The moderator should of shut his stupid mouth up. The worst MODERATOR I have listened to in years. Sam & Hedges are the speakers you old ego spilling big mouth. Last time I listen to TRUTHDIG with this stupid moderator.
There are extremists in every religion. It doesn't matter if they are educated or not. It just seems that there are many more Islamic extremists then there are Christian.
Fortunately, with the spread of hardline Islam in many parts of the U.S., fewer people are buying Chris Hedges's views. I went to the mall yesterday in Orange County. Easily 1/3 of the women were in hijab of some sort.
It's tough to listen to the participants being so rude. I mean just watch, Harris and Hedges interrupt the moderator time after time! They actually spoke almost as much as he did! I'm not sure the moderator was allowed to express all that he wanted to say!
@holzpusher You got it reversed, the moderator is not a participant. It is a discussion between Harris and Hedges, not a three way chat over a dinner table.
@AGrandt Hey I think it's illegal to say you're sorry. This is the internet -- we're supposed to be calling eachother's mothers filthy names at this point (no matter that we really have no dispute). Anyway, the point is, that "moderator" is a jerk!
The annoying intrusiveness of the moderator actually raises the stakes of the debate - giving Sam Harris a chance to elaborate further on key points. Everything Harris says about Islam is true but the big elephant in the room regarding the sudden dangerous rise of Islamic radicalism is the west fucking around in Muslim lands since oil was discovered there. This new threat cannot be explained merely by the presence of Islam which has been around forever. The big elephant explains it all.
The moderator interrupted the Eucharist "cracker" point because he felt that tingling sensation that something sacred was being attacked. Something holy. It was hilariously predictable that he was going to interrupt there.
The whole point of Harris's message is to talk honestly about these things. But as soon as anyone starts, if mainstream religion - and its many and varied absurd rituals - is made to sound like what it actually is: NONSENSE, well, then people shit bricks and cover their ears.
The ability of Harris to sit back and listen to the incoherent ramblings of these two is truly amazing. This really is his greatest talent, he lets his opponents say make their full argument without interruption then follows with a logical response. If only his opponents would do the same.
Asking what is triggering the violent and outrageous reactions from the religious (especially the muslims) as a mean to prevent it, is to blame the triggers (like free speach, and womens rights) for the crimes of the religious.
Wake up and stand up to those threatening you, don't blame the ones that get attacked by these same people.
@neuromatiker except free speech and women's rights are not the main triggers of militant islam. it is in fact more likely triggered by the fact that the U.S. illegally invades numerous muslim countries and supports numerous despotic regimes in the muslim world. if you think we non-muslims are the main victims today, you've got blinders on.
@Drgamedood Yeah I guess you're right. Naziism was a reaction to external political and economic forces which incited and manipulated generally good people who were disenfranchised into doing violent things. It still boils down to politics dictating ideological responses. But hey, you're the Doctor. To be fair, I agree that Islam is a terrible thing. We can only affect the things we have control over, so lets take out at least one factor that makes these people angry - american foreign policy
@johnpotter26 Yes, politics was a factor in the rise of nazism. But the very belief in nazism itself led to the holocaust. Nazism was a belief system that promoted anti-semitism and violent actions. oh wait, but let's not condemn the belief system because of a few extremists. I mean most nazi germans were unaware of the concentration camps, and who are we to say that nazism is wrong when nazi parents love their children and don't take nazism that seriously.......this is what islam apologists do.
@johnpotter26 and most muslim extremists grow up in middle class homes, receive college education, and are never suffer the abuse of american foreign policy. The 9/11 hijackers are a great example of this. So it's not politics, economics, or social issues. It's religion.
@Drgamedood "most muslim extremists grow up in middle class homes, receive college education [etc] . . . "
Hedges addresses this in the previous part of this video. Hedges brings knowledge and experience to bear in his arguments that Harris just does not have or cannot debate against effectively. I find his arguments one-dimensional and narrow in focus. On the other hand Hedges' arguments are expansive and deeply informed by history and his personal experience.
@bapyou //Hedges addresses this in the previous part of this video.//
No he doesn't. He completely ignores this argument that Sam brings up, and continues to assert that politics, socio-economics, and education are the problem despite Sam having proven those assertions to be false.
@Drgamedood Sorry, Hedges does address these issues in the previous part of the video in a very nuanced way. Hedges' first-hand experience in the Middle East as NYT bureau chief far outwieghs Harris' philospohical "position." Hedges knows the ME and Arab culture. He's lived in it with access to aspects of Arab life which for Harris are mere abstractions. I may agree with Harris on many points, but he's simply out of his depth here. Hedges brings far more to the conversation than does Harris.
The Moderator is siding with the argument that is at a big disadvantage in order to make it balanced, that's the job of a moderator. That's the only thing I can think of to explain his behaviour.
I love at 6:00 how he slides back in his chair and drinks his water with a smile on his face, after the moderator feels like he is making too light of this!
@Embrigh Yes, the moderate, peace loving Nazis have been slandered by the actions of Hitler and his goons. Nazism is an ideology of peace, the killing of Jews came only from a fundamentalist interpretation of it.
I kind of wish Sam Harris was capable of being more of an asshole in a situation like this. He should have called out the moderator with a sly comment.
The "Moderator" does not understand the troubles at all (Northern Ireland). I invite him to visit South Amagh and tell the people there how he understands their conflict and how they feel. He can do this to both the Catholic and Protestant communities by climbing on top of the 20 foot barbed wired wall that separates them - whilst dodging the bricks and petrol bombs they still throw at each other to this day.
Two against one (well the two waffle but still) and Sam takes them both down with ease. I do wish the moderator would moderate but Sam gets two smack downs for the price of one. Just shows how strong is point is. Besides Chris needs all the help he can get
Why is the moderator talking? He is an idiot and there is a reason that he is only the moderator and not being paid to debate. Someone needs to shut him up.
