Noam Chomsky - Conversations with History

On this edition of Conversations with History, UC Berkeley's Harry Kreisler is joined by linguist and political activist Noam Chomsky to discuss activism, anarchism and the role the United States plays in the world today. [6/2002] [Show ID: 6568]
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[@mazxbv]

imagine being 7 years old and saying to your parents, "power is always illegitimate by assumption"

[@1911beauty]

Absolutes are almost always incorrect

[@frankstared]

@@1911beauty Semantics. Since we live in societies our societies should diffuse power among all citizens. It is as intuitive and natural as the born self-determination of all organisms. Chomsky is endorsing the modus operandi of humanity for nearly its entire existence. That approach, defined by equity and collaboration, has only been overturned in the past millennium or so. Indeed, within many functional families, relationships , neighborhoods and communities, it is equity and collaboration that are the basis of all loving-kindness.

[@brickbuddystudios]

probably came right after the parants said some version of “because I said so.”

[@elialehman3052]

Absolutes are more useful and appropriate when discussing generalized principles...and equally meaningless.

[@millardfilmore1403]

@@1911beauty he is not saying that “power is always* illegitimate.” He says that “by assumption” power must always, at first, be considered illegitimate aka it must legitimize or prove itself in order to justify itself.

[@kerryfry1857]

You don't need university. You need 2000 hours of Noam Chomsky talks.

[@domsim9516]

Best advice I’ve heard in years

[@MattSingh1]

@@domsim9516 *Chomsky has been irrelevant since the mid-90s, then he went and made excuses for Islamofascism post-September 11th, 2001. Thankfully, Christopher Hitchens called him out and condemned him for his water-carrying of Islamofascism.*

[@jiensuyang3915]

Why ? Why dont u sit n listen to crap yourself.

[@galek75]

Nah.

[@kerryfry1857]

@@galek75 Did you attend tRump university? Bet you're disappointed.

[@butobuto1]

chomsky may be minimalising his importance, but his role as a conduit of ideas, as an analyzer and a thinker is not to be underestimated. he helped me to develope a logic and a way of thinking that supports my intuituve convictions. everytime i read him, or see a clip like this one, he puts a bit of gasoline on the fire inside me. if, in my own very small way, i'm one of the 'heroes' who fight the daily battle, it's partly thanks to him. he's one of the greatest thinker of this time!

[@MalAnders94]

We're out there!

[@michaelheery3085]

he not that great.

[@robotman8919]

The genre of the intro music is educational synth

[@jcole139]

Maybe it shows my age but the music was one of my favorite parts of the video

[@aeneas237]

It’s like the beginning of an NES game

[@elialehman3052]

What synth though? Dx7?

[@maxheadrom3088]

@@jcole139 Musically it was the best part, indeed. I also like this kind of music ... because I like educational videos - the opening of "The Mechanical Universe" has the same feel (though it's synth strings).

[@tastemaker_87]

Lets be clear. The music is awful. Intellect and music taste are almost always worlds apart. Al Green? Radiohead? Super intelligent people have never heard of them.

[@israelmonrroy]

This man has help me grow. Thank you Noam Chomsky. Thank you very much.

[@frankstared]

He is a mentor to many and the humanist tradition he embodies is deep and wide.

[@billlets5460]

He accepts your thanks both humbly and graciously--it is the only reason he opens his mouth and why he hasn't died yet. For a person to grow because he said something is a great honor to him. He says "thank you" back.

[@jiensuyang3915]

@@billlets5460 are u the spokesman for Chomsky?

[@yurtyusta4431]

​@@jiensuyang3915p

[@Erieolae]

It's amazing how diverse the comment section is in terms of years. You can see comments from 1 year ago, 12 years ago, and 3 weeks ago all next to each other and everything in between and outside. Some day people in the future will be reading this comment and all we all have a common interest of listening to this man.

[@Erieolae]

@Valon Muadibh np

[@maxheadrom3088]

2020 here, November! I found it looking for his opinion about Columbus. I would really like to hear him talking about it. This interview is marvelous because it goes into Chomsky's life and his method of analysis. I have a feeling Chomsky would laugh(1) at the Columbus thing - because he knows History. (1) Chomsky laughs of few things and I don't think he would actually laugh about that.

[@gaberodriguez7938]

Yeah it’s amazing

[@willp8787]

It is kind of a short hand way to avoid deep reading. Not at all bad, but not the same thing. How much richer for us all if we all have only logged the effort that he has.

[@patrickssunday]

The material and insights are timeless.

[@AnthonyBlunt]

Chomsky's speaking style bears witness to his respect for truth and reason. No tricks, no gimmicks, just descriptions and explanations.

[@Red-pv7kx]

13 years later and I agree

[@tonyballoney5552]

Have always loved that.

[@anarchynow3185]

I like this interviewer. He's unbiased towards all of his interviewees and asks the right questions.

