The Collapse of the American Empire - Lecture Featuring Chris Hedges

August 29, 2018
Chris Hedges, a globally-renowned Pulitzer Prize-winning author, gives us an entirely new view of a nation in crisis in his recently released book, America: The Farewell Tour, which holds both liberals and conservatives to account - as is rousingly pertinent for Canada as for the disoriented US. Beautifully written, it clarifies vividly and unforgettably the forces at play in our times.
In astonishing, tough, first-hand reportage, Chris Hedges draws on stories from inside communities across America and reveals how the hurricanes of change have allowed an array of pathologies to arise: the opioid crisis, the retreat into gambling, the corporate coup d'état of government, the pornification of culture, the rise of magical thinking, the emboldening of violence and hate, the plagues of suicides, and the global upheaval caused by catastrophic climate change. These are just some of the physical manifestations of a society unravelling. Such ills presage a frightening reconfiguration of our lives--particularly in the face of our neighbour's degeneration as a world power.
Donald Trump rode this disenchantment to power. Hedges - who was unsurprised by Trump's victory - shows how neither the left nor the right are addressing the systemic problems. Until the corporate coup d'état is reversed, these diseases will grow and ravage the country. A humane cry for a decent future, this remarkable book is our wake-up call to reality.
For media inquiries, usage rights or other questions please contact CIGI: www.cigionline.org/contact/

[@perrystuart8035]

The best part of Chris is that he uses simple and straightforward language. Even my cat is nodding in agreement when Chris makes a point.

[@mateoyavorsky7646]

Marxism does not work in practice.

[@AgentRafa]

Perry Stuart+ My cat just read your comment and he totally agrees with you.

[@magoo1950]

@@mateoyavorsky7646 You and Hedges agree.

[@view1st]

@@mateoyavorsky7646 Marxism is merely an analytical framework which seeks to explain the nature of the economic system known as capitalism. Just like Keynesianism and Friedmanitism (monetarism) are. Would you say that these analytical frameworks don't work? There is nothing to work. Either Marxism's (Keynesianism's/Friedmanism's) conclusions are correct… or they aren't. If what Karl Marx said was empirically true (it is testable and capable of independent verification) then, unless you want to deny reality, you must accept his analyses as correct. You must separate the Soviet/Russian/Leninist-Trotskyist-Stalinist interpretation of communism from Karl Marx's economic analysis of capitalism and his version of communism.

[@mateoyavorsky7646]

@@view1st Political ideas are meaningless unless they are put into practice. I know how Marxism "worked" for 45 years in Poland. I agree that Marx was a good sociologist but nothing more. I also agree with those who claim that totalitarian state is the only way you can put Marxism into practice.

[@doomerdude2431]

The Question Never Asked - Is The Purpose Of Society To Nurture And Support Its Citizens Or To Make Millionaires And Billionaires Richer?

[@ArizonaWillful]

According to the GOP, the latter. The Dems agree, but temper this with some hand outs to the rest of us. The GOP does not even bother.

[@doughsquid]

Most US and UK voters think the latter.

[@cv4809]

The ideal society would be such where the citizens can support themselves

[@soberanisfam1323]

Constantine V capitalism is making that less and less viable with outsourcing, AI, automation. Capitalism is the problem.

[@korolev-musictodriveby6583]

John Russell ......and then vote for them ...

[@Supernautiloid]

*_”Jesus didn't come to make us rich.”_* Nailed it. Chris just summed up everything wrong with the American Christian right.

[@sighwestberry5079]

how much did Jesus charge for seats at the last supper?

[@Johnconno]

Jesus was a Schmuck.

[@saphlistser1265]

Jesus was actually a pretty cool hippy carpenter dude going through an interesting mid-life. The modern majority who profess to follow him, however, are a different psychosis altogether.

[@Johnconno]

'Nailed it', unfortunate choice of words...

[@ishmaelforester9825]

Actually he did. 'First seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.' In the Bible riches, e.g gold and silver, are used to represent spiritual goods and truths, which they do indeed represent, but the suggestion is also that if everyone is charitable and generous in accordance with wisdom, all will be rich, even to eternity. But heavenly - that is, spiritual riches - are not mere units of exchange or material affluence, a point the Bible makes over and over again. They include honest endeavors, fulfilling labor, sincere friendship, committed marriage, charitable feelings, sympathetic understandings etc. All of these are in fact riches, the most essential and generative riches, in fact, as the wise ancients understood and crude modern degenerates have forgotten. All material riches are actually forms of these spiritual riches which originate in God. From the traditional - that is, the true perspective - the USA and the West in general is ripe for judgement, to use the Biblical terminology. It is a classic example of a decadent civilization that has forgotten all spirituality and is plummeting with a forehead like flint toward the abyss. To put matter, which is a means, over spirit, which is the end, is a gross and barbarous error, a complete inversion of traditional wisdom, and any civilization that does it in the aggregate for an extended period of time is certainly doomed to oblivion.

[@s80key]

Same as every empire in history.They grow and they fall.All eyes are to the east to China and that is the next chapter in history.Very honest and true speech.

[@troyyork1554]

China cheats its way and Trump going in on attack against this shit country

[@thiccmangoman5833]

You mean the communist, HA! Very funny and the United States was never empire it has been a democracy for about 300 years now.

