We won't fix American politics until we talk about class | Joan C. Williams | TEDxMileHigh

[@francois853]

"We don't live in a fly-over state, we live in our home" I'm not even American and I felt that one.

[@tedschafer339]

It a very simplistic way to discribe a complex problem. They are taugh from a very early age that, that city dweller over there , looks down on you. It's reinforced by country music and at their church. Lived most of my first 20 years in the city. I don't remember feeling that way. I beleive it's has much if not more how they look at themselves has to how they are looked at.

[@francois853]

@@tedschafer339it's a known issue that exists in every country to some extent. It isn't taught, it's shown in the elitist attitude of city dwellers. Having lived in both I know that many of those in the cities look down on those who live in rural settings and often comment that the "hicks need to catch up with the modern world". The fact that it seems to be more pronounced in the US doesn't make it a "their churches and music" or a self-loathing issue as you're making it out to be.

[@Dan-pd9ys]

What a fantastic Ted talk. Kudos to this woman. She is doing the work that will maybe just maybe save the American dream and begin to reunite the American people. I come from the PME, and it irks me to no end the simplistic and pretentious thinking a lot of us have regarding the White working class and class in general. This talk should be mandatory to watch in universities and in workplaces and on the massive screens in Times Square, and blaring into the ear pieces of every single news anchor in the mainstream media.

[@jtc1964x]

This is the type of discussion we should see on major networks. Whether you agree with her points or not, this it intelligent discussion.

[@cliffordhodge1449]

This should be pointed out repeatedly in public discussions: When people use the term "middle class" they are referring to a group positioned well above the economic middle.

[@juhanleemet]

Many make sweeping generalizations instead of keeping to established definitions, of political and social terminology. We pretend or lie to ourselves.

[@averayugen7802]

Naaa, its just about relative placement of people in the hierarchy of privilege, it really isn't about the money itself, its about relative privilege and how it gets that way and who was the final arbiter of these seemingly ironclad rules...and of course we all know the answer to this. So far anyway.

[@Dignity100]

This is an important talk. Class slurs are not stigmatized like racial slurs because socio-economic status is not a protected class under the American Constitution.

[@rkms5606]

and not enough racial slurs (or races of people) are truly stigmatized (or protected). It is the ideal bu tnot the reality, unfortunately.

[@speedstriker]

This video is criminally underviewed.

[@atatat54321]

It's almost like people don't want to listen eh? Wait...that's what she says.

[@howardhilliard9286]

The topic is very important but her take has many flaws that are characteristic of the PMEs.

[@half-lifewife]

@@atatat54321 :You should read my comment. Over.

[@tingleminglemel2356]

For real though 😳

[@speedstriker]

@@howardhilliard9286 Edit: Sorry, nvm, I haven't watched the video in a while.

[@grudzz7049]

Im being sarcastic here but isnt it strange how topics like these arent a fixture of mainstream news/media EVERYDAY...mmm...i wonder why not.

[@freedomworks3976]

This is all leftists talk about.

[@grudzz7049]

@@koconstant6183 capitalism gone wrong..

[@koconstant6183]

@@grudzz7049 I put my comment here in error. Deleted now.

[@roberthampton2629]

Classism levels are way worse than racism levels right now in America, and this has only 47k views 😂 wtf

[@itouchtheskyilovetrentino]

I love Americans. Thank you so much for talking of this argument. Lovely watching and listening to you here at the top of the mountain of Italy.

[@rodneyspider9452]

Noblesse oblige. While the working class wages has been stagnant for 30 years. The PME has more than tripled. Shutting the door on education and or jobs. See College Admissions Scandal. This is commonplace for those with money or influence. You want change you start Noblesse oblige.

[@1czechit1]

The US does not have a working class because it does not have a leisure class. Nor does the west have a caste system. And no one can "shut the door" on education in a society with public libraries and public school (literacy.) I went to college, I learned more in a trade school which I attended to as well. I also taught myself law. I get a kick explaining the Statute of Frauds exceptions to lawyers. So I disagree with what you wrote about "those with money or influence." I influence those around me by leadership.

