Russell Brand's political revolution

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Russell Brand is back and unrepentant about his belief that politics is dead. But here he is talking to Jon Snow about a campaign to change UK drug laws which MPs must now debate.
Russel Brand on drugs abstinence : bit.ly/ZLqc50
Watch more Channel 4 News interviews: bit.ly/1sWTslk
Top stories: bit.ly/1wdbIG1

[@TweekDash]

My left ear loved this.

[@DialecticalMaterialismRocks]

how even

[@AndrewLuhring]

was gonna say

[@naeem-hf7xx]

i nearly thought my headphones were broken 😂💀

[@sanzenkoan]

Russel knows what he's talking about, jons just trying to make him look like an angry school kid, but Russel still gets the point across! :D

[@Misanthrope111]

I love how he doesn't back peddle at all, and stays true to his point of view even when he's being asked to explain an element of his belief that, at first, may seem like an obvious contradiction! Beginning @ 4:09 in particular Then again @ 5:25 & 12:41. He's beyond articulate & I never thought I would ever respect Russel Brand the way I do, & how much I do!

[@jefersonvilaede]

+Thomas Salerno true. i too admire that. he is clear with his passion. we can all be like that. clear.

[@PickerLeech]

OK, 5 mins in and Jon has used the "you don't vote" attack 5 times. Paxman used that attack too. They're both smart. Why are they relying on one line of attack only?

[@PickerLeech]

That's actually a question as opposed to an answer. But it is an interesting and important point that you make. If Jon and Paxman are simply unable to come up with valid objections to Brand doesn't that suggest that what he has to say is credible. I think the whole "don't vote'" line of attack was pre-determined and somewhat of an unnecessary ambush. There was never any intention of an actual discussion, it was always meant to be an attempt to attack and belittle Brand. Didn't work though.

[@PickerLeech]

***** Yeah I agree. Brand is mostly high lighting the issues of the current system as opposed to setting out an alternative. And he gets criticism for that, but as he says, he's just an entertainer addressing an issue - it's not his responsibility to develop a global solution. I don't think it's the entertainers (interviewers / political pundits) holding on to their beliefs - I think it was a pre-planned attack. Even the angle of attack was chosen beforehand. And that would have been chosen by the producers of the show. Jon Snow was quite malicious. He stuck his knife in time and again. Paxman and Snow are smart enough to realise that not voting doesn't invalidate all other arguments or points of view. They know that. They just chose to ignore that and harp on about it because that's the only tool that they had, and the goal was to attack. Good thing though is that I think most people would recognise that - even if subconciously, and even if that is limited to the younger audience.

[@PickerLeech]

***** Yep. Which may or may not be true, but it was definitely a planned attack.

[@redfield1007]

Because it's a huge question and is the reason why he's a guest.

[@msbramble176]

@@redfield1007 I thought he was there to talk about drug reform

[@Misanthrope111]

"Hear me out old bean"

[@merlinscat]

well done Russell

[@maxamillianwolfgang807]

"Hear me out old bean" Lol

[@jakethemusicman]

Jon was a little bit ignorant in his argument against Russell's political confusion here. Russell might be opposed to the British government model but it's undeniable that those horrible politicians hold the power, and if we want drug laws reformed we have no choice but to turn to the ones who make them. For now at least.

[@jonathanthaw4544]

thats exactly what I was thinking? 100,000 signatures cant physically change a law so what else can russell do?! Obviously he has to let the house of commons talk about it

[@jakethemusicman]

Glad it wasn't just me brother

[@dylanswint1795]

Jake Marsden Yeah I was thinking the same thing. Jon Snow ( lol Game of Thrones anyone? ) , quite deliberately, I think, avoided any in depth conversation on parliament, politics or the nature of drug laws, and singularly focussed on undermining Russell Brand as a credible speaker. He does this with subtlety by, instead of offering his opinions on the matter of drug law reform, Jon Snow tries to make Russell Brand look like a hypocrite with his catch phrase "you're asking for the people that you told the youth not to vote for to make a change"... instead of confessing to the fact that Russell Brand can't snap his fingers and recreate the system, so the only way to approach political changes, at this point in time, is through the system that is already here. It's obviously a red herring to avoid the topics at hand. You know nothing, Jon Snow!

