Noam Chomsky Quotes — Page 27

Linguist, Philosopher, Activist

Angry

“Nothing in these abstract economic models actually works in the real world. It doesn't matter how many footnotes they put in, or how many ways they tinker around the edges. The whole enterprise is totally rotten at the core: it has no relation to reality.”

Real Rotten Economic Models

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Noam Chomsky

Linguist, Philosopher, Activist

Courageous

“As soon as one identifies, challenges and overcomes illegitimate power, he or she is an anarchist. Most people are anarchists. What they call themselves doesn’t matter to me. The world is full of suffering, distress, violence and catastrophes. Students must decide: does something concern you or not? I say: look around, analyze the problems, ask yourself what you can do and set out on the work!”

People Suffering Challenges

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Angry

“If you don't like what someone has to say, argue with them.”

Ifs Arguing

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Philosophical

“My position is that we should not succumb to irrational belief.”

Should Belief

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Inspired

“One of the questions asked in that study was, How many Vietnamese casualties would you estimate that there were during the Vietnam war? The average response on the part of Americans today is about 100,000. The official figure is about two million. The actual figure is probably three to four million. The people who conducted the study raised an appropriate question: What would we think about German political culture if, when you asked people today how many Jews died in the Holocaust, they estimated about 300,000? What would that tell us about German political culture?”

Thinking War Average

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Spiritual

“The Internet is an élite organization; most of the population of the world has never even made a phone call.”

Organization Phones Population

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Angry

“Take, for example, there is a right-wing populist uprising. It's very common, even on the left, to just ridicule them, but that's not the right reaction. If you look at those people and listen to them on talk radio, these are people with real grievances.”

Real Wings Uprising

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Courageous

“Workers and their families may starve to death in the New World Order of economic rationality, but diamond necklaces are cheaper in elegant New York shops, thanks to the miracle of the market.”

Order New York Miracle

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Optimistic

“To some degree it matters who's in office, but it matters more how much pressure they're under from the public.”

War Peace Office

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Optimistic

“Our concern is to help people counter the efforts of those who seek to "regiment the public mind every bit as much as an army regiments the bodies of its soldiers," so that the self-designated "responsible men" will be able to run the affairs of the world untroubled by the "bewildered herd" - the general public - who are to be marginalized and dispersed, directed to personal concerns, in a well-regulated "democracy."”

Men Running Army

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Philosophical

“'Reform' is a word you always aughta' watch out for. 'Reform' is a change that you're supposed to like. And watch it - As soon as you hear the word 'Reform', you should reach for your wallet and see who's lifting it.”

Watches Politician Reform

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Angry

“For the totalitarian mind, adherence to state propaganda does not suffice: one must display proper enthusiasm while marching in the parade.”

Mind Liberty Libertarian

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