[@rodneyspider9452]

@@1czechit1 I'm glad you have done well. But even if you passed the A. Bar association. Certain opportunities will be unavailable. Because your not part of the club. Example Biden kids, Clinton, Como, Bush kids and their associates. Some are raving idiots but they have a Harvard degree and a$ Million job. Those who have been given much should help the less fortunate.

[@1czechit1]

@@rodneyspider9452 I am not an attorney. I did not take the bar. I read and studied the laws (laws, case law, law books, and other relevant literature) for my state and within my industry. The Biden/Clinton kids as you call them are those who "know" people who "know" people who know nothing, (only each other.) They don't last. A Harvard degree means nothing. Its like Disney, it exists on prestige it had 60 years ago for work no one remembers. I can tell you about my father though. He was what you would call a less fortunate (a refugee at 4 years old from Africa) who built himself up from nothing. Opportunities is something you make for yourself. These so called privileged kids took empty opportunities that were offered them. Unfortunately for them they remained with the know nothings who know know-nothing. There is only so much you can do with empty prestige (like a Harvard degree.)

[@beckitibaldi9654]

Incredibly well spoken. Thank you.

[@lizthor-larsen7618]

If unfulfilling jobs paid a really good wage it wouldn't be quite so bad.

[@tommasogarber7026]

Joan C. Williams is a national treasure.

[@michaelmayes9689]

It's not about class it is about lifestyle choice or lack of it. The working class and the poor have no lifestyle and are devoid of hope, they have to work to live, work till they die, with little or no saving, little or no pension but plenty of debt. The middle class have seen their income stagnate, whilst the top 15% have bombed ahead. Who's jobs have they exported to asia? manufacturing which supported the working class, who supported the middle class management class hence both these classes of citizen suffered. Question Joan, why is it bad to look back to the days when an American dad could work, earn a decent wage support a wife and a couple of children on one wage, retire with a pension, and live debt free. Is this the message do not look back otherwise your eyes might be opened as to what you have lost? Who lost their homes in the 2008/9 recession not the people who caused it they prospered whilst the working/middle class paid the price either via evictions or a stagnation in salary, with no support of the elite who were in government. What you can not get her head round is the democrat party lost, and can not understand why the middle and lower classes are in revolt. I would respectfully point out Joan look at France for over a year a lot of the French citizens have been in revolt. Basis of which is worker working to survive, or are working and having to borrow just like Americans to eat at the end of the month. Whilst the elite in France are thriving just like America. In equality can possibly be about your ethnic background, whilst equality when you are poor do not take this into account as you are all poor all devoid of life style choice all dollar free and debt ridden. Look at the elite who have thrived, ask how they have thrived, in a recession enquire into their wealth, and you just might find who received the free money first always thrive, because their wealth has been given to them off the back of the rest.

[@ThatOneMindTraveler]

Please put this woman in the White House oh my gosh! I agree! What a beautiful good idea. Thank you

[@swgame2511]

Yeah but the right wingers would call her a socialist etc etc..............hence is why we get a tRump

[@edwinamendelssohn5129]

@@swgame2511 she is, this is not a socialist country.

[@tompowers8495]

@@swgame2511 I'm a conservative and a Trump voter. I enjoyed and agree with this speaker......... don't lable me please. you don't know me. Any way have a good year......

[@joecombs7468]

Blue collar class is stuck in the middle with both sides attacking the blue collar while they take from the blue collar without giving anything back. One day the blue collar will be pushed beyond the point they are willing to tolerate.

[@socratesagain7822]

Outstanding Ted, professor Williams! Sorry it took me _four_ years to get to it. Life, you know. It has a messy tendency to get in the way. That said, too bad our new USSC majority has not viewed this presentation which gets to the core of our present culturo-political dilemma. This past session seriously disrupted our Republic with the abortion issue, one long settled by _Roe v. Wade_ , and opened a wound in the American body politic which may fester for years. Loved the way you referred to guns and abortion as "proxy wars" for deeper sociological and psychological (i.e. rage, self-loathing, identity insecurity, economic uncertainty, etc.) issues roiling in the deep recesses of the American psyche. Be well.

