The Chris Hedges Report: Breaking the cycle of American violence

American society is the most violent of any nation in the industrialized world. Nothing we do, from administrating the world’s largest prison system to militarizing our police, seems to help. Dr. James Gilligan argues that childhood abuse, and the shame it engenders, is the engine that fuels America’s deadliest epidemic. This abuse and shame, he argues, fosters a dangerous numbness that breeds a deep self-loathing and inchoate rage. It is only by understanding the causes of our national epidemic, and addressing those causes, that we will have any hope of stemming the nihilistic violence that grips American society. Dr. Gilligan grounds his writing not only in case studies of the violent patients he works with, but Greek myths and Shakespeare.
Dr. James Gilligan is a professor of Clinical Psychiatry at New York University. Formerly, he served as the director of the Center for the Study of Violence at Harvard Medical School and the director of the Bridgewater State Hospital for the criminally insane in Massachusetts. He is the author of Violence: Our Deadly Epidemic and Its Causes, and Holding a Mirror up to Nature: Shame, Guilt, and Violence in Shakespeare, which he co-authored with David A.J. Richards.
Watch The Chris Hedges Report live KZbin premiere on The Real News Network every Friday at 12PM ET.
Listen to episode podcasts and find bonus content at The Chris Hedges Report Substack.
Pre-Production: Kayla Rivara
Studio: Adam Coley, Cameron Granadino
Post-Production: Cameron Granadino
Help us continue producing The Chris Hedges Report by following us and making a small donation:
Donate to TRNN: therealnews.com/donate-yt-chr
Sign up for our newsletter: therealnews.com/nl-yt-chr
Like us on Facebook: / therealnews
Follow us on Twitter: / therealnews
#chrishedges #therealnewsnetwork #trnn

[@jaymethysell5111]

This is the kind of interview that needs to be on a show like 60 Minutes. US corporate media is trash.

[@amauicelticconnectionandot2674]

us corporate media is worse than trash

[@rhonda6791]

Out of all the things to admire about Chris Hedges my favourite is when he interweaves life with literature. I could listen to these 2 special men forever. Thank you

[@richardgraham7055]

The Intro song is by Willie King, 'Terrorized', from Living in a New World. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWSznKKEp7V-htU

[@numbersix8919]

Chris, I have never seen or heard this put so well, and informed so well by real experience. That psychiatrist is a great man.

[@FABRIC8TIONUNLIMITE1]

“Americas Foundation is BUILT on Injustice.” Times UP.

[@doubleugly1594]

Its going to get ALOT worse before it gets better. The america dollar will be dropped as the worlds reserve currency, the corporate kleptocracy will continue to use the WWE-like political system to strip people of their rights and subjugate them for the primacy of profit. We have a long fight ahead.

[@michaeljoseph3528]

Paradoxically, the Constitution first goal is Justice.

[@heinzbaron9129]

@@michaeljoseph3528 no it was not. It was to secure power to the wealthy elites. That is why they had to quickly amend it to add the Bill of Rights, otherwise they knew the charade was not going to last.

[@sophiar6493]

Justice comes from the Lord.

[@fonzarelly3154]

A mouth full.

[@lukeolson5177]

This show has been absolutely 🔥 lately

[@solidaritytime3650]

No way- you mean to tell me that treating people like they're lesser instills, in them, feelings of being lesser?? Wild.

[@katewenzell]

As a homeless advocate, I was trying to say this for years. Everytown USA has been busy passing more and more anti-homeless laws. I spoke at one town Council explaining to them that the more of these laws you pass, the worse the behavior is going to become because you are not giving any incentive for good behavior. Most people on the streets are trauma victims- the most entrenched cases suffered horrible childhoods. And society just heaps more contempt on their heads. Even the church people who help or social workers supposed to be there as support. This only reinforces everything. I said it time and time again, but this is a sensitive approach that people don't seem to have time for. I will quote my fiance, Greg, who had a horrific childhood and lived on the streets for decades before he passed away from cancer- "Tough love doesn't work."

