Inventing Reality | Michael Parenti

Inventing Reality | Michael Parenti

This video takes a look at Michael Parenti's Inventing Reality. I make the case for why manufacturing Consent and Inventing Reality are mutually supportive, but I also argue why I think Manufacturing Consent became the dominant text on media bias.

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Follow and Support:

[ProletarianPower]

I have not (yet) read either but I have a guess why Parenti readers would trash Manufacturing Reality. In Parenti's book Blackshirts and Reds, he has a chapter dedicated to Left Anti communists, ie American leftists that were affected by the red scare and attempted to separate themselves from the USSR. Noam Chomsky is quoted in that chapter as praising the collapse of the Soviet Union and the infiltration of capitalism into Russia as "Finally giving the Russian people democracy" or something like that. I personally love Parenti and reading that chapter definitely gave me a sour feeling about Noam Chomsky.

[WealthforthePercent]

Such a good book and intro into Parenti, one of the best writers on the left. Great work comrade! ✊

[nkenchington]

Once you've sampled Parenti, you can never go back to Chomsky.

[nigeluno]

Chomsky was elevated because he did not offer a direct critique of Capitalism. MC is merely a critique of individualistic failures.

[matthewstone]

Chomsky lost Me at the "lesser of two evils" comment.

[rare_goth_metal_and_shoegaze]

Yes! I've been trying to read more Parenti since I finished his amazing _Blackshirts & Reds_ but haven't gotten the chance. I did recently binge his lectures though so I recognized the footage you showed of him lol. I need to finish _Manufacturing Consent_ too. Anyway, keep going! Thanks for your work!

[alexandramacnair]

That quote about journalists needing to imagine the executive veto really shows how impossible true press objectivity is. Even for journalists trying to do good reporting, the threat of losing their jobs - and by extension the only way they have to pay for food and healthcare - does so much of the dirty work of censorship. Great video!

[rjramrod]

The reason why Manufacturing Consent is so widely popularized in a way that Inventing Reality never was is that Chomsky's work is exponentially more useful for the capitalist ruling class—it isn't even remotely as explicitly & relentlessly critical of U.S. imperialism, nor is it anywhere near as accessible as Parenti's writing, and so it's not only tolerated but in fact celebrated as a way to help prevent anyone on the verge of recognizing the reality which Parenti so accurately describes from ever actually doing so

tl;dr: Manufacturing Consent is about as hostile & threatening to capitalism as it is readable—of course the wealthy elite are going to funnel as much public attention towards it as they possibly can

[aspensmonster]

I'd say the opposition between readers of the two books has more to do with their authors' political ideologies than the books' contents. Parenti is a communist, and Chomsky is a self-described anarcho-syndicalist and libertarian socialist. The conflict between communists and anarchists is as old as left-wing thought itself.

[acephalous]

Just about to finish manufacturing consent. Definitely hard to get through. Looking forward to inventing reality now. Thanks for the link!

[celienepaul]

TQ for intro to M Parenti. Have been devouring his books & videos. He is brilliant. One of the best political scientist & with a sense of humour & wit to boot

[perlefisker]

The main difference between Chomsky and Parenti is no doubt the difference between intellectualism and passion.
Both are immensely critical, have huge amounts of research backing their analyses. But the differences are seen, when you watch the two: Whereas Chomsky is always subdued, rather quietly and soft spoken, never showing any sign of emotion, Parenti is the opposite. He is outraged and he shows it. His rage and anger is so much wanted in intellectuals, who - so it seems - regard anger and rage outbursts of emotion...and therefore untrustworthy.

[truthbearer]

Saw someone reference this book in a comment on a video. Had to look it up. Pleasantly surprised to find such a thorough review and comparison to the work of Chomsky. Super impressed with your knowledge and production value.

[Steve-swvn]

Love this. Just got it recommended to me. Thanks for making a video on this amazing author.

[joeyrufo]

1:28 you and Parenti do well to call it "fear"! It is literally a phobia response!

[magnusskallagrimsson]

It was in Bush Senior's run for president in 1988 where he flipped the focus from Communism when he described Michael Dukakis as a "card carrying Liberal".

[paulartifice]

Both books are great. I just like Parenti's style more. You hardly see him anymore. I guess he's getting up there in years.

[zackschrum]

Parenti’s writing and speaking style captures my attention a bit more. But I think Chomsky is a good leftist as well.

Democracy for the Few and the Face of Imperialism are some good Parenti reads too.

[jandrashriker]

Came from Reddit. Great video. Subscribed. 👍👍

[violetly_]

Great vid! Never seen your channel before, but I loved the video! Subbed and hope you get big!