Noam Chomsky for Age of Economics - Full interview

Age of Economics: in the first part of this project a diverse group of global thinkers answers 8 fundamental questions about economics and capitalist civilization. (Interview number 6)

0:00 - Prologue
01:31 - Intro
01:49 - 1. Why does economics matter?
07:33 - 2. What are the differences between economic science and economic engineering?
18:35 - 3. What role does economics play in society? Does it serve the common good?
26:42 - 4. Economics provides answers to problems related to markets, efficiency, profits, consumption and economic growth. Does economics do a good job in addressing the other issues people care about: climate change and the wider environment, the role of technology in society, issues of race and class, pandemics, etc.?
30:46 - 5. As we live in an age of economics and economists – in which economic developments feature prominently in our lives and economists have major influence over a wide range of policy and people – should economists be held accountable for their advice?
33:54 - 6. Does economics explain Capitalism? How would you define Capitalism?
40:22 - 7. No human system to date has so far been able to endure indefinitely - not ancient Egypt or Rome, not Feudal China or Europe, not the USSR. What about global Capitalism: can it survive in its current form?
44:54 - 8. Is Capitalism, or whatever we should call the current system, the best one to serve the needs of humanity, or can we imagine another one?

About Noam Chomsky
American. Linguist, philosopher, cognitive scientist, historian, social critic and political activist

Sometimes called “the father of modern linguistics”, Chomsky is also a major figure in analytic philosophy, and is one of the founders of the field of cognitive science. He is Laureate Professor of Linguistics at the University of Arizona and Institute Professor Emeritus at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and is the author of more than 100 books on topics such as linguistics, war, politics, and mass media.

Interview by Fabio Dondero and Julian Karaguesian

Music: J.S. Bach, from The Well-Tempered Clavier. Kimiko Ishizaka, piano. Video by Fabio Dondero
Recorded December 2020

[stoa]

A great interview with my intellectual hero for 40 years. Noam always shows what practical steps we can take to bring about a better world.

[tristamcdonald]

I have to watch everything by Chomsky multiple times. He’s quick and he gives you so much information to process.

[lah]

I always learn so much when I listen to Chomsky. The man is a university.👍

[philipduttonlescorlett]

At the time, this great man was 94 years of age. 94!!! His recollection of dates, times, history, economics amongst many other topics is incredible. He would put men a quarter of his age to shame. IMO he is a living prodigy. All policy makers should be listening and shaping his ideas into reality. What a better world it would be.

[Fabio_Costa_Music]

Wisdom is not a word I take lightly. As if this man hadn't been a luminary of human cognition all along, with old age he gives us these words, distilled jewels to venerate on an altar. I hope we listen.

[Mike-B.]

What a teacher Chomsky has been to me, for me, for so long now; I am eternally grateful, so very grateful. The journey has been priceless.

[paifu.]

Ty for this interview of this wonderful man 🙏

[stevebenton]

If we could download one man's consciousness so that it would forever be with us to consult, Noam Chomsky would be my choice.

[geoffreynhill]

It's no accident that political economy is difficult to understand. It keeps us Plebs in our place. 😵‍💫

[prajnamitra]

Noam Chomsky dislikes being pedestaled I imagine, despite the fierce veracity of what he speaks, about the 19th century through 21st century United States enslavement of workers, the embargoes US have been imposing on the gulf and those of the countries whose people are undergoing immense economic hardship. Chomsky also has the passion to be challenged and questioned whilst he strongly urges against different forms of capitalism that have proven as nefarious as amounting to disempowerment of labourers and their unionisation. Noam has a plenty more intellectual honesty and kindness to offer to the spheres of humanitarian education, as he is forthright in his appeals for the underdogs and underprivileged. May his students follow in his footsteps and continue to question the authorities of neoliberalism, their imperialistic structures.

[teddy.bisson.]

It amazes me greatly how I go from living an average lifestyle to making over 63k per month
I've learned a lot over the past few years that there are plenty of opportunities in the financial markets; all it takes is just to focus on the right thing. Credits to Zach Micah Demers

[maxzjj]

So sharp still. Thanks for everything Noam!

[neuvocastezero]

I hope he's doing well. It would be interesting to hear his take on some of the current US domestic issues.

[aneurindavies]

We will be researching, and learning from the sagacious teachings, and words of Noam Chomsky for a long time to come ❤️🤓👍.

[alancrust]

"The role of the private sector is solely self-enrichment, that's ideology, not stupidity". Interesting indeed

[kristinwatkins]

You should invite on Jonathan Nitzan and/or Shimshon Bichler. They are radical political economists with interesting ideas on economics and capitalism

[sarahplanted]

Greatful for Chomsky interviews / lectures.

[dozzlander]

I definitely agree with the idea of CAREFUL implementation of any change on large scale. This is in a stark contrast with CARELESS or RADICAL change implementation ideas. I would add also the consideration of time scale. Observe the implemented change on a small scale in different time scales (over few generations, at least) before you announce you have something to offer to the public. Importantly, always start the experimentation on yourself.

[septembercajun]

I wish the volume were higher bc it's very difficult to hear what Noam is saying.

[laurabartoletti]

Timeless Wisdom from Noam Chomsky- may we listen, analyze, learn, act for the common good 🦅 ☮️ (edit: Thank You Noam, Sir ! )