The Politics of Unreality: Ukraine and Nuclear Risk: A Conversation with Timothy Snyder (

Sam Harris speaks with Timothy Snyder about the ongoing war in Ukraine. They discuss the effect of Russian propaganda, Putin’s motives, whether the US and NATO bear some responsibility for the war, widespread calls for de-escalation, nuclear blackmail and nuclear risk, and other topics.
Timothy Snyder is the Levin Professor of History and Global Affairs at Yale University and a permanent fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna. He is the author of a dozen books, including the bestsellers On Tyranny, Our Malady, The Road to Unfreedom, Black Earth, and Bloodlands. His work has been translated into forty languages and received a number of prizes, including the literature award of the American Academy of Art and Letters, the Hannah Arendt Prize, and the Leipzig Book Prize for European Understanding.
Website: snyder.substack.com/
Twitter: @TimothyDSnyder
Released: October 25, 2022
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[@chrisplaysdrums09]

Snyder is so important man. He and Stephen Kotkin are two of the best sources of information on what's been going on, not only now, but in the last 100 years.

[@benguensche]

Was hoping I’d hear them address the shelling of the donbas for the last 8 years. All i heard was him destroy a bunch of straw men

[@cinikcynic3087]

Funny as hell

[@chrisplaysdrums09]

@@benguensche I'm not sure I understand what you're getting at or what you're saying but Snyder does go into more depth in some of his other work.

[@benguensche]

@@chrisplaysdrums09 there has been an active civil war in ukraine since the 2014 coup, and ethnic Russians in the donbass were being killed for years. This was not mentioned at all when they were discussing putin’s motivations for invading, and it is a huge factor. It seems particularly dishonest to discuss the 2014 crimean annexation without addressing the coup

[@chrisplaysdrums09]

@@benguensche I'm not gonna pretend like I understand the full gravity of what was happening in Ukraine before 2014. But I will say that the change that happened was one in which the government went from looking toward Moscow to a government that moved toward the EU (they were waving EU flags), and that is an existential moment for Putin's attitude toward the EU and democracy. He's made it very clear that he doesn't support the independence of Ukraine as a state, no matter how that happens or which way it goes. The thing about the current government in Ukraine is that Zelenskyy stayed. And in doing that, he seems to have united the people. Also. The "Russian-speaking population" argument over Donbas is not so different from the "German-speaking population" argument over Sudetenland (roughly 15 percent of the territory of then-Czechoslovakia) of the Munich Agreement during Hitler's rule in the interwar period. Definitely different people. But a similar argument and similar tactics to justify a land grab.

[@Nate-dv5dp]

I've been waiting for a more in-depth discussion on Ukraine from Sam. Glad it's finally here. Greeting from Bulgaria 😊😊

[@judahjayson684]

Listen to NOAM CHOMSKY he has a great take on in it.

[@leonbishop7404]

@@judahjayson684 something along the lines "ukraininans dont matter and putin deserves to kill them because ukraine was part of russia"?

[@andreme7326]

@@judahjayson684 chomsky is uninformed and mistaken.

[@Will_Smith_Slapping_Xi_Jinping]

It's basically what Russia did to Georgia in 2008, when Putin didn't like the results of their elections.

[@Will_Smith_Slapping_Xi_Jinping]

@@judahjayson684 💯

[@andrewwatson6913]

Excellent discussion. Timothy Snyder speaks truth to power.

[@blooper6543]

Which power is he speaking truth to?

[@jamesdonop445]

Democracies do not abandon democracies, nor do they sell them out to Putin. Period.

[@tcorourke2007]

Right? If thermonuclear war is the price we pay, so be it! We can't let that bastard win!

[@TheMithridates]

Burisma, Biden.

[@deathbycognitivedissonance5036]

Stunning and brave

[@skyyywarppp428]

Ukraine is not a democracy.

[@ole555]

But they do commit coups and economically destroy countries to destabilize their governments. You know, in the name of Democracy™ and all. Gotcha. Definitely no exceptionalist hypocrisy going on here. Only sound, profitable principles.

[@katarzynaolejarczyk1443]

It's funny that in Poland most people asume that US and EU involvement in this war is much too small

[@China_Secret_Police]

Because they know what Soviet oppression is like. Thankfully NATO is like a family.

[@postoron1940]

Thank you Sam from Ukraine. Great podcast

[@judahjayson684]

Listen to Noam Chomsky he is really giving an eye opening viewpoint on the war, you won't regret it.

[@postoron1940]

@@judahjayson684 I listened. He’s full of shit

[@judahjayson684]

@@postoron1940 if you really listen to him you would not listen to this "expert" who are reading Putin's mind, that Sam Harris likes, dummy?

[@JaneDoe-tn8tn]

@@judahjayson684 Why are you spamming that argument by authority?

[@brentonkludt6828]

I'm extremely happy to hear the amount of people that donated to her. That's amazing. Keep it up Sam, that's incredible.

[@tahwsisiht]

Me too. I am so pleased to hear it! Now, I can't wait for her documentary to be reached by many and to be recognized for its quality. I love when justice works. That is the only way I see how our world can survive. Not the other way around. I can imagine the relief and the long deserved end to her treatment from those who wronged her.

[@andrewm4767]

Is it possible there is merit to some of the criticisms launched at this documentary?

[@davegold]

@@andrewm4767 We'll only find out if it is broadcast. Criticism should not lead to cancellation anyway (except in the most extreme cases).

[@andrewm4767]

@@davegold yeah okay- but do we know the reason the Disney woman dropped her funding? Like is it ‘cancellation’ if she considered the criticism and agreed enough to drop her support of it?

[@davegold]

@@andrewm4767 Yes. De-platforming after criticism is close to the definition of cancellation. Listen to the podcast.

[@sanjivb53]

14:35 Start of discussion with Timothy Snyder

[@PhysicsPolice]

Thank you! This comment should be promoted to the top. Such a long, grueling introduction, Sam. Why?

[@TennesseeJed]

Gah! I wish this one was completed here! Sam occasionally does that if it's important. Nuclear bomb threats sure seems like it'd be important.

[@The.world.has.gone.crazy...]

I unsubbed for that reason. I allready pay for KZbin premium.