[@ronneyrendon5045]

So true! $200K is NOT MIDDLE CLASS!

[@andrewbellinger6120]

Yes, 200k is very middle class if you live near san Fran, boston or NY where housing is very expensive and you have a couple kids to send to college. 200k might be upperclass in the midwest or south where cost of living is lower.

[@AJourneyOfYourSoul]

Andrew Bellinger the fact that you make enough money to live in these locations means you are upper class.

[@crucisnh]

@@AJourneyOfYourSoul I think that it's a matter of how one defines middle class. I think that some people may define it as having a decent job and being able to own a decent house for a family. But it seems like your definition is strictly based on family income and doesn't take into account the cost of living in different parts of the country.

[@AJourneyOfYourSoul]

crucisnh if you have enough income to live in a more desirable location, how can you say they are equal, ie both middle class, to someone living in a less desirable location.

[@ladykemma3]

Upper class is old money. Even oprah and Steve gates are upper middle class

[@andrewbellinger6120]

I prefer "middle financed", I have tons of class.

[@1czechit1]

The US is not a class society. You are born into a class, you do not earn your way there. Finance is not class. I liked your comment "middle financed."

[@louisw4390]

@@1czechit1 Can you name a "class" in America that is impenetrable"? NO. You're thinking of India.

[@1czechit1]

@@louisw4390 That was what I meant. You do not have a caste system in the US. People and generations constantly shift "class"

[@seanjohnnn]

Incredibly insightful and lucid

[@jamespatock2865]

A fabulous talk. Eloquent and succinct, thank you Joan.

[@IronJazz99]

The problems we have,are inherent to Capitalism. I recommend reading Marx. On the other side, Countries that have called themselves "Communists",have found new ways to "F" things up. It is evident to me that greed screws up everything. Marx,himself,stated that he was not a Communist. I am more in line with Leon Trotsky's beliefs. My mom was introduced to them working in the "Sweat Shops" of NYC,when she was only 14,back in 1928. She became a member of Knit Good workers LU 155 of The ILGWU. She was the economic backbone for three generations. Happy Mothers Day Lucy!

[@cubanamerican22]

LoL cool story bro.

[@rachelhannan5949]

Class is made up of a lot of things- not just finance. It is the most divisive factor in the world

[@cliffordhodge1449]

I think she's right that we have economic and social elite groups that look down on what we consider the working class - Republicans have for some time been considered economically elite, and she is probably correct in that Democrats are perceived as having embraced a sort of social elitism. But she got off the subject of class. I think abortion will always cut across class strata because it arises from an unresolvable metaphysical question that gives rise to a legal question that has to be resolved one way or another. Also, the idea that guns in some way characterize the working class seemed to have been just assumed rather than proven or demonstrated.

[@sterlingferguson1704]

The US was set up with a class system of the ruling elite, poor whites and slaves. Since slavery was abolished, the poor whites and blacks have been at each others throats.

[@lisaschooler9992]

Very well said!

[@MellowWind]

Wonderful talk. Thank you Joan.

[@piccalillipit9211]

*IM EUROPEAN* but the best line a Trump supporter ever said to me was: "We knew he was lying to us, but at least he was talking to us, and not ignoring us or making fun of us"

[@keithdavis9188]

This is a lie

[@piccalillipit9211]

@@keithdavis9188 - weird comment

[@keithdavis9188]

@@piccalillipit9211 was it anything like the comment you just made up?

[@nnoahllehr1]

I don't believe a word of this. The only people who would say something like this are people who don't like Trump so they make things up. I know - how could that possibly happen, right?

[@piccalillipit9211]

@@nnoahllehr1 - Literally no one cares what you believe. You are a nobody on the internet.

[@bellepierre24]

Class and income are two very different things one is social and the other is economic. Lower, middle and upper income is different from lower, middle and upper class.

