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Russel Brand Interview

ByrnzieByrnzie Posts: 21,037
edited November 2013 in A Moving Train
This is a very cool interview with Russel Brand on BBC's Newsnight last night. It seems to be doing the rounds at the moment and gaining a lot of attention. He's definitely a smart cookie, operating on a high frequency. Though I do wonder if he's maybe being slightly over-ambitious.

Check it out:

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/deb ... 01324.html
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Comments

  • Thirty Bills UnpaidThirty Bills Unpaid Posts: 16,881
    A massive redistribution of wealth.
    Heavy taxation of corporations.
    A massive responsibility for energy companies.

    How do we get these items done?

    I agree that the 'vote' is overrated. Vote for who? And how will that make a difference? In the end, it all comes out the same. People are truly powerless. It will take a selfless, great leader to correct the wrongdoings of the current system. The problem is that these types are never promoted and usually laughed off by a public that is tricked into thinking they are idiots. Give me someone with a vision for a better country and world and I will vote for them. Place two greedy, spoiled assholes for me to decide who I like better and that is tough to do. Hmmm. Satan? Or Hitler? Hmmm. In the bigger picture, it's probably better that I don't drive to the polling station and burn fossil fuels doing so.

    I liked one of the comments: sometimes I think the war has already been fought and the good guys lost.
    "My brain's a good brain!"
  • foodboyfoodboy Posts: 988
    maybe adopt the russian 5 year plan . that worked well.
  • polaris_xpolaris_x Posts: 13,559
    i actually had to see this guy for work once ... which included reading his book ... :shock:

    what i didn't expect to see at the show was the political undertones ... most of which went over most people's heads but my first reaction was ... "whoa - who is this guy!?" ...

    so, after seeing him ... this video doesn't shock me ...

    i've been calling on this for years on this forum ...

    R-E-V-O-L-U-T-I-O-N

    it's really our only hope ...
  • badbrainsbadbrains Posts: 10,255
    Thirty Bills Unpaid wrote:
    A massive redistribution of wealth.
    Heavy taxation of corporations.
    A massive responsibility for energy companies.

    How do we get these items done?

    I agree that the 'vote' is overrated. Vote for who? And how will that make a difference? In the end, it all comes out the same. People are truly powerless. It will take a selfless, great leader to correct the wrongdoings of the current system. The problem is that these types are never promoted and usually laughed off by a public that is tricked into thinking they are idiots. Give me someone with a vision for a better country and world and I will vote for them. Place two greedy, spoiled assholes for me to decide who I like better and that is tough to do. Hmmm. Satan? Or Hitler? Hmmm. In the bigger picture, it's probably better that I don't drive to the polling station and burn fossil fuels doing so.

    I liked one of the comments: sometimes I think the war has already been fought and the good guys lost.

    Great post Thirty! All in all, we're fucked until some sort of messiah comes..... :corn:
  • badbrainsbadbrains Posts: 10,255
    Byrnzie wrote:
    This is a very cool interview with Russel Brand on BBC's Newsnight last night. It seems to be doing the rounds at the moment and gaining a lot of attention. He's definitely a smart cookie, operating on a high frequency. Though I do wonder if he's maybe being slightly over-ambitious.

    Check it out:

    http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/deb ... 01324.html

    I remember a couple years ago king Eric Cantona made a statement about everybody pulling there money out of the banks to sort of stick it to the banks. Guys a brilliant footballer and pretty smart in politics to. Greatest united player ever!!!
  • ldent42ldent42 Posts: 7,859
    i just wish he wouldve had some ideas or suggestions ready when he was asked what "should" be done, instead of only being able to point out what shouldn't be done or what needs to change.
    NYC 06/24/08-Auckland 11/27/09-Chch 11/29/09-Newark 05/18/10-Atlanta 09/22/12-Chicago 07/19/13-Brooklyn 10/18/13 & 10/19/13-Hartford 10/25/13-Baltimore 10/27/13-Auckland 1/17/14-GC 1/19/14-Melbourne 1/24/14-Sydney 1/26/14-Amsterdam 6/16/14 & 6/17/14-Milan 6/20/14-Berlin 6/26/14-Leeds 7/8/14-Milton Keynes 7/11/14-St. Louis 10/3/14-NYC 9/26/15
    LIVEFOOTSTEPS.ORG/USER/?USR=435
  • Thirty Bills UnpaidThirty Bills Unpaid Posts: 16,881
    duska3419 wrote:
    i just wish he wouldve had some ideas or suggestions ready when he was asked what "should" be done, instead of only being able to point out what shouldn't be done or what needs to change.