[@matttzzz2]

@@The.world.has.gone.crazy... gfys on the way out

[@PowMusic]

If you think it’s really important you should subscribe. If you can’t afford it, email support and you’ll get a free subscription

[@EternalModerate]

@@The.world.has.gone.crazy... IMO, Sam Harris is a better person to give your money to than KZbin.

[@jaredfait4280]

His full podcast subscription is free. He needs to make money, but you only need to email the podcast and ask.

[@bakudreamer]

The ' choose an enemy and then politics begins ' really brings it home

[@KingMinosxxvi]

Who chose the enemy....THE USA a decade ago..even more

[@Jo-tf5ux]

Meg was an incredible example of a woman in the actual situation that identifies the problem within our society and national dialogue. Very grateful and full support.

[@richardlegrand4697]

I appreciate this podcast

[@judahjayson684]

Listen to Noam Chomsky he is giving a very interesting view point on the invasion of Ukraine.

[@MegaRolotron]

@@judahjayson684 Chomsky has post-cold war brain rot. He has lost so much respect on the left for his takes on Ukraine. Sure, listen to him, he is a historic figure. However, keep in mind that he is spreading misinformation on critical details and completely ignores the agency/sovereignty of Ukrainian people.

[@MarcinMoka1]

🙏 Thank you Sam! Finally a voice of reason on the subject!

[@mailoisback]

Great interview. It clarifies many things. Thank you very much!

[@austinsmith3011]

As an America I find it so depressing so many of my fellow Americans cannot find Ukraine on a map.

[@stephenglover8828]

Even more depressing is thinking that the Biden admin has no agenda by supporting Ukraine

[@austinsmith3011]

@@stephenglover8828 Can you explain what you mean by no agenda? As far as I can see the agenda is to provide weapons and intelligence to Ukraine for as long as they are willing to fight or until Russia gives up on this invasion and to press for international sanctions on Russia. So the agenda is to make this invasion on Russia as painful as possible.

[@stephenglover8828]

@@austinsmith3011 the agenda is regime change in Russia and to look after the military industrial complex. Also the sanctions have backfired

[@sergii_real_estate]

Cuz it shouldn't be there or be within smaller territory with different name of the country - "Galicia".

[@CrystalSauceOnEverything]

American Exceptionalism is such a widely known concept in America that we forget most countries are Exceptional in their own eyes. Russia is mainlining Russian Exceptionalism to a degree that we cannot even fathom. The bit about Putin believing in and acting on his own historical fantasies is spot on.

[@pdcdesign9632]

American Exceptionalism = USA doing USA things.

[@osric1730]

Its not a widely known concept in the US at all. Its been heard and taken to mean "America is different therefore the rules that apply to everyone else don't apply to America" or even more naively "America Fuck Yeah". In fact in terms of a political concept the phrase is derived from a remark by Stalin that American exceptionalism was a myth with regards to Marxist theory since Stalin did not accept that the political leap of faith in the American Revolution was sufficient to shield it from the forces that Marx determined would affect the evolution of capitalist states. So American exceptionalism is in fact a term to assert that whilst Marxism is largely correct, America is the exception to Marxist historical determinism. In short, American Exceptionalism is an utterly meaningless term unless you're either a Marxist, or you don't have the faintest idea what you're talking about.

[@kustomkure]

historical fantasies? all the historical fantasies are owned by you guys. Putin doesn't want anything more than we Russians as people deserve.

[@CrystalSauceOnEverything]

@@osric1730 it is used in multiple contexts, including foreign policy, that have nothing to do with Marxism. Switch to decaf. Immediately.

[@CrystalSauceOnEverything]

@@kustomkure you deserve to lose the war 🤷‍♂️ so I guess I hope you get what you deserve

[@Tacit_Tern]

*Timothy Snyder's "On Tyranny" is a must read.* As well as, "The True Believer" by Eric Hoffer. ....if you want to maintain the free world's democratic institutions in defense of western civilization.

[@JaneDoe-tn8tn]

Do you have any more recommendations or sources?

[@Tacit_Tern]

@@JaneDoe-tn8tn If you want extremely in-depth academic information regarding RUS/CHN activity; then I highly encourage using these useful resources which have extensive reports: Atlantic Council, Hudson Institute, CNAS, CSIS, Cato Institute, Human Rights Watch, & Amnesty International.

[@jmc5335]

@@Tacit_Tern Quite strange how you think the West = free. Hasn't the West overthrown democracies globally?

[@Tacit_Tern]

@@jmc5335 Care to explain your nonsensical comment?

[@jmc5335]

@@Tacit_Tern Chile. Guatemala. Iran. Brazil. The DRC. etc........ The list is quite long. Not to mention the domestic anti-democratic set up for many of these self appointed captains of democracy. Gerry-mandering, voter suppression, corruption, implication of economic policies that punish the majority.

[@darthbobo9445]

This is a really great nuanced discussion.

[@rapidportraitradio914]

steven kotkin makes this guy look like an amateur

[@Max-zv1bu]

Part of being civilized and maintaining civilization is to practice negotiations and diplomacy.

[@spiritualtraps4383]

Unbiased expertise is what we need. That needs to be emphasized. The truth is neither left nor right nor center.

[@James-dx2vs]

I think I like Sam Harris. In fact I know I like Sam Harris!

[@markmeyers7184]

good work Sam, wow!

[@ryanbooth2666]

Perhaps you should invite Jeffery Sachs onto your podcast and ask him some direct questions? It seems to me Mr. Sachs has a reasonable amount of experience in these matters, having been directly involved with political negotiations in the region for decades. He might have something to offer to the conversation and I know he would jump at the opportunity to speak on your podcast.

[@konradvonschnitzeldorf6506]

Guy seems like a Chinese Spy haha.

[@David_Lo_Pan]

The best defense against communist authoritarian dictatorship is to strengthen democracies from corrupting influences and nepotism. It takes an active and concerted effort of the people, to ensure that our democratically elected politicians are truly representing our interests. We must also address what hostile communist countries are doing, both domestically and abroad. Democratic Nations must stand together against their lawlessness in defense of global security, human rights, and enforce International Law.

