Noam Chomsky: Lover of linguistics, the USA... not so much
Aug 18, 2023
auto_awesome
Noam Chomsky, linguist, cognitive scientist, media theorist, political activist, and cultural commentator, discusses topics such as linguistics, politics, and the war in Ukraine. The podcast explores the linguistic aspects of language and group identity, the impact of neoliberalism on labor unions, Jeremy Corbyn's controversies, and the invasion of Ukraine as a war crime. It also delves into Finland and Sweden's perspectives on joining NATO, the influence of corporations and anti-science movements, and reflects on Noam Chomsky's unique qualities and ideological views.
Language change is influenced by political, commercial, and cultural factors, leading to language diversity and variation.
Language evolution is complex and unpredictable, shaped by social, political, and cultural changes.
Different cultures engage in language games and develop specific language systems, showcasing the rich diversity of human languages.
Predicting the future of languages is challenging due to the randomness and unpredictability of dialects, politics, and commercial interactions.
Chomsky criticizes the class war led by elites, weakening labor unions and benefiting the ownership class.
Chomsky believes leaving the EU was a harmful error, subjecting Britain to US domination and dismissing potential benefits.
Deep dives
Language Change and Diversity
Language change is not a linear process, but rather a result of various factors such as political changes, commercial interactions, and cultural interchange. Different languages can emerge within close proximity, and much of the world is multilingual. The idea of a standardized national language is a relatively recent phenomenon driven by nationalism. Language diversity and variation are natural and have been shaped by historical and social factors.
Unpredictability of Language Evolution
Language evolution is complex and unpredictable, influenced by numerous factors. Trying to predict how languages will evolve is as challenging as predicting the weather. Social, political, and cultural changes can lead to the mixing and changing of dialects, making it impossible to foresee how languages will transform over time.
Language Systems and Creativity
Language systems involve creativity and play beyond functional communication. Some cultures engage in language games, constructing elaborate kinship systems, and using language in innovative ways that may not serve a practical purpose. Different communities develop specific language systems, sometimes only understood by particular groups, highlighting the rich diversity and cultural expressions found in human languages.
Limitations of Language Predictions
Attempting to predict the future of languages is challenging due to the intricate nature of human behavior and the complexity of cultural, social, and political dynamics. Language changes are influenced by a mix of dialects, conquests, political boundaries, commercial interactions, and other factors. The randomness and unpredictability of these elements make accurate language predictions nearly impossible.
Chomsky's views on neoliberalism and class warfare
Chomsky believes that there has been a 40-year class war led by the elites to exploit and oppress the working class. He criticizes the weakening of labor unions, deindustrialization, and the transfer of operations to countries with cheaper labor. He sees the World Trade Organization as a tool for investor rights, benefiting the ownership class. Chomsky believes that the establishment attacked and smeared Jeremy Corbyn with false accusations, leading to his defeat in the 2019 election. He blames the mainstream media and the British elite for suppressing popular movements and maintaining control.
Chomsky's critique of Labour Party and Keir Starmer
Chomsky criticizes the Labour Party's neoliberal elements and their resistance to creating a participatory party representing working people. He views Jeremy Corbyn as someone who wanted to create positive change for the poor but faced opposition from the British establishment and media. He disagrees with the portrayal of Corbyn's loss in the 2017 election, claiming it as a historic victory for the Labour Party. Chomsky also expresses skepticism about Keir Starmer's ability to bring about meaningful social reform.
Chomsky's perspective on international trade and Brexit
Chomsky believes that leaving the EU was a serious error and harmful to both Britain and Europe. He argues that Brexit will further subject Britain to US domination. He disagrees with the idea that leaving the EU would bring any benefits. Chomsky also criticizes Keir Starmer's purifying of the Labour Party by eliminating militant activist elements and moving towards a more centrally controlled parliamentary party.
Chomsky's certainty in his political views
Chomsky firmly believes in his political views, presenting them as self-evidently true and supported by evidence. He sees his perspective as an accurate portrayal of the world, while critiquing opposing views as products of propaganda, media manipulation, or false consciousness. He shows a high level of ideological certitude and attributes criticism or opposition to his views as part of a larger establishment conspiracy or agenda.
Chomsky's Ideological Fixation and Minimization of Atrocities
Chomsky's ideological fixation leads to potential genocide and atrocity minimization, downplaying the severity of crimes committed by certain regimes. This is evident in his comments on the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia and the war in Ukraine. While he may have sensible views on certain topics and displays a dislike for being portrayed as an important figure, his tendency to minimize atrocities is problematic.
Chomsky's Political Opinions and Conspiratorial Worldview
Chomsky's political opinions, while subjective, are often presented as objective facts, leading to a conspiratorial worldview. He focuses heavily on criticizing the actions of Western countries, often downplaying or ignoring the actions of regimes associated with socialism or communism. This ideological slant distorts his perspective and leads to a distorted perception of the world.
Chomsky's Reluctance to Embrace Guru-like Behavior
Unlike many gurus, Chomsky does not present himself as an important or special figure. He dislikes being seen as a public intellectual and focuses more on his academic and political commentary. He aims to discuss ideas and is less concerned with self-promotion or personal branding.
Chomsky's Valid Concerns and Frustrations
While Chomsky may have certain ideological blind spots, he does highlight valid concerns such as climate change and nuclear war. He raises important questions about the role of corporations and governments in addressing these issues. Despite the disagreements, he demonstrates intelligence and thoughtfulness in his discussions.
OK, so we're finally getting around to taking a chunk out of the prodigious, prolific, and venerable Noam Chomsky. Linguist, cognitive scientist, media theorist, political activist and cultural commentator, Chomsky is a doyen of the Real Left™. By which we mean, of course, those who formulated their political opinions in their undergraduate years and have seen no reason to move on since then. Yes, he looks a bit like Treebeard these days but he's still putting most of us to shame with his productivity. And given the sheer quantity of his output, across his 90 decades, it might be fair to say this is more of a nibble of his material.
A bit of a left-wing ideologue perhaps, but seriously - what a guy. This is someone who made Richard Nixon's List of Enemies, debated Michel Foucault, had a huge impact on several academic disciplines, and campaigned against the war in Vietnam & the Indonesian occupation of East Timor. Blithe stereotypes of Chomsky will sometimes crash against uncomfortable facts, including that he has been a staunch defender of free speech, even for Holocaust deniers...
A full decoding of his output would likely require a dedicated podcast series, so that's not what you're gonna get here. Rather we apply our lazer-like focus and blatantly ignore most of his output to examine four interviews on linguistics, politics, and the war in Ukraine. There is some enthusiastic nodding but also a fair amount of exasperated head shaking and sighs. But what did you expect from two milquetoast liberals?
Also featuring: a discussion of the depraved sycophancy of the guru-sphere and the immunity to cringe superpower as embodied by Brian Keating, Peter Boghossian, and Bret Weinstein mega-fans.
