"Demokratija se mora koristiti propagandom kad nasiljem ne moze." This statement implies that when force fails, democracy is misused as a tool for propaganda. It suggests a rather concerning perspective on the true nature and implementation of democracy. In a healthy democratic society, the principles of equality, freedom, and the rule of law should be upheld. However, if democracy is being exploited for propaganda purposes, it undermines the very essence of what it stands for. Propaganda can distort the truth, manipulate public opinion, and create divisions among the people. It is essential that we recognize the importance of genuine democracy and not allow it to be misused in such a way. We should strive for a society where democracy is based on transparency, accountability, and the active participation of the people. Only then can we ensure that democracy serves its intended purpose and benefits all.

I've never delved into the works of Chomsky, yet I'm cognizant that he garners significant admiration in certain spheres. Given that I believe propaganda to be a colossal issue in the US currently, I thought it would be opportune to learn about both the person and the topic simultaneously. However, this book isn't precisely what I expected.

It is a compilation of interviews conducted by David Barsamian regarding some of the prominent left-wing issues during the final years of the last century: Vietnam and Cambodia, Israel and Palestine, Nicaragua, liberation theology, sovereign debt, and the like. Both Chomsky and Barsamian assume that any readers will be in agreement, fully conversant with the fundamental doctrines or at least with the stances one is supposed to adopt. If you possess a different world view, you'll likely think that numerous intervening steps are absent between the premise and the conclusions.

Nonetheless, Chomsky contends that governments are deceiving us, and he isn't incorrect. I diverge from him regarding what a well-ordered world would resemble and how to attain it. But it is undeniable that what we are told hinges far too much on the self-interest of individuals and groups operating behind the scenes. He employs the term "Orwellian" on several occasions, and this is a good twenty years prior to when 1984 became something of an instruction manual and we acquired an actual Ministry of Truth. Sigh.

Chomsky is truly a gem.

His contributions to the fields of linguistics, philosophy, and political science are nothing short of remarkable.

With his revolutionary theories and deep insights, he has challenged the status quo and opened up new avenues of research and thought.

Chomsky's work has had a profound impact on our understanding of language acquisition, the nature of the human mind, and the role of language in society.

His ideas have inspired generations of scholars and continue to shape the way we think about these important topics.

Moreover, Chomsky is not only a brilliant academic but also a passionate advocate for social justice and human rights.

He has used his platform to speak out against war, oppression, and inequality, and has dedicated his life to making the world a better place.

In conclusion, Chomsky is a gem in every sense of the word, and his work and ideas will continue to be studied and revered for generations to come.

I don't agree with everything Chomsky says.

However, it is truly refreshing to read someone who actually tells it as it is.

The United States has an amazing ability to blind its people.

Every year, it becomes more crucial than ever for people to realize this and educate themselves.

The fact is that US Americans are aware that their country has many flaws.

They know that their education system is subpar, their healthcare is problematic, and their party system is ineffective, among other things.

But many people choose to adopt a defeatist attitude and accept that "this is how it is" because from a young age, they are taught to sit, obey, and ask no questions.

Chomsky discusses all of these issues in his interviews, and these are thoughts that I have had myself for a long time and have been frustrated about.

This is what I mean when I say it is refreshing to read, as it shows that there are indeed forces working against the propaganda that, in turn, affects the whole world due to the strong influence the USA has on global political and economic activities.

Not bad, Naomi!!

Overall, your work is quite commendable. However, it should be noted that the format of this book didn't do it any favors.

The presentation might have affected the readability and overall appeal of the content.

Perhaps a different layout or design could have enhanced the book's quality and made it more engaging for the readers.

Nevertheless, the substance within the book seems to have its merits.

With some improvements in the format, it has the potential to be an even better piece of work.

It's important to pay attention to both the content and the presentation when creating a book to ensure its success.

Keep up the good work, Naomi, and consider making some adjustments to the format in the future.

We still name our military helicopter gunships after victims of genocide. Nobody bats an eyelash about that: Blackhawk. Apache. And Comanche. It's a rather disturbing practice that seems to go unnoticed. If the Luftwaffe named its military helicopters Jew and Gypsy, one can only imagine the outcry. As much as he's right, I'm grateful Chomsky said all of this when he did. Eventually, people did listen, and things have improved. After 1979, the capitalist economy was on autopilot, and the whole "look over THERE...while we kill people over here" started happening. The media played a significant role in driving all the narratives for Americans, preventing them from having to admit how truly bad the situation was. There is a lot of unwritten history during this time. It may be written down, but it's not understood by most. This period is filled with hidden stories and untold truths that need to be uncovered and understood.

Noam Chomsky, the renowned "linguist, philosopher, cognitive scientist, historian, social critic and political activist" as described by Wikipedia (and I truly appreciate that introduction), is an all-round intelligent individual. In and around 1998, he published a series of interviews between himself and David Barsamian.

They delved into a wide range of topics including politics, media, history, psychology, sociology, and more. The two engaged in in-depth discussions over some beers, seemingly on a mission to solve all the world's problems.