[@maureensansburn6413]

They need to also defend against right wing countries as well

[@somethingawesome9547]

I am Lithuanian/Ukrainian from Russia. I am 100% against Putin, and have been for a long time. Most people considered China to be the US's biggest "adversary" for the past several years. I had always felt that a Putin-led Russia was our biggest threat for almost 20 years, and I was vindicated in February. Anyway, I disagree with Timothy on a very large number of things in this episode, including some of his philosophical assertions near the beginning of the video. It is interesting how two people can think completely differently and yet arrive at the same conclusion. I guess for him, he gets to 5 by adding 1 and 4. I get to 5 by adding 2 and 3.

[@pawnee68]

I appreciate your comments.

[@ad5232]

China is a far bigger threat to free and open societies than even the Soviet Union ever was. The Russians have been punching above their weight for decades.

[@somethingawesome9547]

@@ad5232 True. But Russia has nothing to lose. China has a good thing going for it (relatively). A country that has nothing going for it, and has not had anything going for it for more than a century, will push the envelope. It’s like hockey, at the end of a game if you are losing, you will get desperate and have an empty net to generate more offense. China is nowhere near a position where they need to go “empty net.” Russia has been for many decades. This is why I consider them to be a bigger threat than China, for now.

[@simonb4689]

you haven't been vindicated. China is still a much more formidable foe.

[@somethingawesome9547]

@@simonb4689 Onjectively not true.

[@Bronco541]

I highly encourage everyone not subscribed to at least pay one fee just to listen to this one in full. He makes some really good points and rebuttals in the latter half of this.

[@judahjayson684]

Please don't be insecure for wasting money, listen to Noam Chomsky is free and you can learns good things.

[@arikkatzenberg4498]

Noam Chomsky and his vast consumer products division is cash cow. You think Chomsky’s new caymans beach house is paying for Itself?

[@chrismackenzie4789]

Great interview. Very informative.

[@TomekSw]

I can't find this in your app...

[@hamcheeselettucemayosandwich]

So pleased Tim Snyder is on this episode

[@randomguy1221]

I miss these. I used to listen to every podcast before the paywall. Wish he would have kept it free, this could have been bigger than lex Friedman’s podcast. Lex the programmer engineer and sam the philosopher neurologist, could have impacted many more lives.

[@hugodujat1366]

You can get the podcast for free if you just send an email saying you can't afford to pay. It's what I did.

[@willdon.1279]

@@hugodujat1366 Correct - I now have a reduced subscription, because it's important to fund people like Sam.

[@PhysicsPolice]

14:36 "Tim, thanks for joining me..."

[@jergification]

Where are the KZbin lectures? Link?

[@johns.7297]

It would be interesting to hear a debate between Mearsheimer and Sachs and the guest.

[@George-2115]

More importantly, it's a debate that is necessary.

[@kirathekillernote2173]

I think the disagreement b/w the two parties is fundamental, not technical. Sacks believes U.S. has no business helping Ukraine. Like even if there was no chance nuclear war, he will just stop this aid for sake of fiscal conservatism. This guest and Sam believe in supporting democracy and U.S. allies (even non treaty ones). They think America's role as weapons and intelligence supplier is morally good. So, the whole debate about escalation and nuclear war is just pedantic. As Snyder pointed out in the beginning, ideological honesty would clear things up and save everyone's time. Guys like Sacks are nhilist isolationists, who don't see any moral value in supporting Ukraine. Any cost U.S has to bear for sake of Ukraine is too much for them. I fail to see what can be achieved when these two party debate. And I, for a change, would much prefer a practical analysis of the situation instead of an philosophical one

[@George-2115]

@@kirathekillernote2173 Yes. I admit that I agree with your statement more than my own. I do hate that their positions are allowed to spread without direct confrontation, without exposing how silly they are. Ignoring morality (please don't!). Would it not have been fiscally responsible to have done something to prevent this war and where it might lead. Have they considered that doing nothing could seriously increase the chance of a nuclear "event".

[@jmc5335]

@@George-2115 Unfortunately the part about Sam Harris supporting democracy is false and is of course in conflict with supporting US allies. As can be seen by Harris's reaction to the Arab Spring Also, I think the respondee has got mixed up between David Sacks and Jeffrey Sachs

[@George-2115]

@@jmc5335 I am much more familiar with Snyder than with Harris. I have heard/read things by Harris that I strongly agree with. Other things that I was troubled by and felt that they could be taken or perhaps were meant the wrong way (e.g. comments on Islam). Democracy is more complicated. Not sure where he stands and not sure what you mean by "allies". Personally, I felt the Arab Spring was a much needed and promising attempt to battle corruption, which just happens to be the US weak point. The US is one of the world's weakest democracies, with a huge problem with corruption. Russia and Hungary are about the only "democratic" countries that have less democracy, and Russia is more corrupt than the US. Then there is the problem of history. The US and Europe have much to answer for. If you don't know your history, you will continue to both make mistakes and be distrusted. Germany has recognized some of its historic crimes, few other countries have (Denmark, Canada, Iceland, Norway, Finlnd, New Zealand... are all pretty good on this front). So where/how do you feel he gets Democracy and the Arab Spring wrong?

[@DennisMoore664]

24:18 - "Oceania was at war with Eurasia: therefore Oceania had always been at war with Eurasia." -1984

[@kyivstuff]

Timothy Snyder replies with perfect arguments

[@YadraVoat]

Still loving the old intro music, thank you, Sam!

[@cnrhghs]

The full conversation is available to subscriber's of Sam's podcast. Well worth it, trust me. This conversation alone is worth a million.

[@Zombiphobia]

the podcast full eps are free if you just ask. plenty of people willingly pay the full price but it is not a requirement

[@judahjayson684]

You wasted money

[@cnrhghs]

@@judahjayson684 it's $50 Judah. For me that's nothing, and well worth it. My $50 also helps you to listen for free.

[@judahjayson684]

@@cnrhghs listen to Noam Chomsky instead of paying money for things that a little to do with practical knowledge.

[@cnrhghs]

@@judahjayson684 thanks for the advice... i know chomskey and have read some of his stuff. It's good to get information from many sources, lots of different perspectives.

[@danzwku]

It's actually quite amusing how many of @TimothyDSnyder 's points of 🇷🇺 Russia vs 🇺🇦 Ukraine would apply to the 🇨🇳 China vs 🇹🇼 Taiwan conflict.

[@judahjayson684]

Listen to Noam Chomsky he has very interesting view point.

