Christopher Hitchens on George Orwell (4/7)

Aug 7, 2009. Christopher Hitchens talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about George Orwell. Drawing on his book Why Orwell Matters, Hitchens talks about Orwell's opposition to imperialism, fascism, and Stalinism, his moral courage, and his devotion to language. Along the way, Hitchens makes the case for why Orwell matters. For more videos, updates and info on Christopher Hitchens, please visit http://www.dailyhitchens.com

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People & Blogs

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• 2009
• Hitchens
• George Orwell
• EconTalk

[foiran]

God damn, (yes Im being ironic) Hitchens is well read, a total gentleman, a total intellectual, despite the journalism, (Im an academic,so I find journalism, in general,rather crude, though Hitchens is most certainly an exception to that belief. When he is gone, (lets hope he recovers and will reaming with us for a long time) the world will be the poorer for his departure.

[ColdCypher]

@plebmonk Well, lets face it. Some people are raised by leaders to be leaders. Confidence, resources, and personal connections are usually things kept within families. Which is why certain families are always at the top. They train their young to perpetuate their life's work. Some people dont like to think for themselves. Most people cannot tolerate being uncomfortable. Most people dont like to take risks of any kind. Most people cant tolerate failure and rejection. These people are followers.

[TheNotthediver]

>something will happen in my lifetime

I doubt it buddy.

[ColdCypher]

@pleadian Wow you still believe in Santa Claus? Welcome to the real world child. Get over yourself.

[pleadian]

@ColdCypher vunerability is an excuse for exploitation? fuck you cunt.

[GrungeFan9230]

This is great stuff. Thanks for posting. Orwell's prose was as melodiously crafted as any writer I've read, excepting Shakespeare.

[plebmonk]

@ColdCypher Nobody is ever entitled to 'oppress', but I do agree that it appears to be in the nature of human society to develop these class divisions. So at least for the near future I would imagine that those 'entitled' to dominion would be those that out-compete others for it. Maybe in the long run we'll overcome this, but I don't think it's likely.

Sorry if you think that sidesteps the question.

[ColdCypher]

@plebmonk There will always be an oppressor class. Always. So, what group is "entitled" to dominion in your view?

[plebmonk]

@sgpquek he didn't say that there aren't Chinese writings that explore the same themes as 1984; he's just saying that 1984 hasn't been published in China. Hitch makes it very clear that he feels that the white Europeans have no claim to dominion over the world, and that this dominion has been eroded, and continues to be diminished.

[sgpquek]

If you care to check the chinese literature is about the same or if not older than western literature. So if you think that they do not have owerllian type writings then you seen to havedevelop some sort of hubris and it never is a good thing.