[@SloppyTransistors]

Yes! He prepares but doesn't go in hoping to make a spectacle.

[@tomdron4746]

The balls to be saying this so soon after 9/11, what a legend.

[@aliyusuf1920]

It's fair to say that it is extremely rare to find a single person who's devoted to bringing moral intellectual arguments in the pursuit of peace, that has NOT be highly influenced by noam. Every time i tune into his work, whether it's through interviews or his essays, i leave significantly more educated than i was before i started. Thank you

[@introduire]

May Professor Chomsky live one thousand more years and, then, some! Thank you so much for your contributions to humankind, the world is a better place because of you!

[@kerryfry1857]

@@ne1124 me too. He's still with us thankfully.

[@R8V10]

Who would have thought, a poor disabled criminal from the ghetto is the most educated person Noam Chomsky has ever met.

[@takkiejakkie5458]

Chomsky has met and corresponded with a lot of the most influential intellectuals. I highly doubt that guy was the most educated person he ever met, to be honest.

[@GreenMorningDragonProductions]

Chomsky knew the Penguin??

[@mlucc5]

I feel like he should be using intelligent instead of “educated” as the fact that he dropped out of elementary school shows you’re not educated, although you can still be smart.

[@Zatzzo]

@@mlucc5 what do you mean? He could have been extremely well read.

[@mlucc5]

Zatzzo conventionally “educated” no, but still well read. I’d use that phrase instead.

[@gavin7772]

Everyone needs exposure to Noam

[@aldomontalvo5214]

I'm crying because I've never been able to express myself in the manner this man has and also coming to the conclusion that I'm not crazy even though I've been called it by so many close to me, thank you for that validation.

[@analyticalmindset]

You must live in an ignorant place. Where do you live ?

[@HughMorristheJoker]

He's a linguistics expert. Don't beat yourself up.

[@Kingbimmy]

You’re definitely not crazy. It’s just that some are more experienced in articulating their ideas than others. And those ideas are often shared by the many of us who haven’t had the experience and education to speak like he does. But thank god he speaks them so well 🙏🏻❤️

[@elguanteloko]

things I got from this: 1) apply scientific standards to history and political claims. 2) Joing others to better your community's conditions. 3) those who seek to use violence have the burden of proof to show why those actions are justified (hard to meet). 4) get more informed... and buy more books from Chomsky :) this guy is fresh air to my failing hope for humanity. thanks, man!

[@analyticalmindset]

How's that hope for humanity now compared to 2008 when you wrote this ? Lol

[@insertsloganhere]

One of my favorite human beings.

[@PeterEsq77]

And what about Chomsky?

[@ninanotturna]

Excelent interview with the mind that will be a part of history as long as this civilisation exists.

[@RipTheJackR]

The starting tune is vicious! :)

[@sarawest7075]

🤣

[@peachybeach]

Professor Chomsky is my hero human in core rational in essence

[@joetursi9573]

His breadth of knowledge is staggering.

[@richardli4038]

incredible how prescient he was and relevant his understanding of the world still is

[@louisecandelmo8567]

My son just introduced me to this man! I'm hooked!!

[@subwaymirdif]

What a treat to listen to Noam Chomsky.

[@eashton42]

Lol, I love the intro music to these videos. I really do. And maybe this is just me, but I feel like if Harry Kreisler had a sort of personal theme song, the intro music to these interviews would be it. Just imagine him walking down the street and looking around distractedly while this music plays in the background. I dunno. Makes me laugh every time.

[@paulconnelly4050]

It reminds me of Castlevania.

[@cheezew1zz]

Perfectly public access 😂

[@Vitalclubsport]

One of the foremost intellectuals still alive in this world.

[@lodproductions90]

Legendary talk! I noticed that Noam Chomsky has quite a large presence on youtube. Could it be that he is the No. 1 "youtube" academic? He certainly is the most quoted living philosopher! Best wishes!

[@MrEbichan]

thats my teacher ,his lectures are like bed time stories.but one of the best teachers i had.

[@abubardewa939]

If aliens wanted an ambassador for Earth, he would be first in the queue.

[@davideldred.campingwilder6481]

Or maybe a more democratically organised bunch...

[@henrybamford5253]

For someone who has indoctrinated themvelves by listening to 100s of chomsky videos (and i mean idoctrinated in the most positive possible sense) it's lovely to hear answers on a more personal level, it gives an extra perspective on the issue, and an extra level to the reasoning behind them.

[@michaelorsini9695]

He has a very listenable voice...almost like he's dispassionately witnessing to the truth while we listen in.

[@paulbali9998]

it's so weird, seeing goodness & truth on a TV screen. Professor Chomsky is my favorite U.S. news anchor & Jewish standup comedian!

[@Kazimier101]

What an incredible interview. Thank you for posting this!

