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Why Socialism? is a good read (lemmy.ml)

submitted 2 months ago by Cowbee@lemmy.ml to c/memes@lemmy.ml

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Why Socialism?

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[–] Funkytom467@lemmy.world 0 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

That's a very detailed explanation, as a scientist as much as I knew about him I didn't know that much.

Although I do wonder why it would matter.

I mean by that, although a great scientist, politics is not is area of expertise. So I wouldn't put that much importance in his opinions.

Not that you can't be curious, but valuing it for his fame is a known bias we should avoid.

It's especially true for intelligence. We tend to put it on a pedestal like it's what made Einstein, or anyone, be successful. When it's only a part.

I'd say intelligence is like a good soil, there is still so much labor to make it into food. Einstein did the work in physics but on any other matter your still just eating dirt.

[–] TokenBoomer@lemmy.world 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

This interview with Noam Chomsky explains why we should listen to intellectuals when they speak of matters that are not necessarily in their field of expertise:

Some years ago, for example, I did some work in mathematical linguistics and automata theory, and occasionally gave invited lectures at mathematics or engineering colloquia. No one would have dreamed of challenging my credentials to speak on these topics -- which were zero, as everyone knew; that would have been laughable. The participants were concerned with what I had to say, not my right to say it. But when I speak, say, about international affairs, I'm constantly challenged to present the credentials that authorize me to enter this august arena, in the United States, at least -- elsewhere not.

Anyone can give their opinions on football teams, movies, recipes for cooking. But, for some reason you have to be an expert to talk about economics or politics. The reason- those discussions challenge the accepted power structures of authority. So, those discussions are guarded, and any challenge dismissed.

[–] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Chomsky is right here, but it's also worth noting that even "experts" can be either minimized or magnified depending on their usefulness to the Capitalist system. Chomsky himself has a fair amount of skeletons in his closet.

[–] TokenBoomer@lemmy.world 0 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

I think Gabriel Rockhill would consider Chomsky as part of the compatible left. It’s essential to separate the ideas from the person. I tend not to expect too much from libertarian socialists like Chomsky, and they rarely disappoint me. He can be a resource for early radicalization and dissident thought though.

[–] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 1 points 2 months ago

I agree, I just think that with figures you describe as the "compatible left," they need to be taken with consideration as to their broader views and roles. Disclaimers are handy, such as Paul Cockshott, whose work on economic planning under Socialism is valuable, yet TERF extremism and transphobia is actively harmful.

Nobody is perfect, of course, but some people's works need to be examined from a critical lense to separate the good from the bad more than others.