to convince people that the system itself is the problem. Years of anti-socialist and anti-communist propaganda has put us in a place we we can't even debate the problems inherent in capitalism. Seems to me that the whole rotten house of cards has to come crashing down before anything will happen. And even then, I'm not sure...

[@dogeared100]

Trump is the manifestation of what was done in 2008.

[@Transidity]

Holy cow, the revelation of so many truths, all linked by one thread - glorious yet truly horrifying. When will we find a new 'story' to replace the current, as George suggests. We the people need a miracle.

[@normanbott]

Agreed. If anyone tries to pull together even some of the threads he mentioned and show the connections they are branded as "A conspiracy theorist !" I don't know what the story is and I fear Starmer can't develop one.

[@Patrick-p8z1m]

The crimes of Thatcher

[@mikewells6121]

In 1930 economist John Maynard Keynes, wrote... within 100 years, most people will be working no more than 15 hours a week. In 1867 Karl Marx wrote... 'The prolongation of the working-day beyond the limits of the natural day, into the night, only acts as a palliative. It quenches only in a slight degree the vampire thirst for the living blood of labour. To appropriate labour during all the 24 hours of the day is, therefore, the inherent tendency of capitalist production.' It's obvious which of these two figures had the better understanding of Capitalism. Yet the vampire thirst isn't limited to labour, it's gobbles up absolutely everything. Perhaps Capitalism would be better seen more as a black hole than a vampire.

[@marielloyd8594]

Thank you, George Monbiot. I can only thank you.

[@ricochet243]

It was never about selling state assets for the Treasury’s benefit, it was to cripple the unions and get the Govt off the hook from having to deal with them.

[@keithparker1346]

An interesting point

[@ady9830]

In China you can't change the party but you can change the policies. In the UK you can change the party but you can't change the policies.

[@monsieurlapinot2549]

no. now xi ximping can change policies. it's different.

[@captainwheelbarrow649]

@@monsieurlapinot2549 I read that as Xi Simping lol

[@rossconnell8838]

Great interview. More like it please! A breath of fresh air to listen to Monbiot describing the best route forward - Communities! At CAT we are working increadibly hard to educate ourselves and spread exactly the economic principles Monbiot describes. It can really feel like an uphill battle and lonely space at times but places such as CAT, alongside seeing interviews such as this can do so much to enage with wider audiences. We need more people to find agency within their local communities and do everything possible to overturn this rotten political system. It is time to harness the power of our local spaces and really give people the oppotunity to shape the communities inwhich they live.

[@MikeRLloyd73]

What Britain is going through with the mental health crisis America started it 55 years ago...and look at us

[@oldishandwoke-ish1181]

A basket case 😣

[@Maxibo234]

At least we don't have all those guns here/ the NRA denying that school shootings have anything do do with them 😂

[@mickspencer2030]

More power to you George keep telling how it is 👍👊

[@robertjohnson2830]

Yet again George is absolutely on point.

[@TennesseeJed]

Thatcher and Regan put a hurting on this world.

[@mathelga]

Neither were that clever! Look behind them and see where the ideas were born....that is why they havent gone away!

[@TennesseeJed]

@@mathelga Milton Freedman was one of the actual minds behind the rebranding of laissez-faire capitalism.

[@Rachel_M_]

I still have my copy of Captive State I bought years ago .. . Omg!! I feel old now 😳

[@seancapes2]

I really like George's views and commentary. Yes, we're in dire straits, but it's up to us to make the necessary changes. We're the ones complicit in this. Sure, voting for poor choice A or poor choice B isn't much of a choice, so let's choose something else. We're the only ones who can change this.

[@Evelyn32423]

80% stocks 20% cash. I plan to take advantage of the s&p 500 as leading indicators predict above 10% rise by this year, my only issue is how to properly allocate a large stock/bond 5m portfolio for substantial gains at minimum risk of inflation.

