Timothy Snyder, "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons From The 20th Century"

[@MartineReed]

March 14, 2017. Let that sink in. He told us what was going on and the media ignored him. Timothy Snyder. And he did it with humor and grace.

[@indomitus]

And now, Nov 8th, 2024. Always was.

[@OneAdam12Adam]

Sadly, true. I tried to tell friends of mine. They all looked at me like I was crazy. People are entitled to be stupid. Malcolm Nance a year later was warning of specifics. They blew him off too. It's really pathetic.

[@arias6720]

I just downloaded this audio book and I listened to the introduction. I will listen to this tomorrow morning and prepare myself to be a part of the solution.

[@johnkendal5562]

The problem here is the same problem that has always been here - apathy. As Plato warned us some two thousand years ago, "If you don't get involved in politics, then you will get the politicians that you deserve". I would add another line to Plato's warning; "And never forget, those politicians will unrelentingly encourage apathy in the people".

[@1828tolstoy]

Then politics will effect you.

[@lindafoxx1659]

I agree. The two party system only works for one party. I think it's high time the left shall give their side up gently and understand that when we call ourselves. Republican it's only a name and labels are deceiving my friends.

[@netabaughman3079]

@@lindafoxx1659 yes, and vote for Elizabeth.

[@netabaughman3079]

A SOCIAL COMPACT which requires that requires that each alone and in concert with others, not only obey the constitutional official acts, but help enforce them, if necessary, at risk of one's life. 18IS Code 2384 Seditious Conspiracy - If two or more conspire - By Force - hinder or delay the execution of any law

[@lindafoxx1659]

@@netabaughman3079 the republicans would loose their shut if the unhappy dems decides to join them. OAC the far left progressive republican...hehe

[@michaeltaylor6782]

A piece of paper, that's all. No speech, just a piece of paper. It reminds me of the best teachers and the best lecturers at university. Understanding and knowledge which is almost cellular.

[@Constantijn09]

His book is a must read Professor Snyder showed why an understanding of history is so important for the world today

[@ms.5779]

2020 proved this author right, thanks for the warning

[@andrewgerling4245]

4n

[@ms.5779]

@@andrewgerling4245 I bought the book and gave 1 to another. Thank you

[@gulugul78]

these are the types of Americans I love listening to. thanks from a Papua New Guinean. Cheers

[@gulugul78]

thank goodness for this fella

[@gulugul78]

it's really a breath of fresh air to listen to a voice of reason.

[@francoissavard]

Mainly because he does not sound American in nature, and it may be a lesson to all of us worldwide. When it sounds American in nature should we avoid it? What is most worrisome for our contemporary civilisation, is that many new fresh figures in politics worldwide are mimicking Donald Trump in their strategy. Brings about the question is Donald Trump a by product of the Russian political agenda, or is Vladimir Putin a by product of the America culture? The Americans did set a significant precedent worldwide in threatening the world with the famous words decried in 2001, "You are either with us or against us". No one in the world dared question the intelligence reports presented to launch a war in Iraq. The Usa had a voice of reason just prior to Donald Trump in the White House, so why should we expect that Donald Trump is just a freak accident of nature, or the by product of the Russian government? Who is influencing who? We take so many things for granted, without questioning the order or nature of things. It is tragic and yet where is the sense of urgency worldwide?

[@gulugul78]

Very true. We all remember those infamous words, no doubt. The most worrying thing in my global region ( the Pacific, Austral Asia) is the relationship between the U.S and China. We need China as a trading partner and we also need the U.S as a military partner. The Papua New Guinea and all of the south Pacific is basically Australia, militarily speaking.

[@francoissavard]

We are diametrically opposed geographically speaking, and personally I may be too close to the american border to feel secure culturally speaking. I find that the Usa is more of a direct threat to its immediate neighbours than it is to the distant ones. I find no comfort in the said military protection provided by the Usa, as obviously it may go in the opposite direction. The military force of the Usa may just become a threat to the world as it may fall in the wrong hands, and what was once deemed a blessing may just become a curse to the world. This is why the lessons provided by this speaker are so important, as we cannot take anything for granted based solely on blind faith. Do not obey in advance is key here. It seems quite obvious that technology is killing the people's ability prospects to earn a decent living. Robots are not just replacing manual tasks or a threat to the so-called blue collar workers, but it is about to play a hey role in replacing many liberal professions, or so-called white collar jobs. Yet, some despots are blaming free trade worldwide when in fact technology is a great threat to the loss of livelihood worldwide. Wealth concentration is hence fostered via patent tights, royalty payments, licensing fees, and etc. which is reminiscent of rent paid to important land owners in our distant historical past. History repeats itself in a different context, making comparaisons difficult as it is said different though in essence it is so similar. I will not rely on past beliefs on values to feel at ease and to accept the argument that the Usa military force is a blessing to the world and will never turn into a curse. I felt differently though not at ease when president Barak Obama was in charge, and this mostly because the president is so powerless given the political gridlock in the Usa, however this may not hold true under a ill-intent leadership that knows no boundaries and willing to cross the line into unchartered territories. As, the speaker pointed out insecurity at large and increased fears may be the tipping point for the world's population. We may be very close to it, and yet we continue to behave as if there is no end to it and as if infinity is the new normal.