[@mattrussillo4587]

@Sebastian Thor The same thing can happen in a fascist Empire and we are rapidly heading there courtesy if that jackass in the White House in the Cowardly Republicans were afraid to stand up to him!

[@mattrussillo4587]

@Sebastian Thor What's the difference? Killing innocent people it's just that ,no matter where they're from!

[@tz4217]

@Sebastian Thor only Muslims in China

[@charlesvanderhoog7056]

(50 m in) Mr. Hedges describes exactly why the French Revolution of 1789 occurred. People wanted to eat and live. King Louis XVI happened to be well-loved. He was not a bad egg himself. So in 1789 he was offered his life and the crown if he would simply stop extorting and starving his population and simply start listening to their grievances. But he was so far removed from reality, and his advisers were so adamant to keep the old ways of extracting the last penny from people for the benefit of the nobles and the king, that he refused. So they beheaded him and all of his fellow extortionists. Wait a minute, it is like I'm talking about the current American government but got the times and titles mixed up!

[@Lyra0966]

Removing kings was probably easier than removing global corporations.

[@r.w.emersonii3501]

Not quite true. The king agreed to all reasonable demands and the revolution was won, without bloodshed. Then the Jacobins, funded no doubt by a foreign power, whipped up murderous rage, initiated a reign of cannibalistic terror, and ran the revolution into the ground.

[@marccano5061]

I'm a french teacher, and I have been saying this for quite some time now, but it has fallen on deaf ears. In France you had what was "le Tiers état" ( the 3 estates) , the corrupt and criminal Catholic Church who controlled alot of land, the nobility, and at the bottom the serfs, or peasants who were also taxed to death. One fine day in the summer of 1789 the women decided the price of bread had increased a bit much and marched to Versailles, and the rest is history, voilà !

[@timfrodsham8402]

Really powerful and astounding oratory. It's the preacher, the journalist and the political dissident all rolled into the polymath genius of one man

[@vphiameradisogaarwa]

I love Chris Hedges, I often quote him to my progressive friends - who don't listen to him. One point of relevance I often hear him skirt though, is the unreasonable explanation, dispossession, afforded many former union workers who are attracted to hate groups. The fact is, many of these people vote conservative, they loved and still love Reagan and do so because both conservatives and Reagan were seen as stomping down Blacks and other Non-Whites, making a way for their livelihoods. What they never counted on was the Conservative spirit turning on them, which it has, yet they still cling to it.

[@tomrhodes1629]

You are correct. The people are engineering their own demise through their hate and foul desires, all of which is rooted in FEAR. (I was a witness when Ronald Reagan became one of the the first strong tools of this demise, as Chomsky relates in his lecture "Requiem for the American Dream.") Chris Hedges is indeed absolutely wonderful. And he has accurately and eloquently outlined the problem; the bad news. Now, if you're ready for the answer to the problem - the good news - read my landmark 2013 book "THE HOLY GRAIL IS FOUND." Glad to be of service!

[@dropleckk4404]

If you are a conservative, you can't have progressive friends. Simply put, you cannot have a friend who doesn't have your best interests at heart; who doesn't see the world as you do. Diametrically opposed doesn't work in that realm.

[@mdarrenu]

YES. Reagan and other Republicans tapped into the "Democrat = Black Person" and many whites would prefer being poor to being like a black person. I have always said that if the country was 98% white we would have had National Health Insurance long ago. That said, the Democrats haven't helped their situation especially recently with the perception that illegal undocumented workers are more important that "regular americans". As I always say, Liberals are naive/stupid and Conservatives are just mean.

[@cjay2]

There's no such thing as a 'hate group', nor is there 'hate speech'. There is just speech, and groups. Just saying.

[@dainty_af]

@@mdarrenu the first part of your comment is so spot on. Going to recommend an MC named Marlon Craft to you- his State of The Union Part 1 (released in early 2021) has lines about that very thing "That fake superiority created by authority to Convince the poorest he still one caste up 'Cause at least you not black, and if at least you not that And if you see him got mad that the elite eat on backs of your labor You'd point at your neighbor instead of up" Marlon's SOTU parts 1 &2, and pretty much all his music is intelligent, multi-layered, sounds great. The kind of folks that listen to Chris Hedges should love this guy and what he's got to say.

[@crazystewart34]

I would love for Chris Hedges to come to the University of Regina to deliver a lecture. I would attend in a heartbeat.

[@socratesagain7822]

For some reason I keep coming back to this presentation. I saw parts of it a few weeks ago and have returned. Wisdom and good history do not age... We need hundreds of more voices such as Mr. Hedges'. I am grateful that KZbin has come along, for a desperately needed respite from sickening corporate media. Be well.

[@metrodorian2921]

Luckily he doesn't call to action, otherwise he might be ... Oh, wait. He actually does. Hope he lives long and prosper!

[@averayugen7607]

We COULD still take back the economy to a great extent. Read Richard Wolff. Chris Hedges would approve.

[@butwhy5708]

THE CIA WANTS TO KNOW YOUR LOCATION

[@AlchemicalForge91]

Chris feels like the kind of guy that would engage any person who had a genuine question, he is very approachable and yet so incredibly intelligent.

