Conversations with History: CHRISTOPHER HITCHENS
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- On this edition of Conversations with History, UC Berkeley's Harry Kreisler talks with writer Christopher Hitchens about writing, dissent, and the challenge of taking on cultural icons. [8/2002] [Show ID: 6725]
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#christopherhitchens #dissent #writer #public #politics
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Check out "Dark Persuasion - The History of Brainwashing from Pavlov to Social Media" here: th-cam.com/video/bWl8FXhdEio/w-d-xo.html
Hitch had a brain washed of thinking. The 1LofT states that energy can't be created or destroyed, energy can only change forms, energy creation/destruction can't happen naturally. One aspect of the 2LofT shows that the universe is winding down, usable energy is becoming less usable. Creation had to be done supernaturally at some point.
'So you call yourself a contrarian...'
'No, I wouldn't say that...'
Not lost on me , either
he can't help himself to not take advantage of those opportunities
makes you want to take a moment to remember how privileged we are to be able to watch these videos like this. the internet age will no doubt negatively impact plenty of young people but for those that use it for good like learning about matters such as this, the sky is the limit on what we can be like
Great comment. My feelings entirely
In a way I'd say that not even the sky is the limit.
Im baffled by the knowledge Ive acquired related to the universe as well.
Never would I have learned that much and deep as the internet has permited me :)
Its almost miraculous.
totally. I'm 32 and I can barely imagine a world where this program could be aired once, maybe re-run a few times and then stuffed in a library forever. The internet is the only reason I've ever heard of it.
There is a limit to the amount of info a human mind can hold. It is important to form you world view based on the works of the geniuses that came before you, but the sky is not the limit. Your own capacity for knowledge is the limitS
This is probably the most compelling interview I’ve seen with Hitchens, simply because the interviewer asks intellectually challenging and personally probing questions and isn’t simply trying to stir up Hitchens to bring out the more salacious and notorious aspects of his character as so many do.
So true.
A talented individual indeed.
@@jestermoonthat is putting it mildly.😊
What a special man.
Smartest people I know dropped the fuck out.
Damn we needed him over the last few years
The interviewer's unwillingness to interrupt really should be commended; he did very nicely.
Love your work Tommy Thomas
@Daniel Druff please delete your comment Daniel. I want to be the only commenter for the particular comment and 100th like.
@Daniel Druff Daniel, What's the hold up? Delete your comments already...
@@coclimbergirl2174 you too, please delete your comment. For this post, I need to be the only commenter
@Daniel Druff earth to Daniel...?
"If you gave Falwell an enema, you could bury him in a matchbox". He said this on mainstream TV! It was frigging hilarious. For some reason, that quote is what I will always remember this man for.
I had to read that a few times to get it.
It’s brilliant.
In the same league as the statement by one politician about another politician that was roughly:
“Mr X drew up in an empty car”.
I've watched that interview
I remember that from a Redd Foxx album.
It always amazes me that a man I never met, could have had such a profound impact in my life as well as my friends, ladies and gentlemen, brothers and sisters, comrades and friends the incomparable Christopher Hitchens lives in our hearts and thoughts.
I feel exactly the same way. I never met him and only got to know of him in 2015, yet I miss him deeply. I can't seem to find a rational explanation for that.
My friends and colleagues regularly refer to me as the second coming of Hitchens, if you’ll pardon the pun. I’m rather well spoken, well read and have a particular fondness for Johnny Walker black label - breakfast of champions.
Sadly, Peter Hitchens falls far short of the mark.
Emma Trot
Ah yes I have met Peter, good chap at heart.
Colin lk Campbell
How lucky we were to have Christopher Hitchens.
I will nominate Christopher Hitchens for the office of a messiah. Down with Jesus Christ.
What is this hitchens idolatry? I don't get why people are fawning over him.
If you "get" Hitchens, as I do, then his appeal is intangible but intoxicating. However, I can see how he is not everyones cup of tea or why some can take him or leave him.@@yevgeniyzharinov7473
@@yevgeniyzharinov7473i think his books.
What would Christopher think of Trump now, in the groups opinion?
My intellectual of choice and a hero of mine in the fight for reason. His books are so erudite and superbly written; I'm constantly captivated by his insights, commentary and wit. To meet the man would have been the ultimate.
You are missed immensely Mr. Hitchens. Your intellect and wit are second to none.
Whenever I listen to Christopher Hitchens, I feel more liberated than listening to 1000 gospel songs.
There are equals. None better.