[@mireillelebeau2513]

"There is a playbook from the 1930s that some people in the presidential administration are following. This includes picking a minority in your country, associate it with a global threat and use the notion of a global struggle as a way to create national solidarity while neglecting the nation’s actual problems."..T. Snyder, SZ interview.

[@jeanhunter4310]

Vice-President Henry A. Wallace warned about this in the 1940's: American fascism.

[@netabaughman3079]

Labor Relations, Industrial Relations and Workers' Compensation from injury or death

[@dolliscrawford280]

When it didn't work singling out Muslims they singled out Latinos and we argued less.

[@stewiepantz4202]

Qq

[@LJCyrus1]

Watching this in 2019 makes me wish I had heard of it earlier. Still useful.

[@ambulocetusnatans]

Hello from 2020. Wait until you see 2021.

[@taliasya2273]

LJCyrus1, me too, but now we know, and although as of this writing, Trump is out for the next four (I am holding my breath until Jan. 21, 2021), there are obvious dangers that align with Mr. Snyder’s ‘predictions’ that still exist and will continue. We-you and me and others similar thinkers- will have to be very watchful and not let our guard down, nor let others get too cozy. Trump is already saying he will run in 2024, and if not, his kids. Daughter-in-law Lara wants to run for Senate for N.C. I wonder if she has ever been there. And even if they are all locked up, there are still his ‘cronies’ and more that have the ‘plan’. So stay vigilant, as will I.

[@ambulocetusnatans]

@@taliasya2273 The next Trump could be smarter and more charismatic. That is a real danger, but at least we know now that a certain percentage of our population has fascist tendencies. Stay alert and learn ways of changing peoples minds.

[@JB-vb6dh]

Watching in 2021 after the storming of the capitol! 😬

[@oaktowndaddyg]

Bravo, Jeremy, great editorial! I’m a retired baby boomer and disabled Vietnam veteran (due to my exposure to Agent Orange when I served as medical corpsman during my tour of duty). I voted for Bernie the last time in the Ohio primary - and sat out the election because I detested both the Queen of Warmongers and the future Commander-in-Chief Bone Spurs - and I will again vote for Bernie on March 17th. These oligarchs and their paid lackeys in the war lobby for the MIC know how easily scared average American voters can be given the 9/11 attacks and the economic meltdown in 2008 and this Orwellian era of forever wars. By the way, Bernie petitioned his draft board during the Vietnam War and then won being classified as a Conscientious Objector which was an honorable choice. Yet all these aging, baby-boomer war hawks attacking him with their Red baiting dodged the draft during the war but then had no moral qualms sending other citizens sons and daughters in the AVF off to war after the 9/11 attacks. But these wars are just as criminal and illegal as the war I witnessed as a young naive kid from the working class. Is Bernie perfect? No, in his first run for the presidency, he admitted he would continue Obama’s illegal drone wars if he were elected. But he was a far better choice even the last time around.

[@chriswolfe7830]

Hopefully, you don't sit this one out because if Trump wins this time? Our democracy is over.

[@hayesdabney]

Give Mr. Snyder`s book for birthday presents and Christmas gifts!

[@hubbsllc]

Or do what I do and leave copies around.

[@victoriagarth7897]

America, Are you listening? Fantastic video of the truth and commonsense.

[@dscully1808]

No, America is not listening. They removed civics from our classrooms decades ago. The average person under 35 thinks that they live in an economic theory and have no idea that governments matter. You should stop hoping that America will wake up. It's too late for America to be saved. People around the world need to think about what it means that America is turning to fascism.

[@juliacochrane5086]

Thank you for this thoughtful lecture. And I did not see the current situation coming so fast and thorough.

[@netabaughman3079]

And it is really at a tipping point. The doctor who committed suicide and the works lives at risk in the meatpacking industry.

