Chronicles of Dissent
In his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” Dr. King memorably said, “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” Our present precarious circumstances make Dr. King’s words abundantly clear. We face war, climate chaos, a pandemic, inequality, hunger and poverty. The perils confronting humankind are unprecedented. And always looming in the background are doomsday weapons that can destroy our precious planet. “The threats are accumulating,” Noam Chomsky says, “We are approaching the most dangerous point in human history. We are now facing the prospect of the destruction of organized human life on Earth.”
Interview by David Barsamian.
Speaker
Noam Chomsky
Noam Chomsky, by any measure, has led a most extraordinary life. In one index he is ranked as the eighth most cited person in history, right up there with Aristotle, Shakespeare, Marx, Plato and Freud. His contributions to modern linguistics are legendary. In addition to his pioneering work in that field, he has been a leading voice for peace and social justice for many decades. Chris Hedges says he is “America’s greatest intellectual” who “makes the powerful, as well as their liberal apologists, deeply uncomfortable.” The New Statesman calls him “the conscience of the American people.” He is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Linguistics and Philosophy at MIT and Laureate Professor of Linguistics and Haury Chair in the Program in Environment and Social Justice at the University of Arizona. At 95, he continues to inform and inspire people all over the world. He is the author of scores of books, his latest are Consequences of Capitalism, Chronicles of Dissent and Notes on Resistance.
Co Listener –
I listened again to Noam. Better the second time. He pokes holes in mainstream thinking.
Listener in NY –
Dear Mr. Barsamian, Thank you and Chomsky for your intelligent exchange, “Ukraine, Diplomacy has been ruled out.” I’m an artist living and working in New York. I’m not batso and would not contradict either of you. “I don’t know of a comparable example in the archival record of a call for mass genocide.” Will the archival record allow for Achilles son, Neoptolemus? He kills Priam and wants the equivalent of “terminal nuclear war.” Sophocles says he is “still young and inexperienced,” unlike our war criminals. Anti-hero Odysseus restrains the headstrong warrior, “You’re here to serve.” War is lust.
Nevada Listener –
Thanks very much, David. This interview is a great education.
Listener in OH –
“Chronicles of Dissent” with Noam Chomsky was a terrifically sweeping and yet also detailed interview. I love the way he casually drops his sources in the easy flow of his thinking.
Felicite Chatel-Katz –
A brilliant analysis of the world’s biggest challenges based on a mountain of historical facts, critically studied and analyzed by a very sharp mind. This program blew me away. I will need to listen to it multiple times to capture all the evidence Noam Chomsky shares with us to denounce the flaws and shortcomings of our modern society, the ignorance and folly of our political leaders and the risks we face as a civilization.
Tim Withee –
Don’t miss it. Professor Chomsky remains one of the clearest thinkers and sharpest analysts of our time.
Nader Hashemi –
The world-renowned chronicler of dissent, David Barsamian, interviews Noam Chomsky on Ukraine, parallels with the Cold War and the U.S. propaganda system. Whether you agree or disagree with Professor Chomsky’s analysis, reading him always forces us to think critically and inspires us to act morally. A highly recommended interview.
Nader Hashemi, University of Denver
AR Listener –
Chomsky’s intellectual acumen and vitality at age 93 are truly astonishing. The interview deals with the Ukraine War and places it in the historical context of U.S. foreign policy, which usually involves sabotaging peace possibilities and promoting weapons production and warfare. Chomsky’s summary description of the Ukraine War is: “criminality and stupidity on the Kremlin side, severe provocation on the US side.”
The interview is long but well worth the time required to read it.
Arthur in Florida –
It’s a masterpiece, one of the best programs I have ever heard.