[@Alden457]

Look for stocks that have paid steady, increasing dividends for years (or decades), and have not cut their dividends even during recessions. Alternatively speaking to a certified market strategist can help with strategies to hedge losses

[@Christian67337]

Agreed, my portfolio is well-matched for every market season yielding 85% from early last year to date. I and my advisr are working on a 7 figure ballpark goal, tho this could take another year. IMO, financial advisors are the most sought-after professionals after doctors.

[@Annie56427]

Your CFP must be really good, I hope it's okay to inquire if you're still collaborating with the same CFP and how I can get in touch with them?

[@Christian67337]

@@Annie56427 Marisa Michelle Litwinsky is a hot topic even among financial elitist in California. Just browse, you’d find her, thank me later.

[@Annie56427]

Thank you for this Pointer. It was easy to find your handler, She seems very proficient and flexible. I booked a call session with her

[@Anonymjen-rz3xu]

"Only thing that can replace a story is a story". That's what we are missing ....

[@beatlegreg07]

I could listen to George all day.

[@ServaasFlesch]

Best philosopher journalist in, arguably, the world. Enormous bank of knowledge and he expresses it all in such clarity. Hats off, George.

[@candascat]

No mention of Ayn Rand and the influence objectivism has had on society in the last 50 years. You’ve written about her before George, this needs to be highlighted in every conversation about the world and the economy and it’s devastating effect.

[@lemsip207]

The Chicago School of Economics followed then with neoliberalism which it touted in Davos and then imposed on Chile and Argentina. Only the people there wouldn't accept it so fascist dictators were used to impose it. The British readily accepted neo liberalism in the 80s except for the Labour Party then. The SDP came up with a compromise between Thatcherism and traditional Labourism from the 70s.

[@lesliestenta3084]

" Its no sign of good Health to be well adjusted in a profoundly sick society"

[@Steventrafford]

Thanks for platforming this man. I’ll watch anything he talks in👊

[@0zoneTherapyCures]

"You’ll live like a king, but you’ll also have to sacrifice everything inside you that makes life worth living." ~ Caitlin Johnstone. Ever since capitalism became unshackled 50 yrs ago, the world turned ugly fast. Turns out human/labor rights ARE important, borders ARE important, safety regulations ARE important, local businesses ARE important, public services ARE important, owning a home and car ARE important, family values ARE important, untainted food supply and medical products that benefit health ARE important, quality education IS important, etc.

[@Ded_Silu]

I loved the interview and hope that more and indepth discussions of real economic matters can be presented!

[@bonariablackie4047]

We have a mental health crisis because the Tories destroyed mental health services. People with Anorexia need mental health services. People with Schizophrenia, or psychosis or depression NEED mental health services. It's all very well saying society has been divided, which it has, but nevertheless, what is needed is properly staffed, properly funded Mental Health Services.

[@Stoddardian]

Muh Tories.

[@normanchristie4524]

Thatcher, Thatcher, Thatcher.! Even the blood contammination problem is down to her. (Dr) David Owen appealed to her to create a UK blood processing service, she refused!

[@gillscorner794]

They didn't just destroy the services they created a toxic environment to create a higher demand for what their destroyed

[@adamrosendahl8090]

Stop blaming politicians who cannot operate under neoliberalism. They have no power to change anything under the umbrella of private property.

[@bonariablackie4047]

@@adamrosendahl8090 Sorry, I can't blame the politicians who have spent the last 38 years touting neoliberalism? Yes. Yes I can.

[@jayr9952]

This is an excellent discussion

[@pastyman001]

Monbiot has the most convincing tale as to what is wrong with society and economy and why. Extremely impressive

[@Neo-ECO-LIberalism]

he tells you what you want to hear, without getting to the core of the problem

[@pastyman001]

@@Neo-ECO-LIberalism This was not what I expected to hear

[@autisticautumn7379]

Nothing has changed since Thatcher just got so much worse .

[@syllomusic]

I've never known what NeoLiberalism is, but thank you auto-play for (probably) auto-serving me the most inspiring and coherent explanation in existence

[@martinhughes7973]

Best interview I've seen for a long time. Always appreciated the views of George Monbiot, but his many years of experience and skilful articulation distil our political problems with such clarity. This should be compulsory viewing.