[@gerhardmas]

I just want to say that you have it right Iived in germany the 12 years of hitler my father was blinded in the war in 1916 we are Jewish and even after hitler he was treu deutsch. He in a ca.p and lost everything I was in 5 camps including auschwitz I am numbered what you have written and said is bringing back me.ories and co.parisons to today I have told people that trump is reading main kampf every night so he can follow in his foot steps. I have written my life experience titled we are the last on medium those were the last words my friend yelled before he was hung in front of 15000 prisoners I auschwitz Buna. Monowitz

[@kawikah6301]

"Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves." ~William Pitt the Younger

[@elaineburnett5230]

Another book that I must read. I am reading more books than ever before. I have always read books, could not live without them, ok Thomas Jefferson, said that first. Still 200 years later, this applies to me. Listening to the Professor helped me answer a question I poses two days ago.

[@ephorntube]

A good read that is very concise is War is a Racket by General Smedley Butler. Everything that is going on today went on 100 years ago and this book documents it. It also has policy suggestions for preventing military foreign entanglements to put "defense" back into the defense department.

[@bongiwe]

Thanks for posting this. On one of his answers I would say that I was among those who believed Trump would win based on my perspective that America is far more racist than it believes itself to be. Having come here from South Africa in the 1960s and being familiar with White South Africans and their honest raw racism. In America racism has always been sugarcoated, a mix of smoke and mirrors. America was well conditioned for fascism to take root.

[@tajanthonycooper2132]

bongiwe No God sees all the hearts of man evil will never prevail it happen over 2000 years ago on the cross even thou false charts proclaim that they in fact are right remember what happen to them

[@tajanthonycooper2132]

That’s christian

[@jacquelinemari7156]

Biden should send copies of this book to every member of the House and Senate as an Inauguration gift.

[@lindajayneclark767]

I knew things were going to turn out like this can you imagine??. And still So many people are not Seeing it!

[@MartinScreeton]

(trump.. and his clan) “Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ― Voltaire

[@hhjames9139]

The definition of religion.

[@vehement-critic_q8957]

@@hhjames9139 The definition of a secular ideology could be confused with religion.

[@dorisfowler3229]

I agree, and I know that it will happen again, because people like to be told what to do, rather than think for themselve. It's a product of our educational system where kids are not allowed to ask questions, but are incouraged to accept what they are told.

[@psilvakimo]

@@hhjames9139 Explain how your Godless communist heroes are orders of magnitude worse.

[@CaminoAir]

@@psilvakimo That's not what HH James said.

[@sm10067]

Hi from Hong Kong. I read this book and it really gave me quite meaningful insights from what i have been experiencing in hk

[@markheithaus]

I'm one of those who voted for Trump for understandable reasons (in the majority of Trump voters in that regard). I'm one of those who is looking for a reason not to vote for him again (I don't like him as an individual). What concerns me is the far-left policies, especially the push for restrictions on speech. It is becoming more and more common to hear people say we need "hate speech" laws. I'm concerned about the call for reparations. This scares me. I'm concerned by the knee-jerk thought that "Trump and most of his voters are racists." I'm not racist... and I support strong border security (end of catch and release). I'm not racist... and I speak harshly about the human problems at the border. In short, a border wall isn't racist. Saying bad people come across the border isn't an attack on minorities. It's specific to.... bad people. What scares people like me is that we see (I think rightly) much of if not the majority of the left as against free speech, for poor economic policies, and in control of narratives assume "racism" as the causes rather than trying to solve issues. I simply fear the radical left. Its movement is bigger and scarier. Trump is brash. He's not a racist. I do agree it's dark.... on the left. I see the fanaticism over Trump as a form of brainwashing. I'm watching rational people act foolish. I'm American. I speak Russian and Ukrainian and lived in Russia and Ukraine. I have my masters. Perhaps I'm more well-spoken than a lot of Trump voters, but my concerns reflect the majority. White supremacy is disgusting. Seeing Trump and the majority of Trump voters as racist or anti-minority shows a strong disconnect between people's ideas and the reality.

[@MsPinecone123]

Ummmmm read the Mueller report. Simple.

[@markheithaus]

@@MsPinecone123 I did. It wasn't impeachable. It certainly didn't say Trump is a fine, upstanding person, but it certainly didn't turn out to be what everyone thought.

[@markheithaus]

@@MsPinecone123 I hope Dan Crenshaw runs for president eventually. He's someone everyone can get behind. We need a well-spoken, good-person conservative

[@aleksandar1724]

If you need more than Trump ordering a US diplomat to be taken out, you have chosen your side already.

[@Christycollects1977]

Wondering if you've changed your mind about Trump after experiencing his administration and now a Biden administration?

[@benjaminodonnell258]

History doesn't repeat, but it does rhyme...

[@miyojewoltsnasonth2159]

@Benjamin O'Donnell History doesn't repeat, but today it tweets.

