Tim Minchin on his viral speech, quitting social media and being kind
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2025
- Tim Minchin has never been one for following the rules-or even having a dream. “I ran towards unpigeonholeability,” he tells Krishnan Guru-Murthy, reflecting on his career as a comedian, musician, and writer who refuses to fit into a single box.
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Best known for his sharp wit, powerful lyrics, and smash-hit musical Matilda, Minchin explains why he doesn’t see comedy as a vehicle for his worldview and how the messiness of life fuels his creativity.
In this episode of Ways to Change the World, he opens up about stepping away from social media, the rise of polemicists in public discourse, and why kindness and generosity are central to the stories he wants to tell, and the kind of person he wants to be.
Produced by Shaheen Sattar, Silvia Maresca and Ka Yee Mak.
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Thank you for letting Tim talk. He has a wonderful mind.
love this man's brain
Can you arrange a very long discussion between Tim Minchin and Stephen Fry?
They are my favourite free thinking humans on this planet and their ability to explain difficult topics and relate it back to the human condition is unparalleled. I would pay money to listen to them debate and discuss.
Oh my goodness. Imagine how wonderful that would be! Love them both.
What would they debate? They'd just sit there agreeing with one another on pretty much any topic. Only thing I can think of they might disagree on is the monarchy, and I'm not sure Tim Minchin has very strong opinions on that.
Also might disagree on Palestine.
Add Trevor Noah into that conversation and that would be one interesting dinner party.
Include Bo Burnham in that conversation and I'd watch it start to finish even if it lasted a month.
An extraordinary human being. Intelligent, ridiculously talented, solidly grounded and totally self-aware.
ExtraOrdinary Extra more of Ordinary In Tell I Gene Ce
No, he is a self centered bully.
@@martythemartian99 you seem to be talking to your mirror, Marty.
@@kellydalstok8900 No, I was one of those he was mean to. Never trust him.
My take from this is Tim Minchin hates farmers.
I'm a philosopher who teaches critical thinking at a Canadian university. I cannot emphasise this enough: Tim Minchin packs more genuine wisdom and insight into this interview than I've heard in a very, very, very long time.
You are an affluent ignorant elitist waste of air bigot who teaches rich kids NOTHING WHATSOEVER FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN AND HAVE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF. I cannot emphasise this enough. Tim Minchin packs more genuine ignorance, cowardice and stupidity into that interview same as I am hearing all day long from those who been doing very well financially past 40 yrs - while society and the planet is destroyed by greed and corruption!!!! You don't hear things like this because you are part of the violent right wing that infest all universities. I know I protest outside Victoria University in Wellington, across from Parliament - one of the most corrupt universities in our country - perhaps the world given what they do - given what they get an AUSTRALIAN TERRORIST head of law Lee Godden to do. Like New Zealand hasn't had enough of AUSTRALIAN TERRORISTS KILLING PEOPLE. They have Megan Main doing it as well - she mostly focuses on making sure women and children are raped beaten and murdered NO 1 IN OECD for her corrupt work for over $600k a year.
Over the years I have grown to despise philosopher's I meet, as they always trivialise the violence and torture I been subjected to for the past 23 years (more if you count from 1984 when lack of jobs killed so many and so much). People who do philosophy ARE NEVER EVER ABUSE VICTIMS or victims of corrupt neo-liberal terrorists in power. I am a civil rights activist in area of mental health, corruption and wealth inequality - YOU ARE A COMPLETE AND UTTER NOBODY DOING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO STOP THE PERSECUTION OF THE POOR AND MIDDLE CLASS BY THE FILTHY DISGUSTING GREEDY RICH PIGS OF THIS PLANET.
I agree. This was a perfect interview for me to share to people to show why I think so highly of the man.
"I'm a philosopher!
define woman
I suppose TH-cam has recommended this to me because it knows I'd enjoy it. There's a sadness to think that there are so many people that would benefit greatly from Tim's words of gentle wisdom that will never be shown it by the algorithms.
TH-cam suggested this to me after I watched "White Wine in the Sun" one of my favourite Christmas songs that I seek out this time of year. (You might want to listen to Tim's secular but moving tribute to the holiday.) This talk also has some good advice for me this time of year (actually, I guess, for every time of year).