[@Cotswolds1913]

I mean it was absolute bollocks but okay, I guess when you're impressionable you can lop up anything.

[@Martin-id4xp]

The start to this is incredible. Without connecting to something other than ours and each other, we are nothing.

[@lorenzocorradini7556]

Fascinating interview once more. Sad nobody was present to check the audio... :-S

[@Pogman30]

Count Binface was present and he says Ollie sounds fine.

[@malcolmmitchell6529]

I wholeheartedly agree with every word you said. This is what people need to know.

[@f0xylady100]

Please ask George where he gets his shirts, they're always so natty and must be ethically sourced.

[@NoobRideseMTB]

😮

[@mozartsbumbumsrus7750]

I go to Gail's daily to write, research, study for several hours. I spend as little as possible or nothing and enjoy the air con , but I just learned that Gail's Bakery is Israeli owned. BOYCOTT Gail's!

[@TheAlbinoskunk]

​@@mozartsbumbumsrus7750bro what is wrong with you

[@mozartsbumbumsrus7750]

@@TheAlbinoskunk And what exactly is your diagnosis of me?

[@TheAlbinoskunk]

@@mozartsbumbumsrus7750 Socialist who enjoys Western luxuries whilst wishing you didn't. Also brain poisoned by Instagram politics, seeing as you decided to bring up Gail's out of context just because of your revulsion that you have been enjoying an Israeli-adjacent business all this time

[@RuskiVixen]

George seemingly describes meaningful and fulfilling life I had as a child in the USSR.

[@subcitizen2012]

Ye olde commie bloc had its problems for sure, but these days I really can t blame people for being nostalgic for that place and time, for people in and out of it. The soviets were by far a more rational and reasonable opponent compared to the me graded multipolarity of despots we have today. When society mattered more, people mattered, their jobs mattered. Now we are all just numbers on charts.

[@GBBRAVO-cq6fd]

"Broadly speaking: we are a society of altruists, governed by psychopaths." Couldn't agree more - yet how does this get addressed?

[@pwood6532]

Take the money out of politics...also the foreign influence..such as conservative friends of labour etc.

[@wuhnder]

Superb interviewee _and_ interviewer 👏

[@a.j.ponderbooks]

So true. Thank you for the video. Always worth seeing what George Monbiot has to say.

[@coolioso808]

Ok, let's write a new story then! For our future. Suggested readings include: - The New Human Rights Movement - Peter Joseph - Moneyless Society: The Next Economic Evolution - Matthew Holten - Ubuntu Contributionism: A Blueprint for Human Prosperity - Michael Tellinger - (and probably hard to find, but still a good, relevant message) No Place Like Home: Building Sustainable Communities - Marcia Nozick

[@m.walther6434]

I'd like to recommend two books. Naomi Oreskes et al.: The big Myth. A great book about 100 years of business propaganda and Jonathan Hopkins: Anti System Politics. A detailed analysis about the political fallout of Austerity politics and the economic meltdown of 2007/08

[@mathewhasker5277]

I'm 10 minutes and what this guy is saying is everything I've been thinking for years and yet felt I was the only one who felt this. Enlightening and basically the truth.

[@Alun49]

We do not live in a democracy. I'm not sure we ever have.

[@appstratum9747]

I don't always agree with George, but respect his integrity and views. This was a very interesting and enlightening interview that was well worth watching.

[@lizbrown1822]

It’s already clear that if you want something doing you have to do it yourself - collectively, locally and in spite of it all.

[@WilleasFogg]

My god - at 14:51.... Had to do a rewind and just let that sink in. Always loved George Monbiot, but he just blew my mind right there. Beautifully articulating the utter madness and outdated nature of our FPTP system. Proportional representation would be a good start, but the very nature of the 5 year term needs to be overhauled.