[@ProgressiveMovement200]

Thank you Noam!!!

[@buluimam101]

Noam Chomsky is an amazing intellectual, and he is an inspiration to all sincerely involved in trying to understand and address the serious flaws in human behaviour and the tyrrany of super-states over the less powerful states and of governments over under-privileged peoples.

[@analyticalmindset]

This

[@GreenMorningDragonProductions]

Such a grand piece of knitwear.

[@davideldred.campingwilder6481]

I wonder if it was hand-knitted or loomed?

[@TheDostoevskyWineShow]

Nothing better than working out after a lecture while listening to an even better lecture

[@neofjcn01]

Homage to Catalonia is an amazing book. I read it years ago and it was a valuable memory for the rest of my life. No pasaran!

[@Khanin2718]

The theme is bloody amazing^^

[@croppingbeef]

OMG THE INTRO SONG. SO AWESOME.

[@davideldred.campingwilder6481]

Really! Gosh, I was checking my fillings...

[@kulturfreund6631]

Thanks a lot for the great interview.

[@artistsandbox]

This was a fantastic interview; the interrogator presented questions very applicable to anyone interested in taking advantage of their intellectual and social resources.

[@seggallion8]

I love this guy! He is amazing! To all the rest of you that think the same, I love you too! Hope to meet some of you or ppl like you in my life.

[@vwr0527]

"it's illegitimate by assumption" raised my conscious.

[@Slarti]

It's always a delight to hear Chomsky.

[@carolgaribay]

Listening to him is always enlightening.

[@Ullbritt]

I dunno but he kinda knows everything about everything :D I live in Sweden for example and I bet he knows a lot more about swedish history and politics than I do.

[@jcole139]

I love when someone makes a statement and he counters with "Actually..." then goes on to correct the person and give sources!

[@michaeldebellis4202]

I was watching one of his other interviews on KZbin and somehow the conversation veered toward 14th century French philosophers and Chomsky started rattling off names, sources, big ideas,... I thought "is there no topic he doesn't know?"

[@analyticalmindset]

@Mark Smith knowledge is a journey that never stops . Keep going

[@tonyballoney5552]

Let's not exaggerate, you can learn a lot and become more educated.

[@lodproductions90]

Fearless, bold, incorruptable.

[@PSYLLA2020]

Most interesting, thanks !!!

[@oscarg7460]

invaluable enlightenment. Thank you.

[@YourCritic]

What a beautiful mind

[@asapketo]

I watched this with the playback speed at 1.5 and it was much more enjoyable. Normal speed felt like slo-mo

[@Sk8orNoJESUSorDie]

hahah ingenious!

[@robertpirsig5011]

+I Chilluminati I 1.5 was too quick for me, 1.25.......good idea though

[@sensationsuperthrust]

+I Chilluminati I you made my chomsky consumption much more efficient :)

[@nickkey8702]

Jordan M I watch this at 2x speed because I'm really smart. ...... lol

[@martinijazz9]

1.25 >>>>>

[@abtaco3038]

Happy to be here

[@asborgsegaard633]

This man is fantastic, I have learned so much from him.

[@oneki]

Well, I guess different people experience different things :) I lived in in russia as a student for 7 years and worked there for a year. And I have been living and working in the uk now for 6 years. the similarities seem so apparent from social issues, to people's perception of their politicians. the whole news media making everything seem so negative, but my experience on the street are of people who are unbelieveably lovely and much more. i guess there might be more our indivdual experience

[@nickpagano7134]

Hitler on party unity (1934): In questions of foreign policy, it is particularly necessary to have the whole nation behind one, as if hypnotized. The whole nation must be involved in the struggle as if they were passionate participants in a sports contest. This is necessary because, if the whole nation takes part in the struggle, they also will be losers. If they are not involved, only the leadership loses.

[@don-michealbell6303]

Eye opening conversation

[@reidwhitton6248]

I loved this show! I used to watch these interviews when they were current. The Hitchens is great too!

[@blattmacher]

I love him. He means more to me than my own father.

[@AduhAwas]

That sounds an awful lot like final fantasty music at the end! Great interview btw.

[@CosmosFan1]

I'm glad to see that Chomsky is being well covered in today's media climate - it's very easy to find hour-long videos or mp3's of his talks on the web :)

[@bel.sat.9051]

VERY INTERESTING!

[@dilmao]

The most beautiful human being on the planet.

[@hela99]

19:50 - 20:10 favorite quote

[@bennyrodriguez8788]

Hannah Schmidt-Glenewinkel thank you for pointing this out.

[@jamesaaron7211]

I love this man.

[@pratibhasingh7684]

Amazing😍

[@patrickcrowther9195]

I just had a look at Chomsky's Wikipedia entry. He has done enough in one field for several lifetimes. And he's excelled in several fields. His erudition (and work ethic!) beggars belief.