[@danzwku]

No, actually Chomsky has become an idiot on these subjects.

[@judahjayson684]

@@danzwku don't sound stupid listen to him than you will understand.

[@jhonklan3794]

this guy would argue soda is imperialist

[@andreme7326]

It looks like you posted the full version today and then deleted it for some reason😭😭😭

[@Bradley_UA]

I probably need to get that ftee subscription finally if you still give them, it's been like ten years since I thought "surely I can afford it, just a bit later", and I still didn't buy it... And the topics are getting way too serious to ignore

[@cnrhghs]

It's worth paying for it, but you can also just email Sam and get it for free.

[@emerraldx]

I hope the people who need to hear this conversation take the time, such an important discussion that could dispel so many common misconceptions I see floating out in the ether. thanks Sam 🙏 for spreading more of the well informed kind

[@judahjayson684]

Sam Harris is disarranged thinker and you think he is giving you information, what happened to the world.

[@zachariayusuf6688]

noam chomsky he has more conext in political history in policies

[@China_Secret_Police]

People's aren't even paying attention to the conversations at the UN

[@Brian-nt1hh]

One day I will figure out the signup. You go Sam!

[@rugani_paulo]

Very good indeed....

[@George-2115]

Great questions, great answers. A real antidote to some of the madness. So much of the conversation on Ukraine, Russia, and the war have been based on a complete lack of any grounding in the facts. There are many important questions, but some people use these questions, combined with a divorce from reality, to argue for what is tantamount to ignoring genocide, to ignoring the real question of what we *SHOULD* do.

[@blooper6543]

Genocide by whom?

[@George-2115]

@@blooper6543 Genocide by those who have announced it as their goal. "Ukraine is not a nation". The Russian military is bombing civilian populations, destroying infrastructure, encouraging a mass exodus, taking children into Russia... This is literally *TEXTBOOK* genocide in progress. Remember that the mass killing (if still "necessary" begins when the offending state is fully destroyed and the Empire gets to decide who becomes a "citizen").

[@PyrographyPyrography]

@@blooper6543 genocide by the russian invaders

[@jmc5335]

@@George-2115 Technically that is a crime against humanity as a result of a war of aggression.. The empire that Harris says is well intentioned has also continued such crimes. Also, it has facilitated actual genocide in Guatemala. Does justify why much of the world sees NATO grievance at crimes committed by Russia as hypocritical

[@Cracktune]

def a subscriber but wanted to give this video support/add to traction. Thank you Sam, for everything.

[@judahjayson684]

What did he do to you

[@Ajox191]

To say that the US bombing Japan with nukes didn't have a huge impact on modern warfare and the continued nuclear race is insane.

[@ennediend2865]

"Neutral Ukraine" means Ukraine as a Russian satellite. That's the meaning of "neutral" for the dictator in Kremlin... Same thing with "autonomy" for Donbass : no possible autonomy with Pootin across the border.

[@brandon9828]

The Q&A was great. Thank you for Waking Up, Sam. Meditation is the strongest mechanism possible for me to navigate my adult life with bpd & c-ptsd.

[@quantumeseboy]

The important historical background to this is that Ukraine and Russia are fundamentally different due to belonging to different civilizations. Simply compare their histories. Just check where is Russia at during the entirety of The Renaissance period and thereafter. Ukraine by contrast had been a part of European experience.

[@brucegregson621]

Was this pod made in 2005?

[@yansheredega2560]

Great episode. A bit unfortunate that it's partly behind pretty liberal but yet paywall. Thank you, Sam, for inviting Mr Snyder.

[@libertyprime9307]

"A bit unfortunate that it's partly behind pretty liberal but yet paywall." Twisting my brain into a pretzel trying to parse this sentence.

[@nickcruz8748]

Excellent interview and excellent guest. I especially enjoyed the analysis on how Putin is directly sapping Russian power to the delight of China.

[@jordanmackenzie5279]

I told my friends a few months ago that I predicted we’d see a rise in anti-semitism. Ideologically, it’s only a step away from the common and socially accepted white-hatred that we see now, justified by a condemnation that we are inherently privilege and are wealthy.

[@blooper6543]

Where is the rise in anti-Semitism? Kanye would have lost $0 if he went DEATHCON 3 on whites and everyone knows it.

[@kustomkure]

The world is coming to socialism and then to communism. It's inevitable. All of what's happening now with the progressive liberal movement is nothing more than an awkward attempt to say "hey, there is obviously inequality, let's do something about it". But in order to do anything about it you have to introduce socialism in full form. You can't try to fix inequality while being knee deep in capitalism. You will be focusing on anything, race, gender, sexuality. Anything but wealth and classes which is where the real problem lies.

[@jordanmackenzie5279]

@@kustomkure that’s it dude. Belle and whistles.

[@jordanmackenzie5279]

@@blooper6543 that’s my point.

[@seanmatthewking]

You're talking about anti-semitism coming from the left. Kanye West talking about Jewish Media is the more traditional anti-semitism.

[@seanfindlay2726]

I'd really like to see Bill Browder on this podcast to tell his story of the Magnitsky act, his interactions with the Putin Regime, and discuss the very real anti-Putin feelings within Russia. It's almost never brought up on the main news outlets covering the war, and I think it's incredibly important to listen to guys like Bill when forming opinions / strategies to deal with the Russian government. I encourage anyone who is interested in learning more about why Russia is behaving the way it is now to listen to Bill Browder, Valdimir Kara Murza, Boris Nemtsov, and Alexi Navalny, because with the exception of Bill, they are Russians opposing the Putin regime. These men also had massive support within the Russian people but due to the Putin regimes actions they are either banned from entering the country, already in jail, or assasinated. Boris Nemtsov was shot within a couple hundred feet of the Kremlin... If that alone doesn't tell you that Putin is terrified of growing disent within Russia about his criminal government then I do not know what will. I just want to say as well, we should always seperate the actions of the Putin regime from the Russian people. Putin's government has stolen probably trillions of dollars from its own people, sqaundered any future Russia has of becoming a nation that isn't just relying on its natural resources, and made the country a pariah in global politics. We are not fighting Russians today, we are fighting Putin and his mafia.