He cant read you tube comments
I was born 1972, and so grew up during a time where if you didn't see this on television where it was shown, at the time it was shown, you never knew it existed, and just never saw it. Ever.
Then along came the internet...
THANK GOODNESS
I love how you can read comments from 10 years ago here, with all that has happened to us all in that time, and hear the same love for the great Hitch; not much room for public intellectualism these days
His knowledge of the English language was remarkable. His memory was totally mind blowing. Some opinions of his you could not readily share because of one's ignorance to the given facts.
But I could listen to him for hours, the way he could explain his theory on any given subject . Both articulate ànd sincere.
Christopher your genius is sadly missed
Hitch exemplifies the difference between a man with a diploma, and a man with an education.
Christopher Hitchens was intelligent enough to be appointed to the United States Supreme Court! Chief Justice Christopher Hitchens.
Even an education doesn’t secure that knowledge. Hitch was touched by greater devices that you and I will never reach.
Yes indeed
Hitch is one of my heros
Not entirely true. Hitchens was the beneficiary of a very high quality education, it's not as if he went to an inner city comp (a public school in the US) and never went to uni. As he says, he went to English boarding schools and then studied Philosophy at Oxford. Hardly a self-taught man 😂
We've missed Hitch for the last decade. There are so few voices that can't be (or haven't already been) bought. So many times over the recent past I have genuinely thought to myself, "I'd love to hear what Hitchens would've thought about this." Maybe the only voice in media that I've ever really trusted. Didn't always agree with him, but always trusted that he wasn't regurgitating talking points. He was erudite but never pretentious, and he was above all else, never dull. Truly a titan of the American polemic tradition. To borrow s phrase he often employed - indeed even in this video, I miss him "like an amputated limb."
Humans like Hitch come along so seldom. I met the man and he was a gracious gentleman. So glad we have utube to keep his wit and intellectual integrity alive. Miss him terribly.
Hitchens, Carlin, Hicks.. amongst others.
Hitchens was, of course, more the intellectual, however, Carlin and Hicks had a raw, direct manner which would cut deeply to the core of our most enraged sentiments.
@@evaburnzI was just about to reply the same about Carlin, too. We need both of them today pretty bad. Curtis Yarvin is now my go to, educated, voice on current events.
I would just love to have heard Hitchens and Carlin's take on US voting for the repulsive Trump as president. @@JoeyM10
I think that if nothing else, Hitchens illuminates just why it is so important to never become a "party liner" - that is; to expose oneself to new ideas and new philosophies, but never to become swept up and homogenised within a movement, to suppress one's individuality of views to 'toe the party line'. One should always be critical about what is 'accepted' and in particular, be self-critical and self-examining because the easiest person to fool, after all, is oneself.
In a different time. The only thing in the middle of the road is road kill in 2021.
"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain the thought without accepting it"
Aristotle
Many years on and I also agree.
Brilliantly said
To be frank, I never bothered to learn “the party line” on anything.
If my thoughts on a matter converges with those of others’, I still want to know why.
@MichaelKingsfordGray ??
Hitch had his own biases and predilections, yet it would be an understatement to suggest that he was an immaculate orator. Not many people possess such power over their articulation, and the air of sharp wit and dignity which enshrouded his presence was unique. RIP.
Yeah him being a patriot, nationalist, and statist was strange. I wonder if he was still alive if he would have challenged those biases?
@@chrischandler889 all those things are good tho. I mean my goodness patriotism itself is invaluable. Don’t know how you get this men to run into the beaches on d-day without some sort of base level of societal patriotism/ group identity etc etc
@@JohnM-sw4sc the same patriotism brought forth nazism. As did Statism. People need to stop believing that men are "Legitimate authority" over other men. We are all equal. Stop with this cult mindset. It will bring WW3 if we don't stop. Just like it has brought every war ever. Plus damn near every atrocity.
His depth of knowledge in the detail of history is exceptional. Sorely missed.
How fortunate we are that we have these recordings of a legend. I still marvel at Hitchens' mastery of thought, ideas and language. A true provocateur of his craft!
His critical thinking is flawless.
We need him now wish he was still here for us all
Sounds like you're talking about a prophet or a demagogue.
@@jamesw17 just wish he was here to talk give advice and do the good work he was doing for us all that's all if that's bad in your eyes jog on amego lol
Pļ
Can you imagine how beautifully he’d take apart the rampantly anarchic irrational bullying tactics of Ibrahim xendi (sp) who is the flavor du jour of cowardly left of which I used to be one but am no longer. I love the great republican experiment called USA too much. but I also loathe the current administration. Please someone breathe life into a true independent party.
