Richard Wolff: Marxism and Communism | Lex Fridman Podcast

Richard Wolff is a Marxist philosopher and economist. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
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EPISODE LINKS:
Richard's Twitter: / profwolff
Richard's Website: www.rdwolff.com
Contending Economic Theories (book): amzn.to/3HykPwT
Understanding Marxism (book): amzn.to/39qpm8b
Understanding Socialism (book): amzn.to/3Og9XG3
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OUTLINE:
0:00 - Introduction
1:52 - Marxism
10:21 - Communism
45:27 - Human nature
57:43 - Economics
1:04:34 - Capitalism
1:36:58 - Governments and corporations
1:47:53 - Stalinism
2:01:52 - Nazis
2:08:48 - Socialism vs Marxism
2:16:28 - Bernie Sanders and AOC
2:33:29 - Cultural Marxism
2:40:28 - Darkest moments
2:45:58 - Advice for young people
2:48:17 - Mortality
2:52:08 - Meaning of life
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[@lexfridman]

Here are the timestamps. Please check out our sponsors to support this podcast. 0:00 - Introduction & sponsor mentions: - Skiff: skiff.org/lex to get early access - Indeed: indeed.com/lex to get $75 credit - Onnit: lexfridman.com/onnit to get up to 10% off - Blinkist: blinkist.com/lex and use code LEX to get 25% off premium - Linode: linode.com/lex to get $100 free credit 1:52 - Marxism 10:21 - Communism 45:27 - Human nature 57:43 - Economics 1:04:34 - Capitalism 1:36:58 - Governments and corporations 1:47:53 - Stalinism 2:01:52 - Nazis 2:08:48 - Socialism vs Marxism 2:16:28 - Bernie Sanders and AOC 2:33:29 - Cultural Marxism 2:40:28 - Darkest moments 2:45:58 - Advice for young people 2:48:17 - Mortality 2:52:08 - Meaning of life

[@JonathanMBardsley]

Here’s a interesting read I wrote 2 years ago The Mandela Effect is a side effect to another reset For the top physicist to say our reality is the same has computer code they must be changing it, they certainly are not looking down a powerful microscope and seeing ones and zeros, so that means we are in a matrix which would mean that there is a hard drive, now in the experiment in showing water holds memory I believe I know where the hard drive is to our reality, in the experiment a listening device was used to record the electromagnetic field coming from the water to later reconstruct the DNA that was once in the water from the recording, this told me magnetic fields holds memory so that made me think is our hard drive in earth’s magnetic field? I got my answer seeing what looks like magnetic frequencies being created by SpaceX and CERN with there powerful magnets being turned on and off in sequence exactly the same way a computer stores data. That is not all that I’ve worked out so if I’ve sparked an interest and you want to know more check my videos out it’s an hard one to get your head around in understanding our reality but basically what we believe to be physical reality isn’t actually physical, it’s all a frequency from a frequency domain and we are part of this frequency, physical mass doesn’t exist and what we believe to be solid mass, everything including ourselves is just a frequency in the holographic universe, holographic universe that is made up of computer code in ones and zeroes, we are in a program and there’s a way of manipulating and changing the program within the program and that is what I believe is to be the earths magnetic field which Is actually the waters above the firmament magnetic field, and with water being proven to hold memory I believe I’m correct, my research has taken me somewhere I didn’t want to go and that is a reset of the human race because I believe a higher dimensional being doesn’t what the human race on par in technology in controlling of the matrix, at the moment I believe all the changes to our reality is a side effect to them weakening the firmament with theses chem trails to create another mud flood or even worse create a plasma charge that will disintegrate everything on the surface. There is evidence that the earth has been hit with plasma discharges and this is how they could do it. >>> The part on sonoluminescent is a star created in a flask of liquid, it done by sound waves hitting a bubble and causing the atoms inside the bubble to move which creates friction and friction creates heat, the heat causes the bubble to swell to the point of popping, they say when the bubble implodes the atoms in the bubble slam together so violently they create a burst of light, I don’t believe that is all of what is happening, I believe yes the bubble swells from heat of the friction of the atoms from the vibration but when the bubble reaches a certain size it pops like a balloon would, but what I believe is happening that creates the plasma is the highly negative skin of the bubble which is EZ water, slams into the positively charged atoms inside the bubble and when a negative charge and a positive charge comes together, it creates plasma ie electricity, and the electricity creates the EZ water which is the skin of the water, you see I believe the firmament is this EZ water because a high voltage was sent through water and a 4 cm bridge was created, if the voltage is there to scale this 4 cm bridge up to the size of the dome I believe it would become the impenetrable dome, I believe the firmament is just water that has restructured from H2O to H3O2 and is shaped into the strongest shape in nature, the hexagon shape, above the firmament is H2O and there is bubbles where sound waves creates stars. The reason for me explaining all this is, in my videos I have shown how chem trails is weakening the firmament, well I believe the next stage is for 5g has well as HARRP is going to heat the atmosphere up to make the dome swell and pop just like the bubbles in creating stars, if this was to happen you would have all that negatively charged water slamming into the earths positive atmosphere and it would create a burst of plasma that would disintegrate everything on the surface of the earth. In the Bible it does says the earth end by fire so I’m wondering is this how it is going to be done? I know in operation fish bowl they fired Nukes at the firmament in the 50 and 60s so it does look like there is a barrier that they are trying to penetrate but was unsuccessful so I believe all theses top secret programs like HARRP, CERN, chem trails and now 5 G is all about creating a reset by popping the firmament because I believe the human race is very intelligent and reaches quite high in technology very quickly. In the last 100 years just look at what we have discovered but before that not really that much was discovered because there was a reset has early has 120 years ago, my town hall is a mud flood building and 1873 is carved in stone, so that means that there was a flood that dumped 12 feet of mud after 1873 and that accounts for the progress that we see in the last 100 years. So yeah I believe we reach high in technology extremely quick and I believe we actually get held back has much has they can and they have to keep creating resets to prevent us from reaching their level. Sorry I’m rambling here. Meteorite and shooting stars I believe a part of the negatively changed EZ water comes of the firmament and reacts with the positive atmosphere and creates a ball of plasma, when that one hit Russia there was a lot of white clouds left from it, white clouds like steam, it didn’t look like there was any other elements in it with the lack of any other colors, different colors indicate different elements and there didn’t see to be any other than H2O or should I say H3O2 Anyway if you have read this far I hope it was educational and you enjoyed it, watching my videos will make sense of all this for you. With the flat earth there’s a question that is asked quite often, why would they hide the shape of the earth? My answer to that is it is hidden because they use the waters above to create resets to prevent humans reaching their level in knowledge. I know there’s a lot of belief in this write up and my gramma isn’t perfect but that’s because I didn’t go to school which is a good thing because if I did my thinking would be completely different,.?.

[@scroopynooperz9051]

Nice job Lex. The only way we can get a full spectrum understanding of a topic is to get both sides of the aisle. You always get your capitalist cheerleaders but often on the mainstream, those with conflicting and contrarian views (like Wolff) get suppressed. I guess it makes sense considering who controls the mainstream media narrative

[@peaceloveandunity1434]

Great thanks Lex for time stamps .

[@egorerofeev7762]

Mandela Effect Johnathan Bardsley dude that's amazing. I really think you are onto something. You should dig deeper. Maybe let Lex know about that stuff and talk about it on his podcast.

[@LosZonga]

If you export people on some remote island, the first form of organisation is property and capital and they can go very well in the development of living with trading and free association. Marxism, socialism and communism always comes after all things are established, it is an idea born into the existent structure and since it is an idea with no underling fundament, it always works on victim mentality. For short is the child that once grown and starts working into already set environment, turns back on his own father and mother, usually kills them to seize the ''power'' that he can do as he see fit. The lack of understanding of the underlying structure of COMPETENCE it will be his doom and the society will collapse on lack of that. The child has no experience in trading, investing capital, organizing, know how and establishing good relationships with the neighboring islands. And how could he? He was born into it all. I see communism as the tantrum trowing kid that want's to be validated in more privileged position, uses ''the idea of equality'' as a tool against the tyrannical hierarchy he is burn into (father / mother) and all of it is fueled by vanity and revenge against the ''unfairness''.

[@MistrzSzarIej]

Can you have Yanis Varoufakis next? Probably the most interesting and articulate leftist economist/politician/intellectual of our times. And he's got a pretty concrete vision of what could come after capitalism/what capitalism is turning into. Either way, really cool to see you platform some truly dissenting thinkers, thanks for the plurality of ideas.

[@Mooseman327]

Ah, yes, the man who sold out his own nation to the EU.

[@pretary1845]

@Smally Bigs I find Yanis to be one of THE most interesting Left Global Economists... He literally worked at Valve (Steam) to look at their marketplace and learn from it... It was a microcosm of an economy, and he literally made economic predictions and models about CSGO Skins and TF2 Hats, and the prices, as well as which items were "pegged" as standard priced assets.. INCREDIBLE story.. It was in a very well made Indie YT Doc about Valve and Yanis Varoufakis just HAPPENED to come up in it and it went into pretty deep detail about his role at Valve in shaping their Steam Marketplace... Well, not shaping but studying and giving feedback to Gavin at the very least, as Gavin hired SPECIFICALLY Yanis after he left the Greek Gov because he saw what the Steam Marketplace was about to become. That's not even mentioning the fact that I could somehow listen to him talk about the Bretton Woods Conference for 4 hours, engaged the entire time.... Learning something I've NEVER been told before, damn near every time he utters a sentence.

[@snoopon]

Yes!!!

[@djVania08]

Would be interesting

[@costasrex476]

Yannis is an active MP . Lex would need to travel to Greece to make a face to face podcast

[@abe8435]

What I really like about this interviewer is that while most people who interview Wolff already are sympathetic with his views and arguments, even while usually having nowhere near his grasp of them, Fridman asks respectful but challenging questions, and gets great answers we normally don’t get to hear.

[@sichambers9011]

Yes. It's good to have critique and it is a thoughtful critique, not cheap gotcha statements about death counts.

[@trybunt]

@@sichambers9011 yeah, that's true. What this guy is talking about is so often dismissed without even listening by just saying "Marxism is when the government decides who lives and dies" or something equally as pointless. I think Wolff did a half decent job of explaining what Marxism is and what it isn't. Lex pushed back with the general arguments that people usually have when they hear the ideas, and Wolff explained why those arguments aren't necessarily great. My personal opinion, as an employer myself, is that employees should have more say about what happens with the surplus, because all I'm really risking, ultimately, is becoming an employee again. I do take risks, and use my capital to turn a profit, but I don't agree that my risk is more simply because I'm risking more capital, because all that capital really does is allow me to employee others rather than become an employee. How much say should the employees get? I don't know, but it shouldn't be what it is now, because the current system encourages me to pay as little as possible to stay competitive, and that competition doesn't breed fairness like Lex suggests around 1:20:00 . like he said, that's the dream, but it's just that, a dream. How many employees does he really think have the opportunity to shop around for jobs that treat people better? I think its good to speak about better ways of doing things rather than just saying "this is the only way" like so many people do. This is the current way, but it's certainly not the only way.

[@sichambers9011]

@@trybunt The thing is here in the UK and I think in the US the system is coming under repeated challenges and unfortunately the elites desperation to cling on to almost absolute power, is increasing the instability and damage. The UK and US have some of the most unequal power and wealth distributions in the West and the most hostile towards unions. In the long run the refusal to examine the questions you've posed will hurt all of us, employers included. Here in UK the elite cannot even countenance the idea underpaid employees damages the economy of the whole society. It is verboten amongst all major political parties.