    A massive redistribution of wealth.
    Heavy taxation of corporations.
    A massive responsibility for energy companies.

    Were a few.
    "My brain's a good brain!"
  • Thirty Bills UnpaidThirty Bills Unpaid Posts: 16,881
    badbrains wrote:
    Thirty Bills Unpaid wrote:
    A massive redistribution of wealth.
    Heavy taxation of corporations.
    A massive responsibility for energy companies.

    How do we get these items done?

    I agree that the 'vote' is overrated. Vote for who? And how will that make a difference? In the end, it all comes out the same. People are truly powerless. It will take a selfless, great leader to correct the wrongdoings of the current system. The problem is that these types are never promoted and usually laughed off by a public that is tricked into thinking they are idiots. Give me someone with a vision for a better country and world and I will vote for them. Place two greedy, spoiled assholes for me to decide who I like better and that is tough to do. Hmmm. Satan? Or Hitler? Hmmm. In the bigger picture, it's probably better that I don't drive to the polling station and burn fossil fuels doing so.

    I liked one of the comments: sometimes I think the war has already been fought and the good guys lost.

    Great post Thirty! All in all, we're fucked until some sort of messiah comes..... :corn:

    Thanks!
    "My brain's a good brain!"
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,051
    I'll keep voting anyway- partly out of habit, partly to hope it makes a tiny bit of difference, but I like where Brand is coming from. He gets the severity of our situation. As polaris_x pointed out, there's nothing really new here but I'm always happy when voices such as his reach large numbers and (hopefully) get people thinking.
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • unsungunsung Posts: 9,487
    Thirty Bills Unpaid wrote:
    duska3419 wrote:
    i just wish he wouldve had some ideas or suggestions ready when he was asked what "should" be done, instead of only being able to point out what shouldn't be done or what needs to change.

    A massive redistribution of wealth.
    Heavy taxation of corporations.
    A massive responsibility for energy companies.

    Were a few.


    He's worth ~$15M, easy for him to say.

    Yeah let's just heavily tax the companies so bad that they pull up everything and move and take jobs with them.
  • ldent42ldent42 Posts: 7,859
    Thirty Bills Unpaid wrote:
    duska3419 wrote:
    i just wish he wouldve had some ideas or suggestions ready when he was asked what "should" be done, instead of only being able to point out what shouldn't be done or what needs to change.

    A massive redistribution of wealth.
    Heavy taxation of corporations.
    A massive responsibility for energy companies.

    Were a few.
    Yea but that's pretty vague.
    NYC 06/24/08-Auckland 11/27/09-Chch 11/29/09-Newark 05/18/10-Atlanta 09/22/12-Chicago 07/19/13-Brooklyn 10/18/13 & 10/19/13-Hartford 10/25/13-Baltimore 10/27/13-Auckland 1/17/14-GC 1/19/14-Melbourne 1/24/14-Sydney 1/26/14-Amsterdam 6/16/14 & 6/17/14-Milan 6/20/14-Berlin 6/26/14-Leeds 7/8/14-Milton Keynes 7/11/14-St. Louis 10/3/14-NYC 9/26/15
    LIVEFOOTSTEPS.ORG/USER/?USR=435
  • Hugh Freaking DillonHugh Freaking Dillon Posts: 14,010
    polaris_x wrote:
    i actually had to see this guy for work once ... which included reading his book ... :shock:

    what i didn't expect to see at the show was the political undertones ... most of which went over most people's heads but my first reaction was ... "whoa - who is this guy!?" ...

    so, after seeing him ... this video doesn't shock me ...

    i've been calling on this for years on this forum ...

    R-E-V-O-L-U-T-I-O-N

    it's really our only hope ...

    obe-wan-hologram.jpg
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • Hugh Freaking DillonHugh Freaking Dillon Posts: 14,010
    Thirty Bills Unpaid wrote:
    A massive redistribution of wealth.
    Heavy taxation of corporations.
    A massive responsibility for energy companies.