Our voices are the original algorithm, the stronger something resonates the more contagious it becomes
@@tvardz8472 "Our voices are the original algorithm." - I also wanted to write something similar. But you put it in beautiful words.
If you want these ideas, these mantras to be known, there is a way: SHOUT THEM FROM THE ROOFTOPS. Tell them to your friends and family. Even more importantly, tell them to your enemies!
Thanks, Tim!
The algorithm might be convinced to show it to them if we mention honey scam or MrBeast or other seo buzz words…I think I’m only here because I went to his show last year.
I may be here because I have watched the only a ginger song, because #ginger... But I have stayed because yesterday I said aloud next to my phone that Sapiens aren't good to "others", the amount of othering is getting hectic, and going to get more so, and how good it was to be with people in real life.
Tim's one of the most sensitive and clever and warm humans in the world. I love his intelligence, his diction, his humanity, everything.
His diction! Yes. Good observation. 👌🏻
No he is not he doesn't care for babies being blown to bits in Gaza he is a Zionist shill
Tim how about a song entitled "Sorry Cardinal Pell"? The High Court of Australia QUASHED all the false accusations; not a "technicallity", read the findings. As for the Royal Commision, its own published evidence found Pell did not know of abuse by others, and that Catholic Institutions (providing most of the care facilities) were 3 TIMES SAFER per-capita than the non-Catholic Institutions. The Chief Commissioner Peter McClellan however, made concluding statements contrary to the Commisions own evidence. He wanted to give some pleasure to his political master (Julia Gillard) who gave him the paid gig. Anti-Catholicism has run deep in Australia since 1788.
@@DD-bx8rb Why? The song was saying Cardinal Pell should stand and face those accusations, and that it would be cowardly and awful to run away from them, and that he should take some responsibility for the people _in his care_ . What is he supposed to apologize about in your view? Are you saying that if you were a manager and there was bullying in your team, it's none of your problem and nobody should care about your involvement?
Tim Minchin, you have been a personal hero of mine for so many years. Thank you for your intelligent insights and wisdom.
love this man's brain
@@MostlyLoveOfMusic More than his brain, I admire his attitudes.
Is Tim saying Self Compassion is more important than Self Belief. YES. Way to go Tim.
I love it when this man speaks. My hearing-aids are turned up and I'm compelled to listen to every word. ❤😊
'We don't have enough philosophers in arms companies'. Brilliant.
What a great interview. Much respect to both.
Tim Minchin is on my list of Most Excellent People.
I hope his children know how inspiring their dad is for so many people, myself included❣️Love 💖 to you all from Scotland 🥰💙🌹🏴
“Define yourself by what you love” - beautiful! Love Mr Minchin. ❤
I could listen to this fascinating, multi-talented, thoughtful person for hours. This was time well spent.
Tim's thoughts and conclusions about the damage that social media is doing to individuals and society,[ to how it is increasingly influencing; moulding & skewing the way we think and feel and judge - and therefore act - all driven my algorithms & profit ] are critically important for parents, educators and politicians to: digest, and to act upon.
It’s so refreshing listening to someone speak with such gentle intelligence. I lost track of time. Thanks Tim. Your kindness, and expansive creative thinking, is much needed in this world, and very much appreciated.
You can't help but love Tim Minchin... He always leaves you with a smile on your face and a head full of interesting and philosophical thoughts.
Tim Minichin always manages to find words for the things I constantly struggle to express! This just made my day!
What a gift to be able to watch this interview with this marvelous artist storyteller human being father. I am touched by his honesty, and his gentle soul... And he is absolutely right, 1000% and I know this is exactly opposite of what he was saying, but I'm so happy he did. Thank you Tim MInchin for sharing your thoughts, and being so humble increasing the value of your words tenfold. I shared this interview with my family to watch. Powerful stuff.
In the mid 90s I tried writing a musical based on Groundhog Day but found it too difficult to get the time structure right. I went to see Tim Minchin's Groundhog Day in the West End and absolutely loved it - so clever. I love everything this guy does - a proper musician's musician, although he is incredibly humble.