[@tajanthonycooper2132]

That’s not true history does repay itself

[@4KConelove]

Interesting way to look at it .

[@benjaminodonnell258]

@@4KConelove To be clear, that's not original to me. I can't remember who coined it, but it's been around for a while.

[@4KConelove]

Benjamin O'Donnell I’ve heard that it is not only cyclical but also a spiral. So it’s adding to previous human history, and in a new generation etc.

[@tomjohn8733]

Good to know I’m a true patriot, and always have been...great lecture, thank you Dr. Snyder...

[@dfritz4524]

Fantastic lecture. I'm already in my third viewing.

[@TheSpiritOfTheTimes]

D Fritz Then you are a moron baby boomer whose generation fucked up the world are now hand-wringing about Trump, the logical conclusion of your dumb generation.

[@KuroNekoExMachina]

@@TheSpiritOfTheTimes you seem balanced & need of a hug.

[@KuroNekoExMachina]

@Kevin Tewey I'm gonna have to google translate that.

[@orpheus9037]

These Q and A sessions get a little nutty: people can't seem to put forward concise and to-the-point questions.

[@hannahemory]

"A nationalist encourages us to be our worst and then tells us we're the best."

[@kn9ioutom]

LIKE DEUTCHLAND UBER ALLIS ???

[@dadadaddyoo]

@Accelerationist Brilliantly EVIL.

[@ikeman9784]

Bam! America is the greatest nation on Earth. Wrong!! Encourages white nationalism or Alt right if you like.

[@tajanthonycooper2132]

Yer they lie

[@trista4congress827]

FANTASTIC lecture, Professor! Love the way you said, I don't have anywhere else to go, let's answer some more questions! ha

[@judym2676]

I’ve held back from posting on fb so as not to offend some “fb friends.” In May 2022, the situation is dire, just as u predicted. I will hold back no longer. Like that old saying goes, “if you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.” Thank you!

[@judym2676]

Ps. I posted this video on fb.

[@thetawaves48]

Ralph Nader warned us.

[@uol1051]

Well worth viewing again (Feb 2020).

[@kehindeonakunle5730]

Great intellect and conscience. Apostle of the open society. Great ideas, timeless.

[@Eurydice870]

I'm writing on 3/6/24. Trump blew up the primaries yesterday, he will almost surely be the Republican nominee in November. He has SCOTUS in his pocket. Another atmospheric river is passing through. It's been a difficult day! Came here for a dose of sanity. Hello to all my friends, and a big thank you to Prof. Snyder. ❤

[@cmillerg6306]

His point on eye contact has alarmed me for decades, go to a busy supermarket and if another cart pusher avoids eye contact, he/she is more likely to not consider you or if he/is blocking you for no reason other than selfish. Similar for longish conversations on ones cell phone while treating the public space as if it was only your own phone booth. Then there is road rage and What's The Matter With Kansas....

[@sophiesophia3027]

Interesting question about eye contact as I just read about Rex Tillerson informing people at State Dept. NOT to make eye contact.

[@JakeJustIs]

Pics or it didn't happen.

[@nonamenameless5495]

Thanks for sharing this one!

[@hormonallyreplaced]

Great author talk, but I'm laughing at attendees who'd go up to the mic, not do what Snyder requested (please get right to the question so everyone who needs to ask can get their turn), and then talk at length about their personal anecdotes and/or tell Snyder variations of what he just told them.

[@miyojewoltsnasonth2159]

@Lucy Ke On one hand, I applaud the individuality of not following orders. On the other hand, you're right: They look like individual imbeciles.

[@Jan96106]

I don't know about this video. I've just started watching it, but in a video on a new book of his, I appreciated him allowing the people to talk. I heard a woman originally from Poland voice her fears about what's happening in America. Another woman spoke about the role sexism played in the last election and whether he wrote about that. Someone else pointed out a free press is insufficient in uncovering and presenting the truth with all the damage the internet does in spreading lies. In the other video, although they spoke at length, their comments elicited interesting comments in return from him. People need a chance to talk about and process what is happening. His talks are especially cathartic after listing to all the lies on the news that black is white and nothing Trump does rises to impeachment level and after the disappointing way the Mueller findings were handled. We are not fools. We know what is happening and we are frightened.

[@ctwofirst6635]

Americans are a deeply troubled people. They've been told they're the greatest and richest people on earth but they know that isn't true. They need psychological help but can't afford it. So they share their angst at these sorts of things. I usually just skip the questions.

[@37Dionysos]

Listen through this and then consider---oh my god, it's February 2020, already 2 years later and much worse. "It comes fast," he says of the fascist change. Indeed.

