What Does It Mean To Be Free? | Aaron Bastani meets Lea Ypi | Downstream

Lea Ypi's life is awash with instances which makes one question what it means to be free. From Hoxha's Albania to The London School of Economics, Ypi's life - as evoked in her book, is an incredible way to explore the connection between the personal and political.
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[@FelonyBellend]

Aaron has fantastic guests and a great interview style, relaxed, personable and insightful. The show really should be amongst the most viewed shows of its type, nationally.

[@roddychristodoulou9111]

Since when did we live in a free society , you see we've only ever had the illusion of freedom and democracy .

[@mike_jwoww]

The insane thing about the UK is that we've spent 200 years screaming about how free we are all while the vast majority of the people here (99%) have never had the money to exercise these freedoms. We're the furthest from free, We're enslaved.

[@roddychristodoulou9111]

Great reply , the reason I say that is because most people can't see this and I very rarely get a reply which agrees with me . It's not just the UK it's everywhere and in most western countries the stats show that the richest 1% own 50% of the wealth which ties in to your reply . Thank you for that and have a nice day .

[@jasonfrancis9262]

I wrote one of my final year essays on Professor Ypi's work on parties and partisanship. She is such a wonderful writer and person, I'm glad she's getting recognition for this new book. Such a prescient thinker.

[@Ploppy17]

What I love about Downstream is how clear it is that Aaron has actually read and understood the books or other works of the person he's talking to, which allows for a genuinely substantive discussion. Most other interview format series feel much more shallow by comparison.

[@mahmooddelkhasteh2224]

This is the first time that I heard about Prof Ypi and I should say that I'm deeply impressed by her dignity, honesty, intelligence, insight and beautiful use of the language. Many of the things, which she talks about I identify in my country, Iran. I was also happy to hear LSE and the fact she teaches there, where I spent around 14 years of studying and working.

[@gotshot8355]

What a great lady 👏👏👏

[@mgsee]

She communicates with such great clarity - will definitely be checking out her writings.

[@liyura8907]

I had never heard of Ms. Ypi before, and going just off the title of the video I was worried this was going to be a more lofty, overly philosophical, or abstract discussion. I was very pleasantly surprised to find that it was anything but that. What an incredibly interesting interview, I suppose I'll have to pick up her book now !

[@petemarchetto4998]

I've heard several interviews with Ypi now and I never tire of her. Interesting to hear this one conducted from the NM perspective. A fascinating person whose experience provides her with so much insight.

[@HelenaMikas]

Whatever she has not grown up ego centred .and her education has been good and well balanced .Compare her superb English with that of many British ( beginning with the so many female members of the government) Excellent .Will view again this evening .

[@andreafranca4034]

Aaron is a great interviewer, attentive and really interested in the guests stories .He articulates the private and the public stuff so well.

[@sbor2020]

Love Lea Ypi . Yippee!! Her books are truly stimulating; astounding even.

[@0532phillipjoy]

Thank you Aaron and Lea, another cracking thought provoking interview piece.

[@kayedal-haddad9294]

Fascinating talk, thoroughly enjoyable!

[@arrore]

Great interview. Love Lea Ypi.

[@nimesh0775]

Outstanding, eye-opening interview, and great takeaway at the end about the illusion of freedom.

[@wallofcontroversy]

That was simply excellent throughout. Brilliant guest and big thumbs up to Aaron for his gracious and attentive interview style. If I have one tiny criticism it would be that I'd be interested to hear more of Lea's thoughts about life in the west, and what she'd like to see happen to make our own societies more equal and freer. A second interview, perhaps...?

[@ttbr7687]

Fantastic interview, so refreshing to hear nuanced discussion.

[@jonathansteel8565]

Good interview, very interesting woman 👍👍

[@DredFonnelly]

Extraordinary interview here Aaron! It's a fascinatingly different political context to grow up in compared to my own experience and the insight that provides is very exciting!

[@jn4126]

Fantastic guest. This woman is incredible, definitely gonna get her book now. Thanks for another great interview, really impressive the people you get on here, so many fascinating perspectives

[@johanrobson4593]

Thanks for that most interesting perspective.

[@helengoudge1322]

brilliant interview. Enlightening. Thank you

[@hotstixx]

You experience your unfreedom as freedom - Slavo Zizek.

[@neilcolley25]

great show

[@marilynwarbis7224]

Commentary and analysis such as this which is impersonal, detached, objective and concerned, is priceless in a world where personalities and prejudice rule even via the media. Many thanks for an easy-to-follow summation of political things.