The man lives on in his books and online videos. We can all still learn from him despite him being no longer with us. Take care
As with many others, I praise the interviewer for doing his homework, and asking good questions.
Mhm. He certainly kept his notes. Mhm.
Harry Kreisler is a brilliant interviewer. His questions are probing. I love this.
he puts his finger on a huge problem of this day - "judging people's actions by their reputations instead of judging their reputations by their actions". in partisanism, in celebrity worship, in the rampant dumb "hooray for our side" propaganda of our day. all of this avoids the question "what am i doing myself about what i believe?" and the next one "what are you doing about what you believe?" having a spotless liberal or conservative voting record is a poor proof of compassion and charity
Good insights and excellent comment
We do have a society that idolizes narcissism.
This is what I remember as a young boy
Well said
compassion and charity have no ground in politics, you'll never see that in any candidate ever. if you think tRump had ANY of that in him you're already more delusional than can be stated here
When the Hitch crossed his arms, you knew he was more serious, and in tune, than what was about to come back at him. I love this man.
I miss him. Thankfully I can find him here on line.
@@kathypiazza7228 to
A passionate man, well-informed and, most importantly, funny. The twinkle in his eye faded FAR too soon.
Humanity really misses this man, badly. RIP HITCH.
I fell in love with Christopher Hitchens years ago and I have never fallen out.
I now discovered this beautiful brain. I missed him alive. I am happy to see his conversations.
@@justanamerican9450 I miss that man so much; he is so much needed for this time
even now he is gone, i can’t get enough of his videos.
Really wish he as still with us.
Alternative title: Hitchens has a chat with Ned Flanders
sometimes it takes the blankness of a Ned Flanders to get the interesting out.
@@myothersoul1953 Hitchens is better when challenged the guy is too nice, but a nice man.
Stupid sexy Flanders
hahaha good diddly day sir.
Intro music by Maggie Simpson
WISH I;D HEARD THIS VITAL , COURAGEOUSLY HONEST MAN A LONG TIME AGO....VERY GRATEFUL NOW ...
@MichaelKingsfordGray so this is how a Hitch follower reasons. After I give evidence, this is the best comeback they can think of...
"Illiterate cretin."
One of the best Hitchens interviews ever.
Totally agree , sadly we’ve lost a icon of reality, he with superior education completely obliterated the religious fanatics
Richard Dawkins is another albeit through science ...brilliant
Hitchens is one of the most brilliant men to have ever existed.
You haven't met me. Please explain. Only kidding I'm with you . -; )
Perhaps you should get out more
@@davidcoomber4050 you're right. Oh and when I implied I was also brilliant, I ment in the shining sense of the word. ;-)
I guarantee Hitchens would be able to give you a list of a hundred or more people who he would rate as far more brilliant. He was very clear and unassuming about his place in the scheme of things. He had a robust ego, he needed one for his work, but he never believed his own hype.
@@kieronjohnson8834 that list would be easy to compile. Hitchens is a lot of things but a “great mind” isn’t one of them.
Intellectual legend......I miss him terribly.
The preparation, intelligence and capacity of the interviewer brings the best out in our hero Hitchens
Wow, just stumbled on this, what a great interview. The interviewer obviously did his homework and both were incredibly respectful.
Christopher Hitchens was intelligent enough to be appointed to the United States Supreme Court! Chief Justice Christopher Hitchens.
A once in a generation intellect, and a great example of not giving a damn what people think of you!
I cried when I realized he was gone. Had not discovered him until 2016.
Things still happen in the world and I'll think "I can't wait to hear what Christopher has to say about this"
What an incredibly pleasant interview. Enjoyed it. Thanks for posting.
Christopher Hitchens was intelligent enough to be appointed to the United States Supreme Court! Chief Justice Christopher Hitchens.
I must say budget Einstein is a good interviewer.
LMAO
That's quality. Can't stop grinning.
Was Einstein a good interviewer?
Poor mans Gabe Kaplan.
God i miss him. Yes, i know, that first word. A cultural artifact of my upbringing. But i wish he was here now. He is needed more than ever.
I catch myself saying “thank god” but I let it happen.
One of the greats. Taken away, such a very expensive tragedy. RIP Christopher.
How great to see a thoughtful interview where ideas get developed and people don't talk on top of each other. Thanks uctelevision.