[@celestesenters1052]

I’ve observed that the help for our homeless people is tied to religious groups with ridiculous rules for assistance

[@katewenzell]

Some areas are worse than others. I had a Muslim boyfriend who, for a short time, was staying in a shelter where he had to go to "chapel" very early every morning and had to work in the shelter for a month before he was allowed to look for outside work (only shelter in that town). In general, the municipal areas would rather pass the buck. You kind of get stuck between judgmental religious groups (our local addiction recovery program leader just admitted he believes being gay is a sin) or being an inhuman number in a system, neither of which is helpful on the psychological level of acceptance and kindness which is what the population really needs. You do get small grassroots groups, such as Food Not Bombs, or individuals who show much more genuine and individual interest, but ironically they tend to get shut down for not being official enough, even though a study out of London found homeless people got more benefit from them than multi-million dollar groups. The main problem being, of course, that giving people free stuff is antithetical to the capitalistic model. I adopted a saying early on in my street career, "With friends like these, who needs enemies?"

[@RoodiniCats]

And there seems recently (maybe for a long time, I don't know?) to be a chorus saying people choose to abuse drugs and that that causes homelessness. Seems like a total lack of understanding or even inquiry into the causes

[@mklizzar]

read the bible, it clearly says america and uk are run by satan 666

[@fonzarelly3154]

It does no good Kate, none at all.

[@BrettHar123]

"The Origins of War in Child Abuse" - Lloyd DeMause.

[@PEPPYY22]

Dr.Gilligan's insights are amazing and important, wonderful interview

[@lauramcconney9367]

No one sees the importance of training guards how to deal with inmates as humans.

[@teardrop-in-a-fishbowl]

That's the end of the "line". We should always begin to look at our societies, how violence occured and why. Working on that we must have good living standards first and help before incarceration is necessary. Violence is and always was a part of us humans, but we can lower it to a certain, "unavoidable" extent.

[@Flawtistic]

I did 3 years inside. James Gilligan is dropping 100% truth here.

[@haveabanana2930]

This was a wonderful discussion, thank u both ❤️

[@007nadineL]

Great free video. Thank you. 😉😂😉😉😄😂😉😄😋😉😄😋😙😄😋😙😄😙😋😄😋😙😄😋😙😄😙😋😄😉😂😃😃😉😁😉😃😁😁😃😉😉😃😁😉😃😂😉😂😃😉😋😃😙😋😄😉😃😋😂😉😂😉😃😋😉😃😉😄

[@bumbleguppy]

This is a subject that needs more discussions in the US. I can go anywhere and hear about the violence here, but where can I casually go to hear practical wisdom about how to break the cycle of violence in a style of common wisdom or an educational forum? I think this kind of wisdom would be revolutionary and change the world.

[@tracyleighbasham]

Revolutionary wisdom. ❤

[@JJ-wj6un]

Ever since 1960's Raegan as Gov of CA closed down the Mental Institutions spread across America we have no way to solve the Mental health & violence. Great show, thank you.

[@Juan-ud3if]

Compassionate People like Chris Hedges are a gift to Humanity. God Bless them.🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@roxannamarinak3156]

Excellent . He is gets right to the point. Violence begetting more Violence and Love, Compassion and Empathy doing the begetting Love, Compassion and Empathy.

[@pseudo_ra]

Yes. Chris always says that he’s confident that the good will attract to it the good regardless of how hopeless things seem at any given time and that is why perpetrators of the good must continue on the path.

[@TheCommonS3Nse]

This goes back to what I learned from reading Hannah Arendt. People need to feel accepted by the community they live in. People MUST act in the community in order to be judged, and they desire to be judged as a useful member of society. That is the basis of how we form our personality. Unlike what some other psychologists might suggest, you can’t fix this by simply cleaning your room. There must be some place available for you to interact with your community, and that can only come from the community. You cannot generate a public square on an individual basis. That’s why social media is so toxic. People aren’t judged by their actions on social media, they’re judged by the actions that they have curated for others. They don’t get satisfaction from it because they know it’s not an honest representation of who they are. They still aren’t developing a personality, they are crafting one, and it feels hollow. Usually that public square would be your workplace. It’s where you get to most directly demonstrate your usefulness to those around you. If your society belittles people into being an expendable cog who can be replaced at a moment’s notice with little to no impact on society, then they will experience a personality crisis. That personality crisis manifests itself in totalitarian ideology and violence. It forms the foundation for the extremes we are seeing on both sides of the political aisle.

[@nickjohnson3619]

This was heart breaking

[@luisjosepinto]

Two great minds right here right now. Great insights brothers.

[@0150Tricia]

THANK-YOU CHRIS HEDGES FOR THIS PROFOUND INTERVIEW , THANK- YOU Dr. James Gilligan

[@marygard4608]

Hurt people truly do hurt people. The solution is simple and always the same: we must love one another.

