There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
In America, the professor talks to the mechanic. They are in the same category.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of dialogue across different fields of expertise and the equal value of knowledge.
Noam Chomsky's quote highlights the significance of interdisciplinary communication and mutual respect between different professions. By indicating that a professor and a mechanic belong to the same category, Chomsky suggests that all forms of knowledge, whether academic or practical, hold equal value in society, thus encouraging the sharing of ideas and experiences among individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a panel discussion on the value of different professions, this quote can be used to illustrate the importance of diverse perspectives.
More from Noam Chomsky
All quotes βThe 'free-floating intellectual' may occupy himself with problems because of their inherent interest and importance, perhaps to little effect.
If you're teaching today what you were teaching five years ago, either the field is dead or you are.
There are very few people who are going to look into the mirror and say, 'That person I see is a savage monster;' instead, they make up some construction that justifies what they do.
The Republican Party has become overwhelmingly so extreme that it's hardly a traditional political party anymore.
There is still much debate about whether torture has been effective in eliciting information - the assumption being, apparently, that if it is effective, then it may be justified.
Similar quotes
Seeing comes before words. The child looks and recognizes before it can speak.
The hardest thing to teach young writers is that it's wonderful to tell your truth. And that's what you should do. But it damn well better be beautiful.
Just once in a while let us exalt the importance of ideas and information.
The Indians seemed to be living in a place and in a way that was of immense importance to me. So I associate learning to read - English, oddly enough - with wanting to know about Indians. I'm still growing into it. I've never outgrown that.
Education and health were always matters of charity. You educated children and you helped the sick because they were good things to do, not because you were going to make money out of them. If you let the money-making principle, the profit-seeking motive, anywhere near education and health, things go bad.
Most areas of intellectual life have discovered the virtues of speculation, and have embraced them wildly. In academia, speculation is usually dignified as theory.