We need constant engagement. If you want to live in a civilized decent country, you’re going to have to work for it. In fact, if you want to survive at all, you’re going to have to work for it. Those tens of thousands of young people in the streets of Glasgow were doing what had to be done if the human species is going to survive very long. – Noam Chomsky, episode 254 of Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso
As we near the end of 2021, we turn (once again) to Noam Chomsky. The renowned linguist, historian, and social critic helps us unpack President Biden’s response to the Omicron variant (2:17), our distorted view of personal freedom (6:43), what the new infrastructure bill actually means for communities of color (14:32), the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict (18:01), the state of the GOP (21:23), how Critical Race Theory is a “cover-term” for Christian nationalists (24:28), and what we can actually learn from the 1930s America (28:34).
Before we go, he reflects on recently turning 93 (29:55), the night he played in a band (32:23), and how the “bicycle theory” is, perhaps, our only hope in the years ahead (33:31).
Show notes:
- To learn more about Noam Chomsky’s work, visit his website.
- Listen to our first conversations with Noam from April and November 2020.
- Hear our past conversations with Rep. Ilhan Omar, Naomi Klein, Dr. Cornel West, Rutger Bregman, Richard Powers, Janaya Future Khan, Gloria Steinem and Nathaniel Rich.
- Illustrations by: Krishna Shenoi