[@jamberry8026]

However, many who do harm to others have never been hurt. The acute sense of narcissism does not derive from people who have been hurt. I wish it was as simple as you say, but it's not.

[@lsobrien]

This is one of the most important conversations I've watched on all my time on KZbin. Thoughtful, empathetic, initially challenging but making complete sense. Cheers to everyone involved. Will certainly be looking out for Gilligan's books.

[@dingfeldersmurfalot4560]

Childhood abuse, from any corner, can easily be determinative in a human life. As to animals not having souls, that's self-serving. If we didn't think so, how could we be so terribly abusive toward them? People used to behave and speak of their human slaves in the same manner and for the same reasons.

[@rjgarnett]

Spot on: If humans have souls then all mammals have souls. All mammals have the same parts of the brain that humans have. If the soul exists anywhere it is predominantly a function of the integration of the lymbic system with the prefrontal cortex. I don't believe in a disembodied, spiritual soul only something that is a physical part of the brain, which is highly complex and unique to every individual. It is the product of genes and environment. I think the soul which we enjoy requires a mammalian or avian brain. These brains are oriented towards complex social behaviour which mammals and birds both have. It is our soul which differentiates us from the other, but which allows for empathy and understanding of the other. I am not too sure about reptiles. We don't have a part of our brain that is reptilian. The idea humans have a lower part of the brain that is reptilian is a myth. We did not evolve from reptiles. Reptiles are not social animals. Anyone who has taken on an abused animal such as a cat or dog will understand the affect of abuse on the animals perception of the world and its behaviour. Noam Chomsky once stated when asked whether animals have rights claimed they don't, because they don't have responsibilities. The same can be said of a human infant. This was one of the rare times I profoundly disagreed with Noam. In fact I accept the philosophy of some of the American Indians Tribes who see all creatures as their relatives which of course as a consequence of evolution they are. When I look at my pet cat I see a cat, but I understand she has emotions and way way back we had a common ancestor. She is my relative and I should treat her as such.

[@jgalt308]

So, we go in circles ending up where we began...that is the price of denial that we are and remain "animals".

[@timberdoodle6924]

We just have to face human nature and simply deny its power.

[@jgalt308]

@@timberdoodle6924 That's what we have been doing and it's not working.

[@timberdoodle6924]

@@jgalt308 so do we abandon civilization to form back in clans / tribes I say we deny money .

[@jgalt308]

@@timberdoodle6924 Money can't get any more fake than it is now, so you got your wish and it came true in 1933, the world became aware of this truth in 1971 and we have been in a long slide down ever since. We could return to the beginning, and might, but all that proves is that that we haven't accepted the "animal" and in its denial, we haven't understood it, or the adaptations that expanded the variables of behavior that the paradigm shifts of civilization, the industrial revolution, and the tech revolution made available. The basics are still there...survive and reproduce, by any means necessary, which begins with competition, and necessary cooperation and these expand with civilization to add, selective cooperation, genetic and reciprocal altruism, cheating, deception, and self-deception...any 3 variables yield a chaotic, complex system...here you have 8 and all of them are still in play. Once you are aware of them and add game-theory, you can track the patterns throughout history and observe them in the present at all levels of human interaction...of course, at the moment the dominant patterns are deception and self-deception, and these tend to obscure the more primary drives...while ironically producing behavior that is a complete rejection of life itself. That most would seek to avoid this level of awareness is understandable since the level of chaos appears intractable but one has little choice if one wishes to avoid being swept along by it and becoming a casualty of it.

[@marybess2464]

I challenge Dr. Gilligan's notion that animals don't have souls, even great souls.

[@stevenwilliams9359]

Enjoyed the podcast, I'm glad this made it over to KZbin as well.

[@pinkmoon831]

The child abused today is the abuser of the future....

[@sophiar6493]

Maybe, NOT Always.

[@celestesenters1052]

Childhood trauma followed by criminal justice trauma creates monsters

[@AnArchaicSoul]

Thank you Chris Hedge and RNN for producing work like this. You guys are invaluable.

[@StaticSilence1]

This is top notch! 👌

[@pseudo_ra]

This was fantastic and brought up some deep perennial philosophical themes. Love you, Chris! I don’t have many heroes, and you are one of them.

