"The Responsibility of Intellectuals", Noam Chomsky, 1967

"The Responsibility of Intellectuals", Noam Chomsky, 1967
View here at Chomsky.info

Mentally, linguistically, politically, and philosophically stimulating, Chomsky's insights into the fundamental principles of what is the United States, what it should be and how the intellectuals should consistently exploit that with honest persistence left me thirsty. I have had a general idea or hunch of why linguists tend to cross the political boundary once they reach a certain point in their career, but this article really drove it home for me. With respect to the progress of humanity its long term fate, what politicians and their correspondents publicly announce to the commoner would have to be considered at the highest level of importance. Without people who are mentally motivated, non-biased and capable of analyzing the pragmatics of these important messages, what would we actually know (or think we know) is being told to us? We've all heard those verbose speeches of former presidents and senators, never seeming to really say anything but somehow filling up an hour timeslot. I always have wondered, was there something more there?

Chomsky is the king at calling the fools out. I don't read of many questioning his conclusions drawn from what is said by these politicians and world leaders, either; his unbiased approach to philosophical axioms & humanitarian morals seems unmatched in our era.

It's a dense read. I am completely not up-to-date with history, especially from the 30s to the mid-60s, but I supplemented the reading by googling the people and events of the time period during the article (which might have took just as much time as actually reading it!). He asks all the right questions, and, as he always does, gives us "the next" model for a more thorough interpretation. I loved this article. Loved it.

(the tweet that expressed my gratitude & interest)