[@jasondelvaux3036]

I've been saying this stuff since Trump won the election. Of course, Chris Hedges says it much more eloquently (and cleaner) than I do, but though I was shocked at first when I found out Trump was our president, the more I thought about it, the more I realized, "you know, he's perfect for us." How can the culture that gave us The Jersey Shore have anyone else in its highest office?

[@tomrhodes1629]

One can fool oneself, as many people are so good at doing, but one always gets what one truly desires at heart, no matter how vile.....

[@tjk9263]

The US is a bankrupt culture. No humanity, no caring of our fellow man or woman. Only in America can the star of a reality show who looked Presidential because he fired Meatloaf....the US is a laughingstock to the world.

[@DavidBryant]

@Phillip Delgado America runs what the show? This country is morally and spiritually bankrupt. This country promotes all sorts of perversions and sexual immorality. Zionists own your media and federal reserve. America is severely in debt and is printing money out of thin air. You’re in love with the idea of America. It’s all a fallacy and this wicked empire is swiftly coming to an end whether you want to believe it or not.

[@andersstook3273]

With "real" journalists like Chris Hedges ,Glenn Greenwald, Jeremy Scahill, James Risen and Julian Assange there is still some hope for this world.

[@jxsilicon9]

Anders Stöök Assange is too biased and helps Russia.

[@alhassangangu4357]

You forgot about Abby Martin

[@MeasuredFlat]

Ever hear of the phrase "controlled opposition"?

[@tomrhodes1629]

Chris Hedges is indeed absolutely wonderful. And he has accurately and eloquently outlined the problem; the bad news. Now, if you're ready for the answer to the problem - the good news - read my landmark 2013 book "THE HOLY GRAIL IS FOUND." Glad to be of service!

[@davehightower1851]

Everyone you mention are all half truth shills.

[@kdd3051]

The fact that over 25k people have viewed this in approximately 1wk gives me hope. I know the views are not in the millions, but we are listening and changing. I did not know of Hedges before Bernie Sanders. Now I follow him. There is hope because of him and others. But, we need millions instead of thousands who listen. Hope.

[@garybaker1359]

Growing up in the 1960s there were 3 networks and local newspapers that kept each other grounded and kept the public, if not fully informed, at least on the same page. There was some sense of, if not respect, at least curiosity of a new or different point of view. Now with each and every possible view, from real, to Reality tv, to the wildest fantasy, and search algorithms feeding you what you already know, it's so much less likely that you will ever become aware of anything else. In a world of "on one hand... But on the other hand... " how do most know that the hands are not the only choices? That's missing all of the good parts!

[@b.s.m9732]

280 thousand views in 4 yrs. is bad.

[@susielynn7035]

Incredible. I never ever tire of listening to this man. I will definitely be listening to this a few more times.

[@eileenmc4746]

see his prose and poetry dc store talk of 2 weeks ago. q and a are fiery.

[@susielynn7035]

Eileen McGlynn - yes, I saw it. Thanks. I thought the same thing. 😊 I watch and read everything of his. ❤️✊

[@johnu.9732]

You should listen to Richard Wolff. He makes interesting criticisms about capitalism and suggests interesting solutions.

[@Photomonon]

@LDA Eldin Ramic not even remotely close

[@MS-in3sl]

chris hedges is speaking to the already converted. hope he starts talking about taking action - with specifics. people are ready and waiting for leadership.

[@willemvanlent6955]

It can't collaps soon enough!!! It took all joy and quallity of life away all over the world spreading fear, death, utter sadnes and what not!!!

[@stasiandme]

Sorry you feel that way. Life and the world is marvelous. Unfortunately the parasites are in control. But is an easy fix.. just take some horse paste.😂

[@STROONZONY]

Chris Hedges; Richard Wolff; Guy McPherson; Peter Wadhams Paul Beckwith are my info regarding the soon collapse.

[@mahlina1220]

Same here, including Ralph Nader.

[@Reality4Peace]

Be cautious with Guy McPherson. Though I agree climate change will happen faster than predicted, Guy preaches no hope; doomsday. Are you familiar with his sex scandals. His behaviour and relationship with some of his followers are very cult-like.

[@GuitarWithBrett]

Checkout Morris Berman if like Chris hedges

[@codyjones1098]

ty

[@charlesenglemier42]

@@codyjones1098 Morris Berman is a most politically astute observer ala Hedges, Chomsky, Parenti, Zinn et all. Berman presentl lives in Mexico.

[@teddymburu3605]

"Mainstream Liberals are Hypocrites" you said it Mr Chris. Give them the UN-diluted Truth.

[@a5cent]

If you're talking about liberals over 45, who largely submit themselves to the propaganda on MSNBC and CNN, then I disagree. They are ignorant and misinformed. Very little of what they believe is true, but that means they can't be hypocrites. To be hypocritical they must understand the contradictions in their views and accept them. But then who are you referring to with the term "mainstream liberals"?

[@teddymburu3605]

@@a5cent I am referring to the Neo-Liberal Elite who claim to speak for the Left but in reality are just masquerades and fakes.

[@a5cent]

@@teddymburu3605 Ah, okay, makes sense. That's such a tiny portion of the party which is why "mainstream" threw me off.

[@djflobug]

I love Chris' dead-pan stare, you can hear people start to stutter when they meet it.

[@thalesnemo2841]

The near future looks quite bleak! Decaying capitalism and decaying environment are a one two punch which may destroy this country if not the planet .