Always a joy to find a hitch interview I haven't seen before
How beautifully and seriously in a very brief statement, defines 60s, heritage of 60s and specially 68 revolution of youth in Europe, that reshaped future of Europe, for better or worse. What a towering figure and orator!
I need to watch this a few times to absorb it all!
Christopher Hitchens was intelligent enough to be appointed to the United States Supreme Court! Chief Justice Christopher Hitchens.
Brilliant, extraordinary well read, sense of humour and wit..a true genius..
One of the few where you come to realize ... once they re gone, the world is a lot less brighter than before ...
What a great interview but more so what a very astute interviewer. To converse with Mr Hitchens and stimulate his opinions is a hard task in itself. Very good listen. RIP Christopher Hitchens
Wish I had a bigger brain to understand most of his depth. By far him and Thomas Sowell are my guide and best articulate my beliefs.
Oh my dear friend I am so with you!!!
Lol
@@boringname3657Uncle Tom Sowell😂
I have followed Christopher Hitchens from the day I first became aware of him. To have known him personally would have been a privilege and a challenge for me to come close to keeping up. Thought stimulating. Nothing lazy about his intellect.
Miss You Christopher Hitchens... Thinking of your family and friends
+Ntwa-dumela Don't cry. We'll see each other soon.
+chris hitch Is this supposed to imply he's in hell? That's cute, keep that dream going if it makes you happy.
me too, and praying for them
hahahahahahahaha
PreserveBigCats creep
Great interviewer. Good questions and allowed Hitch to speak.
I love his little smirk when the interviewer says "a man of letters."
give me a goddamn timestamp
He was quietly revelling in the flattery.
He’s English but still couldn’t hide it.
Miss him greatly..thank heavens we have him whenever we need him❤
Love the interaction between them. Miss you, Christopher.
A jewel. Earth's greatest representative. Speaks for me on somebody levels. Says it better than anyone has ever said it or even thought about saying it.
"What more can I say"?
"Much more, much more".
He caught himself there LOL
I didn't always agree with his opinions but a brilliant mind, and the best BS detector he was as a contrarian, when the Democrats or Labor Party were in power he lampooned their hypocrisy, when the Conservatives or Republicans were in power he skewered their self righteous hypocrisy, At least he made you you think.
RIP Chris, like all the greats you were taken way too young
Well put! Hitch wasn't always right, but he was NEVER in doubt. I will miss his viewpoints on the events that will come in the next few years.
Christopher ....
tard
It's alright I that you didn't always agree with him ..just shows that you were not educated enough ..hope you got that all straightened out now....
@@howardlovecraft750 You are a scumbag.
Nice to see Hitchens in a conversation where he is not on the attack, shows his kind and respectful side
To have been his student. The stuff of dreams... miss you, Hitch. You're work will not die.
Christopher Hitchens immortal; best speaker, best attitude, best voice: on this side idolatry.
His hatred of Kissinger is legendary, fantastic rant at 45:56.
The ultimate Hitch interview
This was excellent. Thank you for posting it.
Hitchens had thoughts and he was honest in expressing them. In other words, simply one in a million.
i love all these 'history interviews' .. i have watched the one with Noam Chomsky and Elizabeth Warren, they were great, and i am looking forward to this one! It's inspiring and gives me strength to listen to these interesting and open-minded people.
Legend. Hes chillin w George carlin and carl sagan rn. Rip.
You'll be greatly missed, Christopher. Especially by a fellow Philosophy student. Who's gonna fill your shoes?
I will x
@@samosmond2375 Stick to Joe Rogan.
@@adamtzsch 😄👍👌
Derek Prince
@@carolbell8008 The dead guy? 🤔
The jingle reminds me of times the TV and vcr was wheeled into the classroom on a stand at school
“You recognize a fellow sufferer when you encounter one.” Hitchens
Agreed on the interviewer - he came prepared. As usual hitch's
Command of language is 2nd to none. Who else in history - marcus aurelius, excellent company to be sure
I love the part at 28:00 where he talks about how people feel about going against popular opinion
this is soo good and needs to still be heard!
Quite, Jimmy! His explanation of that process resonates fully with me. "It's not something you do; it's something you are."
Timeless, thank you. The answer to Henry Kissinger, is the elites seldom pay. We do not abide by the standards we impose on others.
this was a great interview. Love the quote about people contorting themselves to avoid acknowledging a point, this is 2020 in a nutshell.
