Posted: 6/2/2010 8:31:22 PM EDT
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Had a long debate with a fellow student today over the USA's role in Afghanistan.
Towards the end he said he was heavily influenced by Chomsky's political writings. He mentioned "Hegemony or Survival" so I figured I would give it a read to understand and better critique his points. I normally read history and religion/philosophy stuff and stay away from all the pop political stuff because it seems like everything (on both sides) is more concerned with supporting a propaganda ideology than actually discovering nuanced views. Anyway, I was wondering what other works I could read that would help give me a less biased viewpoint. |
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Chomsky=uber Leftist, who has never supported America in anything. His academic field is lingustics, where he has a very good reputation. In any other area, his opinion is just as good (or bad) as yours or mine.
Almost any other author would not be as far to the Left as Chomsky. Steve |
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Yeah, I knew he is crazy on the left side though I hadn't read any of his stuff before. I wanted my critique to be more than just "He hates America". I was hoping to have a more in depth discussion with the other student as to which points I specifically find contestable (whether its historical accuracy, ideological critique, or policy approaches). |
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Quoted: Yeah, I knew he is crazy on the left side though I hadn't read any of his stuff before. I wanted my critique to be more than just "He hates America". I was hoping to have a more in depth discussion with the other student as to which points I specifically find contestable (whether its historical accuracy, ideological critique, or policy approaches). Chomsky is a brilliant linguist. He is a great mind, whether you agree with his politics or not. Same with Dawkins. Don't let ARFCOM GD limit your intellectual pursuits. PLEASE, for the love of god, read all you can get your hands on. All points of view. Life is not so black and white, and some people while they may have funky political views, are absolute geniuses in their field. Read Thomas Sowell alongside of Chomsky. |
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Quoted:
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Yeah, I knew he is crazy on the left side though I hadn't read any of his stuff before. I wanted my critique to be more than just "He hates America". I was hoping to have a more in depth discussion with the other student as to which points I specifically find contestable (whether its historical accuracy, ideological critique, or policy approaches). Chomsky is a brilliant linguist. He is a great mind, whether you agree with his politics or not. Same with Dawkins. Don't let ARFCOM GD limit your intellectual pursuits. PLEASE, for the love of god, read all you can get your hands on. All points of view. Life is not so black and white, and some people while they may have funky political views, are absolute geniuses in their field. Read Thomas Sowell alongside of Chomsky. Thanks for recommendation. |
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Sorry to interrupt normal GD asshattery 
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  I love when people chime in that have no interest in the subject. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Yeah, I knew he is crazy on the left side though I hadn't read any of his stuff before. I wanted my critique to be more than just "He hates America". I was hoping to have a more in depth discussion with the other student as to which points I specifically find contestable (whether its historical accuracy, ideological critique, or policy approaches). Chomsky is a brilliant linguist. He is a great mind, whether you agree with his politics or not. Same with Dawkins. Don't let ARFCOM GD limit your intellectual pursuits. PLEASE, for the love of god, read all you can get your hands on. All points of view. Life is not so black and white, and some people while they may have funky political views, are absolute geniuses in their field. Read Thomas Sowell alongside of Chomsky. Thanks for recommendation. Read Hayek also. All three of these guys interpret history/politics/economics through their lens. All three are fascinating. |
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Actually, the name in the Topic Title piqued my interest, but the content read like a scripted conversation between Dr. Frasier Crane and Thurston Howell III...
You're quite correct that I don't have the foggiest notion of your Topic. You did give me an excellent idea for naming my next dog - - - CHOMSKY. 
Truly, no offense meant or taken. 
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Yeah, I knew he is crazy on the left side though I hadn't read any of his stuff before. I wanted my critique to be more than just "He hates America". I was hoping to have a more in depth discussion with the other student as to which points I specifically find contestable (whether its historical accuracy, ideological critique, or policy approaches). Chomsky is a brilliant linguist. He is a great mind, whether you agree with his politics or not. Same with Dawkins. Don't let ARFCOM GD limit your intellectual pursuits. PLEASE, for the love of god, read all you can get your hands on. All points of view. Life is not so black and white, and some people while they may have funky political views, are absolute geniuses in their field. Read Thomas Sowell alongside of Chomsky. Thanks for recommendation. Read Hayek also. All three of these guys interpret history/politics/economics through their lens. All three are fascinating. Or if you really want a shock from the Right to go along with Chomsky (who i have a very low opinion of, btw), read something by Erik Ritter von Kuehnelt-Leddihn. If you are a Rightist or Leftist he will certainly challenge some of your preconcieved notions (which we all have) and he does an excellent job of analyzing the Leftist mentality, which of course encompasses Chomsky. |
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Chomsky is beloved by the left because he is essentially a hack. He's a broken clock is who right NONE of the time. All roads of blame lead to America for him, or the west in general.
He gained some minor fame in the 60's for his anti war speeches, but then he started defending basically any and all communists, all the while claiming he wasn't a communist. (yeah right) When confronted about Pol pot and the Khmer Rouge he immediatly refuted it and said it was "western propaganda" and that the sweet little Commies weren't doing all those genocides and atrocities. His reputation was destroyed except for the radical left at universities. he later back peddled and admitted the khmer rouge were guilty, but added they were "driven insane" by US bombing. 
his reputation gained popularity again after 9-11 when he again blamed it all on the USA. Now all the aging hippies get to relive thier glory years by protesting Bush, etc. etc. Seriously don't even bother with him, might as well read CAstro or Stalin. If you are going to read a leftist then either Gore Vidal or Howard Zinn. At least they don't automatically blame the US for everything that ever happened ever. |
| Mark Levin was talking about Leftist intellectuals the other day and said something to the effect that he generally doesn't hate them because most are good people, badly misguided or even foolish people, but good, smart people nonetheless. But he pretty much said Chomsky doesn't fall into that category and is basically a POS. I am inclined to agree with him on that one. Chomsky simply hates America, and I think this is what makes him popular. |