[@Jasondavisvids]

@@trybunt as an employer I don’t know how you can say the things you say: Maybe in your particular situation you don’t have much risk, but most businesses require if not upfront borrowed money, high monthly overhead. So if the business declines you need to go into debt to keep it running and pay employees. That often involves using assets as collateral, so if the business ultimately fails, the employer is now left with terrible credit but also likely no house or anything else. That’s much more than the risk I incur as a hourly employee. Business slows down at my job, I can simply find a new job. You also said employees should have more of a say with surplus. Most employees aren’t qualified to be making business decisions on a large scale. Also they are usually going to be self interested to an extent, which is completely understandable, but that can definitely lead to poor long term decisions. And even in the situation you have an employee who is a master at business and completely altruistic, it’s unreasonable to assume they could handle their tasks they were hired for and be completely informed with all the business matters needed to be known to make proper business decisions. And maybe you don’t agree completely with Wolf and you think there’s just smaller improvements and reform to be made. And in that case be specific about what you propose. What your doing, what wolf did all podcast, and leftist do almost always, is just say real nice things that are extremely vague. And even when they are specific about things, their premise, logic and/or plan is flawed. An example is Wolf talking about a business getting technology that cuts the employees needed by 50%, the employer should not lay off or lower salaries, but instead keep everything but let them work half days. That is idiotic! Another co-op company can just be started with less employees and utilize that tech to sell the goods at a reduced cost which will put original company out of business thus all employees now lose job. Technological innovation is why price for most goods has been consistently dropping, which is a direct advantage to the quality of life for everyone. I do believe we are fast approaching the point where automation will create a situation where there simply aren’t enough jobs for a massive segment of population, and we will need to figure out how to adapt as a society. I’m not smart enough to come up with those answers, only smart enough to call bullshit when I see it

[@trybunt]

@@Jasondavisvids keeping employees on working half days is idiotic, I agree, but we have to acknowledge that it's only idiotic in the system we live in- which prioritises value of product for money over everything else. I'm not saying that we should do that, only that it's worthwhile discussing how much say people should have about the surplus they create. Should it be 0%? Let me suggest an alternative, just so I'm not being completely vague as you criticised- what if all our employees voted for what to do with say 20% of their surplus? I don't just mean our employees, but our competitors employees also. Everyone everywhere for arguments sake, so competition remains equal. For my employees, I admit I'm not a huge company, but that would be about 30k they have to decide what to do with between them. Now, would they like to simply use that surplus to have more time for themselves, a 9 day fortnight? Maybe. Or would they like to have free lunches, or better tools for themselves to be more productive? With the current system, the only incentive to be more productive is to not get fired, or maybe get a raise. Employees are incentivised to do as little as possible to keep the boss happy. I hear a lot about ideal workplaces promoting the most productive workers, but we have to be realistic. I think most people can agree that it doesn't always work like that, I don't think its most the time. Productive workers keep employment, that's it. But if they control some of the surplus through democratic process, suddenly they have incentive to think about how their job could be more productive, or how they can better measure individual productivity, because there are benefits they can directly receive. Should the least productive workers be let go? Or the workers who breed discontent? Suddenly that's a question that isn't directly on our shoulders, or a manager working for us, because everyone has some small say. Currently, 100% of the surplus is owned by the business owner. It's like that simply because that's how it's always been done. But there is no good reason to think its the only way or the best way. And there's no good reason to think that we deserve 100% other than the fact that it's what we've always done. It feels normal. I feel like I earn the profit. At the moment, I want productive workers, but more than anything I just need to grow my business to stay profitable. Most of my profit goes into buying tools/plant/hiring employees to get more work done, but that infinite growth requires infinitely more work. That doesn't seem reasonable to count on. It works while our population grows, but what about when population stabilises? Will our current system still be the best way to organise our society? I don't think its idiotic to consider these ideas. I just think that the way it's currently done puts competition first and the employee last. The only consideration is how much value we can bring with the least amount of money. We need healthy employees to get that done, but just healthy enough to he profitable. Just happy enough to be profitable. You say that we take risk, most companies probably more than me, but like I said before, worst case- we are back being an employee, right? Bankrupt, back at square one.. but what if that position wasn't so bad to begin with? Why should it be? At the end of the day, we aren't going to do this right now, maybe it's not the right thing to do, but I don't think it should be dismissed simply because it would make the market less competitive, because we've tried maximum competition for the last century, and it hasn't solved any of the problems inherent with capitalism. It's worth considering other options.

[@carefulcarpenter]

"When you could--- you didn't." Definition of good vs evil.

[@rexnemovi6061]

@carefulcarpenter A false one.

[@carefulcarpenter]

@@rexnemovi6061 Six times in my 72 years I was put in a position to take quick action or make excuses for not being capable. Six lives were saved. Thank the Lord that I did, by the power of our creator. None ever thanked me, or put me up on stage--- thank the Lord. I did not take action in order to be seen as a hero. I learned much about myself AND especially about others. False is most popular in the world. People freeze-up under pressure. Some, not all. Six situations--- 100% success. It could have been 50%--- then what?

[@rexnemovi6061]

@@carefulcarpenter We're talking here about two very different issues - it's one thing what an individual can do in a specific situation and what a country or society can get done over the long term. As for individuals, time factor is a major issue. It's a different thing if one failed to react quickly and effectively enough to a suddenly appearing threat, as opposed to chosing not to act when there was enough of time to make an informed decision. Depending on the personal cost of helping, you can judge the morality of not helping, but I'd think it over the top to call it evil. Evil to me includes intention to harm. Now, as for what society can do, it is way too simplistic to say that something could have been done and wasn't. The developed Western world invested untold billions into lifting people around the globe out of poverty, and a lot has been accomplished. Now, from the point of strictly technical and technological capacity, it's pretty safe to say that more could have been done. But in the real world, where to get something done takes communication and coordination between many players and organizations, there would be hickups and outright screw-ups even in the best case scenario where each partner is fully engaged, earnest and honest. And sorry to say so, but many are not.

[@carefulcarpenter]

@@rexnemovi6061 Evil is a tough concept to wrap our heads around. Who suffers? In my case, I did. My family and I both---- but damage is subtle, and extremely difficult to examine--- particularly difficult with just one fleeting moment. Long term--- I have acted when others in the community did not lift a finger. Who was punished? My family and I. It is subtle but patterns arise over time. Is suffering fair? From an intellectual point of view? From a spiritual point of view? This is the compound nature of inaction. Synchronicity is a spiritual/psychological concept that seems to develop into more frequent events as on follows the spiritual path. The intellectual path is more difficult to argue. The intellect has a very difficult time trusting what others report about synchronicity--- even when they have experiencedvit--- though the intellect never truly blieves it comes via a higher moral and ethical habit.

[@keithbentley6081]

A definition of bad grammar.

[@jeanniep1003]

1:25:49 the look on Professor Wolff’s face when Lex said a lot of people will choose people over profits (I’m paraphrasing) is PRICELESS!

[@negritoojosclaros]

Elon musk "im a joke to you" hahah

[@primayogaadiasa9737]

@@negritoojosclaros Elon does not choose both.

[@skepticmonkey6923]

@@negritoojosclaros Elon who has lithium mines in South America and Africa that work on child labour Musk? Elon who lays off half his workforce Musk? Elon who tortures monkeys and paralyzed people for his neuralink project Musk?

[@ernah00]

Lex always and consistently chooses to see the best in people. Makes him seem very naive, not only to the cynics.

[@Auriga4]

Thats the face that tells you to turn the answer around on the exam or it's "see you next year".

[@Karanar]

I’ve been asking for Wolff on Joe Rogan for years, but having him on Lex is even better. This topic requires a host who is a high level academic

[@StayPrimal]

I like how you just said Rogan was dumb without really saying it.

[@dominicn]

Not sure why a high level academic is required to thoughtfully debate or interview someone. Anyone that is enamored with shaping society via government/state is making an error.

[@pdestefano]

@@StayPrimal HAHAHA yup

[@pdestefano]

​@@dominicn The other day I was driving and a young man hanging out of the car next to me, held us his pair of sneakers and yelled "buy these, buy these!" There are some people you can't enlighten, and you can't control... otherwise we'd have our marxist utopia. I don't think that makes his analysis of capitalism incorrect, as almost all his predictions have come to pass. But the dream of a better system, gonna be tough with all the stupid out there.

[@pdestefano]

@@RMalinovksy link?

[@t3r083]

It looks like this interview took a LOT of effort, mental energy, and passion on both sides of the table. Well done.

[@torshops]

true... lex really showed how good he is at understanding such a wide range of various ideas and models of the world.. also being extremely patient and humble

[@ironassbrown]

I have a lot of respect for both these men. Prof. Wolff very passionately forwards his case, to which I think some strong arguments were made. Lex had excellent push back questions great interview overall.

[@guitarhero38633]

@@NullParadigm You've never read marx or seen it practiced. You hate it because your overlords tell you to.

[@AbtinX]

@@NullParadigm do you feel you understand what it is after watching this?

[@rswindol]

@@guitarhero38633 "ThAt WaSnT rEaL mArXiSm!1!

[@Unpainted_Huffhines]

Every question who's answer is uncomfortable gets dodged. Every inconvenient train of thought gets derailed. Every line of logic gets dragged in a different direction.

[@herondope5675]

my thoughts exactly, he kept making fallacious arguments and appeals to futility when he got cornered

[@BinKillEthical]

I think having Douglas Murray and Richard Wolff on together for a Round 2 would be a good idea.

[@rockstar450]

Murray would embarrass Wolff. Wolff's ideas work on a factory level of workers but crumble in the face of data. Notice he ducks hard debates and pivots around any questions.

[@kcor4]

Wolff doesn't debate people because his ideas are trash and indefensible to anyone with the mental acquity greater than that of a child

[@pavlenikacevic4976]

​​​@@rockstar450I doubt that in a debate about Marxism, a university professor on Marxian economics would get embarrassed by a dude who doesn't even know/understand what Marxism is

[@rockstar450]

@pavlenikacevic4976 Murray understands Marxism far better than this clown and actually well travelled to several states communism has destroyed which always happens because of human nature. The government builds a cohort around them, protect themselves and let the people starve and silence them with force, censorship or both. Everything Wolff recommends already exists in other capitalist economies, just not in the USA where capitalism needs better regulation, not replacing. Ask yourself, have you ever purchased a pool table for your coworkers? Do you donate your disposable income to the poor? ...why? Because you're a human, not the imaginary figment of a socialist utopia like Wolff recommends. His models work in a town full of factories but crumble in reality. Socialists are too busy looking at the richest 1% instead of the other 89% who's standard of living is unmatched thanks to capitalism's flexibility where people underpressure will adjust and reinnovate their sectors to rebound, unlike communism which just collapses. Just look at gay rights and female rights in capitalist counties comparatively.

[@tigerslick1111]

@@pavlenikacevic4976 you are a flat out wrong, and I would love to take your money, but Wolff is too much of a coward to ever have substantial actual debates with people.

[@belminm.5168]

you should do a podcast with Chris Hedges

[@bobsawin1920]

Yes, please!

[@MattAngiono]

Oh that would be so amazing! This needs to be the most popular comment!

[@iviwemajola3167]

John Mearshiemer too.

[@jakescalia6420]

Yes!!!

[@scroopynooperz9051]

Chris Hedges is great too.. although his message might leave you a tad depressed xD

[@fletchermclaughlin8971]

Lex is the single most open minded thinker podcasting right now. For that and his diverse profile of guests, I would consider Lex a very important cultural figure, especially during a time of extreme polarization.

[@username1234567894]

Totally agreed. This is really important for people of all sides.

[@ihatesignupsgrrrrrrr]

Joe Rogan was that role before Lex, and I don't think he truly has changed much in the regard of diversifying his guests. I think Rogan wouldn't have had Wolff on because it wasn't exactly his interest, whereas Lex would have a guest as such since he would find Wolff's ideas more interesting.