    How do we get these items done?

    I agree that the 'vote' is overrated. Vote for who? And how will that make a difference? In the end, it all comes out the same. People are truly powerless. It will take a selfless, great leader to correct the wrongdoings of the current system. The problem is that these types are never promoted and usually laughed off by a public that is tricked into thinking they are idiots. Give me someone with a vision for a better country and world and I will vote for them. Place two greedy, spoiled assholes for me to decide who I like better and that is tough to do. Hmmm. Satan? Or Hitler? Hmmm. In the bigger picture, it's probably better that I don't drive to the polling station and burn fossil fuels doing so.

    I liked one of the comments: sometimes I think the war has already been fought and the good guys lost.

    yeah, unfortunately, the only way to become powerful in a capitalist society is to be super rich. the only way to become super rich is to step on people. people like that don't make selfless leaders.
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,051
    One question comes to mind- will things ever change? Hasn't it always been that the few rich and powerful have control over the many who are less so? This doesn't mean that I think we should give up on trying to change things- it only makes sense to do what makes sense no matter how things turn out. At the same time, it's not a bad idea for those of us in the western world to remember that most of us live like royalty do in third world countries. It also helps to be who we are- each one of us be ourselves- because that's the only freedom of which we have any guarantee.

    Why do I always fail at trying to express these thoughts without sounding like some arm-chair philosopher? :fp:
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • mickeyratmickeyrat Posts: 38,605
    unsung wrote:
    Thirty Bills Unpaid wrote:
    duska3419 wrote:
    i just wish he wouldve had some ideas or suggestions ready when he was asked what "should" be done, instead of only being able to point out what shouldn't be done or what needs to change.

    A massive redistribution of wealth.
    Heavy taxation of corporations.
    A massive responsibility for energy companies.

    Were a few.


    He's worth ~$15M, easy for him to say.

    Yeah let's just heavily tax the companies so bad that they pull up everything and move and take jobs with them.
    or we can allow them deduction after deduction and they can still move jobs off shore. You know, cuz the shareholder is the priority.
    _____________________________________SIGNATURE________________________________________________

    Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
    you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
    memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
    another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
  • Thirty Bills UnpaidThirty Bills Unpaid Posts: 16,881
    Hugh Freaking Dillon wrote:
    Thirty Bills Unpaid wrote:
    A massive redistribution of wealth.
    Heavy taxation of corporations.
    A massive responsibility for energy companies.

    How do we get these items done?

    I agree that the 'vote' is overrated. Vote for who? And how will that make a difference? In the end, it all comes out the same. People are truly powerless. It will take a selfless, great leader to correct the wrongdoings of the current system. The problem is that these types are never promoted and usually laughed off by a public that is tricked into thinking they are idiots. Give me someone with a vision for a better country and world and I will vote for them. Place two greedy, spoiled assholes for me to decide who I like better and that is tough to do. Hmmm. Satan? Or Hitler? Hmmm. In the bigger picture, it's probably better that I don't drive to the polling station and burn fossil fuels doing so.

    I liked one of the comments: sometimes I think the war has already been fought and the good guys lost.

    yeah, unfortunately, the only way to become powerful in a capitalist society is to be super rich. the only way to become super rich is to step on people. people like that don't make selfless leaders.

    The leader we need wouldn't be from the capitalist elite. It would be a leader from the grassroots sector that generates a groundswell of support because of his/her ability to articulate a better world. This leader would be supported by the average joes- not propped up and supported by corporations. Not 'shaking hands with the devil' would have this leader disenfranchised from corporations and free to make decisions that benefit the overwhelming majority of people.

    It's unlikely, but it is our most realistic chance. To think some self-serving, person of privilege would put aside the interests of their families and friends to serve the masses is tantamount to dreaming. I agree with you on this point.
    "My brain's a good brain!"
  • Thirty Bills UnpaidThirty Bills Unpaid Posts: 16,881
    unsung wrote:
    Thirty Bills Unpaid wrote:
    duska3419 wrote:
    i just wish he wouldve had some ideas or suggestions ready when he was asked what "should" be done, instead of only being able to point out what shouldn't be done or what needs to change.

    A massive redistribution of wealth.
    Heavy taxation of corporations.
    A massive responsibility for energy companies.