[@jeffreyc.mcandrew8911]

Thales Nemo Hard not to be pessimistic.

[@MrBuff359]

The Earth will keep on going around. Humans, not so much.

[@CelestialWoodway]

Humans could possibly destroy all forms of life on earth.

[@tomrhodes1629]

Yes, that's the bad news, which Chris Hedges has so accurately and eloquently outlined. Now, if you're ready for the answer to the problem - the good news - read my landmark 2013 book "THE HOLY GRAIL IS FOUND." Glad to be of service!

[@alexcarter8807]

@@tomrhodes1629 That French guy had it right? Said he'd fart in your general direction.

[@geronimo957]

Unbelievable!!I quit a good paying job in jails for the same reason Chris mentions @34:28 and it is true. Actually,I was chased out by the same people I was working with. There were only a couple of ex military guys who agreed with me,but they learned how to keep their mouths shut. Dear God!!

[@tiffsaver]

I don't think there's anyone on earth more qualified to bring clarity to what's wrong with our country than Chris Hedges. His life experience is so vast and varied that, combined with his super human communication skills, is like a beam of light shining through the darkness. The importance of what he brings to the table is incalculable. He's a true National Treasure, a totally rare and unique individual.

[@samreynolds3789]

NOSM CHOMSKY , PRECEDED Chris and The QUR’AN told us ALL!

[@SurprisedAirplane-xs5ge]

​@@samreynolds3789 nciz usastate dept

[@equanimousawareness]

Do you mean all this time they have been saying what we misinterpreted as let us pray they meant "Let us prey"?

[@KevinCrowley]

Good one!

[@binglucio7427]

A brave American professor who dares to speak out the truth. Receive mine respect from china.

[@thiccmangoman5833]

We don't need your respect commie. The collapse of the Chinese government is imminent.

[@isaaccotton1]

Yes very brave dude he has my Respect

[@user-ip8bw7gt2x]

@@thiccmangoman5833 Well the a immature population like you it will surely collapse culturless savage

[@thiccmangoman5833]

@@user-ip8bw7gt2x Immature? I hope you know how to correctly use the term because I am both fully grown and understanding of the topic if the video. To think someone culturless is a very bug assumption and when you assume you make an ass out if you and me.

[@maureeng.obrien9259]

Please. Ignorant tard.

[@revengeoftheultaterrestria292]

What a tonic listening to this man is. I only wish I could articulate myself like he does and have the clarity of mind.

[@Supernautiloid]

+JJ You make a great point about his religious background. I'm a non-believer, and I confess a small part of that is probably driven by the disgusting state of American Christianity, which has nothing to do with what Jesus actually taught. Chris is a great social and economic critic, but I'd love to sit down with Chris and have him tell me his opinions of American religion and everything that is wrong with it.

[@mabli2]

Go say it ... practice will make you better. We need to be speaking out and engaging people in conversation on these issues. It doesn't matter that you are not 'perfect'.

[@revengeoftheultaterrestria292]

You are right, thanks EM, I do try!

[@BrettDavidGerardi]

@@Supernautiloid You might have already read it, but if not, I suggest reading American Fascists written by Chris Hedges. It's an entire book about the Christian far right and their absolute lunacy and depravity.

[@tomrhodes1629]

Chris is indeed wonderful, and his commentaries are always spot-on. And as for your wishes, I can help you to go one better. For although you and I may not be able to articulate like he does, what's more important is that you and I are able to find the ANSWER to all of the problems that he articulates. How do I know? Because, I have done exactly that. And I share this amazing information in my landmark 2013 book "THE HOLY GRAIL IS FOUND."

[@butirki77]

Chris Hedges is amazing, speaks the truth and is very intelligent, he speaks for the love of his country..

[@Photomonon]

He hates America, like the commie next door.

[@curtschmidt3436]

He seems to be one of the few who loves humanity as a whole

[@butirki77]

Getranke Nomimono my friend, don’t mistaken someone who speaks of how a system is failing it’s people to hate. If he hates he wouldn’t of have written books and wasted his time lecturing on how to fix things

[@doomerdude2431]

Yes - Chris Starts With The Powell Memo - So Much Stems From That Document.

[@jurgo_01]

FIX THIS: poor parenting, lousy public schools, lack of discipline, lack of love for life, Fatherless families and for god sake, when you get behind the wheel focus on your driving and nothing else. spread out and go with the flow.

[@saulgoodman4953]

Hahahah Facts. I laughed at the last one but it’s sadly true.

[@edwardrussell7168]

His analysis is based on facts and evidence. He is essentially acting as a Warner. Divine Law states What we Sow so shall we Reap. Too much wrong is done to common mortals and time has come to reverse this process...

[@tomrhodes1629]

If you want to reverse this process, my landmark 2013 book "THE HOLY GRAIL IS FOUND" explains exactly how this is done, and reveals the greatest secrets in this entire Universe, including The Meaning of Life in this world. (No, it's not the orthodox B.S. you've heard before.) Glad to be of service!

[@roberttremaine5620]

Chris Hedges makes sense to me. He appears to me to be honest, intelligent and straight to the point. Thank You Chris!

[@SamanthaKristoferson]

Question: What are your recommendations for daily action or habits that we can do that would bring about positive change?