I don't know Tim personally and he has no idea I even exist, but he gives me a little hope for humanity. Kindness, humour, music - these things make life worth living, and he's keeping them all alive in a profoundly divided world.
This is the reason I love Weird AL. I started following his Instagram and there is nothing but positive, charitable activities in his personal life, (I've also checked out his wife's site) and he is a kind and loving husband, dad and friend.
I was impressed that in 1984, he turned down $5 million dollars, (about $15-$20 million today), because he didn't want to represent a beer company that could influence his younger fans.
We need more comedians like him, who always respectfully ask permission and pays every artist he parodies, with light hearted , never mean spirited, humor.
I like that whether I agree or disagree with Tim. I believe that he shares his genuine opinion. People who do that are very important to any discussion.
Love Tim's work and his thinking.
I've never heard of this person before this piece. However, he has managed to word that which has for my entire life, been unable to do.
You're in for such a treat. He truly is multi faceted and extraordinarily talented. Matilda is great and if you like films, look for 'Upright' or if you want something shorter any of his gigs are amazing. 😊
@@nikiTricoteuse Thank you much!
@@devtank My pleasure. 😊
What a legend. Never tire of hearing him talk on any topic. He always has something important to say that’s worth listening to. Great role model
My respect for Tim just grew a heap from listening to this interview. He echoes many of my own sentiments; from the need to switch off social media, the issues of being a 'white male' and the lack dignity I now feel because my 'whiteness' and 'maleness' and most importantly the need to be kind to our to those who disagree with us. We need to hear each other out guys and not feel cancelled or angered by everything. The world really needs to move through this divided time. Group Hug!!😊
Not heard Tim speak before. Very inspiring.
Loved this interview. Love Tim Minchin. So proud of the humility and kindness this fellow Aussie aspires to 🙏🏽🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I LOVE Tim!
He is a genius and he really doesn't get enough credit for his magnificent work!
I hope he returns to making brilliant satirical musical pieces and performances.
His music with the Heritage orchestra really is a work of art!!!
I think the last time I listened to an interview with Tim, it might have been his previous interview with Krishnan Guru-Murthy. This was so wonderful to listen to, and a real antidote to some of the worst that is going on in the world at the moment. Thankyou for posting the interview.🙂
That's the mission Tim
We learn kindness to others by being kind to ourselves.
I've always been a fan of your music, your intelligence.....but now, I genuinely admire your growth as a human being
“Define yourself by what you love” 🙏TM
What a tremendously inspiring person.
Extraordinary chap, like him a lot.
Man, it is such a blessing to have stumbled on this interview and hear Tim talk about being okay in yourself and having agency in the midst of upheaval. Tomorrow is inauguration day in the US and I am not ok. I so needed to hear this.
Did you also hear the part about being open and welcoming to other people, even if you disagree with them?
Thank you for this lovely exchange! I hadn't heard either one of these gentlemen speak before. I am grateful I felt drawn to do so today. Kindest regards, Jacquie BC Canada
Could listen to this man all day. Such a beautiful person.
Radical kindness. Totally agree. That is what is going to change the world.
Onya Tim.
I had to look up shibboleth.
How difficult to "refuse to engage" and not be thought of as acting aloof..
This world needs more Tim Minchins.
He's engaged plenty himself in the past and got it very wrong.
Thank you Tim, for a bit of a reality check and for speaking, as usual, an enormous amount of sense. 💞
He has made me rethink myself, yet again. I’m sure I’ll never stop; I hope.
How have I never come across this channel before. Thank you TH-cam algorithm. Love Tim Minchin.
I am impressed by this guy's philosophies. These are why he is good at what he does.
I truly love the way Tim expresses himself. He is a joy to listen to.
when ever the question gets asked, if you could have dinner with anyone, Tim is always some one id have at that table
Yes, on social media….l’ve just started to figure it out….the distress the algorithms cause me. Be kind…..❤️
Gobsmacked to learn Tim is self taght on the piano {as well as everything else!}. Had assumed he had a classical concert pianist background! Even more impressed.
As for working hard at things, to succeed, yes, but, Tim does have several natural advantages. Firstly, he has a creative and enquiring mind and is open to continuous learning.