[@witwisniewski2280]

The inter-class adversity is caused by us being 'farmed' too hard. Ms. Williams failed to even mention redistribution of wealth as a driver of bad blood. The middle class is being eliminated by disenfranchisement of their wealth - making family life, marriage nearly impossible in family economics is their end-game.

[@gotama1219]

Education. You and yours are condemned without it. Education frees you from class.

[@VENEKLASEN5]

I can introduce you to highly educated people with multiple graduate degrees who are at or below poverty line. Education is only one variable.

[@socratesagain7822]

@Adonis Castro Please, do not confuse schooling (degree acquisition) with _education_ . Entire self-serving institutions and their acolytes preach this conflationary gospel. The individual self-defines education: self-criticism, critical thinking (always seeking evidence for an assertion) and a bottomless curiosity about things that matter in life. This authentic education seldom generates income as under capitalism, our current ideology, one "succeeds" by--in most instances--leveraging the labor of others and profiting from it (exploitation) or else, in the rare case of generating a copyrightable or patentable monopolistic _product_ , one defended with governmental coercion, at taxpayer expense... And finally, as a "manager" on behalf of the rentier class. With a schooling degree (depending on the school "brand"), one, at best, gains entree to serve the rentier class (the leisure, inherited-wealth class, i.e. "old money," please see Domhoff and/or Mills, not to mention youtube videos with Michael Hudson, Jeffrey Sachs, Aaron Good, etc.). Think of most folks who run for office as the archetypal aspirants (managers) who wish to carry water for their corporate "betters"... Be well.

[@philsarkol6443]

Wow...impressive talk. Something to think about. Thank you Joan!!

[@peterwan9076]

I think the phenomenon of rising income inequality (that leads to class conflict) is a result of technological change in the society. US has changed from being agricultural to industrial to information society. Productivity rises in each change to a degree that now most jobs could be done by machine or AI. Naturally the PME would shed the lower rank workforce instead of firing themselves. You can imagine most truck drivers would lose their jobs once self driving technology is matured. Also, globalization hurts the middle class more than any other class by off shoring their jobs. US has come to a point where a few high tech companies amass most of the wealth of the nation. The middle class has their income shrank and their number drop to 30% because the other 30% has gone down to the lower income class. So the class structure is more like 5% high income class, 30% middle class and 65% low income class. The income is heavily skew towards the top 5%. It starts to look like a third world class structure.

[@aaronwest1055]

Who said trade jobs were not satisfying? 80k a year and no college debt? A set of skills that are valued everywhere? What's wrong with any of that?

[@edwinamendelssohn5129]

Another elitist leftist thinking they know it all.

[@bobcornwell403]

I think a good policy choice would a higher tax on married couples, who have an income level above a certain multiple of the minum wage, if both of them work full time. Couples, who have either one of them stay home to raise the children, should then get an extra tax break. One of the big problems I see with the PME class, is that it is very insular. It is very hard to get into. Class mobility is far less than it was when I was coming of age in the 1970's. It used be that a college degree was a boarding ticket. Now, it is a lottery ticket. And a very expensive one at that.

[@nomo9344]

Let's financially penalize the couples who decide to marry and give to those who don't? How about a higher tax on unmarried couples?

[@atatat54321]

She's not wrong. Everyone needs to listen to this.

[@WhyGodby]

15:25 But will they care? When have they ever? "The hitherto of all existing society is the history of class struggles"

[@stijlloosertdesktopper6584]

beautiful story, thank you.

[@oceanhouse8080]

Safety is less important than government power

[@guidrafolker4571]

I'm glad she didn't say White working class this time. We have nationalities from all over the world who are now americans. Many are now working class.

[@dan8753]

A must watch.

[@markorop]

How ironic, that the word "classism" is underlined in wavy red on KZbin and Facebook. Seems like classism simply doesn`t exist.

[@EuropeanQoheleth]

Or it does but it isn't convenient for your worldview that it does.

[@grudzz7049]

And why is it that those who understand the problems and want to try to fix them arent the people in charge...

[@vaughankorede521]

Yeah..