I actually like the fact the moderator is also taking issue with Sam... This means we get to watch Sam smack HIM down also. This is Sam's full time job in life. Smacking people down... how ever many you throw at him, he'll just keeping smacking them down - like the hero in a martial-arts Zombie movie! :))
why does the moderator keep bringing up ni when it's a great example of nationalism mixed with religious sectarianism that has existed for 300yrs and will exist unless the religion goes. it's not always violent buts its there.the fact remains ni is a protestant country and the republic is a catholic country
The teaching of 'moderate' religion to kids only sets them up, later in life, _IF_ they become unstable and disillusioned enough with their situation, to be swayed by the more radical religious 'preachers'.
If you're brought up with the 'good', easily swallowed lessons from a holy book, then you are way more likely to swallow the absolutely ludicrous, racist bullshit that the more radical verses in these books espouse.
Teach our kids the horrible stuff first, and see if they buy it.
This is one of the few debates in which I have clearly support one opponent over another, and after watching most it now agree with both of the debaters in different ways. I came into this agreeing with Sam harries and ended up disagreeing with him as much as Chris Hedges. Very good debate, I think religion is a major problem but I agree with Chris in his argument that poverty, isolation and identity are another problem.
Hahaha, wow, Sam is really trouncing these fuckers. Those two points in a row. Wow, I am shocked how well he can just toss out truly concise replies, one after another, almost effortlessly and certainly humorously.
The moderator has had to take the debate over because Hedges is left completely impotent. Now I know why he went on the hour and started trashing Harris and Hitchens. He was put to shame. Badly.
@countertreason I didnt see that at all, in fact I see chris doing very well. at first he really ignored sams argument and went off of a very stupid tangent about how god is love and knowledge and the life force bla bla bla. But in the rest of the debate I believe he made his points very clear and well concieved. He actually changed my opinion of sam a little, and I now agree with some of what chris was saying. I didnt know sam was so militaristic.
@thesparitan Well, obviously I disagree. And Hedges shameful behavior after this debate and his obsession with trashing Harris seems to me a fact that falls easily in line with my point of view and inexplicable from your point of view.
See, if Hedges felt impotent during this argument, he will expend future efforts to regain his honor; he lost face and now so he redoubles his efforts.
For you, its odd. Harris never thinks again of Hedges and Hedges thinks about Harris. Who felt more secure?
@countertreason What are you talking about, you totally lost me. Well they both did good because I learned from them both so whatever it doesnt matter.
Seriously. This is ridiculous. Apparently the moderator doesn't know what his job is. His various rants throughout this debate sure as hell had better not have come out of Sam's time, because that's some bullshit right there.
I still think Harris is guily of SEVERE oversimplification about political issues, but this part of the debate shows that one should never book a debate wherin one debater and the moderator work for the SAME magazine, (which also sponsored the event). Of course Scheer sucks as a moderator. The question is why Sam agreed to walk facefirst into a wall. BTW, a funny and creative strawman argument (Sam whips one out at 4.00) is a strawman nonetheless. (even if i did LOL)
Sheer is a moderator and he doesn't allow one side to "discuss". He doesn't allow Harris to answer charges and statements but redirects and takes up massive amounts of time with his own opinions. He shouldn't be a "third party" he should be a moderator.
The moderator is misusing the "begging the question" figure of speech.
It's annoying because he does it like 5 times throughout his Hedges-bong-smoke-sharing-kiss-fest.
Harris isn't using a circular argument of "Muslims blow shit up because they are Muslims." He clearly points to the religious texts as their motivation, and openly acknowledges the moderate Muslims as a separate entity.
The answer to the moderator's question, which Harris didn't seem to touch on, is the promises religion makes. Religion promises light to those in the dark. Religion promises happiness to those who are sad. Naturally, when life gets rough, people are going to turn to something to lean on, here enters religion. When things are going well, religion is needed less. That's why you see it pop up in areas that have degraded living conditions.
Is this a debate between Harris and (Hedges and the Moderator)?
Gallus your right
These two are more dangerous and that is one of the overall things that Harris likes to argue is that Moderates and apologetics are the ones who argue peace and love but protect fundamentalists. Moderates are intellectually dishonest. Were the people of the inquisition bad christians They were great ones. Who here wants to be a suicide bomb if your not convinced of a flock of dark eyed virgins awaiting
the moderator thinks ignoring Harris' explanation means he didn't give one.The little turd and his bum-chum hedges just cant help themselves.Not all Muslims are extreme but if they were to declare themselves jihadists with the intent of exterminating all other faiths, these 2 wankers would still find a defence.The irony is they have more to lose than most. When the West finally commits suicide, i can grow a beard, grab a few extra wives and get on with it,while these 2 and their ilk are toast
WHO CARES WHAT TIME A CERTAIN RELIGION TAKES HOLD... THE POINT IS THAT IT IS DANGEROUS... stupid fucking moderating... seriously that question has no value... sounds like they're both just defending Islam 'cause they got offended... get out of here
an even better nazi analogy harris could have made to what his opponents are arguing would be: it's not nazism, but the Treaty of Versailles that made people poor, and who then embraced nazism. The analogy is better because while it's true that one needs the other, what Hedges ignores (and Harris ignores from his side a bit to be fair) is that in issues like these you need all the ingredients. But to say the PHILOSOPHY of nazism in that example is not relevant, is not honest.
...good fun? seems like he's discrediting sam's points just because they're humorous. but religion is humorous and deserving of ridicule. fuck this moderator
Ridiculous, the fact is Harris refuses to answer the moderator question which only stresses the point already made by Hedges. The audience senses that as well, that's why Harris was called off on his preposterous comparison between an ideology and a religion.
Huh ? Any real schizophrenic can manage Jesus and Napoleon in the same person.
And if it wasn't preposterous to compare an ideology and religion why would most modern and apparently democratic states insist in a separation between the two ?
"Any real schizophrenic can manage Jesus and Napolean in the same person"
And? Are you just a fool?
Was this actually intended as a retort?
Not only have you not on the least answered my questions, you actually seem -with astonishingly obtuse inadvertence- to have confirmed my point, even if obliquely.
"Most modern and apparently democratic states..."
That's very cute. The United States is in fact the ONLY country with an express legal separation of Church and state.
Bollocks, separation of church and state exists in most European states, maybe not in a cute paper written hundreds of years ago by same slave masters but it does exist in real life, where it matters most.