Second, he has a huge intellect and, more important than all of the rest; >
Third, he has 'stickability'. The capacity to start, persevere and complete any task he sets his mind to - with total committment.
Lot's of people have talent, of various kinds, but not the 'oomph' to carry it through. for various reasons.
He is a great role model for going the unconventional route and being open to trying all kinds of new things. We never know what we are good at, or not, unless we try.
Great to see him generously committing some time to being inspirational to others.
Such a compelling interview, and I really appreciate your comment.
Thank you TM, C4, KG-M. To TM my late son loved your work and would have enjoyed this interview.
❤❤❤
I’m so glad I had this pop up on my algorithm. Love Tim and have learned so much from him.
Lovely human being ❤
Fantastic interview...so much good sense spoken ❤️
Love this man. I feel the same things. Sometimes i can do no more than bear witness. It's so hard.
What an interesting interview . I do prefer these more long form formats, where the guest is given the opportunity to unpack things without the pressure of time keeping
Top bloke right here. Could listen to his wisdom all day.
And this is why I search for every interview/talk he does 😅 since I found his comedy around 15years ago.
Such deep thoughts & wise words. From a fellow Aussie - I Love listening & watching Tim Minchin.
Wow Tim Minchin just entered my favourite people of all time list from that one interview
This is why i love listening to this guy and have since I was at UWA myself. This comes from deep self-reflection, cuts thtough the BS and as he says curates the world in which he wants to live.
That interview felt like about 3 minutes - thoroughly enjoyable :)
I love this series. Thanks for bringing Tim onto the show.
I will have to listen to this more than once. As a reminder.
This was a phenomenal conversation! I wish this would show up in everyone’s algorithm. Thank you for letting Tim speak.
The most important thinker of our age. In my humble opinion.
Haha
This is a wonderfully thought-provoking interview. I will take some of these ideas to heart.
He is an Aussie. He is a STAR!!!
🇦🇺🙂❤️
Thank you and congratulations to you both so very much for sharing this wonderfully articulated and inspirational interview with a truely non pretentious human who is shares his wisdoms and insights with grace. How privileged I feel to have listened to this podcast 🙏🏽 keep shining you glorious light Mr Tim Minchin ❤
It is because Tim IS an intelligent person that he has dropped social media. I stopped watching news years ago, much much happier for it. If it doesn't affect me directly I don't let it into my life.
The pleasure was ours as well, thank you.
I loved groundhog Day on Broadway. I was very sad when it closed. I thought it was a very charming and genius piece of musical theater
Such a cool guy, love listening to him share his reflections on so many different topics.
Great stuff, particularly what Tim says about where you get your news, and the ability to be kind to people who you disagree with.
"A metacognition overdrive". I have never heard this term and it absolutely resonates so hard!
Same thought here. He voiced what I mildly suspected I was alone in thinking.
Great name for a band
perth / new zealand / aussie are way closer than what anyone realises!! 💜💚🖤❤️ such a great listen
Great interview, and an evenly great insight into Tim's mind. He's such a gem. Thank you so much for sharing.
The hardest people to love , sometimes are the ones that need it the most !
I also don’t listen to the news, but I’d listen to Tim Minchin any time
The world is a far better place because of you, your influence extends well beyond those who you have met, entertained or worked with, it is the 2nd, 3rd & 4th degree of contact that have benefited from your direct contact with so many.
1000 times yes on doing all we can to be kind with folks that disagree or agree with us. I've been doing my utmost to interact with kindness in every encounter, especially since 2016. I've been called 'complicit' simply for being kind and sharing on social media about it. It's so important to me to seek to understand what's underneath a person's beliefs and behaviors. What are their lived experiences? What happened in their lives to create these beliefs?
Being kind and curious has opened up so many conversations and connecting across divides. Forever grateful. Doing my best to continue being kind.❤🤗
Great conversation. Tim is a gift.
Thank you for such a wonderful interview. It's always a pleasure to listen to Tim Minchin.
Great conversation. Tim Minchin has a world-class intellect. Thank you.