[@rachelhannan5949]

A great read about this, in Britain, is Owen Jones "Chavs- the demonization of the working class"

[@daisysung7230]

Tex bracket is the major factor. It should be readjusted for the better fairness.

[@edwinamendelssohn5129]

Yes, flat tax is get only fair tax

[@funkyandbold]

I like how she said 49% of women with HS educations supported abortion like that's not ALMOST HALF of that population. But they're "different" from PMEs. Yeah, by the slimmest of margins.

[@christophergraves6725]

Very good summary of each perspective that is now fighting over the future of the Western world. Each summation was brief and over simplified, but Mrs. Williams was operating under a severe time constraint. For example, I would disagree that the bureaucratic managerial mind is independent, creative, and "living on the edge." It is quite the opposite. Rather, the current managerial class mindlessly absorbs Neo-Marxist theory in college and then fanatically goes out and enforces what they have been taught as a set of moral imperatives as they virtue-signal each other up the corporate, government, or university totem-pole. I would point to James Damore as being one of the upwardly mobile who showed true independence in pointing out the truth in issues surrounding diversity. The PC police at Google crushed him like a bug to preserve their New Left echo chamber. Bureaucratic minds tend not to be so nimble or connected to the bottom line truth so much as lost in a procedural maze of arbitrary rules that hinders the pursuit of the truth or practicality. Bureaucracy and post-modernism fit hand-in-glove since both deny an objective reality. But Mrs. Williams' plea to listen and to consider the perspective of each side of this Culture War is wise. We should be able to listen to one another, unlike what we see at Google & other "woke" corporations and Speech Codes at colleges. As we do, we should carefully consider the set of trade-offs that we make with each perspective and see that other people value differently the options that we all face. We can respect one another even if we strongly disagree as we more fully discuss the full ramifications of the pursuit of either social/economic, political/legal paradigm. At some point, if we cannot resolve these differences, it makes sense to part and let the different peoples found their own nations where they can pursue their alternative ways of life separately. Then, over time, successive generations can better judge which perspective is more in tune with the natural order that governs the world.

[@darkpaw1522]

Not sure why talking about class is so taboo here in the United States. I enjoy talking about social classs and society as a whole . Allows me to self evaluate myself and how I feel about where I am in life, and where I want to be.

[@jesseleeward2359]

Red Scare

[@darkpaw1522]

@@jesseleeward2359 What's that?

[@jesseleeward2359]

@@darkpaw1522 Fear of communism

[@darkpaw1522]

@@jesseleeward2359 Oh. Yeah, I can imagine that, especially among old people. Generally the younger enjoy talking about sociology. Also thanks for the follow up. Took a year for one word, but worth it lol.

[@MicahMicahel]

In Canada we had a class system where people that weren't vaaxxed were not allowed into restaurants, theatres and public places. It created two classes. People allowed into places called the people not allowed "freedumbers." They are pushing to bring this back even though the vaaxxed are still contagious. It's illogical. Maybe they just loved the new class system that made them feel privileged. It's not a privilege until others are excluded. They never used to feel special when they were allowed into restaurants but now they have a reason to feel special.

[@1czechit1]

Its nice to see someone you disagree with and listen to them from start to finish.

[@Wolfspaule]

It would be interesting to know, what you are not agreeing with. These one-liners are really useless in a discussion.

[@1czechit1]

@@Wolfspaule To begin with, the US is not a class society. You do not have a "working" class because you do not have a "leisure" class. Also you cannot be put in a "class" based on earnings since income is relative to who you live next to and not someone on the other side of the country. On the other hand she talks about how people see things differently (depending on what they are focusing on) which is interesting, but it is also personality driven and peer influenced. Someone who thinks career supersedes family have their priorities mixed up. I have never heard a businessman say at 60, gosh I wish I spent more time making money. I did hear (and a lot) gosh, I missed seeing my kids grow up. Also a society that sees kids as a burden is a society which is on the decline. Many other things are not as significant.

