When Lunatics Run the Asylum
The future of humankind and the planet are in danger from the twin existential threats of terminal nuclear war and climate catastrophe. The response? The Biden administration is following through on Pentagon plans to “modernize” its nuclear arsenal. Instead of eliminating these weapons of mass destruction, we are upgrading them. And the clock is ticking louder and louder on the climate emergency. The response? A massive new oil drilling project in Alaska. Seem illogical? Not really. These are the kinds of outcomes you can expect when lunatics run the asylum.
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 96, he continues to inform and inspire people all over the world. He is the author of scores of books including Consequences of Capitalism, Chronicles of Dissent, Notes on Resistance, and Letters from Lexington (new edition.) His latest book is The Myth of American Idealism: How U.S. Foreign Policy Endangers the World.
AR Subscriber –
I thought your question to Chomsky about how he would update manufacturing consent was great. His answer was pretty funny when he was talking about TikTok. It’s interesting the people he plugs. It was also interesting when he spoke about how the people who listen to AR don’t listen to Breitbart and vice versa. When I periodically talk to my friends it is alarming how oblivious they are to some of these crucial First Amendment issues. They simply don’t understand what the fourth estate means and the Democrats are just giving it away. So when I listen to Noam berate the Republican Party, he fails to acknowledge that the Democratic Party is just as egregious, but for different nefarious reasons.
Colorado Listener –
A very informative interview and confirmed a lot of what I already thought about the dual threats of the climate emergency and terminal nuclear war.
Anon Ymous –
Thanks for the great job (again) interviewing Noam. Read it today in TomDispatch.
You ask all the right questions; a rarity among interviews these days.
jesse –
Heard on my local station (WYSO) and thought it was amazing. Love your work and wish you the best.
Beckie –
Fantastic conversation. Will be sharing with my family and friends.
Tim –
I loved it. I heard it on my npr, (wamc) where I was told I could get it free of charge. This should be heard by more people. Those folks Chomsky described as not reading newspapers…, Etc. I was/am trying to share it.
Jessica Murphy –
Fascinating!