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kevin_shepherd's review against another edition
4.0
On the Shaping of Information
It is always enlightening to seek out what is omitted in propaganda campaigns. Take, for example, the Gulf War (1990/1991). When queried as to why the U.S. and Britain were bombing Iraq the most frequently given answer was that Saddam Hussein was a monster, that he committed heinous atrocities against his own people. It was a reply that was doled out in near unanimity and one that was quite impossible to refute.
Chomsky warns that any answer that is given equivocally and unanimously is worthy of a red flag.
Case in point: a quick Google search shows that yes, Saddam did indeed gas his own people. This “ultimate horror” occurred in March of 1988 and then again in August of 1988. The next logical question is: ‘how did the U.S. and Britain react?’
Answer: they reacted by continuing, nay, they reacted by ACCELERATING their support for Saddam. Therefore, the pat answer as to why the U.S. and Britain were bombing Iraq couldn’t possibly be true. Every news story and press conference that pointed out that “Saddam was a monster who committed atrocities against his own people” omitted three very important words: “with our support.” Yes he was a monster and yes he committed atrocities but he was a monster WITH OUR SUPPORT. He committed atrocities WITH OUR SUPPORT.
“If we choose, we can live in a world of comforting illusion.”
Joseph Goebbels is credited, rightly or wrongly, with pointing out that people will believe that a square is in fact a circle IF the misinformation is repeated often and with conviction. “They are mere words, and words can be molded until they clothe and disguise ideas.”
At the end of almost every lecture, Chomsky closes with an open mic Q&A. Quite often someone in his audience will say that they can't believe anything he says because it is in total conflict with everything they were told from the media, from their parents, or from their peers; and they don't have time to go look at all the footnotes. Chomsky’s response is simple and clear. The internet is a lethal weapon. Make time to look at the footnotes. Check your sources. Think for yourself.
“These are not laws of nature. They can be changed; they can be changed right here. Unless they're changed in the United States it's not gonna matter much what changes elsewhere.” ~Noam Chomsky
It is always enlightening to seek out what is omitted in propaganda campaigns. Take, for example, the Gulf War (1990/1991). When queried as to why the U.S. and Britain were bombing Iraq the most frequently given answer was that Saddam Hussein was a monster, that he committed heinous atrocities against his own people. It was a reply that was doled out in near unanimity and one that was quite impossible to refute.
Chomsky warns that any answer that is given equivocally and unanimously is worthy of a red flag.
Case in point: a quick Google search shows that yes, Saddam did indeed gas his own people. This “ultimate horror” occurred in March of 1988 and then again in August of 1988. The next logical question is: ‘how did the U.S. and Britain react?’
Answer: they reacted by continuing, nay, they reacted by ACCELERATING their support for Saddam. Therefore, the pat answer as to why the U.S. and Britain were bombing Iraq couldn’t possibly be true. Every news story and press conference that pointed out that “Saddam was a monster who committed atrocities against his own people” omitted three very important words: “with our support.” Yes he was a monster and yes he committed atrocities but he was a monster WITH OUR SUPPORT. He committed atrocities WITH OUR SUPPORT.
“If we choose, we can live in a world of comforting illusion.”
Joseph Goebbels is credited, rightly or wrongly, with pointing out that people will believe that a square is in fact a circle IF the misinformation is repeated often and with conviction. “They are mere words, and words can be molded until they clothe and disguise ideas.”
At the end of almost every lecture, Chomsky closes with an open mic Q&A. Quite often someone in his audience will say that they can't believe anything he says because it is in total conflict with everything they were told from the media, from their parents, or from their peers; and they don't have time to go look at all the footnotes. Chomsky’s response is simple and clear. The internet is a lethal weapon. Make time to look at the footnotes. Check your sources. Think for yourself.
“These are not laws of nature. They can be changed; they can be changed right here. Unless they're changed in the United States it's not gonna matter much what changes elsewhere.” ~Noam Chomsky
mostlyreadingbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Chomsky is absolutely amazing. It’s always eye opening and inspirational to hear his insight on issues.
This book is written in a series of interviews and honestly, I wish I could sit at a table with him to discuss.
Even though this is an older book, the issues touched in it are still very relevant.
I finished with a long list of works I want to read after he mentioned them.
Just amazing
This book is written in a series of interviews and honestly, I wish I could sit at a table with him to discuss.
Even though this is an older book, the issues touched in it are still very relevant.
I finished with a long list of works I want to read after he mentioned them.
Just amazing
zeozombz's review against another edition
5.0
As Putin's war against Ukraine is unfolding and the world is learning about the years of making the Ukrainian people an enemy of the Russian State this book was certainly a great read/listen. The ideology behind this book is to push us to question the things we are not being told, what was left out of the article. There are many historical examples throughout the book where the public was not given the truth and we remained completely unaware. I believe this is an important ideology because it is good to remain aware and it is good to think. As it seems like more and more Americans slide into the pattern of disliking one another, it is good to be aware that we do not hold any of the answers.
The audiobook format is in the form of an interview. While not my preferred style of books, it seemed to work very well.
The audiobook format is in the form of an interview. While not my preferred style of books, it seemed to work very well.
poopdealer's review against another edition
3.0
not bad naomi!! though the format didnt do this book any favours
jpowerj's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best Chomsky works I've read yet. The title is a bit misleading, since it's a collection of interviews that covers countless topics outside of propaganda, but I suppose that's an editorial decision. The book sort of catches Chomsky right at the point in time when he was courageously speaking out about the atrocities in East Timor (the late-90s atrocities, that is - he had also spoken out about the original mid-70s invasion and associated atrocities when they occurred), and thus it serves as a PERFECT example of how a responsible intellectual conducts themselves when they see an injustice happening in the world. In other sections he also does a great job of pointing out the ties between "globalization" and imperialism, particularly with respect to global financial markets, so IMO it's also an important read for those interested in economics who want a critical viewpoint on these issues.
erintby's review against another edition
4.0
It's fascinating to read an interview collection because it covers so many topics. Since most of the "current events" they discuss happened when I was a young child, I learned a lot by listening to this. I think the most important lesson from this book is to practice Chomsky's approach to asking simple but logical questions, in order to learn to cut beneath the propaganda surrounding our discussions and distortions of today's current events.
ninjalawyer's review against another edition
2.0
Meandering and often repetitive interviews that do a real disservice to Chomsky. Occasionally interesting, but doesn’t provide much in the way of illumination on the subject.
mugren's review against another edition
2.0
Several interviews that are about something bad happening in a faraway land in which America has played a part.
pyotrkrothotkin's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
Not exactly what I wanted it to be, but informative.