GRITtv: Interview with Chris Hedges (1/2)

[abbythericeeater]

in the video, around 3:30 what is the word he says after "personal"?

[deprogramr]

Chris Hedges is one of my favourite thinkers. It's like he can see the invisible strings on the puppets.

[blearyeyed09]

@deprogramr Yes he can!

[gracejijiji]

OMG! How I do admire this guy.

As what he says is not only true for America, but kind of general truths that are valid for the rest of the western world.

[zoziosawakening]

The moral greyness of modern wrestling (which as a phenomenon actually peaked about ten years ago, and is now in decline) is a different sort of catharsis to the days of the Iron Shiek and Hulk Hogan. Back then, the heroes were clear cut superheroes who always, always did the right thing. Nowadays, the heroes may falter, but that just means that the storylines have become about the power and possibility of redemption, rather than the 'might makes right' moral cautionary tales of the past.

[zoziosawakening]

In effect, wrestling in the past reflected a culture which believed it could do no wrong and would always be the hero. Nowadays, it reflects a culture which understands its transgressions and seeks atonement. Is that so wrong? Moral relativism is not a rejection of morality. It's simply a willingness to reappraise oneself and one's own standards. To paraphrase Oscar Wilde, wrestling may be in the gutter by the standards of other entertainment forms, but at least it's looking at the stars.

[southsydney]

"we all have gods..."

that martin luther quote is particularly pertinent when we consider ideology and culture in general. we know theyre irrational entities and institutions yet we still apply some level of sacredness to them. i guess it's because we, again, irrationally believe that they provide a sense of meaning or identity. i dunno, just some musings. feel free to reply on your thoughts. <3

[orbis2009]

Many on the political Left rightly bemoan the loss of genuine democracy in our political context in this nation. Certainly the powers are loathe to consult the people in direct referenda about the timely issues of the day. But would The Left ACCEPT the result of genuine referendums if, say, a majority of the people in the nation voted directly to ban abortion? or would they cry fascism & whine to the Black Robes to overturn the majority? What then becomes of their  alleged love for democracy?

[bapyou]

@orbis2009 "would The Left ACCEPT the result of genuine referendums . . . ?"

I want a referendum on the Supreme Court decision on campaign funding by corporations. Think we'll get one? Does that decision reflect a "love for democracy" by the right-wing judges who ratified it into law?

The righty wing are the SCUM of the Earth supporting fascist dictatorships abroad & the dissolution of the American economy & abandonment of the working class. Scum. No other word is sufficient.

[orbis2009]

@bapyou Many, many, many wars were begun and executed by Democrats. Even Bush's wars are being carried on through Democrat Barack Obama. A pox on both their houses. The greatest mass murderers of the 20th century---who made Hitler himself look like an amateur---were those great fathers of the Left, Mao and Uncle Joe Stalin. Between these two men alone over 100 MILLION human beings were directly exterminated. Learn a little history fella.

[bapyou]

@orbis2009 "many wars were begun and executed by Democrats"

And your point is?

"The greatest mass murderers of the 20th century"

Put Ronald Reagan on that list. A man whose paranoid anti-commie fantasies prompted him to fund the murder of 100s of 1000s of illiterate Central American peasants.

Mao and Stalin? Don't forget the Crusades, which mean what with respect to Christianity?

Come to my house. I'll slap you fucking silly, you low-watt cretin.

[xexixk]

@orbis2009 How about this. When it comes to Republicans and Democrats, there really isn't that much difference between the two. Just different sides of the same coin. Both are corrupt, under the control of corporate and other special interests. Most of the fighting we see between law makers on TV is just show for our benefit to create the illusion that there is opposition. It's like wrestling, all fake for our entertainment only.

[deckard43]

He speaks in general ideas.. please give us something we have not heard a thousand before..Tthis is the oldest generalized rants I have ever heard in years. If this was supposed to be ground breaking please read a book for christ sake!

[AndrewMann552]

The people being hostile to Hedges are probably just rattled because they know what the guy is saying is true.

Empire Of Illusion is a powerful dissection of how our current society is actually living, thinking and dying.

[definemaybe]

did he die?

[jacobins3000]

Oh noes, the moral foundation of professional wrestling is breaking down, moral relativism has taken over the WWE, it wont be long before unnecessary violence breaks out.

This guy is a fucking joke.

[jacobins3000]

OH boo hoo, no more thrift and self sacrafice. What a tragedy. What is this ass bitching about now? We don't worship celebraties as gods, we watch their stupid movies and T.V shows when we have nothing better to do, then we laugh at them when they get into some retarded scandal. I dont see the problem.

[aitch3]

I am currently reading this book.

[NassimHarameinVedas]

Empire of Illusion . . . best book title ever lol

Especially when describing the US of Inc. which is the capital state of Maya (Illusion).

Too bad Chris Hedges doesn't put this all together and realize these memes and themes are only vehicles of control for the corporations that in turn are vehicles of control for the Secret Societies like the Illuminati/Freemasons etc which in turn are vehicles for the Global 300, the owning banking elite puppet masters who in turn are vehicles of off planet -

[PersianPaladin]

Chris Hedges is an articulate and intelligent person. I value his insight, even if I don't agree with some of his views.

[RandomSpewBros]

I disagree with this stupit git. I can't believe I wasted my time listening to him. I need to spend some time masturbating to Hannah Montana now. Bye!

[looneyGz]

Susan did not win it!!!

[vinkata]

The problem of US today is the lack of common sense. These are well known facts around the world only in US they believe in "ghosts" :)

[Chancellor521]

lol

[ViorelSlasomeanu]

Hail to the man who bursts the bubble of Panem et circenses.

[lumpagogo]

It's always been amor sut et ludus. Hedges employs the puerile technique of generalization from one or two examples. There's nothing new here. Hedges is saying: 'Don't look at the other guys, look at me'. And, OMG, it's simple projection (doing what the other loudmouths are accused of doing).

[bigollameo]

Well said!

[PeterSodhi]

Boyle lost Britan's got talent...

[rajasmasala]

haha.clearly a bad day.

[LaVandaNoir]

Similar to Pascal Brucner's ideas.

[thepigabitcha]

This is a very insightful report.

Thank you.