Hardly none of the prime ministers in Europe has to lie about their religious orientation in order to be elected. Guess you can't say the same about the USA, where any of the mainstream politicians has to go to bloody church every Sunday.
If a schizophrenic can be both that only further invalidates your point that ideology and religion are separate.
They both represent belief without reason to believe, and they both lead to actions based on the belief that carry very negative and in some cases world ending consequences.
Hedges seems to think that just the fact that he lived among muslims for a while gives his opinion more creedence. When in reality it seems to have made his opinion biased.
Well the good news is that in the next segment the audience has finally had enough and yells at the chairman to sit down and STFU! :p Easily the most entertaining point of this entire series.
Harris is doing fine of course, but there's not really any new ground covered here, he doesn't get a chance to do much except keep shooting down their weak arguments (and non-arguments, like Hedges saying "I've lived there!" - what a douche).
Harris shines sometimes, but he's not challenged enough here.
@PurushaDesa While I would agree with you that the moderator should pipe down, I find his points more compelling an argument than what Hedges was offering. So I really don't mind. It's making for an interesting discussion.
@PurushaDesa Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's wrapped up somewhere in the root word of "moderator" ... to moderate. This guy eats up half the time telling us what he thinks instead of facilitating the conversation between the debaters. He speaks, all totaled, about as much as the debaters do. It's just bad.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Harris' "philosophy," if you can call his myopic ill-informed smarmy mouth farts a philosophy, is essentially; "if you give people guns they will probably kill someone else" and he uses whatever bullshit polls to support this bullshit view.
Harris "philosophy" -and indeed I see not the slightest reason one may not call it that- is essentially: "Religion obstructs the solution of various soluble problems -and indeed exacerbates them- by degrading the epistemic fabric of society -and therefore civilization itself- with rigid dogmas and the acid fog of obfuscation, and affords a pretext for divisive in group/ out group morality that is uniquely pernicious because it is uniquely held exempt from criticism and erects barriers...
... between that are uniquely believed to be of eternal cosmic significance." Your nebulous paraphrase not only forms no shape at all that even partially overlaps Sam's actual thesis, it is entirely unintelligible, at least to me. I have no idea what you're even talking about.
Polymath7, you mention the in group/out group morality. That is a nuance Hedges brings up. Harris misses this. He says "yeah [with a tone that shows he agrees with Hedges but has nothing more to say] we have to out grow nationalism and racism and tribalism"
"outgrow" it's around 3mins in. it's so nonchalant and pompous. he's a major douche.
But he follows that with a smarmy mouth fart about nazi's. Which makes no sense and is a meaningless pitch to gain traction for his bankrupt ideas.
The part to which you refer is not in this video, and I'm not going to hunt for it.
You remain incoherent, and it is rapidly becoming apparent you are insufficiently intelligent to be worth talking to at length (how's that for smarmy?).
Just for fun, why don't you tell me exactly what is wrong with Sam's Nazi analogy, without simply rephrasing your assertion?
indoctrination is in all religious beliefs carried out by half-witted sanctimonious epeolatric tosspots and housewives intent on keeping domestic order ...on mass it has serious consequences mainly the annihilation of FELLOW human beings ..if there are such creatures.....
worst moderator ever. Harris is marching up and down the field and colonel Sanders in the middle takes 10 minutes between speakers to spout off about his mindless retarded ideas. Who the fuck cares what you think Father Time, your name isnt in the headline.
I'm sure Robert Scheer is a nice guy. Even so, his impertinance (given that he has the balls to appear under he pretense that he's simply the moderator) is so beyond the pail it makes the baser part of me want to grab a hand full of his hair and vigorously rub a cheese-grater across his goddamn face.
Sheesh.
Douchebaggery at this level has to be practiced and honed.
If Sheer wants to take part in the debate, that is of course perfectly fine, but he needs to identify himelf as a participant rather than appearing under the absurd pretense that he is simply the moderator.
What a fucking douche.
If I bump into him at a cocktail party and am unable to supress my urge to kick him squarely in the balls (as may very well happen -wear a cup, Rob) will my atheism have been a factor ?
"Sam, the problem is not Nazism: it's extremist Nazism."
Ha ha, that was a great analogy, so true, yet it also made me laugh out loud. Harris has a great sense of humour, the kind of dry wit you need in this kind of debate.
Harris just kicks ass, Chris Hedges keeps playing different cards to solicite emotional sympathy (racism anyone?) along with the moderator (we dropped the a-bomb they didn't) as opposed to using logical argument as Harris does.
harris has alot of very valid points... i don't think he really gets them across tho. Unfortunately he's not a great debator. But pinning him two against one, isn't exacty fair. And hedges doesn't seem- did someone just shout out from the audience?!! Hedges doesn't seem to understand the difference between faith and religion....
I wish someone would kill the moderator, does that make me as bad as a jihad muslim?
orbital92hotmail 2 days ago
weak nazi argument, how does nazi'ism at all relate to islam? they are NOTHING alike
dvzqz87 1 month ago
@dvzqz87 it was compared in principle.
orbital92hotmail 2 days ago
Moderator duz not moderate.
Joeofiowa 4 months ago
The moderator should of shut his stupid mouth up. The worst MODERATOR I have listened to in years. Sam & Hedges are the speakers you old ego spilling big mouth. Last time I listen to TRUTHDIG with this stupid moderator.
wslandry 4 months ago 4
This moderator is annoying. He's not moderating, he's taking part in the debate.
Strike2k2 5 months ago 2
CRACKERS...HEHE!
bovinicide 5 months ago
There are extremists in every religion. It doesn't matter if they are educated or not. It just seems that there are many more Islamic extremists then there are Christian.
izzo31 5 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@izzo31 "there are many more Islamic extremists then there are Christian."
Tell that to George Bush and Eric Prince and much of the Sixth Army.
bapyou 3 months ago in playlist CHRIS HEDGES
I love how Hedges and Scheer focus on the narrow question of suicide bombing while totally ignoring the whole subjugation of women issue.
pentopia 5 months ago 4
Fortunately, with the spread of hardline Islam in many parts of the U.S., fewer people are buying Chris Hedges's views. I went to the mall yesterday in Orange County. Easily 1/3 of the women were in hijab of some sort.
hominuslupus 6 months ago 2
@hominuslupus Maybe they were ugly.