[@SamanthaKristoferson]

Minute 1:20:00

[@realpatriothawaii5653]

Teach all americans that zionists control both major parties and end all aid to isreal.

[@bigdonnie57]

We have only one party in America; The Corporate Party. Chris Hedges

[@manufacturedreality8706]

“No matter how hard Evil tries, it can never quite match up to the power of Good, because Evil is ultimately self-destructive. Evil may set out to corrupt others, but in the process corrupts itself.” ― John Connolly,

[@mannatuu]

Chris follows in the footsteps of many a great American writer and political commentator. His voice and words bring to life and texturise the human condition in ways that few can do . He brings both gravitace and soul. However there is a political and philosophical confusion within him. He seeks on the one hand to raise the whole question of necessity by describing the dire nature of our condition, but then gets himself lost on the remedy. Like many such as Chomsky, the inability to achieve a consistency of logic and argument reveals the echo of an 'emotional attachment' to the language and idealism of the very bourgeoise he despises. His straddling of the political spectrum , quoting Lenin and revolution one minute, then reformist keynesianism is to essentially confuse and end the conversation with an 'illusion of a remedy', but one where the philosophical truth is neither clear , and in regards to Vaslav Haval a distortion of a much wider truth. The word 'revolution' can apply to so many things , but it 's essential meaning is within a wider context, otherwise it can mean everything and nothing . Even fascists like Steve Bannon will call for ''revolution.'' Sadly Chris leaves us without a rudder and without a centre , and as such we are all then meat for the forces of reaction . A mere glance of how his heroes have travelled ends with where we are now, so no ''success story'' there I'm afraid . The only voices that really gauged the depth and breadth of the problem . The only voices that truly shout from their graves are Marx Lenin and Trotsky . 'We live' what they portended as the future struggle of humanity if capitalism and its laws of motion were not overthrown, and the world put on a new trajectory. I would encourage viewers to grasp the urgency of our global situation and that of the working classes the world over . Force must be met with force . ''Resist'' , ''reform'' and the politics of ''hope'' are poor bedfellows as history time and again has shown. They are tantamount to capitulation, and those who speak them are leading a merry dance back to where we have come . All ruling classes will not go without a fight , and ''reform'' is a contradiction in terms when it comes to the laws of capital . The bourgeois ''socialist'' like Sanders or Corbyn cannot use the system against itself. Join the Socialist Equality Party , educate and raise the political consciousness of the working class. Capitalism must be ''replaced'' with Socialism. Our children's lives are dependent upon it , and we do not have all the time in the world!!

[@BeijingYank]

I have the deepest respect, admiration, for Chris Hedges. As a practicing Presbyterian, like Trump, Chris Hedges advise and take on life must be taken seriously. I have concerns he is a magnet for being played because of his high status amongst academia and the moral majority. I would ask him to reconsider his parroting of Trump’s enemies “Russian collusion,” and pray he never is played as a “useful idiot.” Chris Hedges is a leader in these dark times. Render not evil for evil. Chris is in my prayers. He walks a rough path.

[@pappapaps]

3:18 intro skip service.

[@MrDaddynomates]

When you start seeing Military Parades then you know it's nearly the end.

[@averayugen7607]

The parade of violent tweets from the orange wound...??

[@lohollywood1f428]

Yeah the same happened with the Stasis, Nazis, and the wider USSR, all did military parades towards the end of their lifelines.

[@61bullet43]

It’s great that the event wasn’t cut short. So many QA sessions are truncated.

[@randellporter8747]

There was an animated cartoon character from the Golden Age of American Animation that reminds me of Chris Hedges. Except for the glasses, it was an anthropomorphic dog created in 1943 by the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer cartoon studio with a droopy face, hence the name 'Droopy'. Droopy Hedges. This is what rich kids look like after spending their parents money on years and years of academia and then discovers they haven't the education to have a real and productive career.

[@njenga.n.n]

Rebellion is all about faith>>the Power of Resistance - it has the moral force> faith is the belief good draws towards the good>>>

[@osmanjerry3272]

Wealth creates wealth. When the top 10% owning 90% of the country, the nation is doomed to fail, a matter of time. Whoever allows such social development would face the same consequences, whether a democracy or non-democracy. Income disparity that's right, is the main culprit. Make adjustment, the sooner the better.

[@holydick4798]

Labour creates wealth.

[@osmanjerry3272]

Holy Dick but wealth creates more and much faster wealth. The important thing to note is that the wealth labour created is not able to cope with the rising cost ( the majority labourers). This is a sign trouble will come sooner or later.

[@evanskinyua1549]

Much respect to Chris hedges from Kenya. The same system exists here , and other countries in Africa. It's a system created by your system, using a few select politicians to milk the country's resources, with the select politrickians stealing their share. Come and talk in African universities.

[@petersinclair3997]

And, the machinations between a rising empire (China?) and the declining empire, the West, with the US as the centre state? Will global oligarchs seek conflict or cooperation in pursuit of self interest?

[@Commanber]

Oh they already do. They were doing it one year ago when you wrote your comment and they're doing it even more so today. The US is entering a cold war with China and consent is being manufactured as we speak.

[@SosaelCapo]

Anyone watching this again in June2020 and thinking is Chris Hedges a prophet?