[@poisonivy745]

@@1czechit1 We're not talking about english class, we're talking about common economic terms used globally. Working class, blue collar, upper class, PME, business class, owner class...these are all economic terms. There is no such thing as a "leisure class" in economic terms. That's something you are misunderstanding.

[@michaellowry7675]

Many of the people in the 2/3 she describes have college degrees.

[@paulreilly4510]

If only everyone else had college degrees we would all be so much better. Really? Somehow I earned a BA in music and an MA in education and I only agree with the spirit of this talk. Definitely not the conclusions. Maybe all that learnin' didn't take. Thank God.

[@jtc1964x]

I would like to see her also address lower income families more

[@Corwin1141]

This seminar was five years ago. Not one thing has changed.

[@TheMechanic1213]

How much money I make has nothing to do with my constitutionally given right to protect myself by keeping and bearing arms.

[@Wolfspaule]

No one said that ever, so what is your point?

[@jasminegracealba3481]

Hi! Why do Americans avoid talking about social class?

[@slimjimmyification]

You're making an assumption. How do you define "avoid?"

[@jasminegracealba3481]

@@slimjimmyification Hi! This was a comment made a year ago in attempt to answer a question from class. If you've viewed it offensive in any sense, I apologize. Thank you!

[@maxheadrom3088]

This is so great!!!! Excellent!!!

[@rachelhannan5949]

This is a great explanation of neoliberalism

[@maddieudontneedtoknowmylas809]

Yes good point neo liberals claim to care about social justice but the problem is they don’t seem to care enough about classism

[@bigdonnie57]

1. More sepration and divide? 2. Empathy 3.Thi is 1. 1 is 3. 4. Is politics. Politics is about everyone else.

[@xsarchitect]

I've never heard of a pink collar job, what exactly is that?

[@gregorysalazar8370]

Clerical. Think secretary filing paperwork.

[@luciskies]

Teachers, nurses, librarians, etc. Jobs that are underpaid because the man was supposed to be the breadwinners. It’s the reason why these jobs are low paying even tho they are extremely important.

[@SapphireBurns]

Jobs traditionally associated with woman but are now just underpaid jobs that people get into for the same reasons as blue collar jobs

[@greggbaker7120]

It is Truly birds of a feather.... Churches are dying,because, the Swells,will not cross that class line...

[@truecinnamon]

"class slurs should be as stigmatised as racial slurs". Isn't that what a least some part of movie Joker is about?

[@DMC1982]

Fun fact Archie Bunker was the inspiriation for Eric Cartman

[@philmole1209]

"'class slurs should be as stigmatized as racial slurs." No actually, the problem is not that we need to be nicer to poor people. The problem is that there are poor people.

[@ChelGriffith]

This was kind. But you can tell it was 5 years ago now. The financial situation is even more desperate for the "middle" class, and everyone else beneath...

[@trentboyer3839]

Like every Ted Talk-the solution is in not having a capitalist economy.

[@owendyer787]

what a lovely kind smart woman

[@IronJazz99]

Last thing,Social Class,as we know it,was born from Capitalism. Any problems we have,we must examine our economic system and it's part in it. Without this examination,we just blowing smoke up each others butts. LOL :-)

[@SokemRokemRobot]

**************************************************************************** *"Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go,* *lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your soul."* -Proverbs 22:24 ****************************************************************************

[@lilycb9691]

I loved everything, but comparing political slurs to racial slurs is soooooooo not the same.

[@swgame2511]

Maybe you should listen to the entire lecture again......and again....and again? Oh, never mind.

[@robertcalamusso4218]

So true

[@worldadventuretravel]

This is generally a good start, but it's painfully noticeable that Williams doesn't say a word about the poor after they are listed on her graph. She assumes that literally the entire conversation is between the middle class and the PMC which she refers to as the PME. She also neglects to mention that the PMC is what was formerly known as the petite bourgeoisie. When you look at it such stark terms, it is then obvious that the class interests of the petite bourgeoisie are far more aligned with those of the bourgeoisie, which are fundamentally antagonistic to those of the working class-- and that is the true source of tension between them and everyone else. Reducing the entire source of dissent down to two predominantly socio-cultural issues loses the plot.