[@PeidosFTW]

The thing I'd like to know about monbiot is why does he never mention Marx's analysis? So much of what he talks is so similar to what marx and other Marxists writers have talked about, I'd like to know if he has any disagreement with Marxist analysis or if it's an optics thing. Not that it would invalidate any of what he is saying or has said, just something I've always wondered when watching him on DDN

[@Andy.Smurphy]

It is to do with what he mentioned about "stories", the Marx story has been demonized for generations and in ingrained into the minds of ordinary people and is now toxic, what we need is a new story to tell that incorporates the ideas without the labels ... when he mentions stories he is talking about meme theory .. look up Dawkins for a understanding of what it is.

[@EyeByBrian]

Marx, as brilliant as his assessment of the late-19thC was-and as pertinent, still, are such concepts as e.g. alienation and reification-will not provide us the analysis required to dissect the hyper-capitalist realm of today. We require new methods.

[@PeidosFTW]

@@EyeByBrian how so? It feels to me that everything he said still holds true today, despite modern technology. I'm not super well read on him though, so if may be because of that? If you have any resources I'd love to read them!

[@gordonwilson1631]

Agreed. “There is no such thing as society” was not an opinion but a declaration for the future.

[@MartinJames389]

Lots of insight there, but I see cracks in neoliberalism which haven't been apparent before, and it all emanates from .... GAZA, albeit not directly. The manifested creation of community I've experienced in opposing the genocide has been rapid and unprecedented. What's more, it's been revelatory. People in the global minority world are see their wealthy societies and their role in the world in a new light. The desperation, the lies and the violence of states against us serves only to show this more clearly. Can the USA and European states glue things back together again? They probably can, at a heavy price, but are they canny enough to even see the big picture of what's happening in the fog of their own lies? I see little sign of that capacity so far, and long may it be absent.

[@dogeared100]

No. People just won't see what is going on!

[@dogeared100]

But we should try anyway.

[@MartinJames389]

@@dogeared100 New realities will be seen by increasing numbers of people as they develop.

[@MattAngiono]

I think technological dystopia is more likely. When things get bad, they'll be ready to match out the new systems of surveillance, isolation, drug induced apathy, etc... In fact, Palestine seems to be the test bed for lots of this insanity. I think we'll also see a lot of it in post apocalyptic Ukraine, and you can tell already by the investors chomping at the bit there. They want to make it ALL digital, as that's the ultimate form of control. I am at least somewhat inspired by the anti Zionist movement taking hold. I just hope we don't get stuck in our own box that prevents us from understanding that this goes far beyond one conflict and extends to our entire society and how we think. And I don't see any real leverage to get the psychos out of power. But I do hope to be wrong about all of that. Keep fighting! ✌️🍉

[@Number_Free]

This is one historic video! Excellent.

[@juliahartshorn2473]

Making our vulnerable children profit fodder for business is disgusting.

[@MontyCantsin5]

37:08: Great to hear this discussion taking place. Monbiot is absolutely correct; we should be aiming for zero economic growth for the simple reason that perpetual accumulation of capital at the cost of depleting natural resources (and, by extension, destroying fragile ecosystems) is entirely unsustainable. Degrowth should not be viewed as some kind of 'radical', or 'impossible' idea - it's a necessity if we want to keep living on a planet that is conducive to our wellbeing. Unfortunately, we seem to be set on a path of greed and complete denial centred around the impossible notion of endless growth. David Harvey is another excellent voice on this topic.

[@shaunmiller7370]

It started in 79 when the Tories were voted in not by me, I was labour, but that’s for another day. Maggie’s idea was to sell everything or go to war to keep the Tories in number 10 at all cost, and that was selling Britain off and that is all the Tories in brackets Conservatives have done for the past 45 years give or take and it don’t work. None of it works. It worked for the Tories who had a big windfall. They didn’t have to tax the right people, and that was the top 1% at the time when they have the windfall of oil revenue, we also at that time paid of the Americans for world War two, which was called lease. Lend we paid the Americans billions for all their help in World War II. Now let’s get back to the Tories, they screwed this country just so they could keep in power. They got into bed with Ronald Ragan because Ronnie and Maggie were good buddies. I don’t think that good but hey Ho, eczema years later 40 odd years later, privatisation does not work it is screwed this country badly we need our infrastructure back in the house and obviously managed well but privatisation no no no

[@juliewake4585]

“He stands for election. He stands for very little else.” Nice one George.