[@oscarrobert4725]

September 10th, 2020

[@MB-dp1rj]

@@oscarrobert4725 Watching in Oct. 2023...the march to oblivion continues unabated.

[@sarachase1940]

Please help educate the masses: pass this video to everyone you know to save our democracy and give your children a chance to be free.

[@CamusAndCarrotJuice]

Finally someone referencing and applying Durkheims work to modern day America! I like this man

[@khehlentlemeza1922]

Amazing that this interview was two years ago.....it's like it was spelling out what is currently happening this very year 2020

[@kahlschlag17]

All these years that I have lived in Europe and Australasia we have been bombarded with Hollywood movies where the American hero comes to save the world. Isn't it funny that the US is the most likely, and willing nation to run this world over a cliff. This reminds me of the Germans who, when Hitler came along, largely believed he was father Christmas when in truth he was the gas man.

[@equanimousawareness]

It is easier to deceive the masses than it is to convince the masses that they've been deceived.

[@HelenaWilliams8696]

Prof, C. Hedges is talking about reality. Empires come and go, it is a fact of human history. Now, it is China and Russia fighting to fill in the vacuum the American Empire is leaving. India has a more complex population with too many sects, religions and languages, therefore, it is not on line behind China and Russia. Oh, gee! I was not fully conscious that there is a new religion labelled as "USA American Christianity.' It explains the current political affairs.

[@Ufos4dahoes]

Okay now that we can adress the problem, how do we start to correct it? How can future generations turn the tide?

[@joestone776]

This reporting is great, May not be long before these voices are no longer available to us. It is going to get worse before it gets better.

[@philfluther2713]

'to us' few listeners.

[@stevenmcennery7396]

Chris Hedges is a great American, maybe the greatest American we have seen since MLK.

[@tomrhodes1629]

Chris Hedges is indeed wonderful. Sincerity and the desire to help one's fellow man is rare in today's world, and like MLK, Chris is also gifted with the ability to be highly articulate in his delivery. Now, if you want to dive into all of those same qualities in print form, while also finding the answer to absolutely ALL human problems (because, as it turns, all stem from the same root cause), I invite you to read my landmark 2013 book "THE HOLY GRAIL IS FOUND," . Glad to be of service!

[@wettham715]

Basically, we are all stuffed... free Julian Assange.

[@kingbillybob]

I learned a something from the movie "Apocalypse Now". The secret to winning a war is knowing who to take out.

[@robertthorpe7007]

In the Q & A section the volume is so low I can't watch it - too frustrating.

[@dungteller367]

I have the issue occasionally and I use earphones, perhaps that may help.

[@bn5369]

The problem with America today is the Greed of the very few.

[@tomrhodes1629]

Actually, the problem is the "greed" (selfishness) of the masses! PEOPLE VOTE THEIR WALLETS, or at least they THINK that they do. Because, in their misplaced self-interest and disregard of others they actually often vote for the very people who will do them the most damage! Yes, the problem is SELFISHNESS. And it just so happens that capitalism is a fertile media for selfishness to grow on. It's all in the individual's hands, however, as you can make of life what you wish....which is why group-consensus belief systems are a cancer on society. And if you want to know more, including the true Meaning of Life, I invite you to read my book "THE HOLY GRAIL IS FOUND."

[@bn5369]

Tom Rhodes Is Capitalism falling apart? Will things get worse for us in America? Will there be an economic collapse?

[@kahlschlag17]

I like Chris, he looks like the kinda guy who mows his lawns himself.

[@saulgoodman4953]

I love this comment

[@followerofjulian1652]

Chris Hedges started studying Arabic in 1988. He was appointed the Middle East Bureau Chief for The Dallas Morning News in 1989. In one of his first stories for the paper he tracked down Robert Manning, the prime suspect in the 1985 bombing death in California of Alex Odeh, head of the Arab-American Anti-Discrimination Committee’s Western office, in the Jewish settlement of Kiryat Arba in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Israel, until Hedges discovered Manning, said it had no knowledge of Manning’s whereabouts. Manning, linked to the militant Jewish Defense League and allegedly behind several murders, was extradited to the United States in 1991 where he is serving a life sentence. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Hedges

[@JamesBrown-ux9ds]

All so true - when my wife and I watched television at nine eleven and we looked at each other and said 'the US unfortunately will continue to do all things wrong to deal with that - like they did throughout all of the 1990s already'.(1) And that's exactly what happened - a handfull of young upper middle class Saudi arabian people carried out these attacks on the USA - to make a statement, their statement (of the status of the world under US rule and inside the USA then already) - and the USA reacted by declairing war 'on seven countries in five years' who had nothing to do with nine eleven. Nor the status of the world under US rule. 1 - Norway took the right, the complete opposite approach to deal 'with Breivik' - 'we will not declare war on dark forces inside or far away, arm all of our society against (what?) and give up our civil rights, but stay an open society.' (Very interesting today, a Norwegian helps to destroy western societies in europe in the name of the USA - by creating enemies like Russia through unnecesssary expansion - Ukraine had to be delt with by use of 'Wandel durch Annäherung' - the 'new and successful Chinese method', no what the two Germans did right before 1989.)

[@RasheedBarnes]

Chris was on fire!

[@philfluther2713]

Pulitzer critique Chris.

[@anderslarsen4912]

"your job is to maintain the system, not to question it".........epic quote. I admire this guy.