[@pennymayz]

The language and thoughts in politics are built to resist anything that does not support agendas, political or otherwise. Language is a virus, and any disease is meant to spread and contaminate. Drug addiction is a social/ anti social disease in it's beginnings, depending on how much the person conformed to the language that contradicted their humanity in the first place.

[@hornetobiker]

I think snot was being obtuse not ignorant.

[@heartz500]

Russel Brand has a beautiful mind. He's a very smart intellectual man. He was too smart for Katy Perry.

[@christopherpaulino2932]

Definitely what I was thinking,... Much too smart for her, she is being consumed by media, wealth, and materials. He is now in a better place after that separation

[@redfield1007]

Jesus what are you, a stalker??

[@theartist6131]

Redfield 100% exxxxcellent

[@judeflynn9223]

no she emasculated him

[@ignasbednarczyk1987]

Respect from interviewers- lost day's. Interrupting, overbearing, twisting meanings. This is an era of media megalomaniac's who are ignorant, unimaginative, Tory and discompassionate. No progress can ever be made until this era of mainstream media vultures has passed.

[@CRAIG24395]

To the people who say, "if you can't come up with an alternative political system then stop wasting our time", you need to realise the problems. You cant just sit back and let the world go into ruin because there is no alternative. For an example if someone like Hitler comes along and kills millions do we let it continue because there is no better alternative and let more and more die? We need to realise the problem first and then collectively reform a fair society.

[@Nickotopolous]

I thought it meant Jon Snow from game of thrones

[@TheLCinema]

You know nothing...

[@dylanswint1795]

TheLCinema hahaha You know nothing, Jon Snow!! I was thinking that the whole time... really it's quite a silly interview on both parts and the emotions are so conductive you can almost feel the electricity through le You Tube

[@forshizzlemywizzle]

This was bound to happen eventually.

[@glengtoot]

Snow is absolutely correct. I think very highly of Brand but if he's going to call people to realize that the entire system has been erected to serve the corporate elite and to then challenge that system, he can't then confine himself to something like reforming drug laws simply because it's not so daunting a thing as doing what he hopes others will do. Realizing that the current system needs to be done away with is only the first step, the next step is forming an answer to that system and right now Brand retreats from that step. Politics are critical and while Brand is absolutely correct that voting for all the obvious political parties is impotency embodied the answer is to find or perhaps found a political party that advocates for a dismantling of the system in favor of a system that is receptive to the will of the people rather than the corporate elite. But I still love the guy because we get to watch the political maturation of someone before our very eyes and because he is a reflection of his and my generation's actual political maturation. wsws.org

[@ohkayethen]

My blood boils when people talk over each other but Russell brand conducted himself well I think, as he often does. Viva la revolution!

[@mo_reefy]

I'm not British, not White, not Christian, but my vote goes to Russell Brand. I don't agree with everything he says, but the bulk of what he says is correct. Oh and, I consider myself a conservative muslim that the ruling elite might label a terrorist, despite my firm belief like the rest of the muslims that violence and killing is wrong beyond argument.

[@TreborTheWise]

Jon Snow makes perfect sense in this interview. It's his job to probe Brand's revolutionary ideals and if his plans for the future don't stand under scrutiny - then his ideas are bad. It's like him telling ppl to jump down a bottomless pit with the half-baked assurance that there's a bed of pillows at the bottom. Ppl are won over by Russell's charisma but there's really not enough planning from his end.