[@Tuxedo2680]

I'd much rather rely on Snyder's learned take than the opinion of people who have never been to Ukraine and don't know the first thing about Ukrainian and Russian history. Many people fall into the idealistic trap of automatically equivocating responsibility and/or fault every time a conflict erupts in the world. They seem to have forgotten that there is such a thing as an aggressor and a victim. And it's especially egregious in this particular case since Ukrainian civilians are not collateral damage: they are the main target of Russian aggression. War crimes ARE not isolated incidents in this war, they are par for the course. Putin's idea of "negotiation" is nothing less than total and unconditional surrender to his monstrous blackmail which the Ukrainian people are paying in blood.

[@anewman]

YES very important topic and super glad you have the conversations worth having instead of platforming someone like Kayne West who is making the round on all the other podcasts..

[@judahjayson684]

Listen to Noam Chomsky he has a very interesting view point on invasion of Ukraine.

[@geneharrogate6911]

Saw 'Ye' on Lex's podcast. Glad I didn't go in for the full 2.26. I imagine thats what 'off your meds' sounds like. The support shown for Meg Smaker on the other hand goes someday to restoring my faith in humanity. She's a force of nature.

[@mchapman2424]

I couldnt stomach the full Lex podcast. I love Lex but West is such an egotistical asshole, as well as a mental basketcase that makes little sense. I have no idea why everyone thinks hes so great

[@jmc5335]

I think it has already been pointed out that there is not much difference between Ye and Harris.

[@geneharrogate6911]

@@jmc5335 _Really??_ How so..

[@jmc5335]

@@geneharrogate6911 Jake Shields pointed out the discourse of Harris around Islam is similar to Ye's over Jews. Also, Harris has propagated far right conspiracy theories about Muslims(the Eurabia conspiracy theory) that often takes on an antisemitic tone when discussed by the fascists he says deal more honestly with Islam And Harris of course blamed Jews for their own genocide and oppression You also have to ask yourself why Harris accepts the term antisemitism as being legitimate and not Islamaphobia.

[@geneharrogate6911]

@@jmc5335 Babble. Eurabia? Please.. Further, if you cant decipher the difference between ethnicity and religious belief, then where to then? Perhaps you need to play closer attention to the context and content instead of reflexively triggering each time somebody points out the insanity contained within religious texts.

[@antap]

Snyder is superb

[@ArkticDark]

Wow amazing that so much money could be raised for her!

[@johns.7297]

If a person gets criticism from the far left and the far right, they are likely close to being in the right place.

[@tcorourke2007]

The same thing could be said of Jeffery Dahmer.

[@J.R.Y.]

@@tcorourke2007 Jeffery Dahmer is 6 feet under -- in the right place! ;)

[@judahjayson684]

What do you mean by the far left

[@tcorourke2007]

@@J.R.Y. My point is that receiving criticism from the extremes of two opposing camps proves nothing.

[@psmorgan2542]

It is when the criticisms from either extreme are that you’re not aligned with them on the things that make them extreme.

[@reinforcedpenisstem]

Sam's comments on Twitter regarding the war went undefeated.

[@CyberPhile2001]

Hi Sam (or intern hire) if you hear me. I have been a fan and keen listener for years, being subscribed to your free KZbin channel and also subscribed for a while to your meditation app. Noticed today I was not subscribed to the free "Sam Harris" KZbin channel. I don't think I ever unsubscribed from your free channel?

[@ruthconradie8650]

Kanye should not have been given a platform to spew hatred. Not confronting him was cowardly. Thank you for speaking up Sam.

[@viletail]

Well at least it is just nukes and not Trump getting elected

[@JakeRoselli]

The trump derangement comes through in every single Podcast...

[@skonther0ck]

As to the cacophony of unqualified voices, years ago I attended a SRO lecture by the great American writer Tom Wolfe (The Right Stuff). After he elegantly and wittily described his writing, Tom took a few questions from the audience. The www was just at that time becoming a thing. A young man enthused about this phenomenon and asked Tom his opinion of it. Tom merely shrugged and described it as just CB radio with a keyboard. Tom always was a pretty sharp guy.

[@Bradley_UA]

That sounds very sharp indeed.

[@matteframe]

yeah, the internet hasn't had much of a cultural impact, he was so prescient

[@aarondavis8943]

Sam Harris isn't qualified to give opinions on 99% of the topics he gives opinion on, and yet he often gives really good takes. And I've lost count of the bad takes I've heard from professors made on topics they're meant to be experts on. And Tom Wolfe isn't an expert on the internet and certainly in this case it shows. Let's just judge a claim on it's own merits.

[@peterdollins3610]

I love the works of Isaac Bashevis Singet. In his short stories there are wonderful portraits of small Jewish groups in the middle ages who go to these places of study with books and exchange ideas. Seems to me this culture by itself must help the abilities we all have to deal with intellectual, entrepernaurial and relaistic paths up into society and the world. It appears to me the succsss of Jewish people to do not with genetics but with environments/environments. Yes, Meg was is great. I'm so happy to hear she has recieved so much support.

[@andsowot]

Sam has nearly 600k subs. If he just carried on being free he'd be in the millions by now. Making enough money, reaching more people and keeping relevant.

[@frankyb702]

He is gonna lose some thanks to his deep state propaganda spewing guests

[@boeandthelizards]

Thanks for posting this important topic for free viewing.

[@DisheveledHuman]

It's not the full episode.

[@nogrammer]

@@DisheveledHuman sheesh you don't say? 😂

[@bijanshadnia3620]

Big Brother is Watching vibes from this mural of Putin Also-- Sam I understand you are running a business but I believe the threat of nuclear war is important enough to be a PSA and warrant a free full episode

[@zachariayusuf6688]

he is not an educator he is a business man.

[@greggallen6079]

why is the autoplay button missing from Sam Harris's videos?

[@stephenbyrneireland]

This is fantastic

[@304Hibachi]

So welll articulated sir! As always 🙏🤙

[@toekneeevans]

I don’t understand Sam’s point here. There are numerous subject matter experts who have opposing viewpoints on this topic. Given that the topic is unknowable in so many ways (how does anyone really know what Putin thinks and what he will do?) it’s surprising his advice is “listens to the experts”. Which ones? How do we as subject matter idiots know which one is right. Doesn’t this warrant a debate?