[@n3d_ludd379]

Fantastic interview, thank you

[@alastairbartlett9863]

Monbiot is one of the very best at explaining this stuff for the everyday man. We need him in office asap

[@GingerPeacenik]

Outlaw vulture capitalists, ban private equity from purchasing that which serves society. Limit the number of homes that investors can own.

[@ME0423]

Excellent interview, very informative!

[@roddychristodoulou9111]

On the subject of mental health the Tories closed down all the mental hospitals and introduced a scheme known as care in the community . And we see the final result as catastrophic failure , not to mention the thousands of innocent civilians that have been killed maimed and injured by these lunatics who should've been in secure mental hospitals .

[@tanzeelahmadhashmi6209]

I worked with some guys who were escorted by 2 police officers to doctors appointment. They had set behaviour in regimented hospitals but life in community was damaging and stressful to themselves

[@pjl8119]

The decimation of mental health and social services is a major factor behind the enormous levels of homelessness and substance abuse that afflicts more or less everywhere in England. It's no longer just a big city problem. Homelessness and severe substance abuse is endemic right down to the village level. It's shocking returning to England after spending time away to see the state of it.

[@foppo101]

Don't call people lunatics roddy.Something can happen in your life or you are born with something and you can't do much about it.

[@zoranblackie5921]

Deinstitutionalisation took place due to a number of long stay scandals who were in these old asylums, with privately run facilities disincentivised from discharging people who did not need long term care. This was a massive cost, so care in the community enabled that - however it is not the panacea to severe and enduring mental illness which is managed through secure mental health services - however over the last 15 years cinderella services like mental health have disproportionally have had real term cuts year on year, with increasing SMI (due to pandemic and cost of living) meaning services are struggling. It is disingenuous to say 'thousands of civilians have been maimed or killed by these lunatics' - partly as its not true, but also stigmatises MH. The fact we have poor access to lower tier mental health support means more people will reach mental health crisis, which also impacts on the A&Es

[@elaineedgar2913]

I’ve admired George since he came to Southampton St Mary’s Street where my son had a music shop in the mid 1980s. He cared then and has never ceased to care for those who have no voice.,

[@darrylsugg7230]

Agree with everything George said but my fear is it's going to take far too long to turn this container ship round and it's going to be too late to save society let alone the climate.

[@alexgray1905]

Great interview ... I am going to read more of what George Monboit has written.

[@TedThomasTT]

Never ask a woman her age or George what he was up to between 2015-2019

[@thebagelsproductions]

I give up. What was he up to in those years?

[@brianferguson7840]

​@@thebagelsproductions Getting 4 years older as far as I'm aware 🤔

[@zoranblackie5921]

Is that because he wasn't a Corbynite? You can be progressive and realise he put off the majority of the electorate...

[@simonturner1]

​@@thebagelsproductionssmearing the one guy who was in a position to actually change things.

[@thebagelsproductions]

@@simonturner1 was he critical of Corbyn or something?

[@shakirsohail1681]

1979,is the pivotal year which changed both the, Islamic world religiously and politicaly, and the western world politicaly, and as a result the whole world,, for those who is aware of, what happened in 1979 in middle east and since then goes on in the Muslim world, while in the west/us the working class/labor class started to being pushed in the corner, also from 1979, China started its miraculous journey

[@rw20000]

A country where you're forced to compete with the world's poorest for jobs and the world's richest for houses. Hard to not have a mental health crisis

[@swojnowski453]

This about sums it up. I do not think I have seen a better summary. It can be restated: competing for jobs against the most hungry and competing for shelter against those who want you around the least. Literally everything upside down.

[@MattAngiono]

​@@swojnowski453welcome to brave new 1984! Just imagine how much AI and other social/digital tech is going to allow us to further explore this rabbit hole of hell

[@keithparker1346]

Maybe we need to see the end of globalisation

[@clarencejones4717]

It’s so good to hear ppl talking about the failures of these systems to know I’m not alone.