[@soleronux7914]

The epitome of cool headedness

[@randallwcox]

just gotta hear that theme one more time!

[@ragnarderagnarok2754]

Wonderful man

[@Dogar230]

Very interesting interview! The intro music makes my ears bleed though.

[@hutchtv7640]

If you have a problem with Noam then there is a serious problem with you and you should self evaluate your true morals and ethics. Period.

[@amritsharma5373]

To not look stupid infront of Chomsky. That is the greatest achievement of the interviewer!

[@Ink4Breakfast]

I have watched hundreds of Chomsky's lectures and all i can say is that i love him. Manufacturing Consent, Crimes of US Presidents, Critique of Madisonian Democracy, Masters of Mankind, Requiem for the American Dream. Are just some of my favorites! Definitely look up his Socialism/Libertarian socialist/Anarchist videos

[@InSingularity]

I started laughing at the comic nature of his hand gestures once I read this.

[@TheSpiritOfTheTimes]

Chomsky, an American hero.

[@ntatemohlomi2884]

Oh but certainly not in his estimation, he would argue he may at best be just riding a wave, the heroes, the real heroes are on the ground, sweating it out, fighting it out on the factory floor.

[@robertstewart4953]

Chomsky is an educator, it is because of his efforts that ours and future generations will be aware of the realities that are gradually being supressed.

[@robertstewart4953]

A "Hero maker", if you will.

[@jacobzaranyika9334]

Thank you 🙏 University of California Television Thank you 🙏 again Noam Chomsky

[@antimattv]

I always vibe hard to that opening music.

[@HRAZZI]

I am not much of a fan to anyone to the extreme! I always wonder though! why I see too many counter comments on youtube or against someone talking for an hour when your not interested in what they have to say ? Its something that Billy Connolly sais "you dont like me swearing too much on tv? move your fuckin thumb! and Im out of there!"

[@PerajIran]

The Legend

[@fercon9892]

so glad to find a long video where dislikes and comments aren't disabled. comments should be mandatory on youtube, along with dislikes being visible - i reckon it should be illegal to disable those features

[@StuffOffYouStuff]

Thanks so much for the upload. Seen a few of his lecture and interviews but hadn't covered any of his life, which this does. Very interested. The intro music is Terrible tho

[@markd.9042]

Respect

[@jemberasfaw3743]

I also like his body langue, very expressive

[@melodyjang2876]

The name says it all.

[@apostolostv]

Excellent interview. Very basic but intruiging ideas put forth.

[@sols4102]

I love this man

[@JockeDieden]

Wonderful

[@gerryboudreaultboudreault2608]

My only gripe is that his voice is so low and cracked, and my smartphone volume so poor... I guess i should read his books again.. Long live Prof. Chomsky!

[@MenOfLetters]

Chomsky is a peerless giant who trains a bright torchlight on the dark alleyways of state violence and repression. The most inspiring moral thinker of our times. He is to the 21st century what Bertrand Russell was to the 20th. To read him is to have one's synaptic connections rewired, to have one's delusions about the benevolence of America dismantled, and to seek to build a world governed by justice and freedom. His work has taken antiwar politics to a wide audience. Thank you for the video.

[@jackolad2807]

Who’s just watching this to here the great voice of Noam Chomsky

[@imasausage]

the reason i respect this man so much, beside the fact that he's so intelligent, is that he is so impartial. he puts heritage and patriotism aside, which is very difficult to do, especially these days and just focuses on facts and what the real issues are. who's gaining, who's losing, and why things are happening. he's a jewish american and he basically accuses the actions of the 2 governments as being the most criminal in the world

[@tonyballoney5552]

Another Chomsky interview. I'm watching everything available on KZbin.

[@ehypersonic]

i was just searching for something about Noam Chomsky but as i heard him talking i could not leave

[@bapyou]

Thanks, mdoob, for your more detailed discussion of neoliberalism as the term is presently used.

[@paul1x1]

one of the few people in the world whom i would not ever call a liar

[@Misdamas]

My dad must have read Professor Chomsky’s books because as I listened to him now, I vaguely remember my dad sharing with me about some of these deplorable truths of our beloved country’s not too long ago history. I was a teen and awed by my dad’s knowledge about the world. Thank you for teaching generations about documented truths even if they are hard to listen to. I pray we learn from our mistakes on a whole.

[@shahzadaansari5106]

So soft spoken...if one is suffering from schizophrenia...he will fall asleep listening to him...for sure

[@elizabethblakley2876]

Noam is a blessing from the Lord

[@dennispitman7821]

What an intelligent man speaks a lot of sense.

[@dandiacal]

I love how they STILL use that electronic, modal quasi-fugual contemporary music from the 1970s to introduce this series today. Reminds me of PBS library music. Anybody know the composer?

[@virirodelo]

good!