[@blooper6543]

His point is that the "experts" in the corporate press are on his side, so listen to them and not dumb rubes like Mearsheimer or everyone else who warned against NATO adventurism. Sam is not honest. People need to understand that he is a skilled rhetorician who uses that ability to deceive others for his political ends.

[@matteframe]

It's safe to say Elon Musk isn't an SME on this. It's kind of easy to know who isn't just look at their backgrounds. Deciding which expert is 'right' is up to you, but at least find out what their credentials are.

[@k14pc]

It's literally an appeal to authority. Moreover, Philip Tetlock's work essentially proves that in areas like geopolitical prediction the average NYT/WSJ reader who's trying is just as correct as subject matter experts. I rarely disagree with Sam but I think he's directionally incorrect here.

[@roger7337]

Hearing academics tell us what Putin is thinking is one of the most comical things I have ever heard.

[@kirathekillernote2173]

I think he meant expertise w.r.t popularity. Elon Musk or David Sacks are repeating talking points from isolationist left wing academics (called nihilist adjacents here) and it is clear to everyone. However, their tweets and podcast garner disproportionate space in popular Zeitgeist. So in that regards, it is better to listen to someone with original thought rather than cheerleaders who are repeating stuff after watching youtube videos

[@brewmahn]

I loved hearing this dude define fascism.

[@erict.35]

🙂

[@emerraldx]

makes you think huh? 🧐

[@Tom-ym2id]

I'm disappointed I can't listen to the full podcast. I already pay for KZbin premium. I can't justify an additional subscription for one podcast.

[@illfightyounaked6696]

It's important to listen to the Ukrainian perspective. However, Snyder is a Yale professor (red flag) who spent a long time listing his credentials (2nd red flag) is suggesting nato isn't relevant (3rd red flag) and seems to think the US didn't have anything to do with why this is happening (a pile of red flags)

[@illfightyounaked6696]

Jesus christ I just finished listening to the full 1.5 hour long members only version. This tool bag suggested that the Russians believe the Ukrainians are demonically possessed Russians who must be conquered to bring them out of evil. Yale...

[@matteframe]

so attending a prestigious university and having credentials are red flags... lol OK

[@illfightyounaked6696]

@@matteframe You'll catch up some day

[@ricardoalvarado1109]

Doing my own research is seeking experts with different options, so I felt the introduction to this conversation condescending towards people like me that just want to be informed. Another thing is that Sam Harris thought me not to think in a biased way, but without even starting the conversation Sam already tells Snyder, "diffuse this point of view", seems weird coming from a man I thought was open to discussion.

[@joedavis4150]

.. this is all about initiation of force. The widespread reliance on initiating Force at every level, is why we are a maladapted species.

[@tcorourke2007]

This. If only humans were like all other species, living together in perfect harmony without violence.

[@ole555]

@@tcorourke2007 Still, maybe just a tiny bit of ethical ambition might be in order, given the whole abstract-reasoning-capacity-and-ultimate-command-of-the-planet's-resources and all...

[@tcorourke2007]

@@ole555 The original comment labeled human beings 'maladapted', as if aggression was not found in nature. Your comment highlights our capacity for ethical behavior, which is absent in nature. This was precisely the point of my sarcasm. Perhaps your comment would be better directed to Mr. Davis?

[@ole555]

​@@tcorourke2007 It was directed at the notion that people are bound to be violent to each other like the other animals in perpetuity as an invariable fact of life, which I took your comment to imply. I honestly did not quite understand the point of the OP. It seemed to me he just said 'violence is bad', and you said 'but violence is natural'. I might have misunderstood. Either way, to make my point more specific: If people decided to use their immense creative capacity intelligently in their shared interest, they could design and structurally safeguard a society which allowed them to escape the existential competition for scarce resources which is fundamentally what engenders the persistent condition of violence that currently characterizes both nature and so-called civilization.

[@tcorourke2007]

@@ole555 And I have a brilliant plan to end war forever: everybody stop fighting. Seriously, your assessment is that life would be better if people were better. Do you really think this is insightful?

[@animalchin5861]

Tim Snyder on Sam Harris's podcast has a nuanced counter argument to this claim.

[@MeticulousTechTV]

I too saw the support all across the videos discussing Kanye's comments. Dozens, hundreds of comments saying things like this: "You know what it means, because they banned him it means he's right" "Finally Kanye is saying what we all feel" "They won't let Kanye tell the truth" These comments went on and on, garnering thousands of likes on videos that barely had 100k views. It was truly horrifying, not that people supported Kanye, but that it brought this rotten societal underbelly of hate, fear and bigotry into the light of day for everyone to see. I think it raises another point to, that banning popular people on social media amplifies the "Streissand Effect" in an exponential way. There is a growing body of people who will immediately take the support of any point of view of a banned user, regardless of what it is, thinking that "the government" or "the media" or whatever other smoke-filled-room-of-bad-guys they want to paint as the enemy of the people. There are millions of people, in America especially where our lives are easy, who are bored, angry, and living meaningless lives. They are looking for any chance to jump behind a cause, to try to blame someone for the way their life has turned out or the things they feel. I think Antisemitism draws these people in like a magnet, dehumanizing them and creating an "other" that all of their woes can be blamed on. I've heard people say "racism isn't a problem anymore. Antisemitism is a thing of the past." But seeing our global community of KZbinr viewers pouncing on this opportunity is horrifying. It's like we're watching the events of the 20s and 30s unfolding once again in the digital age, as if human beings are preordained to fall into these patterns of hate and fear and violence. God help us all over the coming years, we're going to need it.

[@DarkestApe]

Just some housekeeping ... the correct and unbiased definition of fascism is: 1) a political philosophy, movement, or regime that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition; 2) a tendency toward or actual exercise of strong autocratic or dictatorial control. Makes you wonder why mr. Snyder would use the definition he did unless he has other motivations than sticking to facts.

[@thesh1ttyactivist]

Can we not keep supporting Ukraine WHILE encouraging peace talks?