WHATEVER MADE YOU THINK THAT PEOPLE HAVE CHANGED in that and most other regards?
the thirst may have increased and the methods used to relieve it more obvious....but the beliefs have only galvanized and deepened.....i see slow..very slow evolution on certain fronts..but the kind of change Hitchens believed in and talked about has made even fewer inroads...
I wish he'd still been around over the past 11-plus years. He could have had a field day with the nonsense occurring since his passing.
December the 15th 2011 - the day the world became a much dumber place. I don't know if his family ever read these comments, I so hope they do, they will realise how much us mere mortals miss him and wish he was still with us. I'm convinced they do anyway.
So good to watch and listen to this remarkable man...his speech....his history knowledge....his accuracy...brilliant
His absurdity in thinking we got all this on its own. The 1LofT states that energy can't be created or destroyed, energy can only change forms, energy creation/destruction can't happen naturally. One aspect of the 2LofT shows that the universe is winding down, usable energy is becoming less usable. Creation had to be done supernaturally at some point.
@@2fast2block
Quick IQ test...
Solve: 4, 5, 14, 185, ...
@@rimbusjift7575 ok, just say you can't deal with what I gave. It's obvious anyway.
@@2fast2block
Pathetic duck.
If four numbers are beyond your comprehension, then you should stick to things of LESSER complexity.
Now more than ever! To have some willing to speak truth! He’s sorely missed
Christopher Hitchens was intelligent enough to be appointed to the United States Supreme Court! Chief Justice Christopher Hitchens.
What a terrific Richard Burton voice he has.
The only two BRITS who's accents I've ever been able to stomach. Oops,🤔 I must include the only 2 007's worth a good damn!
Did anyone else feel like they were back in junior high school about to watch a film strip when the intro played?
Thank you for the intro music. Just sublime.
I wish this man were still alive. I know his spirit is behind the mass awakening going on around the world. Will the awakening happen in time? Let’s hope
Wonderful interview. Miss you, Hitch.
Hichens would not be permitted on UC Berkeley's campus today.
Always spoke truthfully, didn't care what the consensus was,
didn't care who was offended
Christopher Hitchens was intelligent enough to be appointed to the United States Supreme Court! Chief Justice Christopher Hitchens.
That jingle is definitely from a 1996 PC videogame.
so age of empires
Adam Blitsk Hilariously true.
Wizardry 7 😂
Dying 😂
i thought the same thing lmao some ps1 shit
.....Filled with more brilliance and meaning than ever!
What an amazing individual. Sorely missed
Christopher Hitchens was intelligent enough to be appointed to the United States Supreme Court! Chief Justice Christopher Hitchens.
Great music at the start
The beginning of that is so twee I thought it must be the 1980s, but it's 2002! His remarks on the lack of an identity crisis are fascinating, as it's all we seem to have talked about in England for at least 5 years. And tbh, it feels a lot longer than that (lost an empire not found a role).
Hitchens' brilliance lay in his encyclopedic knowledge encompassing History, Literature, Philosophy, and current affairs and his uncanny ability to assess and integrate the place of current affairs into the broadest scheme of History and Philosophy. Combined with his incomparably eloquent, endearing quasi-curmudgeonly charm that softened the brunt of his broad, blunt, incisive, often sarcastic observations make him a singular human being whose honesty, insight and very being is sorely missed
The perfect summary of the man.
you recognise a fellow sufferer when you see one! hitchens is incredibly inspirational person, whatever you think of his views
I've read better authors, but rarely; listened to more well-crafted arguments, but seldom. Never, however, have I ever listened to someone who requires such little time to experience an emotion or have a thought and subsequently craft the most perfect possible expression of it. Reminds of that Rumi quote, "Whatever put eloquence in language, that is happening here." That was damn sure happening when Hitch spoke. A rare mind.
All I can say is: "Very Nice" interview.
Gotta love the intro music!
"I still have a contempt for narcotics and gurus." -Perfect.
I don't like guru's either..
@Valerie Mac Fair none, I plan to keep it that way too. Only just recently escaped the Jebus cult, no hurry to start with more woo
@Valerie Mac Fair I'm only having you on, I'm probably a Taoist if I'm anything at all. Hitchens is a bit glib, I just like him because he's a smartass.. I have a deep and profound dislike for Abrahamic religion and tend to agree with whatever crap he throws at them.
ghandi was a freebaser FACT
53:44 Great advice by Hitch on becoming a writer, or in fact becoming anything else.
Ain't Christopher a grand fellow.
Thank you.