    Were a few.


    He's worth ~$15M, easy for him to say.

    Yeah let's just heavily tax the companies so bad that they pull up everything and move and take jobs with them.

    This is the scare tactic that corporations use to scare us into accepting their place of privilege.

    I say pull up everything and move and take jobs with them. And, in the void they leave... let someone else assume the opportunity with lower, yet still lucrative and very worthwhile profit margins.
    "My brain's a good brain!"
  • unsungunsung Posts: 9,487
    So you were against the auto and bank bailouts?
  • mickeyratmickeyrat Posts: 38,605
    unsung wrote:
    So you were against the auto and bank bailouts?
    I think all the parts suppliers in Ohio alone appreciated that. Not big corp only, those guys. Smalltown Ohio.
    _____________________________________SIGNATURE________________________________________________

    Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
    you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
    memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
    another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
  • Thirty Bills UnpaidThirty Bills Unpaid Posts: 16,881
    unsung wrote:
    So you were against the auto and bank bailouts?

    Tough question to answer for me for the simple reason that I never fully researched the scope of the problems your country faced during that financial crisis. I realize there were arguments for and against, but what I can say, from what I can remember, is that the bailouts were wrought with lucrative payouts to many of the very people responsible for the crisis.

    This is ludicrous if indeed I have this correct.
    "My brain's a good brain!"
  • ByrnzieByrnzie Posts: 21,037
    brianlux wrote:
    I'll keep voting anyway- partly out of habit, partly to hope it makes a tiny bit of difference, but I like where Brand is coming from. He gets the severity of our situation. As polaris_x pointed out, there's nothing really new here but I'm always happy when voices such as his reach large numbers and (hopefully) get people thinking.

    I've only ever voted once, and that was a vote against Labour after the Iraq war. And i didn't even turn up myself, but got my tenant to do it using my home I.D.
  • ByrnzieByrnzie Posts: 21,037
    unsung wrote:

    Yeah let's just heavily tax the companies so bad that they pull up everything and move and take jobs with them.

    Because they're not doing that already, are they?
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,051
    Byrnzie wrote:
    brianlux wrote:
    I'll keep voting anyway- partly out of habit, partly to hope it makes a tiny bit of difference, but I like where Brand is coming from. He gets the severity of our situation. As polaris_x pointed out, there's nothing really new here but I'm always happy when voices such as his reach large numbers and (hopefully) get people thinking.

    I've only ever voted once, and that was a vote against Labour after the Iraq war. And i didn't even turn up myself, but got my tenant to do it using my home I.D.

    Ah ha! :lol:

    I vote via absentee ballot. I enjoy licking stamps. :lol:
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • mickeyratmickeyrat Posts: 38,605
    brianlux wrote:
    Byrnzie wrote:
    brianlux wrote:
    I'll keep voting anyway- partly out of habit, partly to hope it makes a tiny bit of difference, but I like where Brand is coming from. He gets the severity of our situation. As polaris_x pointed out, there's nothing really new here but I'm always happy when voices such as his reach large numbers and (hopefully) get people thinking.

    I've only ever voted once, and that was a vote against Labour after the Iraq war. And i didn't even turn up myself, but got my tenant to do it using my home I.D.

    Ah ha! :lol:

    I vote via absentee ballot. I enjoy licking stamps. :lol:
    apparently so does B. vote absentee that is, unsure about the stamps thing.
    _____________________________________SIGNATURE________________________________________________

    Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
    you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
    memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
    another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
  • Drowned OutDrowned Out Posts: 6,056
    unsung wrote:

    Yeah let's just heavily tax the companies so bad that they pull up everything and move and take jobs with them.
    They move their operations and take the jobs with them, slap huge import tariffs on them. See how they like trying to compete in the world's largest consumer markets at a massive disadvantage. Do you think it's a coincidence that manufacturing left north america after the globalized free trade era began and tarrifs were removed?

