There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
Noam ChomskyRead
It's a near miracle that nuclear war has so far been avoided.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the precariousness of global peace in the face of nuclear weapons.
Noam Chomsky's quote reflects the thin line humanity treads to avoid nuclear conflict. It underscores the fragility of peace, suggesting that despite the potential for devastating war, we have managed to maintain stability through careful diplomacy and skepticism of authority. This statement acts as a reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance and cooperation to prevent catastrophic outcomes.
In practice
In a discussion on international relations, this quote could emphasize the importance of diplomacy.
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.
We lose many things simply out of our fear of losing them.
The reputation you have with yourself - your self-esteem - is the single most important factor for a fulfilling life.
There are people who so arrange their lives that they feed themselves only on side dishes.
It became clear to me that our value as people is not in our stock portfolios and bank accounts but in the legacies we leave behind.
We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a minor planet of a very average star. But we can understand the Universe. That makes us something very special.
Order and reason, beauty and benevolence, are characteristics and conceptions which we find solely associated with the mind of man.
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