[@aroemaliuged4776]

Putin knows that although NATO has expanded invasion into Russia would never happen This is a difference that matters

[@jimmytimmy3680]

Yeah tell that to Yugoslavia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Lybia or Yemen. Lol

[@willjdeanie]

Putin literally requested NATOs expansion into Russia in the early 2000s. Former Warsaw Pact and ex soviet satellites and former allies Czechia, Hungary and Poland (1999), Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia (2004), Albania and Croatia (2009), Montenegro (2017) and North Macedonia (2020) all joined NATO. Russia requested membership after the Soviet Union fell but was denied. Why is that do you think? Perhaps if putin gave up Russias WMDs NATO would stop it’s continued aggression? Of course Iraq gave up its WMDs , that didn’t help Saddam Hussein much in the end , Assad gave up Syrias , didn’t pan out well for him either. Libya , they gave up all their WMDs as requested, Gadaffi suffered the rather undignified death via a bayonet up his ass for his troubles. Perhaps they were all about to invade a NATO member state when they were bombed? Maybe the Yugoslavian military were about to invade the USA once it had finished its civil war? Perhaps after the NATO backed coup in 2014 that overthrew the democratically elected leader of the Ukraine and installation of a pro west anti Russian government, NATO wouldn’t have bothered to take over the Russian navy port they have held in Crimea for a couple centuries. Maybe they would have just let Russia continue to lease it like it had been since the Soviet Union fell?

[@aroemaliuged4776]

@@jimmytimmy3680 I said Russia Obfuscate all you want

[@aroemaliuged4776]

@@jimmytimmy3680 ask your woman what lybia is

[@jimmytimmy3680]

@@aroemaliuged4776 then you clearly can't read. Lol

[@elmoblatch9787]

Timothy Snyder's credentials are extensive and yes, expertise matters. In politics, we like to say, "I'm not a politician!" In every other profession, we don't hear incompetence advertised. "Don't worry, I'm not a pilot and I don't believe all the nonsense that has been done by pilots." "Don't worry, I'm not a surgeon."

[@KingMinosxxvi]

oh and how John Meirsheimer, Stephen Cohen, Jeffrey Sachs, John Matlock, Henry Kissinger, Ray Mcgovern. I could list dozens of names accross pollitcal spectrum and who have studied both acamdemically and practically this conflct for a decade plus who would dismiss snyder

[@Ykpaina988]

@@KingMinosxxvi And they are all Political scientists which is not History or Historian from Yale. Sometimes elites like Snyder are worth listening to and john Meirsheimer not so much.

[@wasdwasdedsf]

yea, theres a resaon we like to say that. its cause the more you get into the career as a politician, the more entrenched you get into the swamp, the more you can gain by taking advantage of thep eople youre supposed to serve. Just look at just about any of the Ds or rinoes

[@KingMinosxxvi]

@@wasdwasdedsf please stop talking and infecting people with your poor excuse for thought

[@TitforTat6]

@@Ykpaina988 Snyder may be a historian but in that brief episode he sure left out a lot of history. Gorbachev, Baker....not like they were important back then. ;)

[@meshzzizk]

I have 101 objections to Snyder’s comments in this interview, but one I’ll relate just bc it is surprising: 47:47 vs. my best friend’s girlfriend is Ukrainian and her father still lives in Mikolaiv. He even now 100% supports the Russian invasion and hopes they take over his city. It’s worth adding that this man’s car was recently destroyed by a stray Russian missile but his support for Putin and a Russian takeover of Ukraine remain steadfast 🤨🤷‍♂️

[@supermario8416]

What did the USA do in Syria Irak Libia Yugoslavia Vietnam Cambodia etc ??? How many million people did the USA massacre, 20-30-40 milions ?

[@MFK1967]

Relevant how?

[@kustomkure]

Sam, you want to have a real conversation about this conflict? Get Col Douglas McGregor. Just do it. And see where it leads you.

[@jamiepearce3576]

Or Scott Horton or Darryl Cooper

[@judahjayson684]

Listen to Noam Chomsky he has a very interesting view point on the invasion of Ukraine.

[@MFK1967]

McGregor is ridiculous

[@kustomkure]

@@MFK1967 it what way?

[@mlphyzix]

This guy is so appreciative lol. Great conversation!

[@judahjayson684]

Listen to Noam Chomsky he has a very interesting view point on the invasion of Ukraine.

[@JackBirdbath]

@@judahjayson684 you have several dozen comments on this video talking about Chomsky. We get it Mr Chomsky, you’re the only one we should listen to 😂

[@judahjayson684]

@@JackBirdbath you caught me I was looking for a reaction 😂😂. Sam Harris fans are mentally unable to think practical that's why I wanted to see if they really believe Harris know's anything about global issues.

[@JackBirdbath]

@@judahjayson684 I’ll wait until you can use an apostrophe before I listen to you about anything. You’re a Chomsky troll and it’s sad to watch.

[@user-hu3iy9gz5j]

Yesterdays news perhaps, but can you do an interview with Jay Bhattacharya?

[@Living_Matrix1]

The guy that predicted no more than 10,000 people would die from Covid? What would be the point of interviewing him? (other than to see if he admits his mistake I suppose.)

[@joshmccrillis9950]

Please please talk to Destiny (Steven Bonnell)

[@jestermoon]

Take A Moment Sam, your work is needed for us all to survive Stay Free 🇺🇦

[@judahjayson684]

Listen to Noam Chomsky he has a very interesting view point on invasion of Ukraine.

[@matthewdozier977]

I was a little dubious about Sam and his guests take on this one, but that final quote at the end of the video was very prescient.

[@judahjayson684]

How many years old are you

[@matthewdozier977]

@@judahjayson684 I'm 43 and a half

[@judahjayson684]

@@matthewdozier977 stop the cap

[@judahjayson684]

@@matthewdozier977 only teenages listen him

[@judahjayson684]

@@matthewdozier977 who gives more practical knowledge Noam Chomsky or Sam Harris. Then I will know if you are 40 or young.

[@h2didenkov]

If Jeffrey Sachs is not qualified enough to give his prospective, than who is? As to this expert(not questioning his expertness), all his conclusions are derived from his biases and he's working backwards from those biased conclusions.

[@dhadad9885]

Please talk about Iran.

[@Xelbiuj]

10+ years later, I keep expecting some kind of heel turn from Sam. No idea why. As always, he's on the right side of history. I'm glad he's not cowering to nuclear saber rattling and doesn't have an appeasement or tankie attitude.

