There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
Noam ChomskyRead
There is massive propaganda for everyone to consume. Consumption is good for profits and consumption is good for the political establishment.
Interpretation
The quote critiques the pervasive promotion of consumption in society as beneficial for both economic growth and political power.
Noam Chomsky highlights the idea that society is inundated with propaganda that encourages consumption, which in turn serves the interests of profit-driven businesses and the political establishment. This reveals a complex relationship between consumer behavior and the structures of power, suggesting that the push for constant consumption is not just an economic phenomenon, but also a means of political control.
In practice
This quote could be used in a discussion about consumer culture at a university seminar.
There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
The '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.
If you look at all the notions we accept about who we are, you find that they are all based upon our perceptual experiences.
Surely no mere mortal who has at all gone down into himself will ever pretend that his slightest thought or act solely originates in his own defined identity.
Alive without breath, As cold as death; Never thirsty, ever drinking, All in mail never clinking.
I died from a mineral and plant became, Died from the plant, took a sentient frame; Died from the beast, donned a human dress - When by my dying did I ever grow less.
I learned to make my mind large, as the universe is large, so that there is room for contradictions.
And the worst possible thing we could know β worse than knowing of our descent from a mass of microorganisms β is that we are nobodies not somebodies, puppets not people.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.