[@williamherron9365]

So you would celebrate being an indentured servant to the government?

[@megumirogers8004]

just breath taking! great indeed!! i love his phraze,that i myself is often barrowing,"i do not fight with facsist becuse i win,but i fight with facsist because they are facsist!" hope i am correctly writing it here,but it's a whole word of word!

[@montanagal6958]

Corruption and weakness abounds, the money is gone.

[@brachio1000]

Some truth, I think, leavened with lots of bunk.

[@kyleganse4978]

Damn can not believe I only discovered this man now. Sad it seems we have moved closer to what this man predicts. The train seems almost impossible to stop.

[@cliphero333]

Chris makes me feel like I feel to make a wall around my house to keep out the American government.

[@stephenmurray2851]

Why not just leave America?

[@Cooliofamily]

We need to show the politicians as well as corporations that they arent relevant. We need to create systems of true, direct democracy in our own communites. Seperate of what this totalitarian neoliberal capitalist state wants.

[@cbalmori]

This man's wisdom always brings tears to my eyes… I'm not sure if it's out of a sense of hope or fear or both… I am however thankful for his clarity and sincerity

[@onatone]

3:30

[@ajamuwalker7525]

OntheFront thank you.

[@tomrhodes1629]

Chris Hedges has accurately and eloquently outlined the problem; the bad news. Now, if you're ready for the answer to the problem - the good news - read my landmark 2013 book "THE HOLY GRAIL IS FOUND." Glad to be of service!

[@magoo1950]

Seriously, I think you are barking up the wrong tree here. Try the "Next News Network" or similar channels. The right has long taken from the left magical thinking. Besides, just put in your comments Trump endorses the book. The Trumptards will shell out any amount of money to be like their cult leader.

[@SubvertTheState]

106:00 Excellent question about the watershed, we dont pay attention to indigenous peoples here and as my water source is lake Erie....we need to treat Seneca Iriquois and all of our natives better, and educating the young on our ecosystem is vital to aligning our priorities.

[@pandosl.8743]

I am pleased I discovered Mr Hedges. In fact I am stunned and it takes a lot for me to be stunned. Suddenly things have fallen into place. Things I suspected are no longer a conspiracy theory, they are facts.

[@user-lu6yg3vk9z]

Pandos L. They have been facts for years.

[@tomrhodes1629]

Chris is wonderful. And if you are ready to be stunned even more (in a very positive fashion) I invite you to click on my KZbin icon and read my landmark 2013 book "THE HOLY GRAIL IS FOUND." Glad to be of service!

[@EarthAngel504]

Donald Trump's presidency is Circus without the bread.

[@metubeslave]

Who inserted those noises to the video at 46:58 and 47:13 and after, there is somehow always sound problems when these kind of people speak

[@matchlessmoviesinfo]

What can we do about this ??

[@sandysutherland2182]

He is describing the underlying causes of the 2020 Minnesota riots!!

[@IIVVBlues]

The population of America was about 7% of what it is today in 1850! The sheer unprecedented growth of population since the 1850s has been the greatest cause of social upheaval. Couple that with the rise of industrialization and the concentration of populations into urban environments and you don't need communism, capitalism or any other "-ism" to explain the collapse of our former system. The present is nothing like the ancient civilizations of the fertile crescent, Greece, Rome, Byzantium, the Ottoman Turks, Austro-Hungarians, British Empire, the Russian disaster, Nazis or the American Democratic experiment. We stand absolutely unique with a scale dwarfing anything that has come before. Add to the mix our technological abilities and we are truly in terra incognita. No one saw this coming and no one knows how it will evolve. In my opinion, Hedges is a simplistic ideologue who fantasizes a history that never was in order to parallel his, more or less, Marxist ideology. It's ridiculous drivel.

[@IIVVBlues]

To JJ: The solution is to go on living as we have. We have the most successful nation that has ever existed. Personally I'm retiring to the mountains of Montana. The rest of the world will likely blunder on as it always has. Maybe we will be saved by another die off like the plague. One thing I'm sure of, Marxism or social justice isn't going to save anyone.

[@ronraygun4098]

John, instead of critiquing Hedges, you offer a nonsensical version of reality to fit your own ideological narrative. I suggest you offer a counter argument regarding non-existent corporate totalitarianism in America (backed with fact as Hedges does).

[@IIVVBlues]

To Just a normal average guy: I didn't say what we had was "wonderful", just the most successful the world has ever seen. I don't know what's coming, no one does. But I suspect some for of free enterprise will continue to triumph over this Marxist nonsense. As for moving to the mountains, I've lived a long time, probably longer than you, and I think I am entitled to a retirement near a trout stream for the years I have left.

[@ronraygun4098]

Whats coming is a total economic collapse, that's about as free market as anything I guess. Another thing coming very soon is the end of the world. Religious people call this apocalypse, scientific people call it catastrophic climate change.

[@IIVVBlues]

To Ron Raygun : Hedges views the dialectic of history through an ideological lens. He is not a dispassionate historian. His thesis is political twaddle not academically sound. We have a system skewed towards maintaining the status quo. Every government does the same. The wealthy have influence, but they hardly have "totalitarian" influence. There are still checks and balances to hold any power elite at bay. The real danger is from the left. They would remove the checks and balances, claiming the ends justifies the means. They take the view of moral superiority and appear blind to the fact that there is another side to the arguement. If they ever do take control, it's the end of the American democratic experiment. Subversion of fact and rewriting history to fit their narrative is their specialty.