[@raxstinejrogers515]

Snow sounded like an outdated idiot, with no respect to know when to be silent and not interrupt someone when their speaking which Brand was quick to quiet him up! Don't be negatively jumping on the backs of the oblivious fact that Snow looked dumb as shit, using the only argument for his objective was that Brand does not vote, only after listening to him repeat those few lines over and over, he clearly wasn't prepared for such an intelligent conversation with Russell Brand , who not only put him in his place for having manners, but gave a voice to a very smart and alternative idea, to a stale perspective in regards to the war on drugs.

[@sheetsuji6287]

Rose Rogers I guess you don't understand how this sort of thing works.

[@raxstinejrogers515]

I guess I'm not really worried about what you think' I understand perfectly well...

[@britthill3542]

He was honest. He responded to each question forthrightly in the truth of who he is and his current vision of his place in it and his passion for "ordinary" people. That's new. And fairly extraordinary because you can actually see and hear it in him (just imagine HIS surprise, waking up one day with all that, and then realizing what it is; what it's FOR...), so it's true. It's part of who he really is and thus integral to his destiny and the pathways of his journey home to it.. That too, totally new. And, i got to say, more than just a little refreshing. The man has a firm grip on something very, very real and he doesnt appear at all inclined to let go. Or it of him, for that matter... Dare i say it?? To my view at least, he seems quite reliable. (no peace💘) P.S. Mr. Brand, if you haven't already, check out John Paul Rice and the interview Sarah Westall did with him on her youtube channel a few days ago. It may add a whole new wing to the construction of the "revolution" at present. Could potentially lend to it some of the qualities one might normally ascribe more to an avalanche. Oh, and happy trails to you, dear sir🙃 Ciao.

[@ealing456]

I fail to believe Jon Snow doesn't understand the well illustrated point Russell is trying to make. But if that IS the case.. WOW. After all these years, he hasn't thought there needs to be a change in the way we vote, to bring about a true democracy?! That's unbelievable.

[@matrixrory]

he said that he has to probe russell because thats his job even if he agrees with him. the same with paxman he agrees with russell but they have to play devils advocate sometimes to get the entire point russell is trying to make.

[@MarkSweetus]

He knows nothing.

[@RyRyTeaBragg]

Here me out old bean ;) brilliant

[@xSheepz]

lol put him on the line when he said i knw u agree with me and u got to pretend otherwise Loooooooool, epic!

[@mtemccrary]

Where is my earlier comment? "With ya Russell"

[@BethCoppard15]

Really Channel 4, was that title necessary?

[@tobyburchdrums]

These Strange Illusions A pure example of the idea which must be exposed and seen

[@Seyymor]

I love Russel Brand with a passion. He is very well read and his foresight is very admirable. I would join his cause for a social revolution.

[@judeflynn9223]

your iq -60

[@Nathanfx2006]

Why can't i get the sound to play on this video or on the Channel 4 website? (I live in the UK)

[@gnomadD_]

Who else is rewatching this since the accusations?

[@user-fy5fp7ti3j]

Russel Brand's emotions shows that he really cares about the people.

[@cotes42]

The joke about burying rad in the sand as a modern torture method was pretty funny! Thanks again Russell

[@sararevill7241]

Russell speaks so clearly and intelligently , how can people not hear him. ... fight the good fight Russell , we're with you

[@mathewmartin4917]

this is awesome brother. well said.

[@SRDhain]

The sound is in mono for some reason...only the left audio channel was recorded

[@voltaire_lopez]

I nearly chucked my headphones out.

[@jamesoboyle1319]

The one thing I wish Russell had answered in the non-voting and (vs) signing a petition with answer like... If the petition was a successful then great! We have actually changed the goverment laws and they have listened to us, things are changing and the "revolution" is coming and through the power of numbers the people are going to start to stand up to have a real influence in our laws. Rather than the goverement deciding everything no matter what the people think. If they DON'T take any notice of the petition then it shows domocracy is a joke and isn't working and this is just another clear example of why the people need to stand up and start a movement to think for our selfs.

[@Manuellaborer]

Stewart, Colbert, John Oliver, (sometimes Maher), and Russel Brand... these people should be running this planet. We'll all have a laugh, at the same time knowing full well we are in good hands!