[@Cam11B83]

Well Said!

[@paulbaker3144]

A glacier moves slowly it seems, right? Takes hundreds of years? No, it’s relative to how hard and how long it snows. I live in a valley with glaciers above us. If it started snowing and didn’t stop we would be shoved aside in a matter of a few short years and maybe just months.

[@1828tolstoy]

Every second that passes the harder harder it gets.

[@37Dionysos]

@daniel sebold He's using solid and familiar research examples still applicable. Sorry you don't see his contribution. And millions of people can be wrong.

[@ambulocetusnatans]

It may be coming fast, but the ground work was laid down a long time ago. It started with Reagan. I saw it coming back then, and everybody called me an alarmist, and yet here we are.

[@lavinder11]

Thank you for posting this.

[@carlatteniese2]

Terrifying. I am wondering where Trump's Reichstag fire is going to be.

[@zawiszaczarny7876]

There already was Reichstag fire in many streets of USA , made by same left wing fanatics as Synder , the diffrence is they were stupid while he is educated ...

[@Stephanos480]

Very succinct and clear sighted observations by Dr. Synder which remind me of this quote by the historian Ian Ousby from the preface of his book »Occupation - The Ordeal of France 1940 - 1944.«: 'Those who look at how people in another time and another country behaved in an hour of darkness find no easy clue as to how they themselves might behave should they suffer a similar ordeal. Instead they find what Vaclav Havel, with his eye on different events altogether, had occasion to remind us in 1990: »It is extremely shortsighted to believe that the face society happens to be presenting to you at a given moment is its only true face. None of us knows all the potentialities that slumber in the spirit of a population'.«

[@nancyvickers2814]

I and many of my friends were horribly traumatized when trump was elected. I’m 63 yo wfe. I had not been much interested in politics until the moment trump was elected. From that moment my friends and I became experts on current affairs. We read every article, we kvetched, we became active, we protested and from all of this we came to realize that personal power and personal gain has become more important than country for our politicians. Our political system is corrupt. It will take decades to undo the corruption. It seems like an impossible task. I can’t say I have much hope for my children. I honestly don’t know what kind of world they will be living in. It is very depressing.

[@jorgenmac]

Fantastic question at 01h00m15s. Spot on, and beautifully raised. Good on you.

[@jamesdrynan]

It would seem to be important to inform the youth about this book. Snyder's observation on reading transcripts is an excellent point. You are able to divorce yourself from the media coverage visually and assess what was said in your own framework of time, not theirs. An unfortunate aspect of this advice is that, by and large, most people don't read anymore. It is an audio/ visual world now, where people are living in the instant present.

[@livi_gigi_art]

good stuff. thank you

[@tutonelylesnaranjo6311]

I really appreciate your views and important insights on how we can all participate in some way to subvert authoritarianism and I have your book.

[@SM-gl8yo]

1:16:58 - 1:18:30 "With Watergate we didn't have a problem with genre. We knew there was politics and there was reporting and the notion that this was entertainment, hadn't actually emerged yet. What we have now is a problem of genre. We don't know whether a scandal is politics or whether it's entertainment. So in the genre of reality TV the purpose of a scandal is just to whet our appetite for the next scandal."

[@drstellakwong]

Watching this today convince me of Snyder’s wisdom and foresight. He will be my guru from now on . ( he probably doesn’t like this idea !)

[@Narrow-Pather]

If only we could get people to turn off the television and read relative, educational, and enlightening books. We have to dig deeper than a history course to grasp historical truths. In the scripted pages of books is where hidden, informative and historical secrets reside.

[@tamaliaalisjahbana9354]

There is something else that is creating enormous uncertainty in America and not being properly addressed: the fear of many white Americans that they and their cultural identity are being marginalized. There will soon be more non-whites then whites. It is a genuine fear and it is not being addressed. One of the ways of addressing it is through education but the American school system is not equally good everywhere. These people are not just horrible people. They are also scared people who face uncertainty. Another thing is the voting system in America. The voting system in Australia which is representative rather than first past the post makes it very, very difficult for populists like Trump who whip up fear and lies - to win elections.

[@nancyvickers2814]

Wish your audience had more young people

[@morganverapen1699]

If only Bloomberg was a true patriot and sponsored to spread this truth with his wealth it would be a act of philanthropy to America and the world.

[@tahnibobonnie]

Here we are again. I’m writing words here to bump this back to public sight.

[@nomad58257]

7 years later and here we are again.