[@zdgoat8888]

I'm a low class American your points dont make since. Abortion is not an issue we cant afford it we also cant afford not to have guns. It's not a masculine thing eather its safety. People do desperate thing some times when they havto make choices over food water power or a place to sleep.

[@jeffreywillis4258]

AOC has a degree in International Relations and Economics from Boston University. That means in Joan's world, AOC is the "educated elite" and someone running a small business with a HS education is the uneducated rube. Who would you ask advice from on economics? A small business owner or AOC? As an employer, I can attest AOC is not an exception to the rule with today's college graduates, she is the norm. If you took the word "like" out of their vocabulary, they wouldn't be able to communicate. It is truly pathetic what colleges are churning out these days. I wonder how much Boston University charged AOC to send her into the world with a phony degree in economics. Obviously poor Joan Williams' intelligence criteria is flawed.

[@jonathanbell7287]

I get your point and it's justified. The reality, however, is that in the aggregate those with college degrees (and even more with "advanced" degrees) have a much better- and clearly demonstrated- chance of navigating the the "information" economy, hereby earning more money over their lifetime. it's not even close.The studies are uniform on this conclusion. Are their successful small (and big for that matter) business owners without college degrees? Of course. These people are often exceptionally gifted and driven. But they do not represent the norm when looking at overall national income trends among various social groups.

[@half-lifewife]

@@jonathanbell7287 : People can get all the degrees they want but if they are morally bankrupt--literally willing to murder by torture a small, innocent human being they consider an inconvenience to their career--ultimately they will fail as human beings. Now that we know babies feel pain at 11 weeks we are without excuse. Character is destiny.

[@crucisnh]

Scratch, I'd also add removing the word "literally" to that list. More and more, I've noticed younger people being incapable of speaking without including the word "literally" into their sentences. Sometimes properly used and sometimes not. But I suppose that it's better than the vulgar dopes who can't speak without using the word "f**k" (in some form) almost every sentence, sometimes twice per sentence.

[@poisonivy745]

Neither of them, you would ask an economist about the economy. A small business owner can tell you about their personal business, not the economy. AOC can talk to you about her degree, not the economy.

[@alankwellsmsmba]

@@half-lifewife We say we care about life but we don't. Anitiabortion folks won't do a thing after the creature hits the floor. Straight into the prison pipeline. Better to not be born.

[@dougmoore5252]

She is on target!

[@3QUIN3]

who could it be now? *saxophone music intensifies.

[@nomo9344]

Protecting one's family should be key to the internal identities of ALL men, both blue AND white collar. "These proxy wars on guns and religion, they reflect the raw pain of Americans unable to give their families a future." How sanctimoniously ironic it is that your very next statement stresses the utmost importance of how we need to "change the way we think about each other." Spoken like a stereotypical academician.

[@kathyw9312]

She’s against market economy. The market economy create that social class thing.

[@davidn3063]

Let me see? middle class average +/- one standard deviation?

[@impartialanalyst4392]

. New King James Version Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

[@isaacmccracken5870]

Superficial. Although I appreciate her conciliatory tone.

[@HowardOwensIII]

I heard Joan C. Williams on NPR's Hidden Brain. She makes a lot of sense. However, the graph here on wages leaves out the rise in paid benefits for employees, which has risen consistantly over the same period, particularly health insurance; it also leaves out much greater purchasing power achieved by Americans since the 1970s.

[@k24bfan]

Right, but this is the issue with Ted Talks the speaker tries to condense their book into a short form video. I would also be curious to see if her book tackles how debt has been used as a bandaid for many households who don't have enough in the bank for family emergencies compounded with the rising costs of healthcare, education, etc.

[@seanm3226]

After listening to this, I’m convinced this woman just doesn’t get it.