[@brucemarmy8500]

Very important discussion. Dr. Gilligan is a sage of kindness, as is Chris

[@Johnconno]

But, you're so good at violence. Even better, you sell it as benevolence. Priceless.

[@Johnconno]

Thanks for the upvote Chris.

[@Ghost_Electricity]

Excellent interview, excellent guest.

[@peterbradley6580]

Amazing interviewee - true compassion in practice.

[@barbarasmith6005]

Maybe Mr. Hedges could have Gabor Mate or John Bradshaw on as a guest. These men are acutely aware what childhood trauma does to the soul. And parents--there are a lot of people who should never be allowed to raise children because thet've never dealt with own psychic childhood wounding.

[@rjgarnett]

Yes that is an excellent idea.

[@goodwill3649]

One of the most insightful interviews I've seen on KZbin

[@DarelGabriel]

I love your show Chris. Nobody else broaches these subjects with the same intellect and insight.

[@moniqueboyke5879]

Great video Chris hedges

[@fboness368]

That was very illuminating and educational. Thanks!

[@sophiar6493]

And WRONG

[@marygard4608]

@@sophiar6493 I take it you subscribe to the "some people are just born bad" philosophy. Take into consideration the number of abused people in the US (also politically and socially, such as blacks), we are lucky there isn't more crime.

[@Keraruggles]

Can we please use this knowledge to support parents?! Proper parenting could prevent so much, but we provide almost zero supports to parents.

[@GrandmaCathy]

Parent here. Can confirm!

[@doshutokeshi3877]

This conversation affected me more than I expected.

[@Nom_de_Guerre]

so many fine interviews on this channel, listening to these on a long drive cuts the time in half

[@richardsmith9615]

These are fantastic listening, Chris. Thank you for creating this content.

[@cupajoy8498]

Real News Indeed. Thank you!

[@davidcollins8150]

Awesome interview - thank you for the hard work

[@audiogrouch1]

I learned SO MUCH in this segment. Gratitude

[@PerfectPetProductions]

In a word, narcissism, is ruining life for humanity and therefore all life on this planet. Childhood trauma and narcissism is the real pandemic. Edit: All animals have souls, not only humans.

[@joeows6537]

In my culture we use Huayuhuaska or mushrooms to open up the realm of consciousness where spirituality and Souls reside. This allows a person to understand and therefore be able to negotiate their way that which is unknown. Today's scientists are just beginning to understand how hallucinogens can be a form of treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.

[@duellingscarguevara]

This is the sort of reset that’s needed?, nothing fiscal about it, but what is our most valuable commodity. Smart cultures have it as a rite of passage, to adulthood?. (Emotional immaturity becomes self-evident, as soon as an argument breaks out). I try to guess at what age, individuals ceased to mature, most of us, are teenagers at best, (fairly juvenile), and infants, at worst?.

[@ttacking_you]

In my culture we use the Smith & Wesson or the Glock to open up the realm of flesh where the bones and organs reside .This allows a person the political power to avoid having to negotiate and disregard the unknown. It goes without saying, everybody loves tripping .

[@brianwheeldon4643]

Great conversation thank you

[@beniron5807]

I have always described and characterized part of my personality as guilty one. I have a guilty conscious. And I always realized that that was intrinsic to my empathetic nature. I am no efen saint but I do not deny I am a kind and understanding person. “No one is more guilty than the saints”. That just really hit home. Something I don’t hear often (or at all other than my own mind) is how understanding this almost creates a bitterness to oneself. I very often feel HATE that part of myself because it feels it causes me so much distress, a distress that I don’t find in people with little to no empathy. I wouldn’t want myself to change for the world but it is undeniable there is a pull there. I can’t remember the quote or who said it but there is a price to pay to lead a moral life. Great stuff. A fantastic network indeed. Well done to Chris and all the hard workers of this channel and the superb guests

[@joecaner]

With only 3k views eight hours after posting, I can only surmise that Chris Hedges' audience have yet to find him on this channel. That is a pity.

[@sherryspectre217]

Like and share. Help Chris out! ✌🏼❤️🌱🇵🇸

[@SusanHopkinson]

It’s called shadow banning

[@joecaner]

@@SusanHopkinson We know that's happening for sure, and yet, here we are...

[@uncleshamus3451]

Thank you✌️❤️

[@KC-lc8dx]

Glad you're back!