[@sALah1550]

really good discussion

[@jeremyhicks2193]

Incredibly nuanced, searingly insightful as to the Communist transition - wonderful taster of the book, great stand alone interview - Novara raises wider understanding 👏

[@countthemoon4956]

fantastic interview

[@fibanacci8]

Incredibly well said and articulated...thanks..

[@richardswaby6339]

I am glad that Lea Ypi said what she did at 1hr 5mins because I was guilty of feeling that way too. It is what happens when your knowledge of a certain situation is guided only by mainstream media I'd also add that Lea's communication skills in the English language far outweigh mine and I was born here.

[@jamess-shaw5464]

I love me an Aaron Bastani Interview

[@leeeastwood6368]

the class system. alive and thriving!

[@shuaibafzal6042]

Really interesting interview!

[@opanike87]

Great interview, very enjoyable and very enlightenment. To be savoured.

[@midneen]

Her latest book is "Free: Coming of Age at the End of History"

[@gyorkshire257]

this is really amazing content, which we don't get anywhere else. I'll really have to start bunging youse some money soon...

[@123noah3211]

Loving these interviews with Aaron!

[@LoisKl]

wonderful interview!

[@KillaKermit]

Great as usual 👌🏻

[@cropcircle5693]

She's awesome! Although, this ended right when I was getting excited about where it was going. I feel like this was part 1.

[@UK75roger]

Great stuff. A fast and fascinating exchange. Very interesting.

[@metrohex]

Superb

[@ubiktd4064]

This is top notch stuff...very interesting...refreshing...a relief from political ping pong culture war churn.

[@TheUAoB]

It really strikes me that nobody was capable of critical thought through the post-communist reforms. I find it hard to believe to be honest. Isn't it more likely it was impossible for people to speak out against the new zeitgeist, the swing was so extreme that any non-neoliberal thought was oppressed?

[@newforestpixie5297]

In my vinyl record collection I have a rare piece of authentic Albanian culture . It’s the official Albanian Soccer teams’ 1982 World Cup Tornament Song which is titled “ Albania ! Albania ! “ - as rousing & patriotic song one could wish to hear. Although the team themselves do not appear in the music , the singer songwriter was undoubtedly inspired by the nation and the squad as his vocal performance & his lyrics purvey pure heart and soul towards the nation. His name incidentally is Alexi Sayle . Thankyou for this interesting production. 😁🏴

[@LCOF]

She kept quiet when Aaron mentioned Palestine, he sensed that she had nothing to say on the matter and quickly moved on!

[@purplecamaleon]

Very interesting interview. I enjoy her first hand enlightening narrative of her country transition into capitalism, and her interesting reflexiones about what freedom means now in the west. I also like the journalist questions, but found him slightly annoying (and border line disrespectful) when referring to her mother’s views, specially when describing her views “funny”.

[@cloudymccloud00]

Freedom question: 1:06:00.

[@99Boiko]

At 8:14 she missed out Montenegro. It wasn't only Serbia and Greece which sought to incorporate Albanian-population territories formerly Ottoman.

[@GavinPrior]

What's that music playing before the stream started?

[@stephbutler8704]

I enjoyed the interview and a lot of interesting points were made ; however, I don't think the question ' What does it mean to live in a free society?' was fully addressed or answered.

[@stephendavies8510]

Governments are all about control and people have never been less free plus the influence of corporations and big business on government policy is very concerning namely profit before people.

[@Ocinneade345]

I thought a scientific study consensus reaffirmed a more solidaristic point of view among early and even more-often-than-not later tribal societies before monarchal societies.

[@tiffinmeister]

Interesting title given there are 1500 Albanian nationals in UK prisons.

[@mathieuleader8601]

Keir is such a killjoy

[@alexharrison9340]

Yes that and something else beginning with a 'k' sound too.

[@alexharrison9340]

@@ArifKhan-vh2gx Don't think the Sir Starmer cake is made from anything good or wholesome.

[@nowthenzen]

"A mini Margaret Thatcher" and then Aaron has to explain - but not meant as an insult.

[@chopeda5822]

Signed up for a regular donation of 3£/month

[@maryhinge128]

harm no-one, do as thou will

[@paznewis107]

The whole of the law. Ia ia.

