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.
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That endless book, the newspaper, is our national glory.
When I read a book I seem to read it with my eyes only, but now and then I come across a passage, perhaps only a phrase, which has a meaning for me, and it becomes part of me.
Public intellectuals are often put in the position of having their words, no matter how off-the-cuff, treated as doctrine.
A teacher who is not dogmatic is simply a teacher who is not teaching.
Do not try to satisfy your vanity by teaching a great many things. Awaken people's curiosity. It is enough to open minds; do not overload them. Put there just a spark. If there is some good inflammable stuff, it will catch fire.
Education should aim at destroying free will so that after pupils are thus schooled they will be incapable throughout the rest of their lives of thinking or acting otherwise than as their school masters would have wished