[@astralisranger517]

@@ihatesignupsgrrrrrrr Joe Rogan is a nutcase

[@benmorrison8533]

@@ihatesignupsgrrrrrrr The thinking man's Rogan.

[@enokoner]

@@ihatesignupsgrrrrrrr I wish Rogan had a fraction of Lex's clear thinking.

[@aaronely759]

As skeptical of marxism as I am, I admit I admire and respect Richard Wolff. He makes some very fair points we should all consider.

[@cwquick111]

I really appreciate lex having him on. He does tend to have some leaders of capital on, and it’s good to have the other.

[@cameronsawyer813]

You don't have to agree with another point of view, to respect and even enjoy a really masterful elucidation of it. And how much wiser we are afterwards.

[@MarkCW]

I found this interview really interesting. I've been wondering about capitalism and its flaws for a long time. Richard Wolff mentioned about the concept of democratic capitalism which sounds like an improvement. Having working for 38 years in small and large corporations I have experience first-hand what goes on. I remember one of my previous CEOs saying "this is not a democracy" and "if I could reduce the minimum wage, I could employ more people". I remember the middle managers trying to out-manoeuvre each other, stabbing each other in the back, sucking up to their bosses. I remember the huge ratio in salaries between the board of directors and the employees. And whilst all this in-fighting went on, the mega rich are laughing at the workers whilst they sit on their huge piles of capital.

[@jakecarlo9950]

Wanted to second an earlier comment about encouraging you to invite Yannis Varoufakis, an endlessly entertaining and engaging economist (and former finance minister). Good work.

[@saidalas8381]

He's a grifter that almost destroyed Greece.

[@telsutton]

Yanis definitely 'gives great Podcast'.

[@faust3530]

Add to that the holy grail, slavoj zizek. Would be a great day for sure

[@vicicv985]

@@faust3530 They are few light years away from Wolff on every level specially on philosophy.

[@santerisatama5409]

@@saidalas8381 Varoufakis vas ready to fight with the people against the Eurocrats, for the second coming of the Big ΟΧΙ. Tsipras was not. Mitsotakis and the rest of oligarchs are on the side of Eurocrat banksters.

[@xDemonTech]

You should definitively get Chris Hedges on the show! Talk about the military industrial complex, journalism, morality and society. I would love to see you talk

[@coolioso808]

Yes, Chris Hedges as well as Lee Camp and Peter Joseph. Those would be tremendously engaging and informative conversations. I like discussions about the root economic problems but I also like to hear solutions so that's why Camp and Joseph would be great guests. They have some good ideas that a lot of people can understand and take action with.

[@xDemonTech]

@@coolioso808 Agreed, those would be amazing conversations

[@coolioso808]

@@xDemonTech Credit to you for knowing of these fine people. Until or if they actually do get on this podcast, there is still Lee's Moment of Clarity and Joseph's Revolution Now! Inspiring and with some humorous levity included - because we need a little bit of that in the current clown show we call human society.

[@xDemonTech]

@@coolioso808 damn right! Thanks

[@beebobox]

Get a government assigned room you two :)

[@DonnTarris]

Such an interesting discussion. So long and yet it went by so quickly, for me. I plan on listening to it again (and perhaps more), as the first time was accompanying other tasks I was performing.

[@vooyas.mp4]

I highly suggest listening to prof. Wolff's lectures or watching his Economic Update show. Hes a walking treasure trove of knowledge.

[@eliecer1013]

If you think this conversation was interesting, then you're just another moron. Who believes the marxist lies 😂

[@derrickbarker343]

Bro almost had me. He lost me at "mass transit". What was I thinking. Almost did me dirty.

[@KDH-br6hy]

Wait what do u mean public transport

[@youtubealgo7408]

Lex… Elon did not start out dirt poor

[@therealbuba]

I mean you are right, but it’s also quite a leap to say that it had any material impact on his wild success. There are a lot of rich kids out there, most of them end up amounting to nothing.

[@chymoney1]

I think Lex is to referring how he would have to take a shower at the Palo Alto YMCA while creating Zip2 but yes you are correct his father was a wealthy emerald miner and engineer in apartheid South Africa

[@jichaelmorgan3796]

​@1donjuego cooooome on, I give you survivorship bias maaaaaybe when there is a race to create an amazon, but it goes out the window when an individual CIVILIAN creates both a star ship company and and an electric car company, that within the confined turf of the American freakin Automotive Industry.

[@EveryTimeV2]

Saying pull yourself up by your bootstraps is basically gaslighting non-whites in America at this point.

[@Hidalgoes]

@@jichaelmorgan3796*bought an electric car company

[@chrisgreene2623]

What amazes me about these conversations is that almost three hours goes by and I could listen to more!!

[@Zenoelevi]

the power of storytelling

[@vesogry]

@@Zenoelevi I also like fantasy

[@seanknox5785]

I relisten to almost every episode and sometimes immediately. I also listen to over 200 audio books a year so I’m kinda an audio junkie. I think this was caused by some sort of dopamine release back when KZbin was first released… I swear. I’m addicted and I don’t wanna stop either. It’s scary. Our future is so 🤷‍♂️…

[@vectorequilibrium5839]

I asked Mr Wolff, beside missing the major flaws of Marxism and other similar '''...ism''', do you bring simple solutions to todays problems, that almost everyone can agree on (beside avoiding you in public, like you said). Like DÉCENTRALISATIONS AND Semi-Direct Democracy (the Swiss model)!!! PROSPEROUS and PEACEFUL I not saying that the Swiss banks should not be nationalised and given to The People, therefore DECENTRALIZED! Or are you simply part of Yale controled opposition?

[@vesogry]

@@vectorequilibrium5839 The swiss model can't function really outside Switzerland and it begins to fail even there.

[@verhooftyfloofen1893]

What a very interesting and enlightening conversation. I very much enjoyed this. Thank you Richard for your persistence in your perspective and belief, and thank you Lex for providing the platform for such an enriching discussion. ✌️💚

[@bisket81]

It was so effortless to listen to this I think I could listen to it two more times What a rockstar professor Also credit to lex for finding and interviewing this amazing mind

[@danjohnson191]

“Amazing mind”😂😂 Remarkably capable of inferring insidious oppression and injustice, irrespective of the relationship, for which, in every case the “remedy” is revenge. Does the worker say he is happy with his wage and fulfilled by his work, grateful to his employer, proud of his country? WHAT DOES THE WORKER KNOW? Given this tangled World of Vendettas then the Authoritarian Fantasy of the glorious avenging angel of government and its saints makes perfect sense to the authoritarian True Believer. He couldn’t really care less about the insignificant worker he claims to champion in this cynical hoax. He views himself entitled to the service of the dim witted laborer and presumes the fellow should grovel in adoration at the feet of the Dictatorship imposed upon him (for his own good). ESPECIALLY if he can’t even see that he is NOT comfortable in his comfortable life- then he proves he deserves to be a slave for his disloyalty to his fellow workers under a Dictatorship that will decide for him where he will work and for how long and for how much and will “own everything FOR him”. HIS property is “theft” and of course he should not be permitted the “wickedness of ownership”. To correct the “injustice” of the “unjust” wealth of some, ALL must endure the “fairness” of equal poverty and tyranny under a totalitarian state bureaucracy that will somehow alchemically transmute the enslavement and impoverishment of the workers into a Utopian Paradise for them and then MAGICALLY WITHER AWAY. 😂

[@orangetoes223]

I love the whole vibe of this channel. I feel like Lex always makes his videos more about his guests and less about him. He asks very deep questions and gives his guests ample time to speak. Other shows often try to make their interviews into a debate.

[@zerofox7347]

His conversation is always in good faith, Never trying to out match his guest or undermine them. It makes it very easy to listen to.

[@clg8905]

@@zerofox7347 or worse, they don't want your opinion, they want you to give their opinion.

[@jeanniep1003]

The one word I think best describes Lex, thoughtful.

[@normalhuman666]

He understands humanity so well its eye-opening

[@willfox4654]

Lex is great. Richard wolf though is in favor of socialism. Which is always a special Ed stance. Why would anyone be in favor of allowing the government to force you into trades you don't want to be part of and don't benefit from. The part of capitalism that all these fools ignore is that it's a VOLUNTARY system of trade. This means both parties have to mutually agree to the trade. Thinking something is wrong with VOLUNTARY trade is the either the definition of totalitarianism or stupidity

[@togfs]

The innocence of using Elon Musk, Tesla and the Boring Company as examples to follow in capitalism is something to behold.

[@kiticanax1421]

He also used trains as an example of how private enterprise is more responsible. That whole section aged like milk.

[@thomasmadden4503]

@@kiticanax1421 lex friedman is an idiot tbh just works hard

[@Super_B1]

1:10:00 Wolff mentioned that paying everyone the same and making the same profit is the better solution. I know he had simplistic views, but I will throw out this, what about the competition? Would they just sit there and do the same thing? OR will they make their workers work just as much as before and make extra products. They then can go out and buy more machines and/or upgrade with better technology. With the extra profits, they would make their product better. You have happy workers for now, but he will have an edge on you with extra work/profits.

[@rockstar450]

You literally defined capitalism = free market generating profits, cheaper goods and new innovations. Socialism is a joke of the grass being greener (albeit littered with starved corpses)

[@dogma2660]

"OR will they make their workers work just as much as before and make extra products." If demand for the product is that high the original example would not lay off workers. The original example could also react to this competition by increasing working hours and changing work tasks. The point is that the capitalist screws the workers just to increase profit, the capitalist action has no impact on wellfare of the corporation but it has a negative impact on society/the workers lives.

[@Super_B1]

​@@dogma2660 " by increasing working hours and changing work tasks. " Your example changes the rules and goes beyond his model. Workers weren't hired to work extra or to do the "change the work tasks." They would demand more wages for the extra work and/or required skills for the "changing work tasks." Of course, the capitalist screws some of his workers because if you are falling behind and taking a loss, eventually you, your company, and ALL of your workers are out of work. You need to adapt to the competitive environment. If your conclusion is that capitalism screws others over then what is the alternative? Change the rules with government overreach? A country, a group, or an organization somewhere beyond your government's reach will get an edge on you and you are out of business.

[@dogma2660]

@@Super_B1yeah but you original statement also assumed a lot of new factors so we are both moving beyonf the original example. Say the original example is a food store and the machines are self-check out machines. This doesn't affect competiotion unless the purchese of the machine is followed by a drop in food prices, to be more competetive. The original example also gave the alternative; leisure time for workers.

[@Super_B1]

@@dogma2660I guess you see the point then? His model fails because of these new factors that you and I can think of. All of which is reality. There is no way around it, Capitalism wins, for better or for worse.

[@GoingGoneGalt]

As a free market libertarian, i found this fascinating. The dispassionate exchange of ideas in an atmosphere without sensationalism is wonderful to listen to, and just lets you ponder what has been brought up. I don't buy everything he is selling, and the fact that he honestly considers an AOC administration a possibility gave me a brain tumor, but he does make some interesting points and shows some history that we never really learn. Thank you for a tasty interview.

[@KDH-br6hy]

Honestly, I could see her gain traction

[@jupitermoongauge4055]

Please give an example of a country which has a successful "libertarian free market". I could do with a laugh !!

[@GoingGoneGalt]

@@jupitermoongauge4055 Look in the mirror. That will be all the laughs you need.

[@GoingGoneGalt]

@@KDH-br6hy That girl is dumber than sand. Then again, so is the average American voter.

[@ALL_CAPS__]

This is one of the best interviews I have seen with Professor wolf this far. Bravo to the host for being adversarial, yet open for a complete and thoughtful answer. You have earned my sub. I look forward to more videos.

