David Graeber on the Extreme 'Centre'

“It strikes me that what’s called the moderates are the most immoderate people possible”

Previously unreleased video of David Graeber talking about liberalism. Originally filmed at the start of 2020. We planned to make a dedicated film on the subject with David upon his return to London. We release this video with the blessing of his beloved wife Nika.

Rest in Power David Graeber

[DoubleDownNews]

Previously unreleased video of David Graeber talking about liberalism. Originally filmed at the start of 2020. We planned to make a dedicated film on the subject with David upon his return to London. We release this video with the blessing of his beloved wife Nika.

Rest in Power David Graeber

[richardhill]

Graeber was the rare kind of intellectual who really makes you believe a better world is possible and trying to build it doesn’t have to suck all the time. I can’t name another thinker who did more to make me more hopeful for the future.

[MrEdmundHarris]

Oh damn, we need this man more than ever right now. And he's gone - and it's a horrible loss.

[kennyfernandes]

Coming here after Trump’s victory. Really makes you think.

[lvlpaint]

his death is honestly one of the greatest losses of the decade. such a wonderful writer. smart and keenly critical without the cynicism and disaffection that often follows from that. rest in peace david <3

[janguvpes]

The little smile Graeber gave the camera/his interviewer at the very end was really touching, in light of what we know of his character, his commitment, and now his passing. Rest in Power.

[Will_Moffett]

This perspective is so rare among those people who have any kind of platform and it will be sorely missed. Thanks to Yale for making the "mistake" of giving a true radical some credentials.

[Naheed_Ahmed]

God I'm going miss this man. He was such a nice person and I'll never forget how he called out the bullshit regarding Corbyn being an anti-semite

[arnedomi]

His death was a terrible loss to humanity

[CarlyonProduction]

Such an incredibly bright guy. I will never forget him being one of the only people on the left to make a fearless case for Corbyn amidst the hysteria. That took courage. God we are gonna miss him.

[Mackerdaymia]

This is one of the truest takes I've ever heard. My biggest problem with "centrism" is the supposed moral superiority. Fencing off a policy area that encompasses helping private enterprise and only paying for affordable social programs (mainly for cynical political gains), whilst calling anything outside that narrow area "extremism". There's nothing extreme about social democracy. Make a list of fairly basic social programs and ask the person on the street if they want them and they say yes almost every time. It's only when centrists start telling them "ah, well you can have better schools but only if we take away pensions/defund the police etc." that people get concerned about the budget. The centrist neolib obsession with the budget and the country as a small business has warped our minds on very simple issues.

[ude]

"Centrism isn't change -- not even incremental change. It is *control*. Over yourself and the world."

[skwrrskwr]

I didn't know of David while he was alive, but I very much feel the loss.

[malloid]

I think about David pretty much every day. He is sorely missed. A great voice of reason, taken far too soon.

[dirklorenz]

One of the most profound videos about our times. In my opinion as a German Left winger.

[guantanamoe]

Rest in Peace David!
I am so thankful for the thoughts you gave me through your work!

[NTrevolution]

Legendary revolutionary thinker, David Graeber will be greatly missed by many RIP

[jonathancooper]

We need more people like comrade David in the movement. A huge loss. Rest in power, comrade!

[frmcf]

I first heard the term 'extreme centre' from Tariq Ali, Graeber obviously got it as well. It's a terrifying and very real phenomenon which looks set to overshadow politics around the world for years to come.

[DreBourbeau]

Remains by far the most accurate critique of liberalism