DaToNyOyO 4 months ago
Gotta love that nazi argument, it's a killer.
lalaurentide 6 months ago 2
"cracker eating behaviour" FTW!
billygutter01 6 months ago
The moderator breaks the primary rule for moderators, he participates in, and interrupts the discussion. His role is to MODERATE.
AGrandt 6 months ago
It's tough to listen to the participants being so rude. I mean just watch, Harris and Hedges interrupt the moderator time after time! They actually spoke almost as much as he did! I'm not sure the moderator was allowed to express all that he wanted to say!
holzpusher 6 months ago
@holzpusher You got it reversed, the moderator is not a participant. It is a discussion between Harris and Hedges, not a three way chat over a dinner table.
AGrandt 6 months ago
@AGrandt I was being sarcastic.
holzpusher 6 months ago
@holzpusher I've never been really good with written satire. Sorry.
AGrandt 6 months ago
@AGrandt Hey I think it's illegal to say you're sorry. This is the internet -- we're supposed to be calling eachother's mothers filthy names at this point (no matter that we really have no dispute). Anyway, the point is, that "moderator" is a jerk!
holzpusher 5 months ago 2
@holzpusher He he, Interesting point that we _have_ to be jerks on the internet :)
Sadly, in reality, far too many are.
AGrandt 5 months ago
Wow what is wrong with the youtubers here? Sooo aggressive... Keep it calm and rational, guys oO
andimuellersc 6 months ago
Comment removed
andimuellersc 6 months ago
If I was Sam, I'd have gotten up and walked off when the moderator started lecturing me.
gwcstudio 6 months ago
67pc want Islamisation of society (The Nation, June 01, 2011)
Pakistan: Growing Concerns... (PEW, August 13, 2009)
78% favour death for those who leave Islam;
80% favour whippings and cutting off hands for crimes like theft and robbery;
83% favour stoning adulterers.
Wrath0fKhan 6 months ago
The annoying intrusiveness of the moderator actually raises the stakes of the debate - giving Sam Harris a chance to elaborate further on key points. Everything Harris says about Islam is true but the big elephant in the room regarding the sudden dangerous rise of Islamic radicalism is the west fucking around in Muslim lands since oil was discovered there. This new threat cannot be explained merely by the presence of Islam which has been around forever. The big elephant explains it all.
CribNotes 6 months ago
love you sammy boy :D
freiheitsalv 6 months ago
Moderator doesn't even know what "begging the question" means.
FreeInquisition 6 months ago 2
The moderator interrupted the Eucharist "cracker" point because he felt that tingling sensation that something sacred was being attacked. Something holy. It was hilariously predictable that he was going to interrupt there.
The whole point of Harris's message is to talk honestly about these things. But as soon as anyone starts, if mainstream religion - and its many and varied absurd rituals - is made to sound like what it actually is: NONSENSE, well, then people shit bricks and cover their ears.
UnitedKingdomify 6 months ago
The moderator is an unbelievable idiot. Try to skip over as much of his babbling as you can.
TheRoncaldwell 6 months ago 3
I could listen to Sam Harris speak all day. He is damn funny too.
Cascadia191 6 months ago 3
I thought this was billed as a debate between Harris and Hodges?
denisasitis 6 months ago 3
WHAT A POMPOUS DOUCHEBAG MODERATOR!
frokenstein 6 months ago 9
3:27 - 4:32 Sam has balls of steel.
neonatalpenguin 6 months ago 4
Moderator: "Just to join the argument..." 0:50
Are you SERIOUS? You are supposed to MODERATE the argument. What purpose does moderator who fails to moderate have in a debate?
iansaidhi 6 months ago 4
The ability of Harris to sit back and listen to the incoherent ramblings of these two is truly amazing. This really is his greatest talent, he lets his opponents say make their full argument without interruption then follows with a logical response. If only his opponents would do the same.
bowen114 6 months ago 6
I don't mind a biased moderator. I mind a moderator that wont stfu. People didn't pay to see him talk.
casperov 8 months ago 2
Asking what is triggering the violent and outrageous reactions from the religious (especially the muslims) as a mean to prevent it, is to blame the triggers (like free speach, and womens rights) for the crimes of the religious.
Wake up and stand up to those threatening you, don't blame the ones that get attacked by these same people.
neuromatiker 10 months ago
@neuromatiker except free speech and women's rights are not the main triggers of militant islam. it is in fact more likely triggered by the fact that the U.S. illegally invades numerous muslim countries and supports numerous despotic regimes in the muslim world. if you think we non-muslims are the main victims today, you've got blinders on.
fromis111 7 months ago
anyone else absolutly love Sams tone?
its so subtle from his normal voice but absolutely soaked in derision
wwyd4akb 10 months ago 5
Sam Harris is a hero
northoforacle 10 months ago 3
The moderator isn't moderate...
JoshWiniberg 11 months ago
I love Sam....he is just awesome in so many ways!!!!
tulipsontheorgan 11 months ago
Moderator: "Just to join the argument..."
....uh, fail?
hamarmbonanza 11 months ago
Sam Harris should stay away from politics. I think its scary he sides with Alan Dershowitz. Moderator needs to shut up also.
Can Harris please blame the Middle East terrorism on who people who perpetuate it (USA)? The way he blames Islam so much troubles me.
Also his Nazi strawman is inaccurate
johnpotter26 11 months ago
@johnpotter26 nope, his nazi strawman was very accurate. ur just mad he pwned ur politically correct ass.
Drgamedood 11 months ago
@Drgamedood Yeah I guess you're right. Naziism was a reaction to external political and economic forces which incited and manipulated generally good people who were disenfranchised into doing violent things. It still boils down to politics dictating ideological responses. But hey, you're the Doctor. To be fair, I agree that Islam is a terrible thing. We can only affect the things we have control over, so lets take out at least one factor that makes these people angry - american foreign policy
johnpotter26 11 months ago
@johnpotter26 Yes, politics was a factor in the rise of nazism. But the very belief in nazism itself led to the holocaust. Nazism was a belief system that promoted anti-semitism and violent actions. oh wait, but let's not condemn the belief system because of a few extremists. I mean most nazi germans were unaware of the concentration camps, and who are we to say that nazism is wrong when nazi parents love their children and don't take nazism that seriously.......this is what islam apologists do.