[@MonaMarMag]

Human being have to be treated as human being . This is basic human right as well as freedom and freedom of choice in life .

[@sherryspectre217]

I believe, if we do not treat EVERY living creature, with love and respect, we ourselves, do not have a ANY rights....✌🏼❤️🌱🇵🇸

[@ese3go]

Fascinating. presentation and content. Well done!

[@a.stends8237]

There will always be exceptions to this. There are people who posses the highest empathy, who have survived multiple traumas and abusive experiences, that develop PTSD and Depersonalization, experiencing total numbness for years yet NEVER behave violently, commit a crime, nor inflict any harm on another. I know there are indeed good people. Just like there are truly altruistic people. They are very rare, but they do exist here and now.

[@gabrielorville5334]

I think it's in part is because of their typology.

[@ajl2232]

Sounds like me. But not anymore.

[@lauramcconney9367]

Your work proves that the environment we are raised in does affect how we view things as normal behavior and don't know how to act differently!!!

[@sophiar6493]

You can overcome anything with Jesus.

[@davidwright8432]

Let's grant for a moment the reasonable premise that violent childhood abuse and subsequent adult violence, are closely linked. What, then, is so appallingly wrong with US childrearing practices that leads such outcomes on a society -wide scale? It's really for very many, an essentially puritanical, shaming, and punitive (itself abusive) set of practices. This is a mindset operating at all levels of the US right up into its foreign policy. 'Gentle Jesus meek and mild' has received an extremely scornful welcome on these shores. A saccharine-sweet proclaimed view of children and childhood masks a grotesque and very disturbing reality. I see no chance of this changing - somehow, violence in upbringing their children, suits too many adults too well. One might ask why.

[@Lost_Johnny]

Dr. James Gilligan gave us some powerful insights.

[@karlad4082]

Incredible interview 🙏

[@BuddhaGBahia]

Another reason why listening to Black ppl in the U.S. is critical, bc we've been saying what OG is saying for years. It's not criminal justice it's criminal punishment that we have here. And it's not accidental that they use punitive methods here rather than rehabilitative ones, antiBlackness and white supremacy are fundamental to all policies in the U.S.

[@chuckfrazier2007]

Does your planet have oxygen like we have here on Earth?

[@JRose-ub3hd]

Thank you Buddha G! Chuck is one of them (WS), because instead of facing the true history of this country, he wants to try and make it seem like you are crazy with that silly comment. The U.S. was created out of violence, and still exist on violence. Especially, toward melaninated people. We are a broken people, and most of that is because of what we have gone through since the pale individuals landed here, because we were already here on this continent. I'm not saying it's all their fault, but a big part of it has to do with their treatment of us.

[@rowanmermel706]

@@chuckfrazier2007 Ha ha very clever

[@chuckfrazier2007]

@@rowanmermel706 thanks, after a black President, black VP, black Supreme Court Justice, dozens of black billionaires and thousands of black millionaires, the last thing I wanna hear is a black crybaby.

[@rowanmermel706]

@@chuckfrazier2007 Ok, chuck, maybe if you left the gated community for a few hours you would see the reality of life here on earth. The reality that is supported by any historical analysis of the US carceral system as well as all of the statistics on crime in the Is compared to the justice systems in other many other countries. But yeah they put black people on your TV so I’m sure racism is over.

[@richardgraham7055]

I couldn't agree with Dr. Gilligan's thesis more as I suffered bullying at school and was yelled at and belittled at home by a mother with monstrous Postpartum Depression, and a classic 1950s oilfield toolpush dad. It made me gentle, in contrast to the murderers Hedges and Gilligan describe here.

[@lauramcconney9367]

Having a purpose is what gives us a meaning to live!!! We shouldn't have to be a Psychiatrist to understand this. We all need to ask ourselves this question and seek the answer honestly to understand others!!!

[@celestesenters1052]

People who live with trauma and ptsd are different than others We’re angry constantly It makes deep thinking and self reflection nearly impossible

[@jamberry8026]

Mindfulness

[@tommartin7728]

This guy is strikingly articulate even for a Hedges guest.

[@mischa6448]

Holy shit. I should have taken psychology. I've long believed that some violent criminals could be reached, if shown/given the opportunity to see, their own value/humanity. Good stuff. 👍🏼

[@CarolPrice4p]

Wonderful interview 🥰

[@MoMo-dv7xd]

Read the book - amazing!! Thank you Dr. Gilligan for your insights and desire to find a solution. As always Chris your work is so important thank you.