[@miltonmiller]

Lex is very capable interviewer. That is proven by these cases where he does difficult interviews like this with elegance, patience, and in a way that we can enjoy.

[@extremeresponsibility4325]

Richard doesn't understand that most entrepreneurs start with nothing. Instead entrepreneurs take huge risk that produces something of value for society and creates employment.

[@mouthpiece806]

@@extremeresponsibility4325 no they don’t. most wealth is inherited and class mobility is largely a myth.

[@ElParacletoPodcast]

@@mouthpiece806 you are dead wrong

[@connorpeppermint8635]

@@extremeresponsibility4325 that's not really where Wolff is coming from. He was noting the profound lack of acknowledgment of risk on the side of the worker.

[@Maxarcc]

From all the channels that claim to have free and open discourse, Lex is one of the few real ones out there. Even the topics that create a visceral personal reaction to him are open for discussion. His honesty in the opening segments let the viewer know in which way he may have biases and why they are there. It informs us on what we should be aware of in the conversation and encourages us to engage in a fruitful way. Many channels claim to be what Lex is, but in reality they are a propaganda networks disguised as free discourse. Lex isn't like this. He actually puts his money where his mouth is.

[@bigghouse101]

He's an open thinker for sure. I just hit pause after his opening lines "...the words socialism, Marxism and communism are more often used to attack and divide..." Lol. He's missing something. I've been immeresed in Marxism lately and divide and attack is the name of the game. The first thing you do as a Marxist is divide society into classes and attack the elites. I dig Lex's stuff and i like hearing this professor, but i think one will grasp this topic better if you don't think like an engineer, but think like a gangster. Read Lenin or Alynski to see what I mean. Peoples openess and honesty are used against them. Check out Manning Johnsons book 'Color, Communism and Common Sense' or Ion Pacepa's book 'Disinformation' to hear the other side.

[@misterbig1510]

@@bigghouse101 What we have actually seen historically in the US is quite the opposite. We've seen the demonization of any idea that doesn't toe the corporate line with the immediate and incessant shouting of "but that's socialism and socialism bad!". Even earlier in the 50's we had Mcarthyism where we looked for "hidden Marxists" everywhere as if they were boogymen. It was ridiculous. It has been fragile capitalists in this country who cannot bear to have their ideas questioned even in the slightest who have been dividing society. Any time capitalism causes economic problems, it's never the corporations who are at fault. It's immigrants, teachers, poor people, the government (who the corporations corrupted in the first place). ANYONE except who is actually causing the problems.

[@bigghouse101]

@@misterbig1510 I think your missing a few things. 1950's Marxists everywhere - look up former KGB Col Oleg Kalugan brag about the KGB having over 300 agents in the US Govt. It was 300 some to zero on the scoreboard until 1956 as far as Kalugan is concerned. Look up the Mitrokhin files, they've got Alger Hiss's pay stubs. That's just a start. As far as fragility, who bans books? The Amercans, or the Soviets and Chi Coms? Ever notice how the micro aggression crowd accuses everyone else of fragility? Even Lenin said socialism sucks, but that you have to endure it to reach communism comrads, so just keep believing. Marxism isn't a economic or political system, it's a crypto religion.

[@misterbig1510]

@@bigghouse101 you tell on yourself with your comment. Mcarthyism was a witch hunt, plain and simple, and if you unironically believe in it still in 2022 you are a weirdo. Also, it is quite literally conservative state legislatures which are banning books teaching plain history because anything that talks about civil rights is "crt". Don't even get me started about the ridiculousness that is the manufactured outrage over Dr. Seuss of all things (this sounds like parody but is real). A private estate chooses to stop printing intellectual property it owns on its own free will, and that's cancel culture, but the actual govt bans books, and that's somehow not authoritarian, real cancel culture. Laughable. I actually do not understand how someone can get every single point directly backwards from reality, but you've somehow managed it. It's honestly impressive.

[@bigghouse101]

@@misterbig1510 you're making things up. State legislatures didn't ban books. You've got it wrong, otherwise tell me what books were removed from bookstores? CRT? Break down Kimberly Crenshaw, Derek Bell or Max Horkheimer or you don't know what you're talking about. 😉 You're not one of those people who believes the "its just teaching about racism" line are you? Ever heard of Critical Theory, you know the Frankfurt School, "You can't use the masters tools to disassemble the masters house" etc etc? School me on CRT, I want to see this. Break it down for me Mr Big

[@georgesmith113]

Isn’t employee owned companies being studied to analyze Mr.Wolf’s ideas?

[@batmu1802]

Basically, most people don’t know to be fair with others. Its a very basic concept yet we fail at it miserably. Until we figure this out we’ll forever be chained to classism.

[@LibertyDIY]

The free market addresses fairness much better than the elitism and arrogance of academia and corrupt government power. It's ironic that their virtue signaling and corruption ends up exaggerating unfairness.

[@northernmetalworker]

I think the idea of the invisible hand is describing this dynamic. As it is an average of people asking too much and too little from one another on a case by case basis.

[@stuartu7150]

Got it. So let’s give power to government so one side has the power?

[@brenda726]

It is the west ideology of individualism, no religion and LGBTQIA+$/woke that has destroyed the family unit and therefore the community. A tight-nit family running a business together always end up doing well. There is a reason why Jews are so powerful. They work collectively within a system designed for individual economic participation, hence not participating and skipping the class/hierarchy aspect. Essentially, working as a true collective is like a cheat code to defeat the capitalist system. You need a family for it to be honest.

[@Jackzay90]

you're conflating human nature with capitalism like he mentions in the video. slavery was considered human nature - there was a "natural" hierarchy of races, africans were "naturally" subservient to europeans. Kings/Lords were "chosen by god" (the same argument) to be superior to serfs. Put side by side, both appeared to be self evident in their time. Serfs couldn't run a fiefdom. This isn't human nature. They're products of the social order that appear natural because the social order reproduces itself. @@northernmetalworker

[@CesarCepeda2014]

Man, Lex's uninterrupted interviews/podcasts are most likely among the freest more dynamic and reasonable dialect exercises of our generation.

[@PuscH311]

In school I was never interested in politics and history. Now I’m old and glad to listen this wonderful podcast. Thx for your work !

[@SoundsBogus]

Like you, this would have bored the crap out of me. Now, I'm fascinated!

[@solareez]

yea we old ! lol

[@healthamongstus710]

Yeee

[@healthamongstus710]

^_^ Bernie Sanders lied about Nordic nations being socialistic, when they themselves said they're capitalistic not socialistic, and are proud to be capitalistic, leaders of the world. I used to support Bernie Sanders. He also had other issues with him in recent years, besides former years supporting war, signing the infamous Crime Bill Biden founded. Which Biden said in his presidential campaign that he would reduce prison population of America, the prison capital of the world. Over 50% of the American prison population is in for a very safe, medicinal herb, which is always medicinal when used, that hurts Big Tobacco, Big Alcohol, Big Pharma, and others. We have our fake and super profitable "drug war", while warmongering America mainly goes to war for GOD, Gold Oil Drugs.... Moreover, Biden now is encouraging more prisoners, since it's an over 10 billion industry in profit for prisoners. Prison is a system that isn't rehabilitating, and many get into heavy drugs, fights, rapes, murders, infections, etc. in there. Also, pedo is grossly misused, as it means to be mostly, or solely attracted to prepubescent children (not pubescent minors in a world where most people died before 18 and the brain fully develops at 25 lol). Many actual pedos have been proven to have been abused themselves. Anyways, I'm a centrist, pro-capitalism, but we have crony capitalism, AKA crapitalism, AKA corporatism.

[@johndough6225]

It's crazy how the right wing lie so much about communist history. 1984 lol

[@Whoknowsme007]

But that boss transitions half the workers and then invests in a new business.

[@ockertwessels649]

Thank God, thank God for this interview to somewhat counterbalance the Bezos atrocity. Not to detract from Lex' superb conduct of either; the latter just casts such a dark flare-up.

[@sekanssekans7059]

Maybe it's just me but I'd like to see less generic "Thanks LEX, great interview Lex!" and more comments engaging with the actual content of these interviews. Not that Lex isn't deserving of the praise (he is) but we could be collectively using these spaces to explore interesting ideas from the interviews but instead we get 1000s of comments contributing nothing getting voted to the top.

[@ZChoate]

Check out Destiny's conversation with this guy.

[@iblus2225]

@@ZChoate you mean, check out wolff school tf out of destiny

[@ZChoate]

@@iblus2225 it was more a commentary toward an actual critical fanbase and less circle jerk. But obviously, I strongly disagree with your assessment of the conversation.

[@BarlsJr]

Thanks Sekans, great comment!

[@ZChoate]

@@iblus2225 watching it again because I'm trying to see what you see.. But I mostly see wolf immediately becoming contentious and then not engaging with Destiny's response to his arguments. He kinda does the "I'm an expert, who are you?" thing. So why even show up to the conversation?

[@MAAlharbi]

Richard Wolff’s voice sounds like a sophisticated Joey Diaz 😂😂

[@kungfu2toe]

Sounds like he needs to huck a Lugie.

[@peartist2]

He has a cadence that also reminds me of Stephen Jay Gould (RIP).

[@pcproffy]

They had to edit out the part where Professor Wolff started calling everyone cocksuckers.

[@emiliotube01]

haha

[@jbossnack]

OMG that's hilarious 🤣 And Lex is like Eddie lol

[@sovereignsoul]

After discussing Marx at some length Mr. Wolf mentions Anarchists Proudhon and Bakunin as competitors to Marx. At around 1:47 he goes on to discuss workers cooperatives, which is an idea Prouhdon advanced as part of his criticism of Marxism. I am sure Mr. Wolf knows this history better than I do, and would love for him to speak in depth on the interplay between Marx & Anarchists in terms of the evolution of thought on social and economic justice.

[@whatabouttheearth]

An interesting thing to think about is that on letters to Vera Zasulich Marx actually advocated using the Mir in Russia (traditional communal towns) as the way to build the new society, but Bolshevism and the USSR didn't take that route, they may of not known that those were Marxs feelings. I don't think it is fair to say that Marx, Bakunin and Proudon disagreed about everything, but I don't know the specifics on cooperatives. Radical leftists of all stripes have long used coops and collectives.

[@whatabouttheearth]

An interesting thing to think about is that on letters to Vera Zasulich Marx actually advocated using the Mir in Russia (traditional communal towns) as the way to build the new society, but Bolshevism and the USSR didn't take that route, they may of not known that those were Marxs feelings. I don't think it is fair to say that Marx, Bakunin and Proudon disagreed about everything, but I don't know the specifics on cooperatives. Radical leftists of all stripes have long used coops and collectives.

[@ZhiYin]

Throughout the 3 hours I’ve been waiting for the most obvious question but it never got asked: what are the different flavors of socialism that a few countries tried after the Soviets, what worked and what didn’t , and what is the next thing after capitalism that Marx didn’t figure out?

[@jessie6600]

It seems like the quasi socialist countries in Northern Europe work pretty well because they have high taxes for EVERYONE to fund social services, but still don’t totally eliminate capitalism. Also, Marx didn’t seem to figure out anything that actually worked. So if he said anything about “after capitalism” it would probably be as nonsensical as his other communist works. Just utter trash

[@The-Mr-Sz]

social democracy, which is a basis for Scandinavia, Netherlands, mostly Germany. XIX/XX century movement were mosty socialist. Equality of workers, farmers, public education, health system, equality in courts. It is true, that we underestimate, how many socialist demands shaped the West, especially Europe. High taxes and "marxist" politics got USA to land on the moon. Reagan privatization got ultimately Trump trying to overthrow the governemnt. Thatcher reforms ended up with Brexit. All of them pumped China. There is no vacuum, inequality will come for the West sooner than later

[@afroohar]

​@@The-Mr-Sz All social democratic countries are all free-market economies just with a large welfare state. They're not that different than the U.S. they just have higher taxes and more benefits and lower military spending.