Drgamedood 11 months ago 4
@johnpotter26 and most muslim extremists grow up in middle class homes, receive college education, and are never suffer the abuse of american foreign policy. The 9/11 hijackers are a great example of this. So it's not politics, economics, or social issues. It's religion.
Drgamedood 11 months ago
@Drgamedood "most muslim extremists grow up in middle class homes, receive college education [etc] . . . "
Hedges addresses this in the previous part of this video. Hedges brings knowledge and experience to bear in his arguments that Harris just does not have or cannot debate against effectively. I find his arguments one-dimensional and narrow in focus. On the other hand Hedges' arguments are expansive and deeply informed by history and his personal experience.
bapyou 10 months ago
@bapyou //Hedges addresses this in the previous part of this video.//
No he doesn't. He completely ignores this argument that Sam brings up, and continues to assert that politics, socio-economics, and education are the problem despite Sam having proven those assertions to be false.
Drgamedood 10 months ago
@Drgamedood Sorry, Hedges does address these issues in the previous part of the video in a very nuanced way. Hedges' first-hand experience in the Middle East as NYT bureau chief far outwieghs Harris' philospohical "position." Hedges knows the ME and Arab culture. He's lived in it with access to aspects of Arab life which for Harris are mere abstractions. I may agree with Harris on many points, but he's simply out of his depth here. Hedges brings far more to the conversation than does Harris.
bapyou 10 months ago
Sam Harris should stay away from politics. I think its scary he sides with Alan Dershowitz
johnpotter26 11 months ago
Sam dropped the bomb on both of them at 5 min... lol BOOM...
UnizzyMD 11 months ago
whats up with all the retards having a problem with a moderator? he've had relevant points throughout the conversation..
RipTheJackR 11 months ago
The Moderator is siding with the argument that is at a big disadvantage in order to make it balanced, that's the job of a moderator. That's the only thing I can think of to explain his behaviour.
Nemesis000000 11 months ago
I love at 6:00 how he slides back in his chair and drinks his water with a smile on his face, after the moderator feels like he is making too light of this!
SEXY! :) :)
dweeper1020 11 months ago
Damn those extremist Nazis, ruining it for everyone.
Embrigh 11 months ago
@Embrigh Yes, the moderate, peace loving Nazis have been slandered by the actions of Hitler and his goons. Nazism is an ideology of peace, the killing of Jews came only from a fundamentalist interpretation of it.
Nemesis000000 11 months ago
I kind of wish Sam Harris was capable of being more of an asshole in a situation like this. He should have called out the moderator with a sly comment.
memoryburn7 11 months ago
That cunt moderator needs to shut up.
dpknowleseaglese25 11 months ago 3
moderator? i mean wtf, he is debating here not moderating. wtf?
skaloon 1 year ago 4
5:40 "This is just cracker eating behavior" I literally laughed out loud. We need more comedy (sam) less religious nut and moderator.
ShipMonster 1 year ago 2
dressed up, smooth talking, hate speech. Very dangerous...
universalpax 1 year ago
all sam was saying was that some action might be needed because we cant allow some religious nutjob to nuke a city...
13stevejohnson 1 year ago 2
I loved the nazi analogy. it completely destroyed the apologist defense of islam.
ThatGuyWhoSucksBoobz 1 year ago
This is a very fair and balanced debate! The speakers are given so much freedom! Great job moderator! :D
Wait, Chis Hedges is the moderator right? <:O
AnotherMasterMind 1 year ago 4
The "Moderator" does not understand the troubles at all (Northern Ireland). I invite him to visit South Amagh and tell the people there how he understands their conflict and how they feel. He can do this to both the Catholic and Protestant communities by climbing on top of the 20 foot barbed wired wall that separates them - whilst dodging the bricks and petrol bombs they still throw at each other to this day.
manchesterfellow 1 year ago
somebody stuff the moderates mouth with crackers please
eahazell 1 year ago
and who is that idiot in the audience the parallel between religion and Nazism was a valid one.."Kill that guy and put him in an airlock" Red Tallest
eahazell 1 year ago
Two against one (well the two waffle but still) and Sam takes them both down with ease. I do wish the moderator would moderate but Sam gets two smack downs for the price of one. Just shows how strong is point is. Besides Chris needs all the help he can get
eahazell 1 year ago
Why is the moderator talking? He is an idiot and there is a reason that he is only the moderator and not being paid to debate. Someone needs to shut him up.
sing1995 1 year ago 3
Sam should have his own stand up show, his Hitlerism and Catholicism analogies are very good and funny.
FlakMeister 1 year ago 5
read the koran. violence is not a perversion of it. peace is.
manonthemount 1 year ago 4
I actually like the fact the moderator is also taking issue with Sam... This means we get to watch Sam smack HIM down also. This is Sam's full time job in life. Smacking people down... how ever many you throw at him, he'll just keeping smacking them down - like the hero in a martial-arts Zombie movie! :))
MrDarkbloom 1 year ago 26
"Now Sam, while this may be good fun, you have to.." Shut up old man - you ruined this debate.
ryanruns 1 year ago 3
Fucking moderator, SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's almost unbearable to watch.
c0rp53f4c3 1 year ago 3
why does the moderator keep bringing up ni when it's a great example of nationalism mixed with religious sectarianism that has existed for 300yrs and will exist unless the religion goes. it's not always violent buts its there.the fact remains ni is a protestant country and the republic is a catholic country
johnnyd101 1 year ago
Harris is pretty funny.
Pacinofan78 1 year ago
Sam, you need to take a lesson from hitchens. hitchens never gets spoken over.
voodoocigam 1 year ago
This moderator say's he doesn't want to do something, such as "beg the question" yet he does. Continuously.