[@XPLOSIVization]

Thats a law, and laws are not freedoms, laws were put in place to make sure those that broke them got caged like animals and lost their freedoms, freedom dictated by state law has never been freedom, they just took the word freedom and brainwashed a society to believe they were free, as long as they obeyed the law

[@Muzikman127]

This is nice in the abstract but doesn't really answer any fundamental questions about how we should organise society. And it's not even something you can really live by; if you've ever driven a car, you've already broken that principle.

[@kayedal-haddad9294]

What's the hallmark sign of a free society?

[@ChicagoTurtle1]

Why do people think one party that represents all is for some reason much worst than competing parties that represent different groups?

[@davidlee6137]

When you said " life expectancy the same in Ukraine " worth noting Utilities were free and pensions were 4/5th of last wage.

[@_Stin_]

Only a population of 1 has true ideological freedom - Your freedoms end where another's begins. Unless there's nobody else on the planet, your freedoms have to have limits.

[@kr050]

Surely a population of 2 could be 'more free' than a population of 1, because you now have freedom to choose to be collective?

[@longnoseboi]

not at all true; other people can enable me to do more things, as I enable them. you're far freer with a strong support network than you are alone

[@sjthjsdreadfather4867]

It's so odd to go from the common sense of atheism to the fantasy world of religion. Always thought it was a one way street.

[@xHaniffax]

You're projecting your limited perspective of religion onto hers though which may not be comparable.

[@annaynely]

Michael j Sandel

[@daraorourke5798]

Tirana calling. Used to like the radio 📻 station

[@jefftist9625]

Libertarian Feminism. 52:15 - 57:25

[@gilliankilby-gjini2676]

Yhj

[@fadishihadeh1747]

There is nothing to regret in the Albanian communist education. It was an excellent education and relied on scientific atheism and scientific communism. Those who regret are those who lost their lives in studying religious myths, praying to the gods, slaves to missionaries and mercenaries of the Abrahamic religions. Enver Hoxha did not deceive the people and did not teach the students religion. Rather, he was honest with the people. He protected the students and the people from the myths of gods and religions then declared Albania the first atheist country in the world.

[@ChicagoTurtle1]

Why do people think liberal democracy is actually going to give everyone freedom?

[@Pinstripe6666]

Because it's only meant for the rich.

[@coopsnz1]

Under communism you won't own a home either . What the difference to private landlord & poltical class landlord?? None and you will pay more taxes so you worse off financially. There only one class under communism lower class there no middle class everyone poor can't build wealth except poltical class can

[@coopsnz1]

Capialism built the middle class globally so you could afford a home & business... if you like shares

[@fazza9016]

What’s with the wobbly close ups! Really annoying and unnecessary.

[@NerdRageRyan]

I’m not trying to be a contrarian when I say this, I consider myself a leftie and an avid watcher of Novara. When I listened to Leas intro in the first minute she said a society where only some of us are free means really none of us are totally free. The first thing that popped into my head is what about serious violent criminals. Psychopaths and sociopaths are real, and the most violent ones can’t be free in any kind of society for a good reason. Maybe this is explained later in the talk or in her books but that was the first thing I thought. Those people shouldn’t ever be free, so does that mean we never can be either?

[@howler6490]

If you support the society which imprisons criminals, you become partially resonsible for them. Therefore, you cannot be free. Never really gave it much thought until listening to Leah...

[@SteveDorrans]

No one said freedom wouldn't be dangerous.

[@saimak7079]

Who's this Hottie?

[@mrsDeborah]

I've been researching all this while for a digital asset to invest in and I found that crypt0 market to be the most profitable of them all,I'm definitely gonna bounce on it.

[@mrsDeborah]

@gebrel jesus Working with Charles schwab have made me invest without the fear of loosing

[@brendanlea3605]

😂

[@888ssss]

this womans free to live which ever crazy world she likes, but i choose what i want to do and its different. deal with it or you will get whacked and jailed.

[@Outsidecontext]

She lost me at the end there. We’re not free in the UK because of inequality. That’s a sign of freedom. If a government over arching controlled outcomes so everyone had exactly the same by some measure, how would that be “free”? That’s control. That would only be able to be forced with dogma. Freedom is the recognition that everyone has different skills and abilities and opportunities. Want to have better for yourself and yours? It can take generations. Get on with it.

[@AlexGalloway1993]

Except she explains perfectly that freedom can be curtailed by a set of societal structures that keep people in a certain frame of mind and that establishes a particular set of outcomes. You may live in a free society but if you’re forced into work because it’s illegal to live on privately owned land without paying rent then you aren’t truly free. Your actions are governed by the law of the land.