    We either needs to work in consort to bring labour standards and wages in the third world to first world levels, eliminate, via trade regulation, our part in third world (slave) labour, or continue down the path of allowing corporations to exploit labour....in which case we should prepare for our first world to join the third, because this system is cannibalizing itself.
  • badbrainsbadbrains Posts: 10,255
    Drowned Out wrote:
    unsung wrote:

    Yeah let's just heavily tax the companies so bad that they pull up everything and move and take jobs with them.
    They move their operations and take the jobs with them, slap huge import tariffs on them. See how they like trying to compete in the world's largest consumer markets at a massive disadvantage. Do you think it's a coincidence that manufacturing left north america after the globalized free trade era began and tarrifs were removed?

    We either needs to work in consort to bring labour standards and wages in the third world to first world levels, eliminate, via trade regulation, our part in third world (slave) labour, or continue down the path of allowing corporations to exploit labour....in which case we should prepare for our first world to join the third, because this system is cannibalizing itself.

    I can't argue with drowned out. Dude knows his shit!
  • lukin2006lukin2006 Posts: 9,087
    Totally agree about not voting ... I can't think of anything more useless to do with my time and can't believe how many people are brainwashed into really thinking voting makes a difference.

    As for the revolution? what kind? I tend to think the only kind that would make a difference are economic, enough people would need to withdraw their labour and withdraw all monies in banks to really make a difference ... I just don't see enough people willing to.
    I have certain rules I live by ... My First Rule ... I don't believe anything the government tells me ... George Carlin

    "Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
  • lukin2006lukin2006 Posts: 9,087
    Drowned Out wrote:
    unsung wrote:

    Yeah let's just heavily tax the companies so bad that they pull up everything and move and take jobs with them.
    They move their operations and take the jobs with them, slap huge import tariffs on them. See how they like trying to compete in the world's largest consumer markets at a massive disadvantage. Do you think it's a coincidence that manufacturing left north america after the globalized free trade era began and tarrifs were removed?

    We either needs to work in consort to bring labour standards and wages in the third world to first world levels, eliminate, via trade regulation, our part in third world (slave) labour, or continue down the path of allowing corporations to exploit labour....in which case we should prepare for our first world to join the third, because this system is cannibalizing itself.

    yup totally agree ...
    I have certain rules I live by ... My First Rule ... I don't believe anything the government tells me ... George Carlin

    "Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
  • Thirty Bills UnpaidThirty Bills Unpaid Posts: 16,881
    Drowned Out wrote:
    unsung wrote:

    Yeah let's just heavily tax the companies so bad that they pull up everything and move and take jobs with them.
    They move their operations and take the jobs with them, slap huge import tariffs on them. See how they like trying to compete in the world's largest consumer markets at a massive disadvantage. Do you think it's a coincidence that manufacturing left north america after the globalized free trade era began and tarrifs were removed?

    We either needs to work in consort to bring labour standards and wages in the third world to first world levels, eliminate, via trade regulation, our part in third world (slave) labour, or continue down the path of allowing corporations to exploit labour....in which case we should prepare for our first world to join the third, because this system is cannibalizing itself.

    I'm arguing to fight poverty and inequity, but here's a thought that was expressed in a similar conversation a few days ago: if we were indeed able to solve global poverty... could the planet sustain the new demands placed upon it by a dramatically heightened consumer base?
    "My brain's a good brain!"
  • chadwickchadwick Posts: 21,157
    badbrains wrote:
    Thirty Bills Unpaid wrote:
    A massive redistribution of wealth.
    Heavy taxation of corporations.
    A massive responsibility for energy companies.

    How do we get these items done?

    I agree that the 'vote' is overrated. Vote for who? And how will that make a difference? In the end, it all comes out the same. People are truly powerless. It will take a selfless, great leader to correct the wrongdoings of the current system. The problem is that these types are never promoted and usually laughed off by a public that is tricked into thinking they are idiots. Give me someone with a vision for a better country and world and I will vote for them. Place two greedy, spoiled assholes for me to decide who I like better and that is tough to do. Hmmm. Satan? Or Hitler? Hmmm. In the bigger picture, it's probably better that I don't drive to the polling station and burn fossil fuels doing so.

    I liked one of the comments: sometimes I think the war has already been fought and the good guys lost.

    Great post Thirty! All in all, we're fucked until some sort of messiah comes..... :corn:

    what
    for poetry through the ceiling. ISBN: 1 4241 8840 7

    "Hear me, my chiefs!
    I am tired; my heart is
    sick and sad. From where
    the sun stands I will fight
    no more forever."
    Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
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