4GMaio 1 year ago
cracker-eating behavior... haha
xoloxum 1 year ago
shearer should have been taken out by a sniper about 5 minutes into this "so called" debate. he has defiled the whole event.
noodoo19 1 year ago
the cracker comment by sam was awesome!
LauraKathleen05 1 year ago
Sam just wins.
astrothwins 1 year ago
Oh my god, shut up Rob Shearer. Your point is dumb and you simply haven't noticed that Sam refuted it.
jodiebug1 1 year ago
The teaching of 'moderate' religion to kids only sets them up, later in life, _IF_ they become unstable and disillusioned enough with their situation, to be swayed by the more radical religious 'preachers'.
If you're brought up with the 'good', easily swallowed lessons from a holy book, then you are way more likely to swallow the absolutely ludicrous, racist bullshit that the more radical verses in these books espouse.
Teach our kids the horrible stuff first, and see if they buy it.
ThePassiveFist 1 year ago
Moderator... SHUT YOUR FUCKING MOUTH!!!!
YOU'RE AN IDIOT AND I DON'T WANT TO HEAR WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY!!!
Sam Harris was trying to make a point in defense of what the other guy was saying and you interrupted him.
SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Quellers 1 year ago 82
This is one of the few debates in which I have clearly support one opponent over another, and after watching most it now agree with both of the debaters in different ways. I came into this agreeing with Sam harries and ended up disagreeing with him as much as Chris Hedges. Very good debate, I think religion is a major problem but I agree with Chris in his argument that poverty, isolation and identity are another problem.
thesparitan 1 year ago
Why are you all complaining about the moderator when you actually get to see Harris destroy them both combined.
fos4242 1 year ago
This is supposed to be a DEBATE not a goddamn discussion. This moderator is getting on my last nerve!
aburling7 1 year ago
Scheer shouldn't have been the moderator there!
Whyisthat101 1 year ago
damn u scheer
mittROMNEY666 1 year ago
Hahaha, wow, Sam is really trouncing these fuckers. Those two points in a row. Wow, I am shocked how well he can just toss out truly concise replies, one after another, almost effortlessly and certainly humorously.
The moderator has had to take the debate over because Hedges is left completely impotent. Now I know why he went on the hour and started trashing Harris and Hitchens. He was put to shame. Badly.
countertreason 1 year ago
@countertreason I didnt see that at all, in fact I see chris doing very well. at first he really ignored sams argument and went off of a very stupid tangent about how god is love and knowledge and the life force bla bla bla. But in the rest of the debate I believe he made his points very clear and well concieved. He actually changed my opinion of sam a little, and I now agree with some of what chris was saying. I didnt know sam was so militaristic.
thesparitan 1 year ago
@thesparitan Well, obviously I disagree. And Hedges shameful behavior after this debate and his obsession with trashing Harris seems to me a fact that falls easily in line with my point of view and inexplicable from your point of view.
See, if Hedges felt impotent during this argument, he will expend future efforts to regain his honor; he lost face and now so he redoubles his efforts.
For you, its odd. Harris never thinks again of Hedges and Hedges thinks about Harris. Who felt more secure?
countertreason 1 year ago
@countertreason What are you talking about, you totally lost me. Well they both did good because I learned from them both so whatever it doesnt matter.
thesparitan 1 year ago
Seriously. This is ridiculous. Apparently the moderator doesn't know what his job is. His various rants throughout this debate sure as hell had better not have come out of Sam's time, because that's some bullshit right there.
Zeuts85 1 year ago
Mmmm crackers...
HydeAricia 1 year ago
I still think Harris is guily of SEVERE oversimplification about political issues, but this part of the debate shows that one should never book a debate wherin one debater and the moderator work for the SAME magazine, (which also sponsored the event). Of course Scheer sucks as a moderator. The question is why Sam agreed to walk facefirst into a wall. BTW, a funny and creative strawman argument (Sam whips one out at 4.00) is a strawman nonetheless. (even if i did LOL)
salro99 1 year ago
Mr. Harris needs to read up on his Chomsky a bit.
fctchk 1 year ago
Comment removed
Whyisthat101 1 year ago
omg. i want to shoot the moderator already. he was speaking more than sam harris' opponent.
victorscarlet 1 year ago 5
jeez will the moderator just SHUT UP
memento18poker 1 year ago 2
Terrible moderator.
ClumsyRoot 1 year ago 3
moderator should get award for being the most biased! Rupert want's to hire him i'm sure.
roosterkrows1 1 year ago
The moderator certainly likes the sound of his own voice.
gavjjj 1 year ago
Here's a religious statement I believe in... Robert Sheer is a knob of bibilcal proportions.
top5alltime 1 year ago 3
This pompous windbag moderator is really getting on my nerves.
frokenstein 1 year ago 4
There were 2 of them siding up and Sam still won it. Some moderator...
TudiRad 1 year ago 2
Sheer is a terrible moderator--he never let Harris answer statements but interrupted and distracted. I'm very dissappointed in his performance here.
MaryJesusJoseph 1 year ago 5
@MaryJesusJoseph
Who cares, it's a discussion.
I've already listened to both of them debate 100 times. At least there's a third party in this one to mix it up on both sides.
bjarczyk 1 year ago
Sheer is a moderator and he doesn't allow one side to "discuss". He doesn't allow Harris to answer charges and statements but redirects and takes up massive amounts of time with his own opinions. He shouldn't be a "third party" he should be a moderator.
MaryJesusJoseph 1 year ago
The moderator is misusing the "begging the question" figure of speech.
It's annoying because he does it like 5 times throughout his Hedges-bong-smoke-sharing-kiss-fest.
Harris isn't using a circular argument of "Muslims blow shit up because they are Muslims." He clearly points to the religious texts as their motivation, and openly acknowledges the moderate Muslims as a separate entity.
This is circular logic:
Dumb moderator is dumb.
visualkei72 2 years ago 50
Harris is very used to fighting not only his opponent but the moderator. This isn't the first debate where the moderator is clearly taking one side.