[@paryoticu]

"Everyone has a little bit more power than you think you have. It means that everyone has a bit of power, it means that your actions matter, especially right now, quite a bit, BUT THEY HAVE TO BE FAST." kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2qsmYWXjL-IopY

[@lizannewhitlow1085]

Reviewing this again in 2021. ✊🏻✊🏻

[@andiwaslikefasho]

This is so relevant

[@hnttakata713]

This is exactly what happened this past week; the revolution in America has been festering for the last three years with having aAutocrat at the helm. Ideas have been planted against democracy. Russia, Ukraine, Syria and all revolts start with ideas. This man needs to be on every news program; this book needs to be shared.

[@tamaliaalisjahbana9354]

But he is not and look at his audience: small and mostly old.

[@TheHunterGracchus]

It's sad that this talk makes me nostalgic for the days before we had concentration camps.

[@420Kyle1620]

And the days where people could leave the house without worrying about having a mask and when there weren't riots/riot police in multiple cities for the past 120+ days. 2020 is a garbage year, but I have a feeling the 2020's are going to be an even worse decade.

[@craigarrison9803]

Everybody can do something!! I bought you a book!

[@JM-mx5ky]

I rated this book three stars is because even though Timothy snyder does address and explain concrete lessons from past Tyrannies he uses the most world renouned examples and avoids touching on more profound examples such as slavery in the US and the genocide of millions of aboriginals. Snyder very expertly shifts the focus from the most tyrannical force of the twentieth century, The USA, and deflects to events from past examples to distract its readers from much worse and modern examples of tyrannical control. Timothy Snyder could have done a much better job at writingg this book by addressing the USA but instead, for unexplained reasons, avoids the Tyrannical injustices perpetrated by the USA.

[@francoissavard]

This is so right on so many aspects. Most people tend to forget that the Usa of yesterdays is so different from what it is now, and that hence American exceptionalism may not hold true. Many academics or intellectuals worldwide have a perception of our daily reality which seems more pertinent and valid than the larger public as a whole, and that is in itself really unusual or weird and troublesome. A well known french philosopher, whom recently published a book entitled Decadence, said it best, I am not gloomy he would admit but tragic. It is now time more than ever to be tragic, as effectively current events are a display of incivility and sheer stupidity at its best if not worst. What is most tragic is the common attitude or behaviour that losing is acceptable and a fact of life, but losing to your opponent is totally unacceptable and injurious. Some will go to the absolute extreme not to lose to its political opponent or perceived adversary, and effectively we are all complicit and collaborators to a political climate which may become is a calamity. This may be the precursor of human atrocities, and genocides of a previous era. In general, the vast majority in the Usa does not want to lose to its political opponent, an hence American exceptionalism does not exist. Should this be part of the 20 lessons?

[@gaenorharris-obrien9934]

What 20 lessons?

[@CountBifford]

You know that old-timey cartoon gag where a vinyl record player malfunctions and repeats a snippet of the song over and over again? That's this guy. I guess repetition helps drive the lesson, though. And it's an important lesson, after all.

[@goliathsteinbeisser3547]

"It cannot happen to us." Visit Europe, visit the graves, see for yourself.

[@stephaniebobek817]

Yes done it but most Americans tour Europe in a very superficial way ,just the main tourist attractions and a shopping trip not all people but most

[@nicolaablett7790]

i receive my copy tomorrow Just read THE ANTIPOPE OF MAR-A-LAGO Michael Kruse POLITICO Disturbing parallels

[@echl0625]

18:36 Thanks Hongkongers are experiencing dictatorship and tyranny, this book gives us a lot of insight on how to deal with, live with and against it.

[@ambulocetusnatans]

Good luck. At least you are aware you are being oppressed. Americans don't even know when they are.

[@aceofcups3493]

Hong Kong is in China. It was stolen during the imperial wars of the 19th century. Now it's back. '

[@andrewbaldwin4454]

As an analyst of American politics, Timothy Snyder is a really good historian of Eastern Europe. He should really stick to his last. He agreed with the woman who said that she didn't understand why Trump thought Hillary Clinton was corrupt. He really doesn't think that the woman who was paid a big fee to give a talk to an audience of commodity traders, and bragged about how she had made almost $100 thousand in 10 months on a $1,000 investment in cattle futures in 1978, obviously a thinly disguised bribe intended for her Arkansas governor husband. Seriously? And what came of his worries about Trump trying to create a Holocaust for American Muslims. Instead the world got the biggest move towards peace between Israel and its Arab neighbours ever. Back to studying Eastern Europe, Mr Snyder. You are useless as an analyst of American politics.

[@keyissues1027]

I didnt know why Albert Einstein disliked "nationalism", but after reading about this political label, I understood its precarious connotation.

[@Johnconno]

The book is meant as a talisman, it fits neatly into the Inside breast pocket of Canali jacket, and will absorb a .22 bullet.