[@TheDailyGroov]

Always on the right side of history? At this point that's literally verifiably incorrect, based on the Hunter Biden laptop alone. You don't delete/censor Truths, however damning they may be to your political friends. Its primarily that attitude that has led the many western countries doing horrendous things, because they have that security blanket. We, as well as Sam, should be demanding more transparency not less, thing is, i know he agrees with that as well. So ironic.

[@h2didenkov]

Of course he is not. Thanks to exceptionalism mentally. We(US) can never be wrong, and even when we're, it's ok 'cause our intentions were good.

[@TheDailyGroov]

@@h2didenkov That is shocking to hear, "Our intentions were good" Is the exact sentiment under the great leap forward, (and other human atrocities) it came at the cost of millions of lives. It doesn't matter if you "Believe" your intentions are good, they may be wrong or even worse... You must not censor or shutdown information thats damning or inconvenient to your agenda. Good intentions on the ideological left are what's getting young children mutilated and put on not only life changing and irreversible drugs. "What about their feelings" They are indeed very harmful. Putting that aside its becoming patently obvious as well that this transitioning conveyor belt isn't even good for the individuals psychological state either. Its in no ones interest to shutdown information, yes it comes at a cost but the alternative is far worse. The 20th century proves this.

[@ButterflyHakan]

This guy doesn't seem too neutral

[@martinstu8400]

39:54 did you just describe USA?

[@danielhumphrey3836]

Thank you for this, John mearsheimer really distorted my understanding

[@ole555]

Thank god you are finally back in the fold believing the world is a Star Wars movie: Nothing but the righteous vs. the wicked in an eternal fight of good vs. evil. I agree with you. Things are so much simpler here. You never have to question authorities (unless the other countries' authorities disagree with yours, in which case yours are obviously right, duh!). If they tell you there are good reasons for war, it must be true. If they tell you there are no reasons for war, it must be true. If they tell you an election is fake, it must be true. If they tell you a coup is not a coup, it must be true. If they tell you an Islamist dictatorship is the villain of the world, it must be true. If they tell you an Islamist dictatorship is your worthy friend and partner, it must be true. I love this nice, easily digestible, reassuring world! As long as we never try to reconcile our prescribed narratives with reality, it is just perfect.

[@danielhumphrey3836]

@@ole555 I’m willing to accept what you’re saying if you give me some reliable sources to read. I have heard many strong rebuttals to Mearsheimer’s arguments lately so have had my mind changed, but if my current understanding is flawed I am very willing to change my mind once again. I have trouble seeing Harris and his audience as people viewing the world like a Star Wars movie but I could be wrong.

[@erict.35]

@@ole555 😂 so many brilliant comments, but I’m not sure anymore Sam deserves his crowd.

[@ole555]

@@danielhumphrey3836 There are no "reliable sources." Unless you count Brian Stelter (please don't). It is fundamentally a matter of being truly open-minded and honest with yourself in evaluating the arguments you hear. For example, I don't need any particular reliable sources to tell me that politicians are lying every time they claim their foreign policy is motivated by the noble, lofty values and principles they always recite when selling a war. I just need to honestly think for two minutes about the _actual differences_ between Iran and Saudi Arabia. That exercise alone should make any courageous, sincere person easily see that the policies which are sold to us by the media and supported by our indoctrinated world view are not driven by any desires for peace, justice, 'democracy' or the like, but by ulterior agendas which are not publicly advertised. This is simply the only logical explanation for self-evident facts like the political double standards toward countries which are in reality the same. You don't have to know exactly what the real reasons are, just understand that the publicly stated reasons are lies. Once you accept this scary, but liberating realization, more general skepticism about the world and your prescribed authorities will naturally follow. The sources which inform you of all the mostly hidden facts will never be considered "reliable" by anyone who will not dare risk the naughty wrong-think to begin with. This is why people like Mearsheimer, Stephen Cohen, Lev Golinkin or Sachs are not considered "reliable sources." It is not about whether what they say is true, but whether their views are allowed to be considered at all. The moral comic-book-universe thinking is not specific to Sam Harris. It is just a part of the normal world view instilled in people who generally believe without question their media when they presume to define the supposedly appropriate terms of 'public debate'. Some things are just given premises which no-one is ever allowed to question, like 'Us Good Guys - Them Bad Guys'. The 'red pill', unfortunately, is not an actual thing - if only. It consists in the courage to question the authorities in which you are indoctrinated blind faith from birth, and risk being reprobated, shunned and pathologized by the right-thinkers. It is not for everyone. I mean this sincerely: I fully understand if you got scared when you listened to Mearsheimer and thought he made sense, and then realized that this was totally the wrong thing to think and that he was considered the wrong kind of expert by the majority of people who putatively know the subject. This has happened to me many times and caused me to be more cautious about my belief in certain things, but I tend to just come down on the side of more agnosticism. I consider it part of my intellectual maturation process. Sorry I can't give you any concrete things to read or watch; I just think it is a matter of personal temperament whether one can embrace 'forbidden' information.

[@danielhumphrey3836]

@@ole555 Thanks that was awesome. I understand you’re objection to giving “reliable sources” and that one should view an issue based on the facts alone without allowing someone else to form your opinion. The way I’ve been forming my opinions is by reading opposing sides and seeing what they have in common. Would you agree with this method? It’s mostly worked although so far I’ve had a lot of trouble gathering my thoughts on Iran(which I think I might have an overly positive view of) and Israel(which I think I might be too critical of).

[@RTC1655]

This episode alone is more than enough bang for the bucks for a Sam Harris subscription. Just brilliant!

[@judahjayson684]

you wasted money

[@h2didenkov]

@@judahjayson684 agreed. He's using his history knowledge to corroborate he's biases. He has very selective history prospective. Also, completly misquotes Putin and goes on proving he was wrong. This guy...

[@judahjayson684]

@@h2didenkov you listen to Sam Harris for too long because you are disarranged thinking NOAM CHOMSKY is biased. Seriously what is wrong with you. He himself said quoting Putin is wrong you have to look into his policies he is famous for saying actions are more important than believe.

[@judahjayson684]

@@h2didenkov please use your mind before you tweet. And lastly Noam Chomsky is the most influential and respected intellectual in the world.

[@judahjayson684]

@@h2didenkov not like Sam Harris who makes money from his innocent fans.