SocialDissimulation 2 years ago 6
Comment removed
360atGOD 2 years ago
"Nazis aren't bad, just extremist Nazis"
Nice! This is a very good way to put it.
drche420 2 years ago 3
This is such a great video.... should be a must-see in every school and university.
But there, only the viewpoint of Chris Hedges and the moderator is ever heard.
Derukugi2 2 years ago
The answer to the moderator's question, which Harris didn't seem to touch on, is the promises religion makes. Religion promises light to those in the dark. Religion promises happiness to those who are sad. Naturally, when life gets rough, people are going to turn to something to lean on, here enters religion. When things are going well, religion is needed less. That's why you see it pop up in areas that have degraded living conditions.
TBucker 2 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Good point. It's true Harris kept avoiding answering that question.
forestskog 2 years ago
Is this a debate between Harris and (Hedges and the Moderator)?
Gallus your right
These two are more dangerous and that is one of the overall things that Harris likes to argue is that Moderates and apologetics are the ones who argue peace and love but protect fundamentalists. Moderates are intellectually dishonest. Were the people of the inquisition bad christians They were great ones. Who here wants to be a suicide bomb if your not convinced of a flock of dark eyed virgins awaiting
eskelson21 2 years ago
In truth, Hedges and his ass-bandit friend are more dangerous than the Jihadist.
gallus1 2 years ago
the moderator thinks ignoring Harris' explanation means he didn't give one.The little turd and his bum-chum hedges just cant help themselves.Not all Muslims are extreme but if they were to declare themselves jihadists with the intent of exterminating all other faiths, these 2 wankers would still find a defence.The irony is they have more to lose than most. When the West finally commits suicide, i can grow a beard, grab a few extra wives and get on with it,while these 2 and their ilk are toast
gallus1 2 years ago
Sam Harris is cool, although I disagree with him about torture. He also looks and talks like Ben Stiller. Am I the only one who's picked up on this?
moiphx2 2 years ago
Harris really whooped some ass on that one.
TBlake34 2 years ago 3
Religion is so pointless.
NoCrispin 2 years ago
WHO CARES WHAT TIME A CERTAIN RELIGION TAKES HOLD... THE POINT IS THAT IT IS DANGEROUS... stupid fucking moderating... seriously that question has no value... sounds like they're both just defending Islam 'cause they got offended... get out of here
Amorisey2010 2 years ago
an even better nazi analogy harris could have made to what his opponents are arguing would be: it's not nazism, but the Treaty of Versailles that made people poor, and who then embraced nazism. The analogy is better because while it's true that one needs the other, what Hedges ignores (and Harris ignores from his side a bit to be fair) is that in issues like these you need all the ingredients. But to say the PHILOSOPHY of nazism in that example is not relevant, is not honest.
BillKiernan 2 years ago
@BillKiernan, yes. The point being (I think?) that it doesn't matter how it got like that, it's dangerous NOW.
In Germany the wildcard was Hitler - insane, fantastic orator, magnetic crowd manipulator... not much of anything else.
queenastilon 2 years ago
You're forgetting, Christian.
SocialDissimulation 2 years ago
SocialDissimulation, yes, as you so rightly, Christian. I did forget to mention.
Although that will probably spark another load of "Hitler was a filthy rotten atheist" comments.
queenastilon 1 year ago
...good fun? seems like he's discrediting sam's points just because they're humorous. but religion is humorous and deserving of ridicule. fuck this moderator
chupacabra 2 years ago 5
Ridiculous, the fact is Harris refuses to answer the moderator question which only stresses the point already made by Hedges. The audience senses that as well, that's why Harris was called off on his preposterous comparison between an ideology and a religion.
theH0UNDSofD00M 2 years ago
And why is it preposterous to compare an ideology and a religion -particularly as regards their social effects?
For that matter, what exactly is the difference between an ideology and a religion?
Would you necessarily draw a fundamental distinction between the schizophrenic who thinks he's Jesus, and the one who thinks he's Napoleon?
alwaysright10000 2 years ago
Huh ? Any real schizophrenic can manage Jesus and Napoleon in the same person.
And if it wasn't preposterous to compare an ideology and religion why would most modern and apparently democratic states insist in a separation between the two ?
theH0UNDSofD00M 2 years ago
"Any real schizophrenic can manage Jesus and Napolean in the same person"
And? Are you just a fool?
Was this actually intended as a retort?
Not only have you not on the least answered my questions, you actually seem -with astonishingly obtuse inadvertence- to have confirmed my point, even if obliquely.
"Most modern and apparently democratic states..."
That's very cute. The United States is in fact the ONLY country with an express legal separation of Church and state.
Asshat.
polymath7 2 years ago
Bollocks, separation of church and state exists in most European states, maybe not in a cute paper written hundreds of years ago by same slave masters but it does exist in real life, where it matters most.
Hardly none of the prime ministers in Europe has to lie about their religious orientation in order to be elected. Guess you can't say the same about the USA, where any of the mainstream politicians has to go to bloody church every Sunday.
theH0UNDSofD00M 2 years ago
If a schizophrenic can be both that only further invalidates your point that ideology and religion are separate.
They both represent belief without reason to believe, and they both lead to actions based on the belief that carry very negative and in some cases world ending consequences.
drche420 2 years ago
You are a moron. I would debate you, but these other comments on your idiocy prove my point better.
drche420 2 years ago
@Drche420
How is it that whatever a schizo feels, says or does validates or invalidates my point ?
Anyway, this conversation doesn't make any sense, not even for youtube standards.
Have a good day!
theH0UNDSofD00M 2 years ago
yeah he's not a moderator, he's a co-debater with Hedges.
BillKiernan 2 years ago
Hedges seems to think that just the fact that he lived among muslims for a while gives his opinion more creedence. When in reality it seems to have made his opinion biased.
tat20001 2 years ago 3
The Nazis analogy is genius.
UPASR 2 years ago
somebody should have taken the moderators mic away
elphenom9 2 years ago 69
What the hell is the moderator doing? He shouldn't be siding with anyone - isn't that the point?
PurushaDesa 2 years ago 87
Well the good news is that in the next segment the audience has finally had enough and yells at the chairman to sit down and STFU! :p Easily the most entertaining point of this entire series.