[@pieceofchicfurniture6736]

It took

[@naradaian9196]

PieceOfChicFurniture yeah...her grandmothers story was impressive, her mum was just another light touch victim of ww2. From there she moves straight to abortion, men and guns.....however she is talking about working classes being shafted and obviously voting for Trumpism and Brexit Boris Britain...she doesnt say its toxic masculinity etc so she is agreeable nuanced

[@Wolfspaule]

Das Thema ist für Amerikaner doch viel zu schwer, keine Show, kein Entertainment, nur differenzierte Analysen... 23 mio. Abonenten - unter 10k views says everything the USA

[@alankwellsmsmba]

She's a lawyer for sure. She takes her unexamined beliefs and tries to fit stories to compel. What a surprise it would be for her to learn that many professional women such as doctors who bear children leave their profession if they have a husband who earns enough to support them so they can stay home with their kids. And to discover that men keep guns mostly to protect themselves from the government. Me? I hold two graduate degrees and supported a stay at home professional wife. That's what's best for kids. I agree with much of what she says, but politics is government which is too powerful. Reduce that and you will see the tempers decrease. Start by eliminating the public school system and moving to backpack funding. Give people more freedom.

[@braedondavies9592]

Her opening was pretty good. However, she lost me on abortion. What does discrimination against women getting into medical school have to do with abortion? Also, why is she using a woman's identity to advance abortion?

[@billy6220]

Typical, out of touch, academic elitist. "Let's talk about people" -then talks about TV shows.

[@nnoahllehr1]

She has assumptions about guns, abortion, men, and women that are imaginary at best and illustrative of her predudices at worst. I thought she was doing quite well until her "explaination" of guns and masculinity. Ridiculous. Perhaps her demonstration of how uneducated she is even though she has a post grad (law) degree is illustrative of the reasons for the disparity of opinions between the less propagandized and grad school propagandized. She makes good points about 1/3 of the time - the rest is opinion and she clearly shows what she herself describes - as a "PME", she has little understanding of middle class values.

[@thomass6757]

she a word warrior. What bs

[@cubanamerican22]

Never seen so much hypocrisy put out so eloquently.

[@RoyHoy]

Idk wtf you're talking about.

[@jnwilliams1986]

Too little too late

[@samwang6515]

The deserted editorial internationally zip because budget terminally blind through a amazing laura. protective, useless barbara

[@bigtex1238]

Ummm a few good points but very biased about abortion. Sounded very selfish. Me .me .me .... Didnt evan mention the life that was lost. Tragic

[@michaelmcnally698]

Drivel. Wow.

[@ryanlunn2869]

“American classes need to work together” **spends half the talk bashing men

[@koconstant6183]

To solve the "class problem", stop talking about it.

[@jrie983]

wow, can you say oversimplified and condescending?

[@solskengroupllp2758]

Liberal clap trap.

[@maddieudontneedtoknowmylas809]

Ok I get it if u disagree with some things she said. At least admit that she is right that classism is a threat

[@ryanlunn2869]

This is the worst Ted talk Ive ever seen.

[@s.m.g.2166]

Jewish

[@RoyHoy]

ratio

[@firstdaddy]

Clearly does not understand either of the two divisive subjects she pretended to speak about. Abortion can’t be simplified down to womanhood and firearms aren’t about manhood.

[@az_3kgt714]

and no ones calling abortionist's "careerists" They call them murderers. And firearms are about keeping the govt out of our lives. Because when the govt gets rid of guns they get rid of the only counter-balance that actually works. This woman was way off in lala-land on those subjects.

[@erinlikesacornishpasty4703]

She did seem to have pretty simple views about both issues, but also pretty standard old-fashioned liberal views. For me, 2A is a women's issue and preserving the life of unborn children is so obviously a man's issue because almost no man I know wants his legacy snuffed out before he has a chance to defend it. But hey, I suppose I'm some kind of egalitarian or something 👌.

[@audreyandlinCompany]

Consider her audience. It's a TEDtalk, not a union meeting. And she only gets 15 min. She's trying to get her audience to look at things differently, not win a debate.

[@Wolfspaule]

Then what these topics are about? You criticize but don´t give any argument against her arguments. Do you understand what having an educated opinion on smth means? What are your arguments?

[@downsjmmyjones101]

How is she wrong?