What stood out to me the most, at least, were his dissertations on the importance of being extremely critical of the press and carefully scrutinizing everything we see and hear from the corporate news. As students of history are aware, newspapers have always had biases. However, Chomsky made some excellent points back in the 90s, highlighting how modern news sources can effectively "cancel" a story by minimizing its coverage or simply choosing not to report it at all.

Another interesting aspect was Chomsky's ideas about how the "internet" would transform our society. He also issued a caution that some people might become addicted to it. His foresight was truly prophetic.

The book was thought-provoking, and it has definitely piqued my interest to read more of his works.

I am truly relishing the opportunity to engage with Chomsky's pre-9/11 work from the late 1980s and early 1990s.

It is highly captivating to observe the patterns that vanish and then resurface, thereby laying the groundwork for the acerbic political circumstances we are currently in.

The manner in which he meticulously dissects Western propaganda from this era, ranging from the NATO-led expeditions in the Balkans to the Indonesian invasion of East Timor, is utterly fascinating.

Although I was born during this period, I had never bothered to conduct any in-depth research on it. Now, I deem it crucial for comprehending the upheaval of the past several years.

Chomsky's work provides valuable insights into the complex web of political events and the role of propaganda in shaping our understanding of the world.

By studying this period, we can gain a better understanding of how certain patterns and trends have persisted and evolved over time.

This, in turn, can help us make more informed decisions and take more effective actions in the present.

Overall, engaging with Chomsky's pre-9/11 work has been a rewarding and enlightening experience.

I truly admire Noam Chomsky. He is a remarkable figure in the fields of linguistics, philosophy, and political activism. His contributions to the study of language are profound and have revolutionized our understanding of how language works. Chomsky's theories on universal grammar and the innateness of language have inspired countless scholars and researchers around the world.

Moreover, Chomsky is not only a brilliant academic but also a passionate advocate for social justice and human rights. He has been actively involved in political activism, speaking out against war, inequality, and oppression. His writings and speeches have had a significant impact on public discourse and have inspired many people to take action and make a difference in the world.

In conclusion, Noam Chomsky is an extraordinary individual whose work and activism have had a profound and lasting impact on our society. His intellectual curiosity, courage, and commitment to social justice make him a role model for us all. I am deeply inspired by his example and will continue to follow his work with great interest and admiration.

The book is structured as a series of interviews with Chomsky, which allow him to develop his thoughts regarding the institutional framework of the state and its legitimacy constructed through propaganda.

The pinnacle of propaganda thus lies in creating fictional concepts, such as the "humanitarian interventions" of states that are justified by interests and generate instabilities. He emphasizes the notion of interest in interventions, showing the duality of leaders who tolerate the practices of dictators up to a certain point, a point that systematically opposes their interests.

Chomsky speaks a great deal about the power of the United States and the political consequences of this power that must be able to be limited, for this power enables the country to be bellicose by naming itself the world's policeman. But not only that, he also mentions the problems related to Israel and the Palestinian question.

More generally, he again develops the manufacturing of consent, that is, the fact that the possessors have the tools to create the framework in which our institutions will evolve and make sense for the population. With successes and failures.

I really liked this book. The only problem I have with Chomsky is what I like most about him: he is very practical, he is in the systematic illustration of the argument, except that the illustration is "of his time" (the book dates from the early 2000s for the latest interview) which means that I didn't always have the keys to represent the described current events, knowing few American politicians.

Do I recommend it? I don't find it accessible enough because of the above point, but it's still Noam Chomsky so it's always interesting except when he talks in detail about human nature. The book is rather long (327 pages) and the price is not indicated in the book. So if you ever want to get initiated into the work of Chomsky, yes I recommend it, otherwise no. On the other hand, it will be sad when he leaves us.

Books composed of transcripts of interviews often tend to be aggravating. This is mainly due to the cutesy and often overly familiar talk that takes place between the subject and the interviewer. However, that is not the case here. In this particular instance, the content is refreshingly different.

Moreover, Noam is as strong as he usually is. His views and perspectives come through clearly and powerfully in the interview transcripts. There is a certain authenticity and depth to his words that engages the reader and makes the book a worthwhile read.

It's not just about the typical chit-chat that one might expect from such a format. Instead, it offers valuable insights and a thought-provoking experience. The lack of the annoying cutesy talk and the presence of Noam's strong voice make this book stand out from the crowd of interview transcript-based books.

Overall, it's a pleasant surprise and a welcome addition to the genre.

It is truly fascinating to peruse an interview collection. The reason being that it encompasses an incredibly wide range of topics. Most of the "current events" that are being discussed within it took place during my early childhood years. By listening to this collection, I have gleaned a vast amount of knowledge. I firmly believe that the most crucial lesson to be drawn from this book is to apply Chomsky's approach. This approach involves asking simple yet logical questions. By doing so, we can learn to cut through the propaganda that often surrounds our discussions and the distortions of today's current events. This enables us to gain a more accurate and in-depth understanding of the real issues at hand.