[@ladybug5859]

Love what Tim says--especially that history shows us a pattern and if we see it again WE know WHAT will follow. I thought of an excellent interview I just saw that occurred in 1958 and foresaw ALL this MORE than a 1/2 century ago: Mike Wallace interview with A Huxley, 1958. Google it!!

[@dscully1808]

Oh, it is so clear that he did this due to his conscience. I loved when he remarked about being able to look back and say that he did what he could in time. Unfortunately, I don't think it was in time. One of the things that we lack, in order to turn this thing around, is a populace educated enough to reinstall democracy in America. We don't have that. The time would have been in GWBush's first term. At the time, people were telling you that it was serious. You were distracted by make believe weapons and Iraq, and you weren't paying attention to the policies. Our democracy was destroyed BEFORE Trump was elected. People should have listened. It's never too late to fight, but it's probably too late to win.

[@tuck-brainwks-eutent-hidva1098]

D Scully -- Indeed. I, too, fear for the possibility of recuperating our republic at this point. I, too, think our current dangerous state far predates Trump. In fact, the open breakthrough of the seeds of tyranny along these lines was evident from the very beginning of the Obama dominance (or the "joy of Obama," as it were) -- the careening of the bumper cars of tyranny has, indeed, "thrived on complacency" for a long time, now. Sadly, we also careen in one or the other direction according to our desperate defense of our emotional and cognitive territory. The angst is appropriate; its myopia is absurd.

[@selah71]

It is NEVER too late. That type of thinking is complacency at its worse. It is our job as individuals to see things through and to educate others. Now that Trump is under impeachment, it is up to us to make sure that the current senate upholds the laws and that they uphold the Constitution.

[@tuck-brainwks-eutent-hidva1098]

@@selah71 I hope that is true, and I definitely agree that each of us has to do his part. At the risk of offending (again -- just got a snarky response back to my answer to a question...?), I am posting videos here & on Minds, and hoping to encourage discussion on both platforms (and Parler) about some origins of our current crisis and potential solutions. "Attachment & Society" -- you can search it if interested...?

[@gaenorharris-obrien9934]

I agree that education is totally gone

[@gaenorharris-obrien9934]

The safety of our Republic depended on an informed citizenry... gone informed by honest journalism ...gone a nation of laws gone what else

[@dianeodify]

As a non-American, I'd rather carry Snyder's book with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - another document inspired by the same ideals, and more in tune with our modern world. But a month from today, you may find you're forbidden to carry either. Best commit them to memory, if you can.

[@jessicas9431]

He said to make an exception at 14:33 and I thought it was a warning. Be alive to the fatal notions of emergency and exception. Now, I want to find a another speaker because of the things I read in this guy's book. It reminds me of a time when I was younger, my cousin and I went to a reenactment of the old west. They warned us there are people out to trick you but you'll have to be vigilant. I immediately bought 6 pieces of wild west currency for the price of 5. It feels like he's literally warning everyone he (white dude in a tie on the TV) will take advantage if he's allowed. But I don't know.

[@kaypea00]

Wonderful information 👌

[@ruthpayne9582]

President Trump won the 2016 election. It was the people's choice. We are all still Americans. You and the elites must get rid of your anger and work together. The survival of our country, the United States of America needs us to come together, not devide.

[@tinavigilante3415]

Typical Drumpf supporter, spell much? And Hillary won the election by 3 million votes, btw she also won the electoral college.

[@Damn3dYank33]

He had me when he called our nation a Republic, but lost me when he called it a Democracy. There is no such thing as a “Democratic Republic.”

[@warrenflood2809]

Interesting talk by Prof Snyder. Nonetheless it is apparent that he has only recently come to these realizations about the direction of American culture. There are many who have been writing and orating vigorously on exactly the same topics. Chris Hedges, Andrew Bacevich and Matt Taibi immediately spring to mind. It would do Snyder a great deal of credit to seek out collaboration with these other voices, to acknowledge their contributions more readily and to encourage the efforts to build communities to oppose the authoritarian direction we are heading in.

[@1michelemichele1]

They strike me more as left libertarian. At least, they were when I was reading them, and they've something to do with were we are now -- whether a lot or a little, we'll know in twenty or so years time.

[@marcusblackfellow2850]

Umm, Snyder has been involved in this discussion since the occupation of Crimea. He's warned of the Russian information war in Europe's spread to the US. It's just that he's only now being noticed by people like you. He has been and remains the most credible voice on this topic.

[@MartinScreeton]

I Agree Warren... Professor of history at Yale... probably has a lot to do with this...