[@The-Mr-Sz]

@@afroohar Yea, feudalism is also free market economy with just lower welfare state and higher taxers. Do You think social democracy and feudalism are not that different?

[@afroohar]

@@The-Mr-Sz No its not, go read a book about feudalism.

[@LMG1985W]

I would like to agree with what others have said in stating you should try and get Chris Hedges on. Thank you for what you’re doing in allowing us ti peak into the great minds of your guests.

[@fluidsystems1554]

i agree & Hamza Yusuf

[@nicoledickens2366]

Chris Hedges for President!

[@dipthongthathongthongthong9691]

Has he had Vijay Prashad on?

[@pepemuller3280]

@@dipthongthathongthongthong9691 Vijay Prasad should be the perfect guest. I am in the middle of this interview but Vijay Prasad is perfect for defending the socialist projects around the world.

[@jaxonholywood8085]

I agree. Hedges is a living legend.

[@Cafenick]

I second getting chris hedges hands down one of the best people you can get

[@erik8719]

I would love to hear that conversation.

[@Cafenick]

@@erik8719 would be amazing Chris Hedges is truly a great intellectual on America and has I point of view I find very valuable and revealing

[@platklump]

The introduction by Lex is worth a long standing ovation! It´s the best introduction to a podcast, book or anything else I´ve ever heard.

[@jodawgsup]

you are so midbrow it hurts

[@platklump]

Steelmanning the opposing arguments and trying to stay objective is very very admirable. You can see Lex holding back his arguments and actually deflecting negative remarks onto himself instead. The guest had free liberty to do whatever and expand on his views. This is so rare on the internet

[@daveeol1987]

​@@platklumpit was a completely normaland non remarkable statement

[@squigglyline2813]

​@@platklump It takes a special kind of person to listen to such idiotic speech and refrain from slapping them silly. I've seen debates with Richard Wolff with outbursts from the audience due to level of BS this guy spews. I swear this guy has a lobotomy before he clips on any microphone.

[@vandal1764]

Whoever puts up the risk gets the reward. I put in all the risk when I started my business that's why I make all the money

[@BitsEternal]

You know I never knew Joey Diaz was such a deep thinker let alone had any thoughts on Marxism

[@frost1183]

Lmao. Ya it turns out being Cuban made him a good comrade.

[@k.s783]

Yup, however, being a deep thinker doesn’t mean your thinking is correct.

[@Honky_time]

My dad's regret after 46yr of owning his own business, when I asked him after his retirement had settled in, was not paying his folks more. "I lived a great life...on hindsight I could have lived just as great a life and given them a better life". It was foundation making for me.

[@ryanfrank1309]

He probably would have made more money by paying his employees more too.

[@Honky_time]

Yes

[@kenzaifun]

@@Honky_time Uhm it's not too late. they not all dead right ? So have your dad give them money now.

[@Honky_time]

He might if he could....but death is a bit final

[@kenzaifun]

@@Honky_time sorry to hear that. take care.

[@EpsilonKnight2]

Richard's comments about vehicles at 1:31:53 struck me as ironic since I recently watched a documentary recorded in 2010 about North Korea where hundreds of people were waiting in lines to get on buses that clearly couldn't service that many people.

[@novinceinhosic3531]

Isn't that just like Japan, Taiwan and South Korea?

[@EpsilonKnight2]

@@novinceinhosic3531 There were no cars on the streets in comparison and in the documentary they showed a lady directing non-existent traffic as well, just standing in an empty intersection waving her arms because it was her government mandated job.

[@novinceinhosic3531]

@@EpsilonKnight2 It sounds like bs to me. Unless the bus was traveling far away, people could simply walk at that point.

[@EpsilonKnight2]

@@novinceinhosic3531 "Sounds" bs? It was recorded firsthand on video so I don't see what you're trying to say. The reason so many people were getting on the bus was because not many people had a car and did need to go farther away.

[@GimmieCookie]

It’s very simple you own the business you make the rules. and employees are free to terminate their tenure and start a new business

[@youngpsych]

Never expected Dr. Wolff on this podcast

[@crawfish7286]

Yeah, I feel like Lex just put Amber Heard on the stand.

[@crawfish7286]

@@JonathanRootD Where in my post is the word "women"?

[@nohmehari947]

@@JonathanRootD it has negative connotations and rightfully so in my opinion.

[@sherylF5610]

@@crawfish7286 I am puzzled as to why you said this. What do you mean?

[@sukotu23]

Lex's audience seems to lean heavily to the right based on the reaction to this podcast. Pretty disappointing reaction for an apparently intellectual audience. Either way, Wolff is a genius and one of the few speaking out against capitalism.

[@DavidBuckingham-Guitarist]

I'm a regular subscriber and this is the interview I have enjoyed the most. Well done Lex for daring to cover a taboo subject and not shouting down the ideas, It didn't seem like 3 hours at all it was so interesting and clarifying. Thank you!

[@sukotu23]

Anyone who enjoys this should listen to Professor Wolff's podcast - The Economic Update with Richard D Wolff, it's fantastic.

[@daleblue22]

@@sukotu23 thanks for the tip.

[@jamesmcelroy5830]

@@williamhaddoc LOL I know. Rich liberals LOVE to wear their Che shirts and quote Mao. Richard Wolfe speaks of Stalin glowingly all the time. When asked about the tens and hundreds of millions of dead he’ll shrug it off. Pretty much you have to break a few eggs to make an omelette is his position.

[@lzszl]

Ye, and also false. It's a White Wash and also vulgar marxism, which the young marxists have abandonded in favour of cultural Marxism... they always lie, they only desire power.

[@DavidBuckingham-Guitarist]

@@williamhaddoc :I think i's both. The fact that Trump would dismiss Bernie as being as "Commie" was an example of what the word has become a repository for. On the other hand, the fact that Bernie had such a groundswell of support shows t's becoming more and more mainstream. Wolff himself speaks about both in the interview: citing how it's avoided and ignored in US universities and then ending with that wonderful account of how he's having the times of his life, giving 3-4 interviews a day compared with how he previously 3-4 a year.

[@TIznus]

One class of people produces a surplus FACILITATED by another who put up their own capital to create and maintain the business… who take all the risk. Numbnut.

[@chrisslasher2706]

Great conversation, excellent steel manning of the op issues

[@ChadSolberg]

Your diversity of topics and guests is inspiring, Lex.

[@Pteromandias]

You are a bot.

[@ChadSolberg]

@@Pteromandias .... lol. Nu UH! YOU ARE BUT WHAT AM I?! Dont be silly, bruh.

[@prioritystrength]

I'll add my voice to the chorus in congratulating you on yet another great interview, Lex, but what I'm perhaps most impressed with at this moment of your podcasting career is your AUDIENCE. I thought for sure on seeing the title of this interview that the comments section would be a flame war, but would you look at all of the polite and thoughtful discussion here?! It's a real credit to your selection process on whom you choose to interview. By insisting on a broad swath of guests from across the ideological spectrum and a variety of different subjects, you really do allow your listeners to broaden the edges of their own thinking in a way that so few media outlets do nowadays. I'm sure you bear the brunt of more than a few rude comments here and there, but the listeners that stick around really do reap the benefit. Kudos, and please do keep it up.

[@acas6551]

For a Lex audience member to comment I think they have listened to show which is -not combative - I too Am impressed. The show is a guideline for conversation and a way to learn

[@unwavery]

absolutely. we all know the system is dying, we need to get serious and thoughtful and respectful of views outside the status quo. Lex is doing great work!

[@HamhockandHemorrhoids]

Exactly... But we will have to do unspeakable evil to the whites before we can have true Marxism... And I can't wait!!!!!

[@shaft9000]

" the system is dying" There are more than one, and they aren't exactly dying. Change for the better or else many will suffer? Certainly, and that risk is always there. But an unprecedented population of 7.5 billion says otherwise to the 'dying' thing. Some systems have some (chronic) infrastructure and most have (temporary) supply issues. Self-extinction has gained near-equality of likelihood as any other threat, which you can choose to be horrified by OR find somehow re-assuring. Up to you. Indeed this species has been outrageously DOMINANT, still is, and doesn't hardly know what to do with itself besides fuck fight and party, for the most part. We build and build and then ...."uh, well time to have a new war and build it back up again when it's done!" Rinse, repeat. _"And thaaaaat's Dialectic!"_ Cheers :)

[@michaelkarli8615]

I have never heard any definition or read any position that states absolutely that the minimum wage is intended to be a wage that a person can live upon independently.

[@stopculture]

If it’s not intended to be a wage that someone can live on, society is implicitly stating that the people who work those jobs do not deserve to live.

[@seanmason9057]

So good. Thank you! Side note . . Wolfe sounds identical in tone and voice to Robert Krulwich

[@vikrantsubakade9281]

Here are the guests that I'd like to see in future : 1. Chris Hedges 2. Edward Snowden 3. Alex Grey 4. John Mearsheimer 5. Peter Schiff

[@vikrantsubakade9281]

Its a diverse group of people so it will go perfectly with the theme of the podcast :)

[@davidmacdonald1695]

I think Mearsheimer is a con-man personally, but I suppose in the age of Trump we have to live with a few of them. Perhaps we always have. russia lives under one now as I type...

[@Vanderdude404]

Peter Schiff big time

[@rufatahadov251]

And anything to drink?))))

[@G1337wa]

I commented a while ago that I would love to see Richard Wolff invited on your podcast to give you another perspective on Marx and this was really worth the wait. The back and forth between you two was very respectful and informative. We are all better off for witnessing this exchange of ideas. Thank you for your open mind Lex!

[@MikBak1814]

Lex is open, smart and humble enough to 'push-back' timidly, knowing what his audience wants to hear, while at the same time deferring to, and spotlighting, Wolff's superior knowledge on the subject.

[@andrew20146]

I was really unimpressed.

[@danrl9710]

@@andrew20146 What specifically?

[@andrew20146]

@@danrl9710 Actual workable models. Railing against usury is foolish given his argument about not giving people bread if you have bread. Why does he not teach for free, or give homeless people he passes on the street his shoes? Workers cooperatives are allowed under a capitalist system. What does he propose to do to replace capitalism? Ban private companies? He claims he is not removing freedom or choice. He is absolutely out of touch with his claim that 'mass transit' could be provided in every major city in the US for $30B. NYC is spending $6B on one subway. Maybe for $3 trillion the US could build decent mass transit.

[@danrl9710]

@@andrew20146 Mondragon is a workable model and he provides that and other examples regularly. I can’t take the bread or shoes comments seriously. Maybe he is way out on mass transit. Doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea…at least that’s what every other developed nation also believes.

[@gettingstuffdoneright5332]

"Sharing the pleasure of understanding" beautiful, and no better example than this interview. Thank you Dr Wolff, thank you Mr Fridman🙏

[@Eazy.Winner]

Lex is the best interviewer I’ve come across properly the best ever, he’s them guys could interview the most highly respected person on the planet 🌎.

[@frozzytango9927]

No he is an idiot. IF he isnt an Ukrainian Jew, nobody would care about him.

[@somethingginterestingg4275]

You were the perfect person for this Lex. Great Interview.