[@aaronlaflin8266]

Russell might've been better off just conceding that there's a bit of a contradiction, so the interview could have moved on to more substantive topics rather than lulling into a tug of war about his stance on voting. He can still make the point that voting is arbitrary under the current system, yet support a specific politician on a specific issue.

[@9catlover]

I agree with Russell especially about the Iraq war. Love Russell!!

[@MarvFitBikesKicks]

Not everyone wants to use drugs. People act as if drugs are decriminalized it'll attract more people to the use of drugs.

[@chelseawalker5471]

+MarvvFIT Then just don't do drugs? Your perspective and needs are different than others. Telling another person what they can and can't do is pushing your own preferences on another, which in turn violates their human right to do as they please. If they are not harming you when they do drugs, you should not stop them.

[@MarvFitBikesKicks]

Chelsea Walker I think you misunderstood what I am saying, I never said "then just don't do drugs." I agree with decriminalizing drugs, those that want to do them will and those that don't, wont.

[@MzKickz]

+Marvin's Essentials 100% it's just a way for the government to keep up this modern day slavery of prison's and the big business it bring to their pockets. Funny how alcohol kills more people every day of every minute around the world but isn't illegal why? Because they tax it and make copious amounts of profit!

[@MarvFitBikesKicks]

+MzKickz exactly, I need a smart girl like you to talk with

[@Quick_in_and_out]

Legendary comeback at the end.

[@pennybrooke571]

John Snow is so hung up about him not wanting people to vote for corrupted government, but wanting to build reform around drug laws. I completely get what Russell Brand is saying. If it's true democracy it shouldn't matter who you voted for or didn't vote for. It matters what the majority wants. And clearly the majority wanted drug reform.

[@ocesc6240]

Epic!

[@youtrippindeebo]

Gotta love Russell such a legend

[@Timcurryman]

As a person whose brother died of an overdose , I applaud Russell for this.

[@Hbw113]

'Hear me out old bean' :D

[@corybeatbox5504]

Russell reminds us that we are the change we want. Wake up people! Let's make the change.

[@JamesBedford]

Wow this guy is incredible.

[@DanRobards]

Is it me or is the audio only in the left channel.

[@Anderson0704]

That tie though...

[@OneAndOnlyMe]

"Create a new paradigm" - oh, but to do so you should petition the same people Brand does not want to vote for. Brand does not like it when Jon Snow points out the flaw in Brand's logic.

[@bonaccordmusic]

Every time I listen to Russell Brand God bless 'im, 2 things happen. 1. I'm immensely entertained and inspired. 2. I get the feeling he's fighting representative democracy in order to get to... representative democracy. Entertaining bloke, though.

[@manchegoruso]

The paxman interview really gets to me b coz firstly,he controls the interview but we cant have a opinion of it coz its been closed off to us .so that just goes to show how well he controlled the interview.

[@pennymayz]

Emotionally Volatile? I am too when I make a direct statement, to people whose thoughts are conditionally resistant to new ways of thinking. The way people think about everything blocks them from being open to new ideas and new thoughts, they maybe should empty their minds and listen. No wonder we seem volatile in our words and expressions as it needs to be said loudly, clearly and repeatedly. We need what Russell is suggesting, to change the paradigm of our thinking, the old ways of life for humans do not work for everyone so they are wrong, as they do not compliment the needs of our human conditions.

[@dannirose4924]

Wish i could met with ya .man of reason rus the brave. Love ya man keep the fight alive! The flame in your hands burn bright

[@TheMsksk]

After reading the title I seriously thought it meant Jon Snow from Game of Thrones :')

[@eileenbyrne5740]

Still relevant in 2022.

[@JoeRivermanSongwriter]

It makes perfect sense to me.

[@rufusnemo3307]

Snow does have a point when asking Brand what the representative government he wants would look like. I agree with Brand usually. He is such an intelligent man that surely he could have spoken a bit more on that. I suspect truly representative government is impossible particularly in any established political system. Street level action is too chaotic. Society is a lot like a body...it needs some sort of head to have direction.