Tim you are absolutely fascinating! My brain just sparkles and rainbows listening to you.. so raw, real and authentic 🌟💛🌟
Tim how about your own destruction of other peoples reputations? How about a song entitled "Sorry Cardinal Pell"? The High Court of Australia QUASHED all the false accusations; not a "technicallity", read the findings. As for the Royal Commision, its own published evidence found Pell did not know of abuse by others, and that Catholic Institutions (providing most of the care facilities) were 3 TIMES SAFER per-capita than the non-Catholic Institutions. The Chief Commissioner Peter McClellan however, made concluding statements contrary to the Commisions own evidence. He wanted to give some pleasure to his political master (Julia Gillard) who gave him the paid gig. Anti-Catholicism has run deep in Australia since 1788.
2 great men I admire to bits, and they're together. Thank you Channel 4 for regularly producing real, meaningful material. The BBC should take more notes.
Thank you so much. Intelligence, empathy and so much more.
'Keeping arms as wide as possible' individually and societally .. yes Tim .. blessings.
The whole world needs a big loving hug. ❤️ Thank you Tim.
We can’t fix the climate but we can clean up ! We can Re-use reduce and properly recycle and just generally use less of everything.
"Take your canvas bags..." 😅
So good to hear your say these words, Tim. Thank you for so articulately echoing my feelings about the cultural influence of social media.
Thank you both for such a good interview.
WOW ! what an amazing interview. I am so impressed by Tim Minchin. I have seen him on TV clips and the like but hearing him express his thoughts so candidly and yet so carefully. We may yet have hope, if we listen!
Having watched Tim since his earliest gigs in the UK (250 seaters), his progression as a moral thinker for the world is a path I try to follow... And coming off the majority of social media is probably something I'll also do as a NY resolution.
But not Bluesky, I'll stay there.
Go Tim! Brilliant man!!!
Ground hog day is the best musical I’ve ever seen. Still listen to the last track. Don’t give up Tim!
And the “something something quantum quantum” is a real fav too
a GOOd human being, inspiring top bloke. Great full to have seen and heard him. 👍😎👍
How about Tims destruction of the reputation of other people? How about he write a song entitled "Sorry Cardinal Pell"? The High Court of Australia QUASHED all the false accusations; not a "technicallity", read the findings. As for the Royal Commision, its own published evidence found Pell did not know of abuse by others, and that Catholic Institutions (providing most of the care facilities) were 3 TIMES SAFER per-capita than the non-Catholic Institutions. The Chief Commissioner Peter McClellan however, made concluding statements contrary to the Commisions own evidence. He wanted to give some pleasure to his political master (Julia Gillard) who gave him the paid gig. Anti-Catholicism has run deep in Australia since 1788.
Tim you are a breath of fresh air,a brilliant mind,great singer pianist etc,etc,etc,etc.
Good old algorithm showing me what it thinks I will like. Spot on too. The irony isn't wasted on me, I just hope it's shared to others who aren't already in awe of Tim Minchin's wonderful self.
Thank you for posting this insightful interview.
Thank you Tim Minchin for articulating so well so many of the thoughts and ideas I have had
Thanks for this wonderful and thought-provoking interview.
Tim Minchin is the PERFECT guest
Love this discussion about curating your input. I live in Rwanda and I don't have a TV, newspaper or radio. I'm online a lot and enjoy social media but I curate it hard. I've somehow managed to avoid the toxicity and surround myself with people interested in books and ancient archaeology. The rest of the world might be on fire, and as a development worker I've seen that fire up close in the past, but my little, tiny compound - my corner of the world - is actually rather good right now. Life is good. And I know that if I plugged into 24-hour rolling news or engaged in a lot of these forums, it wouldn't feel good. And exactly as Mr Minchin said, I'd lose my agency. I'd get into a headspace that wouldn't help anyone. Not myself, not others. The downside is that I don't hear about world events until well after they've happened, like the war in Gaza and the fires in America. But I can't do anything about those. And that doesn't mean I don't care, and it doesn't mean I lack empathy. It's just a truth. I can do what I can do in my little world, and I do it better when I feel calm and connected to that world.
Tim Minchin you are a legend!! Keep doing your comedy shows because they are really good!!
The reason why I love tim so much is that thought about the feeling and thought about the tought about the feeling. The metacognition is something I do as well, and its amazing to listen to someone else who thinks the way you do and is so learned and so talented.