[@vivekjain1948]

next interviews: Paul Louis Street, David North, Chris Hedges, Vijay Prashad

[@microapple97]

Great questions Lex. Thank you for hosting and being willing to publicly explore controversial ideas with humility and patience

[@SuperSteelSteve]

This is amazing. I have been convinced that i really had no idea what Marxism really was. Ive read the books, ive talked to all these Marxists and i always assumed i wasn't smart enough to understand the books and the Marxists i spoke to weren't smart enough to explain it... I am now listening to the world expert on Marxism make the same smooth brain, fairy tale, semantic, gold medal mental gymnastic arguments ive heard at nauseum. Marxism really, truly is nothing more than a strawman argument to capitalism. It has no actual solutions to the strawman arguments it makes. Wow.

[@LibertyDIY]

Well said. I think if you follow their logic, you end up with massive expansion of government power, debt, printing and war. Which is exactly what we're getting from the swamp!

[@anthonyesposito7]

Wow you are you really telling yourself there, aren't you? lol

[@Lcsdrums]

Great comment, thanks for that

[@lukuthedude]

I can't tell if lex is trying to tee Wolff up or really has this simplistic of an understanding of things.

[@scotttatertot69]

No, he really does.

[@RockPile_]

What did lex say that you thought was simple

[@lukuthedude]

@@RockPile_ he keeps asking these questions that seem to ignore what was previous talked about. Like when lex is asking questions about government vs corporations as if they aren't 2 sides of the same coin.

[@IndigoVagrant]

Lex has permanent stoner techbro brain sadly, he just really struggles with understanding corporate power and business empires.

[@mrmanic4151]

@@lukuthedude Wolf explicitly rejects the government as being a point of interest in order to focus on the proletriat-bougeois dynamic.

[@platoman214]

What I love most about you interviews, Lex, is how you allow your guests to develop their ideas in a depth one rarely finds outside the very best books.

[@tenmanX]

The interviewer was mostly an impediment (albeit a congenial one) in this interview.

[@platoman214]

@@tenmanX I disagree. Rex generally asks for clarification of well-known words to insure the understanding of those who do not know the field to the depth you do.

[@michaeltharpedu]

If you think about what Richard supports in this video it’s so much more evil than anything YE, Kyrie, or dave Chappell.

[@enslavedgorilla]

@@michaeltharpedu what evil thing does he support

[@EvgeniPetrov]

@@enslavedgorilla Marxism

[@AndrewBeisel]

56:24 Is Heraclitus. Hegel may have adopted his very early position. (540-480 bce)

[@RememberingWW2]

Here's my big gripe with all of this is that we have a " bona fide economic expert" teaching students about business who has never started a business, never ran a business successfully, never employed. anybody, never paid any corporate taxes, and clearly doesn't understand the concept of property rights. How the hell does someone like this with absolutely no real world business experience get a job in teaching the next generation about business and the economy?

[@M.-.D]

These conversations continue to be the most valuable in society. Thank you for the effort and willingness to share.

[@C_R_O_M________]

These conversations are interesting only because they point out the widespread economic illiteracy that even economists carry around.

[@fuckamericanidiot]

@@C_R_O_M________ Illiterate compared to what? I would ask a capitalist economist over the rare commie economist about economics any day.

[@C_R_O_M________]

@@fuckamericanidiot and you would get a round 1 KO in the following debate. The communist get’s the stretcher. Always!

[@JohnSmith-qi1df]

​@@C_R_O_M________ Ah yes, a youtube commenter accusing a man with a masters and PhD in economics of "economic illiteracy"

[@jabrokneetoeknee6448]

@@C_R_O_M________ Well it’s a completely different school of economics. Modern neo-liberal Friedman-style economists are entirely concerned with growth and capitalization. Whereas the Marxist economist is entirely concerned with human history as determined purely by material factors and the struggle between classes. The vital difference: Wolfe does not prescribe socialism to “grow the economy” but rather to transcend the economy… with the ultimate aim of ending exploitative power imbalances.

[@greenercreations9772]

Richard Wolff's explanation of surplus and its allocation is as clear a definition of Marxism vs. Non-Marxism as I've heard.

[@Bustaperizm]

Does Marxism lend itself to surplus?

[@negrevallsette2980]

Yeah it's like the worker are the shareholder and participatebin the input at the same time

[@rockstar450]

Marxist definitions fail under scrutiny. The labour value model considers a new cook as equal to an artisan chef. Tell me what that does to productivity

[@ytpanda398]

​@@rockstar450No it doesn't, that is not the Labour Theory of Value

[@rockstar450]

@@ytpanda398 yes. It does. It destroys competition like all socialism kills people

[@johnpayne2557]

The situation described in the opening remarks is what the Rastafarian’s refer to as, The Babylon System. As Bob Marley once said, the Babylon System is a vampier.

[@markalton4610]

The only people that think employees create a surplus is employees

[@carloscolon1279]

Right. All those one man companies out there killing it.

[@markalton4610]

@@carloscolon1279 just going out on a limb here and assuming you have never ran business

[@misinfluence]

@@carloscolon1279every large tech company is on the shoulders of a select few people so fake email jobs that women do can exist

[@jacasadia]

Lex thank you for another interesting interview and for engaging with thinkers from various perspectives. Genuine dialogue is a rare thing in our time.

[@truthmatters4654]

I would say most of my peers would be too close minded unfortunately to watch this however I agree with you agree with you a broad spectrum of perspectives is active is terribly enlightening in so many ways it is very important, for the future of any society, to be able to comprehend the perspective active of the past experiences answers of people from all, different aspects of Experience..

[@jonblaze4244]

As a radical leftist and someone who is not a subscriber, this was by far the best interview of Professor Wolff that I've seen.

[@pavels8890]

@@jonblaze4244 ן ןמל ןמן ןמ

[@CaliforniaMan13]

I agree. Just because someone has bad conclusions, doesn't mean they don't have a ton of interesting and valuable ideas in their process of thinking. That's why free speech and respectful debate is so healthy for a society. If you refuse to talk to someone because you disagree with one single conclusion of theirs, then you close yourself off to any potential ways of working together, and we need to work together or this civilization thing stops working. I happen to know that communism and socialism are far inferior in terms of net positive impact to people in the long run, that doesn't mean I don't agree with MANY of this guy's criticisms, observations, and ideas

[@jonblaze4244]

@@CaliforniaMan13 if socialism and communism is inferior, how do you explain the collapse of the US economy and society in general? How do you explain the complete take over of government by capitalist and things only getting worse? Why is none of these capitalist stepping up and trying to save the planet from global warming but instead spending their money on trying to get off the planet?

[@oliverastankovic7009]

During the financial crash in 2008, Lehman Brothers went down. Over 2000 lost jobs in that bank and their CEO walked away with 8 millions and he opened a consulting firm. Who should be held accountable, Lex?

[@oliverastankovic7009]

Oh my my, Lex!!! People lost jobs and they invested 20 years of hard work. One day, they go to work and the factory is closed. No warning signs! The entity was open in China. There are examples like this everywhere in America. You think that the corporations feel the pain. If your hypothesis is true than there would be no sign for closure in front of numerous homes across America. Just wake up and get better informed! If one capitalist like Bloomberg has 14 homes how can that person feel pain if family of five lose the only home they have.

[@gorkyd7912]

So they were entitled to a job and the CEO failed them so has to be punished? That's how it works? Maybe the workers failed the CEO.

[@austinz9310]

@@gorkyd7912 except, you and everyone who knows even the most basic facts about 2008 knows that is not at all the case.

[@gorkyd7912]

@@austinz9310 Let's not confuse history with morality. There's what happened and there's what should happen. I think if a company goes under it's not therefore a crime by the CEO against its workers, unless the CEO single-handedly tanked the company through some kind of wrongdoing. If the CEO walks away with 8 million, first of all that's a tiny bit in the grand scheme of early 2000s investment banking, second that says nothing about what the workers walked away with. Maybe they walked away with 1 mil each and got jobs at Goldman Sachs. There's nothing in the statement that proves the CEO wronged the workers, and no one is entitled to a job.

[@gt1r]

@@gorkyd7912 If you worked in finance in ‘08, or even know anything about what lead to the crash, you might understand how silly that statement is.

[@psychicspy]

Wealth can not be redistributed because it was never distributed in the first place. It can be stolen by the government and then distributed to those who did nothing to create it or earn it.

[@vavictus]

56:35 Not Hegel’s Line! Heraclitus! The line of Heraclitus! Otherwise, fantastic and fascinating discussion so far! Thank you so much 🙏🏻

[@axelfoleyt]

The conversation starting at around 110 is absolutely eye-opening and brilliant

[@sassaez]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 "brilliant..." 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂...

[@thetaqjr]

What are the brilliant arguments? Go easy on yourself, just state one brilliant argument, and justify the adjective.

[@norbertdrage]

Maybe it’s just me, but I would love to see a three-way discussion with Prof Wolff, the one-and-only Michael Malice and Lex discussing capitalism and its effect on society, and what could and even should be done better. Thanks for a wonderfully thoughtful discussion, Lex 🙂

[@petefromdewoods5157]

I second the motion!

[@Neseku]

I thought the same thing!

[@beingjohn392]

I agree. And then this guy would be called out for conveniently leaving out some very fundamental math on how a business really works. Particularly a small business with 10 or 20 employees. This guy is nuts imo

[@independentRestorationServices]

@@beingjohn392 he can’t “win” a debate without first reframing the conversation and changing definitions.

[@tonytanner3048]

@@beingjohn392 Small businesses legitimately practice capitalism he is really saying communism has been distorted to authoritarianism (russia) and people turn a blind eye to corporatism and the collusion of big business and government. He then argues that communism has been scapegoated in a way to anything going against big business and argues for a decentralized communism where each person has a vote instead of a couple board members and then touches on nepotism where family of capitalists get higher positions and money without being qualified. He touches some good points I personally believe in free market but he has opened up our thoughts on things especially the USA view of communism.

[@bigpapi2658]

So if the company does bad and the employer goes negative, is it OK to take away from employees?

[@michaelkarli8615]

I wonder what this gentleman would do if society would suddenly say colleges are not delivering and adequate return for our country and we don't need the professors and he would have to go out to get a job. Then he will understand risk

[@name3698]

Congratulations on having the most open minded audience on KZbin. I'm sure most of us are far from Marxists yet most of comments are very positive.

[@crakermac3818]

I'd like to believe we are far from marxists

[@name3698]

@@NobuhikuObayashi I have not yet. However I have purchased the Communist Manifesto recently and plan on reading it.

[@benklingman]

Yea I do wonder how many of these comments feel, they are just happy to be learning! I don’t agree with the guy and I don’t think lex does either, but hes providing a service regardless and shining a light in areas most won’t, and it’s always entertaining and thought provoking. Like no one else can make me listen to someone I disagree with for 3 hours.

[@crakermac3818]

@@name3698 I think I tries to read , but lost me at the part about abolishing private property. I should probably go back and read it, although be wasnt the best writer IMO. He was just a sponge that lived off other people and family.

[@dweezytaughtme]

@@crakermac3818 there’s a difference between private property and personal property. Private property refers to the commodification and enclosure of what traditionally would’ve been common property/resources.

[@trioofone8911]

This is the best interview of Prof Wolff I think I've ever seen. I don't know anything about the interviewer. I came to this likely because I've watched so many Prof Wolff lecture videos on KZbin. Anyway, the questions were insightful. The interviewer was knowledgeable and probed hard, and did not allow slack or pitch any softballs. I will be watching more of these.

[@extremeresponsibility4325]

Richard doesn't understand that most entrepreneurs start with nothing. Instead entrepreneurs take huge risk that produces something of value for society and creates employment.

[@Bibbittz]

@@extremeresponsibility4325 How many comments did you copy/paste this stupid and incorrect response to?