[@fingleweed]

look all the trolls condemning wot they don't understand open your minds , do you not agree that there needs to be change, or do you really think this system is working ,just fine an dandy

[@adam15curly]

Jon Snow fails to grasp that using the current political system to push for change, and pushing for a new political system are not mutually exclusive concepts. He seems to confuse non-voting as apathy for the current system of politics when in fact it is the very opposite; it shows that we don't want to vote for any of the candidates offered, not that we don't want to vote.

[@kyleforget8187]

Love this guy man I'm with him 100%

[@toxictrace6775]

Its' true about what he said about Mr Snow, he's a great man that knows the meaning of professionalism journalist and a man who relishes change for the well being of everyone just like Russelll and the hundreds of us who we share similar ideas or entirely agree with them.

[@Yourismouter]

GOOOOOO RUSSELL! Russell 1-CH4's Jon Snow 0. btw! I everyone should watch Russel Brand's stand up comedy show Messiah Complex, one of the best stand up comedy shows I've seen and the finest British Stand up show.

[@arcticauroras9627]

Brilliant

[@adlufc1141]

'you know nuthin jon snow'

[@sultanradoncic5374]

Hey " JOHN SNOW " COME ON BUD ITS BRIGHTER OVER HERE. AS MY BRITTISH BROTHERS AND SISTERS WOULD SAY " COME OFF IT "

[@Conformist138]

It took me 6 minutes to realize no one was going to tie this to Game of Thrones

[@xfirefoxy]

"John" doesn't seem to understand that the people that signed the partition signed it so it could be discussed between all party's! And so it is brought up as something that needs changing. What Russle is trying to say is it's just bringing people together so they get a say in the matter to bring attention to it. I'm shite with grammar and spelling, thought I'd point that out.

[@themaximixemshow3088]

Everyone should take a look at what Dr. Carl Hart has to say about his drug research.

[@lukebourne2426]

wow, thats the first time i've seen brand lose his composure that much that he kinda got muddled up in what he was saying. He brought it back eventually, but Jon snow was pressing him well beyond what was needed there.

[@Adrhodes442]

LOL "Yeah that's right."

[@fraserwiseman]

i clicked on this thinking it was going to be russell brand talking about jon snow from game of thrones, disappointed

[@arcticauroras9627]

Real push

[@sarahjacksonandbuhaina5297]

Nice tie Jon.

[@CockneyBurberry]

hemp energy source! haha

[@wishingwellangel6795]

love russ

[@MainGame6]

10:07 Jon sows face.

[@mrman049077]

ITS GONNA HAPPEN SOON!!! #Revolution

[@pauljackson8779]

Russell Brand is the fucking man?I'd have a Revolution tomorrow.Topman RB.

[@spinwindy]

Love this guy,. I'm not sure that saying someone who has an issue with drugs has a disease. I know it's only a play on words but maybe calling it a condition or something similar might help to keep more people listening . .

[@surengy]

Why Russell is so amazing. I thing the John is putting things to far, and in unreasonable direction. I am pretty sure that Brand was just some kind of a joke and he would easily expose him publicly. Well John, you made a tough call. Russell is the best

[@MrRogena]

no offence C4 but... monaural... isn't that B&W rather than 1080p?

[@ColdSpark824]

My left ear is getting all the attention.

[@larasoto1991]

Aggg....! Why Jon Snow behaves so unpleasant, annoying and hidebound?