[@DeBeard]

Another great one, awesome vlog

[@kellywalsh9373]

There’s a difference between punishment from a parent and abuse from a parent……two distinctly different things.

[@realdemocracy11]

Glad to see he finally got off that Island.

[@kevinjohnson9533]

Excellent

[@domingodeanda6113]

Love that, thanks.

[@JKG617]

It’s not just a chemical imbalance. The soul has been destroyed. Soul destruction is the root of trauma and psychosis but the medical establishment is only catching up with this reality now.

[@marlenesoifer7219]

Thankyou for contact

[@kimeldiin1930]

My PTSD manifests itself in never being able to relax , as if though I was responsable for a piece of of trench!!! Have I put sentries ? Are they Awake !!!??? When do I dare sleep ? WHAT HAVE I FORGOT NOW !!! And who will that forgetfulness kill?? Over and over and over and over and over again!!! I am now 70...was sexually abused as a child....

[@monatinnell4570]

Will we ever find the peace of mind every citizen of the world deserves? Life’s short , really short now . Where is the justice?

[@sophiar6493]

First life lesson: Life's not fair. Learn it. Justice comes from the Lord ( Jesus ).

[@monatinnell4570]

@@sophiar6493 religion is what continues to destroy every nation and creates the very unbearable world we live in today.

[@TheWayOfRespectAndKindness]

This is the first time I’ve heard a professional describe what I’ve known to be true. Thanks for having him on. 🙏🏼

[@Columbariusify]

“Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” Hell on Earth

[@redemptionhappens7725]

Being surrounded by gullible enablers is also the path to the dark side.

[@anthonywindley6588]

There are Corruption in every level of Government 1. World 2. Federal 3. State 4. County 5. City 6. Community in all Branches and Agencies..

[@mjl.9-19]

add " every level of every institution"

[@anthonywindley6588]

@@mjl.9-19 👍 👍 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏

[@skip530768]

Is this what has happened to the souls of the neocons that take us to war?

[@JamesWalker-ky5yr]

My Siamese cat told that other animals like humans have minds, but only cats have a soul that makes them uniquely feline.

[@NotAPacifist825]

Exactly. My pit-lab mix said the same about dogs.

[@JamesWalker-ky5yr]

@@NotAPacifist825 I'm astounded that a trained psychiatrist is promoting the concept of the exceptional human soul, an ancient superstition. Also, Hedges shouldn't brag about the Divinity School, a disreputable institution.

[@mm-qj6cc]

So blatantly simple and obvious to a discerning eye. Cause and Effect. Period!

[@PhilMccamley]

Trust me, not as obvious to those so hurt they are blind to everything, even their pain.

[@nortonnewmann3711]

Glad to see Chris Hedges finding outlets for his brilliant analysis of world events and his ability to uncover the truth! In my perspective, this report clearly shows how religious concepts and beliefs are often the root cause of violent psychotic episodes. The concept of a "soul" is a deeply rooted religious concept. The notion that religious concepts exist is proof of how powerful the human mind is. Religion came about as a way to explain existence. Throughout history, more effort has been put forth in efforts to preserve the myths it contains than to disprove those myths. Therefore we get "suicide bombers" and other actions of mentally ill people "saving their soul" at the expense of other people's lives. For me, human happiness is NOT rooted in religious beliefs. I believe one can have a wonderfully fulfilling life without being saddled with religious bondage. To me, a devout Christian is a person who has resigned themselves to being controlled by others. I prefer to take a purely scientific approach to "how we came to be". It may be beyond the capability of the human brain to understand the origin of the universe. But throughout human history people have devised explanations from currently known concepts (witches). It's unfortunate that humans fall prey to "fantastical thinking" instead of following strict scientific concepts.

[@annakimborahpa]

Do you think that there is any intelligent being greater than yourself?

[@nortonnewmann3711]

@@annakimborahpa I have no reason to believe otherwise. From what we know about the universe, and it's vastness - anything is possible.