Harris is doing fine of course, but there's not really any new ground covered here, he doesn't get a chance to do much except keep shooting down their weak arguments (and non-arguments, like Hedges saying "I've lived there!" - what a douche).
Harris shines sometimes, but he's not challenged enough here.
Gliktch 2 years ago 7
@PurushaDesa While I would agree with you that the moderator should pipe down, I find his points more compelling an argument than what Hedges was offering. So I really don't mind. It's making for an interesting discussion.
cballsack 1 year ago
@PurushaDesa Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's wrapped up somewhere in the root word of "moderator" ... to moderate. This guy eats up half the time telling us what he thinks instead of facilitating the conversation between the debaters. He speaks, all totaled, about as much as the debaters do. It's just bad.
mrw21 1 year ago
@mrw21
Seriously, he's about as moderate a moderator as a host for a Fox News debate.
PurushaDesa 1 year ago
@PurushaDesa indeed
FIGHTFANNERD3 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Harris is a racist prick!
DakotaMutated 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Harris' "philosophy," if you can call his myopic ill-informed smarmy mouth farts a philosophy, is essentially; "if you give people guns they will probably kill someone else" and he uses whatever bullshit polls to support this bullshit view.
Evolve: Forget Sam Harris!!
incubatorfunk 2 years ago
I.
Harris "philosophy" -and indeed I see not the slightest reason one may not call it that- is essentially: "Religion obstructs the solution of various soluble problems -and indeed exacerbates them- by degrading the epistemic fabric of society -and therefore civilization itself- with rigid dogmas and the acid fog of obfuscation, and affords a pretext for divisive in group/ out group morality that is uniquely pernicious because it is uniquely held exempt from criticism and erects barriers...
polymath7 2 years ago 7
II
... between that are uniquely believed to be of eternal cosmic significance." Your nebulous paraphrase not only forms no shape at all that even partially overlaps Sam's actual thesis, it is entirely unintelligible, at least to me. I have no idea what you're even talking about.
Asshat.
polymath7 2 years ago 6
*between groups of human beings
polymath7 2 years ago
Aaaah I'm not going to be offended by the "asshat" comment I could have seen it coming.
I'm for strong gun control, do get me wrong. I was commenting on a specific line of Harris' rebuff.
incubatorfunk 2 years ago
Polymath7, you mention the in group/out group morality. That is a nuance Hedges brings up. Harris misses this. He says "yeah [with a tone that shows he agrees with Hedges but has nothing more to say] we have to out grow nationalism and racism and tribalism"
"outgrow" it's around 3mins in. it's so nonchalant and pompous. he's a major douche.
But he follows that with a smarmy mouth fart about nazi's. Which makes no sense and is a meaningless pitch to gain traction for his bankrupt ideas.
incubatorfunk 2 years ago
The part to which you refer is not in this video, and I'm not going to hunt for it.
You remain incoherent, and it is rapidly becoming apparent you are insufficiently intelligent to be worth talking to at length (how's that for smarmy?).
Just for fun, why don't you tell me exactly what is wrong with Sam's Nazi analogy, without simply rephrasing your assertion?
polymath7 2 years ago
Forgive me, I nearly forgot:
Asshat.
alwaysright10000 2 years ago 3
The Moderator is such an idiot. Sam takes it home as always.
MisterWeed 2 years ago 3
indoctrination is in all religious beliefs carried out by half-witted sanctimonious epeolatric tosspots and housewives intent on keeping domestic order ...on mass it has serious consequences mainly the annihilation of FELLOW human beings ..if there are such creatures.....
ArtistEnrique 2 years ago
can anyone make out what the audience members shout at 4:33-4:35?
corcman19 2 years ago
I need a delorian, 1.21 gigawatts and a bit of gasoline.
AteoConPimienta 2 years ago
*DeLorean
AteoConPimienta 2 years ago
worst moderator ever. Harris is marching up and down the field and colonel Sanders in the middle takes 10 minutes between speakers to spout off about his mindless retarded ideas. Who the fuck cares what you think Father Time, your name isnt in the headline.
helloblah12223 2 years ago 3
I'm sure Robert Scheer is a nice guy. Even so, his impertinance (given that he has the balls to appear under he pretense that he's simply the moderator) is so beyond the pail it makes the baser part of me want to grab a hand full of his hair and vigorously rub a cheese-grater across his goddamn face.
Sheesh.
Douchebaggery at this level has to be practiced and honed.
polymath7 2 years ago
lol
you guys are cracking me up ;)
just by reading your posts I learned 10 new words, how about that ?
I will check for your comments in the morning
darkelad 2 years ago
If Sheer wants to take part in the debate, that is of course perfectly fine, but he needs to identify himelf as a participant rather than appearing under the absurd pretense that he is simply the moderator.
What a fucking douche.
If I bump into him at a cocktail party and am unable to supress my urge to kick him squarely in the balls (as may very well happen -wear a cup, Rob) will my atheism have been a factor ?
polymath7 2 years ago
*himself
polymath7 2 years ago
Those last few comments were supposed to come from polymath.
I ordinarily use "alwaysright" for intentionally silly hoax comments (Poe's law, and all that).
polymath7 2 years ago
"Sam, the problem is not Nazism: it's extremist Nazism."
Ha ha, that was a great analogy, so true, yet it also made me laugh out loud. Harris has a great sense of humour, the kind of dry wit you need in this kind of debate.
corcman19 2 years ago 3
SAM IS THE MAN!!!!! He is just showing how ridiculous these false arguments are. FUCKING OWNAGE ON A SUPREME LEVEL!
pomeroy82 2 years ago 2
Harris just kicks ass, Chris Hedges keeps playing different cards to solicite emotional sympathy (racism anyone?) along with the moderator (we dropped the a-bomb they didn't) as opposed to using logical argument as Harris does.
BrianDgreat123 2 years ago 2
harris has alot of very valid points... i don't think he really gets them across tho. Unfortunately he's not a great debator. But pinning him two against one, isn't exacty fair. And hedges doesn't seem- did someone just shout out from the audience?!! Hedges doesn't seem to understand the difference between faith and religion....
Nowekian 2 years ago