[@DavidJones-ny1ue]

Russell is on this show to talk about an important issue his personal views on the current political and economic system whether he votes or not has nothing to do with what he is trying to say he states that it is the system that we currently have and therefore at this moment is the system that we have too work within we as responsible compassionate adults should always try too work towards bettering our society Russell is a passionate and intelligent man and understands that to sit by and do nothing at all to try to help the people affected by the affliction of drug addiction when he as a celebrity is in a position to do so despite the fact that he believes the government system that has the power to make the change is broken and ineffective would be ignorant Jon snow behaves in a truly reprehensible manner by searching to upstage and humiliate Russell on some kind of an intellectual for whatever reason whether he has been instructed too or for purely the fact of being the big man in the room and has distracted the attention and the intention of the segment of the show from an important social issue and turned it into a sensationalized newsroom pissing contest a serious journalist and social commentator and moreover a program such as channel 4 news should be ashamed of themselves for such a blatant attempt to use Russell's notoriety to boost there ratings by trying to draw him into an argument instead of listening to what he had to say

[@jarviss69]

Ohh we really do need a revolution..

[@Dieviete7]

Russel is brilliant! Stop thinking old way! There are more then one, same old way of getting stuff done! They ways stuff has get done till now hasn't bring much good to people, just a bigger gap between rich, powerful and normal everyday people like us.

[@8301TheJMan]

God, this sort of shit is enraging - especially since I'm a recovering addict, but then the old fuck was going after Russel for saying people shouldn't vote while simultaneously campaigning to get this into Parliament, and how he thinks it's ridiculously hypocritical. But, just because a shit ton of people didn't vote nor will they next time: that changes nothing, they still deserve to have their voices heard and no matter what! Whomever gets elected still have a mandate and it's still up to them to be a politician representing you! That's why Parliament are our representatives \whether we ad a thing to do with their success, and no matter what they have to be representative's of everyone

[@martinleahy7393]

He's like Ali G with the Hoverboard

[@clionajohnston22]

It would look like that john, a lovely psychedelic building hahhahahajajja im dying hahhahahaa

[@Pein387]

Totally agree with Russell, however, as he mentioned the system are literally responding to any questioning of it by "COME UP WITH IMMEDIATE SOLUTION OR FUCK OFF"

[@mikaelhattingh]

jon snow's wearing some dope shoes and socks.

[@manofweed1]

I always thought these type of gits latched onto starving kids when their stale careers needed a bit of a boost ?

[@trueslice2003]

Nah... that's bono and sir bobby gandalf you're talking about. Two establishment suck ups that make me feel queasy on sight.

[@AlexWinward]

Owned

[@otherjj1]

Russel Brand what a guy! please stay to your ideals and keep campaigning! arguable the only voice alot of people have! everything he envisions is just the way to move forward! Brand for prime minister!

[@ambebhavani]

That is, I hope, irony - the Prime Minister bit.

[@delivrex]

Left channel audio.

[@1958johnadams1958]

Nice one Russell. Jon Snow needs to pack it in.

[@wks107tdv123]

I want a revolution now as well. Based on the French One.

[@benisturning30]

Snow is making a interesting point.

[@LoadinGTX]

my left ear enjoyed this more

[@user-mp8mu5fe4f]

why in the 1st place he used drugs ? that what we have to focus on . not drugs legal or not ?

[@rainredbrick3250]

John Snow is about as compassionate as a... cat.

[@MaskedMammal]

Dang, my left speaker is broken and this video is apparently left channel only. :I I must resort to extreme measures...

[@MaskedMammal]

You really have to appreciate someone who can get as down to earth as Russel even when he's deep in the middle of a interrupt-each-other-fest like this.

[@paulchapman7862]

Bitcoon a truly brilliant mind... open, honest and insightful..

[@TheDaneist]

Brand is right when he says that voting doesn't give you a voice. How many people last election voted labour and tory, yet in the end we still got a coalition that nobody wanted. It should've been split between labour and conservatives, not some snidy tory/libdem combination full of half-assed promises. Brand made perfect sense in this interview yet again. Time after time they insist on pushing his buttons senselessly because him being vocal about wanting people to abstain on voting doesn't mean that he cannot use MP's to his benefit. AS HE RIGHTLY POINTED OUT: This is how the current system is. He might want a revolution but in order for that to happen the current system needs to be non-existent. Using what system we do have does not automatically make him a hypocrite like most interviewers try to imply...