[@annakimborahpa]

@@nortonnewmann3711 Thank you for the courtesy of your reply. 1. Two questions: A. Does your response indicating a belief in the possibility that somewhere there could be intelligent life greater than your own provide you with any comfort thinking that someday you might enjoy some company equal or greater to your own current superiority? B. In your present circumstances, do you have to "suffer fools gladly" in having to associate with so many whose intelligence is inferior to your own or does it provide you satisfaction by confirming your own comparative greatness? 2. My response: A. I believe that eventually you will encounter a multitude of beings whose intelligence is equal to or greater than your own. B. I hope that this encounter gives you the desired outcome to your life's meaning and which will depend upon an irrevocable choice made by your own free will. As Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues sang in the song Nights In White Satin, "Just what you want to be, you'll be in the end."

[@tiggerthemighty8279]

I wholeheartedly agree about death penalty not being a punishment. We should rename it from a penalty to what it is: As a society, we can't afford your continued existence.

[@katejudson8907]

Reflecting on the statement ' Violence doesn't occur at random ', in relation to the statistic in Australia that one woman a day is killed by male partner violence. If actions are extensions of thoughts, this body count of wives and girlfriends makes me wonder about the state of not only the mind, but the heart of the perpetrators of such violence.

[@averayugen7802]

Lloyd Demause always knew this and also believed all wars have their origins in child abuse. I happen to agree, especially when I hear ordinary men with more power than they deserve, like policemen and politicians. Well brought up people don't strive for power, they express power in all kinds of nonviolent ways

[@JohnSmith-to5ow]

Punishment is not a deterrent to violence. Louder for those in the back! America and it's culture is one of retribution.

[@RM-ti8nf]

How can that dude know that animals don't have souls? Never seen any science around humans having one vs other animals not.

[@GrandmaCathy]

Pretty sure animals have souls.

[@jimh527]

Fascinating.. I agree. I've been around the world a few times and have visited other cultures. Sure, exceptions exist.. But after meeting the children in these other cultures, you return here and can come to only one conclusion. Something has gone terribly wrong here.

[@d.h.hodges546]

When Dr. Gilligan said animals have no soul I turned him off. I am a dog and I have a soul.

[@saintmichael3774]

Mr. Hedges, are you familiar with the work of physician and author Dr. Gabor Mate? He recently published his fifth book, "The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness and Health in Toxic Culture," and is a brilliant writer and speaker on the topics of trauma, child development, addiction and stress, among others. He was interviewed by Amy Goodman on Democracy Now! a couple of weeks ago and you may find him interesting as well.

[@therealebro2155]

“Pride, dignity, self esteem...will k*ll for it.” The only rule and solution is respect for life.

[@crystalparker100]

Isn't this the same as saying that we have a lot of people who never matured and maybe we should also focus on how to create confident adults, rather than wait until they're broken child-adults?

[@sherryspectre217]

I do not believe, that ONLY humans, have a "soul". I believe all living creatures, have a soul. If you can feel love, and feel despair, if you can feel empathy and loneliness, you possess a soul. ✌🏼❤️🌱🇵🇸

[@mariaborbon8421]

Write in Chris Hedges for president 2024. He's smarter than all of them put together

[@NotAPacifist825]

He is great in many ways but his parochial ideas about sexuality are a major weakness.

[@stuartreed37]

Interesting discussion. One random point that struck me, why would you think human animals have a soul but nonhuman animals don't?

[@sophiar6493]

Animals have a soul. I have seen elephants and llamas and horses mourn for a lost baby or friend. I have been to heaven several times and the animals are there. OUR animals not just animals. One tip: We use animals for what we should be doing for each other. Take a week and write down what you do for your pet. Feed it, bathe it, take it for walks, shop for stuff for it. Play with it. Clean up after it. Now go do that for some humans the following week.

[@pseudo_ra]

This is interesting

[@1LaOriental]

Chris should interview Gabor Maté!

[@marymcguire603]

Wave, after wave, of clarity. I am at once frightened and baptized by the call to rebel, to demand accountability, within the withering context of consumer complacency, in the face of impending depletion of breathable oxygen.

[@annakimborahpa]

Would the NYU professor of Clinical Psychiatry recommend that the state authorize his supervision of an aquatic isolation encampment for the criminally insane designated as Gilligan's Island, where those confined could discuss the relative merits of Ginger and/or Mary Ann as they participated in group therapy watching episode reruns?

[@jahloveredeemer4093]

Chris Hedge is a true humanbeing a man with integrity, morals, ethics and values. Something that is lacking in the political leaders in USA . It's all about money and power. Not knowing that power belongs to The Most High God, The Creator of Heaven and Earth. USA judgement is assured just a matter of time.