[@josh_hen_har3377]

@@extremeresponsibility4325 the only risk they take is that they don’t end up like 95% of people ie workers

[@extremeresponsibility4325]

@josh_hen_har my friend, if you think that is the risk of an entrepreneur, what business have you started? Only 4.8% of businesses are around past 10 years. If there is low risk, explain why. Only 9% ever earn $1 million or more annually. Why? You could not be more incorrect. I hope that you aren't afraid of learning. I challenge you to start a business today. Then put all of your energy and resources into it. The challenge is on to see if You Got It or Not.

[@mattluck2826]

@@extremeresponsibility4325 you completely missed the point. He’s not arguing about the difficulty of starting a business he’s saying the risk of it is simply going back to wage labour. That’s it. You don’t die or become homeless, you’re simply back to the factory line. And what you’re describing is an abomination of what capitalism was supposed to be. Adam smith was very clear about what capitalism should be. It was supposed to be thousands of butchers tailors grocery store owners, not just a tiny portion of the capitalist class Already what you’re describing isn’t even capitalism, it’s a neo feudal relationship.

[@negritoojosclaros]

There is so little people that being something out of an ideology, brings one of the best out there to talk. Nice, lex

[@prac2]

"Employees produce the surplus that the employer gets" But the employer shares the surplus with the Employees in the form of WAGES. People's perspective changes when the decide to open a business

[@kdacuna]

The surplus is after the cost of labor, after the wages have been paid to employees.

[@whatabouttheearth]

The worker created the profits, the surplus value is extracted from what the worker created, then it is used for all sorts of things other than reinvesting in fixed capital, and out of this you get an entire upper class that lives off of the extraction of surplus value and not only that, they are the ruling class, based on that theft of the fruits of others labors. After a while the workers are essentially paying their own wage through what they create and paying for the rest of the business. To put it EXTREMELY simplisticly, if I get a loan for $20 for initial means of production, $10 for the building, $5 for fixed capital (materials) and $5 for variable capital, the wage of the living labor, and then that labor makes commodities that sell for $60, I can now repay the $20, have $10 for reinvesting in fixed amd variable capital and have $30 profit. What happens is that now when the labor produce $60 worth of commodities they are now essentially paying for themselves, the variable capital, and the fixed capital, and I am merely paying myself off of the fruits of their labors. The workers earn more than their wage, the owner extracts part of what the worker created. It was the workers surplus not the owners because the worker created it, the worker made the commodities into something of more value through their labor.

[@whatabouttheearth]

The worker created the profits, the surplus value is extracted from what the worker created, then it is used for all sorts of things other than reinvesting in fixed capital, and out of this you get an entire upper class that lives off of the extraction of surplus value and not only that, they are the ruling class, based on that theft of the fruits of others labors. After a while the workers are essentially paying their own wage through what they create and paying for the rest of the business. To put it EXTREMELY simplisticly, if I get a loan for $20 for initial means of production, $10 for the building, $5 for fixed capital (materials) and $5 for variable capital, the wage of the living labor, and then that labor makes commodities that sell for $60, I can now repay the $20, have $10 for reinvesting in fixed amd variable capital and have $30 profit. What happens is that now when the labor produce $60 worth of commodities they are now essentially paying for themselves, the variable capital, and the fixed capital, and I am merely paying myself off of the fruits of their labors. The workers earn more than their wage, the owner extracts part of what the worker created. It was the workers surplus not the owners because the worker created it, the worker made the commodities into something of more value through their labor.

[@Kcoldraz]

Fridman's interview is a really good match for Prof. Wolff's usually high energy. It feels more controlled somehow.

[@kipwonder2233]

Controlled...how???

[@davidalvarez7262]

@@kipwonder2233 I think he means kind of like a Ying and yang kind of way.

[@Kcoldraz]

The conversation just seems more subdue and more digestible. I just feel like Prof. Wolff tends to run on sometimes.

[@rypoelk997]

Wolff is an extrovert and Lex is an introvert. The two are able to produce good synergy. Jordan Peterson’s interview of Camille Paglia is similar extrovert/introvert synergy. This is why introverts and extroverts can be attracted to each other. They’re able to strike a good balance in conversation.

[@fullsend8738]

@@rypoelk997 don't put Peterson n Wolff in the same sentence

[@vintage0x]

I've seen a lot of Richard Wolff content in my time. This was honestly my fav conversation featuring him, ever. The thoughtfulness and care with which Lex steers the ship here is really astounding. He gets info out of Wolff which I've never really heard him talk about before (particularly the historical stuff) and it's nothing short of totally engrossing. He's a brilliant explainer and storyteller. I hope others feel the same.

[@tombodkin5377]

here here

[@Si_Mondo]

"Storyteller" is right. Historian wouldn't be the correct description.

[@christopherwigfall6518]

@@Si_Mondo nor would economist

[@fgb3126]

March 8, 2024 currently 16,461 comments. COMMENTS! Number of views? 2,900,000. That's pretty impressive Lex. This interview with someone who isn't exactly well-known, and who is a Marxist, and which is 3 hrs. long, I watched all the way thru. I assume some of those others did too. This is the only place I could access someone like Richard. It's a whole new kind of "TV". Even such high-brow shows on the old PBS would never have devoted so much air time to such an interview. Say and think what you will of our current culture, and the role of technology, but this KZbin has made a big indentation.

[@nicovicencio-heap6238]

so, to speak to to what Lex was saying about heads of companies not purely profit driven, can operate according to the principles human decency, he seems to either be forgetting, or choosing to ignore the unfortunate reality that generally speaking the fiduciary duty is towards the corporation and its respective shareholders, and doing anything other than maximize returns on investment for partial ownership and shareholders would actually be in breach of violation, and /or sanctioned and punished.

[@Kai-Made]

I am back here watching this again Lex. This is one of the best conversations you have done. I bought 2 of his books. Never heard of him until 7 months ago when I first watched this. Had to rewatch...tons of info. I am still, 7 months later, trying to figure out how 7 or 8% inflation equals 30-300% increases on stuff. My grocery bill averaged about 400 bucks a month(3 person fam)...it is now nearly 800. we do not buy anything different, and I still clip and search for deals and coupons. Rarely buy name brand. Heck we even raise a garden. Something is wrong...and it is not "inflation" alone causing this. Luckily, knock on wood, I have a decent job but I could not make it at all if I made any less than I do now. We don't live a life of "luxury", we have no things that can be trimmed. We literally live as efficiently as we can...if I made 10 bucks an hour we would be starving, and I would be walking to work...there is no way. Poverty/economy is probably the largest issue out there, because it concerns so many people, and is tied to so many other issues. We need to change something...fast.

[@aileenmac1]

You’re right. Food increases by 100% but inflation in the UK is 10% (decreasing apparently). Still trying to work that one out too. Energy bill has doubled. Once the basics of life ie food; home and fuel become a real problem for the average person. It’s really a question of when not if…..

[@threeofeight197]

Not to mention housing, healthcare and education. But hey we can get cheap plastic bobbles so we should be ok 🙄. It’s just the essentials of life that are inflating.

[@K2-Fitness]

​@@threeofeight197the gy😢😢m 😢 re😮2w😢😢😢

[@robertfelts8773]

Wolff is great. He has tons of classroom lectures that are great too

[@threeofeight197]

@@robertfelts8773 I wish more ppl would be open to socialist ideas. Even if one doesn’t go full socialist it’s good to recognize that not everything works well in the free market.

[@szghasem]

Kudos Lex! Pleasantly surprised for inviting professor Wolff! Utterly enjoyed this talk. Yanis Varoufakis is another person with a fascinating mind.

[@Z10N4Z1]

+Slavoy Zizek

[@libelldrian173]

Yanis Varoufakis is such a clown. lmao

[@Z10N4Z1]

@@libelldrian173 he's ok. I attended his economics classes in Australia.

[@ccpj0eyb319]

Milton Friedman is a much better economist

[@Z10N4Z1]

@@ccpj0eyb319 Liberal economics and neaolibral hegemony. My two favourite subjects.

[@papajoots]

At the hour mark Richard Wolff's description of a market isn't realistic. In a shortage the buyers will drive the price of an item up to whatever they can bear, while finding alternatives.

[@ifyouaskme745]

What’s the name of his company?

[@TheDoc1978]

The looks these 2 give each other while talking is hilarious. Richard gives Lex a "are you f****** stupid?" look while Lex give Richard a "this is such bull****" look.

[@technosaurus3805]

The problem with academics is that they think we live in a frictionless clean room at standard temperature and pressure where any person can be substituted with any other person.

[@iamthereforeistrive9392]

Wolff looks SO much crazier since the time who was known as Wolf on YT.

[@theMuritz]

I don’t see them opposing each other the way you’re suggesting …

[@TheDoc1978]

@@theMuritz they're not. Dem jokes

[@adamjarvis1654]

@@theMuritz Lex doesn't debate. He's an organic AI. He is simply gathering data and pointing out parts of Wolffs argument that lack internal coherence.

[@EagleEye80]

Very good! I'm an economist and more to the right, but I think it's very interesting and valuable to understand Marxism. I really enjoy how this is a channel where great thinkers of different perspective can converge. Like an antidote to MSM. Keep going and keep growing, Lex! Much love from Sweden...

[@C_R_O_M________]

Of course it’s very valuable, especially to see its manifestations in Leninism, Trotskyism, Fascism and National Socialism. They were all Hegelian spawns and originated from Marxism. Giovanni Gentile and Mussolini were both Marxists until they realized that tribalism (translated into ultranationalism for their purpose) was the key, the Trojan Horse to take down the castle of capitalism and lead society into collectivism. Of course they failed as central planning never ends well. Lex is indeed doing an excellent job.

[@fuckamericanidiot]

Richard Wolff isn't a great thinker. He's just a misanthropic religious fanatic with nothing to show for his efforts. Worst religion ever.

[@theMuritz]

You are Swedish, so by American standards you are deemed communist … we’re in this together, greetings from Germany 🇩🇪

[@C_R_O_M________]

@@theMuritz it depends on the American. There are Americans that would think of Sweden as far-right because it has no minimum wage laws. That is IF they knew about that fact.

[@Alex-hu5eg]

@@C_R_O_M________ Let me tell you guys, You are doing a great job with this. You're pretty good! Without the "far-right Swedish" part it would be flawless. Idk if it's just me, but I'm aware that in some specific countries, calling someone a far rightist or a nazi is the meanest thing you can say. While in America, is not a big deal. Mostly because the average American doesn't even know what it is. Sweden is wildly known for their leaning towards multiculturalism. I hope it helped

[@akhydra3525]

Listen to old marxist talk about economics is like listening to old priest talk about physics

[@michaelmappin1830]

I don't know why you would say that. Marxism is just as scientific

[@thelast9021]

Envy is a sin. It leads to conflict and death. Worry about your life instead of others salaries.

[@aaronbounds1336]

The "freedom" To switch to a different employer is complicated by things like health insurance and pre-existing conditions. If somebody has a pre-existent condition and decent health insurance at a job they hate, there are much less likely to move jobs because of the health insurance related reasons that may exist with the health insurance offerings at a new job. That is to say they may or may not be able to get insurance coverage for a medical condition. This is a huge problem.

[@Riskofdisconnect]

In our current society there is a glorification of "negative freedom" (the lack of someone putting a gun to your head and making you do something) at the expense of "positive freedom" (the ability to do what you want without fear of dying from disease, starvation, exposure, all the things having money protects you from). It's important to realize that a society needs both for all it's citizens to be considered at all just, and capitalism requires no positive freedom for workers in order to remain functional.

[@erikalesi7603]

Correct. Health insurance should not be tied to employment.

[@pavelvodnar3206]

@@erikalesi7603 Its not tied even now...i dont know but you have to be employee to get insurance in USA?

[@erikalesi7603]

@@pavelvodnar3206 Largely, yes.

[@pavelvodnar3206]

@@erikalesi7603 what about entrepreneurs?