[@MartinScreeton]

Michele... I picked up a little bit of that libertarianism myself on this... which I'm also a little suspect of...

[@marcusblackfellow2850]

People just now discovering the man should not speculate on his political views based on a single lecture. Timothy Snyder is not a libertarian. He does not place faith in "the market". He is an internally consistent progressive. A "libertarian on the left" is otherwise known as a "confused, naive university student," which the professor is not.

[@minded8929]

Just keep blaming others for all of Americas problems. That’ll work out ok 👌

[@megavide0]

22:17 "... not patriotic..!"

[@hnttakata713]

Timothy, is there a solution. Is there a way to turn around this mindset that has been inflamed by a leader who is now out.

[@stevenwebbjrhistory]

The start is by making people like you tell the truth.

[@dscully1808]

Again, your post makes no sense. What is the truth that he is not saying?

[@CrucialSpeaks]

WE MUST WATCH FOR THIS AGAIN IN THE FUTURE, IT HAS PROVEN @75 MILLION IN THE USA DO NOT SEE REALITY OR JUST DO NOT CARE, FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER. EITHER WAY WE NEED TO STOP THE FLOW OF MISINFORMATION FOR THESE FOLKS!

[@Greyman1114]

Its sad to see that the entire audience at this speech is older... the folks who won't feel the brunt of what is to come and its aftermath

[@paulhoy]

Anyone notice the humility and honesty of this genius? Reads 5 languages, speaks 10. Have read two of his books now, on my third. Thanks for your work, Snyder. Hope to meet you one day.

[@larrysmith2636]

Democracy, in the reality asserts itself sense- Some walk between the raindrops, some are sought for spoil and prey. Some gather to gawk, some circle like sharks in chummed waters, some walk on by. This is the law and the order. This is just-us. Have a nice day.

[@uncafelix]

August 2020 anyone lstening to tho this man? No? Pitty................................

[@felixdevilliers1]

"Patr triotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel" Samuel Johnson

[@genathing903]

I think there’s a failure here to present Soviets as fascists and an ignorance to call the post-Soviet system as “freedom”. It certainly was not that and it brought about an oligarchy and virtual totalitarian in Putin. But it is is overall excellent and needed lecture. Thanks.

[@TenorMan96]

He looks older than 50, I guess being a professor and author ages you.

[@Tsnore]

And what of confirmation bias as news and just plain lazy ignorance?

[@cfcreative1]

This guy is like a bystander at a car wreck well done.

[@SkyRiver1]

I think names matter. I think they effect people in subtle ways they are not often aware of. Take the nomenclature of left and right as political postures. Come on. . . right? The right should not be called the right, or even conservative, because what are they attempting to conserve: not the environment, not democracy or equality or even the liberal tradition of our own revolution. The progressive movement is a good name, much better than the left, or liberal, which conservatives consider to be synonymous with libertine. So it only makes sense when considering their works, by which we know them, that we no longer refer to them as conservatives but as regressives. Progressives and regressives, at least those terms reflect the actual affair.

[@publicdomain1103]

I agree and term it as "weaponizing semantics". Making basic elemental "labeling" as a point of reference, a trigger word that is used to obfuscate and disable connections of thought between the communication of an SOS.

[@gaenorharris-obrien9934]

I like that idea! Lol

[@gaenorharris-obrien9934]

@@publicdomain1103 I think that but you said it ty

[@aletheiai]

Riddle: Who is not impacted by politics? Answer: A castaway surviving alone on a tropical island.

[@Empowerman]

It IS happening here!

[@hnttakata713]

“Skipping the step of democracy. Yes!

[@junli6065]

Why is everyone praising his talk? Many of his points don’t make any sense. “Rule of law” is dependent on “trust in people”? Rule of law is not defined in that way in the Magna Carta. The historic events that he referenced lack a lot of context. Material context in addition to psychology. Like the Jews who supported Hitler. How many of those people bought into the propaganda against the USSR? Or the economic situation of the average people? How many of those chose Hitler because they feared the Communists and thought that fear is more solid than whatever threat Hitler posed? The right-wing won in Germany because the political left were too divided to act together.

[@orwhat24]

The terrifying prospect is that every solution starts with “The State...” while history shows the enemy is always the state.

[@oliviagomez815]

Maher's attempts at humor and interruptions were downright rude. This guy is as serious as a heart attack.

[@JB-vb6dh]

I like the Indian woman’s question at 48:00. How to understand non-white trump supporters.

[@OneAdam12Adam]

He's absolutely right about Jeff Sessions. He should have been disbarred.

[@1828tolstoy]

WHY DOES THE COMMENT SECTIOMN LOCK UP?