[@justorichards1489]

Before such a collapse , third parties and visionaries should be elected and both national parties should be abolished

[@matthewsimshauser7572]

When will we take action

[@mateoyavorsky7646]

Not until you mention without any fear the magic word "Jew".

[@joemallett1897]

Make America Moral Again, dump the trump regime!!!!!!!

[@noddy3007]

@@leroybrown7870 wow, you sure showed him. You must be really intelligent to come up with that insult.

[@stevenbenson5241]

The fascination of Trump supporters with cuckoldry is very telling. Kinda like those that spout off a little to often about homosexuality.

[@bradkohl6283]

We need to dump the DNC as well. They are just as corrupt man.

[@TheGodlessGuitarist]

"Make America Moral Again, dump the trump regime" sadly it is not that simple. As Hedges says, Trump is the symptom not the disease. The election of Trump is the product of decades of corporate erosion of education, media, politics and so on. The rot is deep within US culture now. It is going to take a sea change in public opinion, not just in the US but across the West to rout out the corporate capitalist disease. The problem is that corporations control the media and essentially public opinion. Its going to take some kind of miracle or near total collapse of the capitalist system before the masses truly mobilise. It may well be too late by then.

[@TheGodlessGuitarist]

well said Brad

[@brigitteblackburn4637]

Outstanding!

[@abelincoln332]

The tipping point has already happened, we are just still able to kick the can down the road!

[@blucantrell2]

Yep. Money printing is keeping the system afloat.

[@EmWarEl]

He makes some good points, but his narrative is so hardened that I don't think any turn of events could ever make a dent in it.

[@thunderkhajiitkitten6787]

Get rid of capitalism.

[@ToddTinley]

We did that in 1913.

[@LunaticTheCat]

Unfortunately because of how propagandized people are, this won't happen until the whole thing comes crashing down. Unfortunately there is nothing that can be done to prevent this from happening, it is only a matter of time before this happens.

[@dippin1523]

we need FDR now

[@brianjacob8728]

FDR should have let capitalism fail. He didn't do this country any favors.

[@oldman5719]

@@brianjacob8728 What are you smoking?

[@brianjacob8728]

@@oldman5719 You enjoy being a slave. What are YOU smoking?

[@free00to00ryhme]

No, we need Teddy now.

[@oldman5719]

@@brianjacob8728 I am Slave Master. WTF.

[@joanofarc33]

Hedges begins 3:25

[@p8entlyobvious383]

Hedges should do a program where there is a narrative with film and or pictures.

[@radman1136]

Chris has often said we need to get away from television and also our "digital hallucination" devices and rather engage one another face to face. He also tries to read three hours nightly.

[@jackbauer9220]

Hedges is OG. He knows his stuff.

[@alexcarter8807]

What I greatly respect about him is he's Been There, Done That.

[@colinfuidge8660]

Epic stuff

[@TheTeKuZa]

The Empire State building is there for a reason, right?

[@mdarrenu]

This is why some liberals need to realize that it is important to understand the limits of federal power and leave a lot to individual states since it can help break up power consolidation to at least some extent. One new easy example is many states and even cities passed much higher Minimum Wages that the federal MW rate.

[@3506Dodge]

Hedges makes some important points but he's an ideologue...a moralist. He's not a careful analyst.

[@nayanmalig]

Bible needs no distortion. It is inherently distorted in terms of modern civilization.

[@nayanmalig]

LOL seems you do not mind children stoned to death

[@agentsmith1527]

starts at 3:30

[@wolfmedical8374]

what is the antidote to reverse the collapse?

[@manufacturedreality8706]

It's inevitable. Too much corruption at the top, too much ignorance at the bottom.

[@dougn2350]

Bernie Sanders had the answers but there was no way the corporate powers would allow him to lead.

[@philfluther2713]

Put the Public Weal first.

[@zx7siovia213]

As I see this in 2021 I feel Hedges was actually an optimist

[@joecaruso7994]

I don't understand how someone can demonize capitalism when Chris participates in it completely. He had a nice suite on. I know he makes more money than the average person. My point is along the lines of he's not talking about his, mine, and everyone else's addiction to this capitlisistc lifestyle. It's like saying he has no responsibility. There are things out of our control (external) and things in our control (internal). If we all decided to stop blaming external problems for our internal issues we could change as a human species. Let's walk the walk and change internally what we could.

[@mateoyavorsky7646]

Depends how you define capitalism. Today capitalism is a state sponsored usury.

[@tomrhodes1629]

Capitalism isn't the problem, SELFISHNESS is the problem. It just so happens that capitalism is a fertile media for selfishness to grow on. It's all in the individual's hands, however, as you can make of life what you wish....which is why group-consensus belief systems are a cancer on society. And if you want to know more, including the true Meaning of Life, I invite you to read my book "THE HOLY GRAIL IS FOUND."

[@weirdmatter]

The Athabasca oil sands, also known as the Athabasca tar sands, are large deposits of bitumen or extremely heavy crude oil, located in northeastern Alberta, Canada .

[@smiddysmidton8313]

3:18 Hedges starts