[@gregaldr]

One of the most important things not said is that top level corporate leaders are often sociopathic if not psychopathic. This is how they get to the top. Another point is that public corporations were always a terrible idea as it essentially pits employees against one another via there roles as both shareholder and employee. It is also another way for those at the top to take massive sums from the company, even when they fail.

[@socratesa2536]

Hmmm, that’s a loose statement that I think many of us assume to be true but statistically not feasible. Jordan Peterson gives his explanation better than I as to why the “sociopath” is not the majority of the top end achievers, albite noticeable when it occurs.

[@soliel5680]

​@@socratesa2536I've been really delving into psychology lately, but I still know very very little. However, when studying different personality disorders, Jordan Peterson sometimes came to my mind. In your estimation, do you think he suffers from narcissistic personality disorder, or even psychopathy itself? Do you think he has any personality disorders at all, or something else entirely? Btw, I'm not saying this to discredit your point, or even the point of Jordan Peterson. You seem like a fan/viewer of Jordan Peterson, so as someone who is probably much more familiar with his thinking than I am, I'd simply like your input on this regard.

[@panosshady6168]

@@soliel5680 Peterson is a charlatan. All his points (the ones that are actually coherent and not just obscure word salads) are easily refutable, and there is definitely more than a healthy sprinkle of narcissism in there.

[@RScottMelton]

I've heard that too. If it is true, it would stand to reason that the same personality types seeking CEO positions would also be ruthless in pursuing high levels in a communistic / socialistic based government. The biggest difference for the individual, you can choose to leave a corporation in free market capitalistic government. However traditionally you have little choice and are stuck with the job and boss assigned you for the greater good. Also, leaders of communist countries seem to always have a lifetime position. I guess they don't want to be reduced to live a equal life of the people they govern.

[@socratesa2536]

@@soliel5680 Well looking into definitions for terms would be a good start for studying psych. I don't think psychopathy as that would entail "callous unemotional (CU) traits, which manifest as a lack of guilt and remorse, a callous lack of empathy, a lack of concern about one’s performance on important activities, and a general lack of emotional expression" according to the american psych association. One would have a deep struggle to have a career as a practicing psychotherapist for well over 30 years where your job is to be the antithesis if those traits and it wouldn't make much sense to write multiple self-help books when one has the traits of a psychopath. Let alone the interviews I have seen of him there are several times where after speaking about positive and negative experiences that he was moved to tears. Just some examples of many. Now Narcissistic personality disorder, one can argue anyone with fame that arrived from speech and public platforms of any kind has it! That would be unfair though and we both know that's not the case, although a possible sign. Yet again true narcissists completely disregard others and their feelings, surround themselves with people to feed their ego. Without breaking down and listing all 9 of the tendencies listed on the DSM-5, I also have a hard time seeing the minimum of 5 necessary to be diagnosed. For starters, he often surrounds himself with those that do quite the opposite of feeding his ego. Another example: "A preoccupation with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love" is one of them, and that is one of his major lecture points in his thesis of the world is to beware power and warns about ideal love. But without blabbering on more than I have or could still do, I find it rather fascinating given that someone who has admittedly very little knowledge of psych has come to think of Jordan Peterson under such an umbrella. It just seems like an opinion from others without truly investigating his way of thinking. Now one can disagree with him no doubt, many do but that does not make some of his valid points instantly invalid. Now this is not a jab, but I think given that you have been studying personality disorders, it seems that you haven't much understanding of how to apply the definitions you listed or have been given the wrong ones to assess someone as having them. That or coming from a point of such disdain and disagreement with him that throwing disorders around to discredit him is convenient. Now if the case is that you are not too familiar with his thinking, it is rather odd to me again to throw the listed disorders or any such without being familiar with the individual. You are clearly a sharp thinker and good writer; I'd be surprised if you took the opinion of someone else instead of investigating yourself. So, I encourage you to dive into some of his not so provocative speeches/interviews and talks and see if any of those disorders ring true. Maybe I'm wrong!

[@journeyman1126]

53:25 In the Airborne I got hazardous duty pay. Working night shifts at AT&T we got a small differential. At warehouses like Dollar General and Amazon I was in more risk of injury and knew of people who actually died from overexertion. Multiple heart attacks a year. Half the pay of the other jobs. In this country, the less you get paid, the harder you get worked, the more you exert, the more hours you have to work. I was forced to work 12 hour shifts seven days a week at Yorozu in Tennessee. There was no wiggle room.

[@whatabouttheearth]

But the military can increase your "necessary labor time" all they want and you get paid the same. They can make you work A LOT more as you get paid the same, moreso than private companies can increase surplus labor because they're legally allowed to do it.

[@whatabouttheearth]

But the military can increase your "necessary labor time" all they want and you get paid the same. They can make you work A LOT more as you get paid the same, moreso than private companies can increase surplus labor because they're legally allowed to do it.

[@josephwilliams1915]

I love the US, this is my home. But I am not blind to the shortfalls of this country. There will always be the elite and working class, the haves and have nots, whatever you want to call it. It will exist in socialism, it will exist in communism. It will always exist no matter what we do. What makes the US great is that if you level yourself up, you can level up your life. I'm 31 years old now. I didn't actually start being a man until I was 27. I decided to take control of my life. Borrowed money and started going to therapy and a psychiatrist. I started working harder, being more productive at work. Started learning new skills. Ended up moving across the US and bought a house in cash. I was a loser until I turned 27. String of failed relationships. Couldn't keep a job for more than 6 months etc. I happened to be lucky that i got into IT at a very early age, and that did help me quite a bit. But to be honest, I have friends who were mature at the age of 18, started with a part time job at walmart. Now they're store managers making 6 figures, way more than i'm making now. I'm jealous in a respectful way. I'm very happy for their success. I'm more jealous that I didn't learn from them sooner and take control of my life like they did. I turend my life around in 4 years. Its never too late. And that is what makes the US great. If you're willing to put in the work and make yourself marketable, then you csn achieve anything. Also wanted to throw out there that i'm now engaged, to the most wonderful woman in the world. I don't think i would have been able to do this under any other system other than capitalism. I'm not saying capitalism is perfect. Its not, not even close. But it sucks for the same reason why communism (which i like in theory. Its my favorite in an ideal world) doesn't work. Some people will rob you. Some people will exploit you. Some people are just degenerates. And those people will break the system. There are some people who are okay with being the have nots, and don't want to work their fsir share. We can't control that. But we can allow opportunity for those willing to work. Just food for thought. I'm not really here to argue with anyone. I'm a free american. Believe and chase after what you want. This is just my two cents. Take it or leave it, haha. Salaam to you all.

[@Meilat1890]

Your approach to conducting these interviews is something I admire. Thank you for sharing, and continuing to contribute to the public domain. 🙂

[@Pteromandias]

You are a bot.

[@Meilat1890]

@@Pteromandias last I checked I was a sovereign and sentient being. Perhaps I’m imagining all that.

[@MelissaJean143]

​@@Meilat1890 ? Sentient Being? IMAGINING????😮

[@MelissaJean143]

​@@Pteromandias what MAKES YOU BE AWARE OF OR REASON IN WHICH YOU BELIEVE IT AND TEXTED THIS ?

[@buttereggmanandtheketones4868]

I'm impressed how Lex is able to ask interesting questions to such a variety of interesting guests. It is important to understand classical, Austrian and Keynesian in addition to the Marxist ideas. While I disagree personally with Wolff, I appreciate being able to hear him lay out his arguments without interruption and be asked well thought out questions with little biased showing from Lex.

[@JPVerc]

You’re speaking my thoughts much more elegantly than I could have put it. I strongly disagree with this guest, but I know it’s best for me and everyone to allow him to share his pov. What bothers me is his level of education and his influence in educating the next generation. But the best thing we can do is let him speak. Great work, Lex. More sunlight.

[@kyleganse4978]

I think it’s important because Wolf says it best Marxism stands a critique of capitalism. We have to let our sacred cows be attacked to see where it falls short and really analyze where we can truly improve or if something is a feature of the system. It’s how we progress further as a collective species.

[@mikhelBrown]

Whenever someone says 'they disagree with Wolff' i always wonder why? Are u Rich? Is a relation of yours on Wall Street? Because people in the position of power, who are well connected and benefit from America's current system are the ones who 'will or shd disagree with Wolff'. If you live on paycheck to paycheck and pray everyday that you don't get sick because you know you can't afford healthcare, *Why would 'you disagree with Wolff?'* Brain washing is a hell of drug. Smh.

[@JPVerc]

@@mikhelBrown No hate from me, Mikhel. And I appreciate your curiosity so I'm happy to answer your questions. I'll start with your 2nd question; 2) I'm not rich. I happen to be unemployed (working a lot, but not generating any income) and I haven't had income of any sort since November. I'm beyond broke. I'm basically homeless, but challenging an eviction only to prolong the process, and allow myself more time with a roof over my head before I'll be homeless in August. My car was repossessed 2 weeks ago. I'm the opposite of rich. I don't share this info with anyone and now I'm telling anyone who cares to know, only because of how much I appreciate your reply. Other than the hate you try sending, but I'm choosing to leave that, and I'm not going to send any either. Question 2) No relations of mine are on wall street. 3) I don't live paycheck to pc because I haven't received one in 7 months. 4) I haven't had healthcare in 2 years and I do have medical needs that I'll keep private. Finally I'll answer your 1st and last question: I just think his solutions are short sited, and fail to consider enough variables. Mostly variables related to how humans respond to incentives, for better or worse. That's all. Not everyone agrees with me, and I don't agree with some people. It seems you and Wolff are on the side I disagree with, and I'm sorry that makes you mad. God bless, bro.

[@thejquinn]

@@JPVerc "What bothers me is his level of education and his influence in educating the next generation" > Uhh so you'd like to censor him??????? Something like this happened in this country in the 50s, it was the HUAC trials, and they were some of the most UNAMERICAN things to ever happen in this country, and might be on par with Slavery, and killing of the Native Americans. "Best thing we can do is let him speak", Oh gee your lordship, how kind of you. Stop thinking you're the center of gravity, this might be why you're in the situation you're in.

[@matthoward9860]

You could also argue the western capitalist system we live in around the world isnt real capitalism. Capitalism should be about a free market with lots of small business competing against each other. This in theory should keep prices low and markets fair with everyone thriving. However large corporations have formed in countries and around the world. They crush and squeeze out small Business and control what happens in those markets. In New Zealand where i live. There are only 4 or 5 big supermarket chains in the courty. They are all owned by the same two companies that are from australia. They can charge what they want because they control that market and can crush anyone that tries to compete with them. I still see capitalism as the way for a country to move forward. It creates competition and innervation. Although yes, people are left behind. I spend time in the military which i would compare to communism. An officer class that dictate what you do, although they dont know how to do it themselves. Rules and reulations for everything. Everyone getting paid the same. People werent willing to speak up if something was wrong. They would do the bare minimum because someone else will do it and they didnt get paid any extra. Where as now a work for a small business operating a digger. It was started by two brothers afew decades ago. Its now run by thier sons and employees 15 20 people. They have done well because of a good reputation and the quality of work they have done. Globalization and coportations are the problem. I find it hard to believe Marxism is the way to go without there being any examples of it doing well. If it looks like a dog. Barks like a dog. Its a dog.

[@ladyjade6446]

I went to a job interview and when we got to the salary part he says “so what is the lowest salary you would take? “How much do you need to survive on?” LOL it’s a people problem not a capitalist problem

[@Thabang-st4bw]

Capitalism is based on maximising profits... a large part of the cost is labour. As a business owner I want my people to work as much as they can for as little money I can pay them. As an employee I want to work as little as I can for a lot of money. This is a fundamental contradiction in capitalism... this is why sweat shops exist... it is not a people problem