Jeremy Paxman vs Russell Brand

[The Don of Croy]

Gobste ranty attention seeking plonker. Enough about Paxman...

Brand offers nothing you cannot hear from any sixth form politics debate...vague wishes for a socialist egalitarian society but - and this is important - no clue as to how to implement it or even how it could work.

His call for 'revolution' is the only option he has - he'd certainly not offer himself for election (but given our turnout figures there is - surely - enough of a constituency there to propel such a popular figure straight into Downing Street at the next GE).

As for his glaring hypocrisy - working in showbiz and then railing against profit - well, perhaps that's all we need to know (words and deeds etc etc).

[mattnunn]

superkartracer said:

So this system takes your hard earned wealth and hands it to a some chav ahole that can't be bothered to work?

Hang on

Well in a truly egalitarian system said chav ahole would not exist, the wealth gap and social inequality are the largest reason and best excuse for those that can't be bothered to work.

In a egalitarian system which values contributions of many types equally and rewards all inputs equally without assigning a monetary value to each and every person and their actions then there would simply not be any intellectual room for resentment over others individual contributions.

The western monetary and fiscal system is an entirely false construct, as inhuman as it's dichotomy(see North Korea). One doesn't run a family or friendships by monetising people's lifes, in our personal relationships we accept and contribute what we can and take what we need, why in a wider society we behave differently is not part of our nature but a learned behavior informed by and for the benefit of the ruling class.

[Engineer1]

superkartracer said:

Anyone who calls for revolution, without having any idea what is going to fill the resulting power-vacuum, is a fking idiot.

Problem is a hell of a lot of that type get into power and leave the world with more problems to clear up. The best that can happen is a less than popular group seize control the worst is that no one claims overall control.

[Mark Benson]

scherzkeks said:

Mark Benson said:

While living in LA, in a $2.5m house.

But it's OK, he was a junkie once, so he's, you know, 'down with the people'....

Yes. Brand should live just as you do. Only then will his commentary be relevant. For if he lives any other way, he must be written off.

Do you have anything to contribute, anything at all? Other than the criticise what you (I assume) don't agree with.

The point, as you and others are missing, is his constant and well-publicised critique of a system he plays no active part in. He's full of complaints, some of which are valid, but with no ideas and no action (other than some kind of undefined 'revolution' ruse that presumably he can absent himself from back to LA if it all gets a bit hairy) he's just another loudmouth moaner.

And the "I was once a junkie" schtick, what actual insight does that give him on the way society works - I have huge respect for his views on addiction and how we treat addicts, I think on that subject he can and does speak with great authority - but to claim that a former addiction gives him some insight into a society he willingly absents himself from is a step too far.

So no, to dignify your sniping with far more of an answer than it deserves, I don't care how someone lives. But if they set themselves up as arbiter of what's right and wrong about a society, they at least ought to be part of that society, and if they can come up with some viable suggestions, or better still actually do something to bring about change, so much the better. Brand does neither, but he's beloved by that section of society that loves to tell us all where we're going wrong, but loathes actually giving up a bit of comfort by actually doing something about it - the 'awareness raisers' (hey, like, I have a wristband and, like wrote to the co-op bank and yeah, loads of stuff) rather than the 'do-ers'.

[Landlord]

ICBA to argue with the previous posters who have written "against" him as to why I'm not but merely for the sake of totting-up-votes (Oop. Ironic [/davidbrent]) for-or-against him, I think he's great. I love his comedy and would happily listen to him debate any time.

[mattnunn]

Mark Benson said:

scherzkeks said:

Mark Benson said:

While living in LA, in a $2.5m house.

But it's OK, he was a junkie once, so he's, you know, 'down with the people'....

Yes. Brand should live just as you do. Only then will his commentary be relevant. For if he lives any other way, he must be written off.

Do you have anything to contribute, anything at all? Other than the criticise what you (I assume) don't agree with.

The point, as you and others are missing, is his constant and well-publicised critique of a system he plays no active part in. He's full of complaints, some of which are valid, but with no ideas and no action (other than some kind of undefined 'revolution' ruse that presumably he can absent himself from back to LA if it all gets a bit hairy) he's just another loudmouth moaner.

And the "I was once a junkie" schtick, what actual insight does that give him on the way society works - I have huge respect for his views on addiction and how we treat addicts, I think on that subject he can and does speak with great authority - but to claim that a former addiction gives him some insight into a society he willingly absents himself from is a step too far.

So no, to dignify your sniping with far more of an answer than it deserves, I don't care how someone lives. But if they set themselves up as arbiter of what's right and wrong about a society, they at least ought to be part of that society, and if they can come up with some viable suggestions, or better still actually do something to bring about change, so much the better. Brand does neither, but he's beloved by that section of society that loves to tell us all where we're going wrong, but loathes actually giving up a bit of comfort by actually doing something about it - the 'awareness raisers' (hey, like, I have a wristband and, like wrote to the co-op bank and yeah, loads of stuff) rather than the 'do-ers'.

That's a complete straw man, Brand is offering up and he is doing something, perhaps far more than most people.

Limiting allowed commentary on things to only the people connected to or inside those things is the most ridiculous form of commentary I've ever heard (mind you it would certainly provide the nation with some well needed peace and quiet to actually think for a change)

[superkartracer]

mattnunn said:

superkartracer said:

So this system takes your hard earned wealth and hands it to a some chav ahole that can't be bothered to work?

Hang on

A dream

What if 90% of people have no skills and can't be arsed?

[mattnunn]

superkartracer said:

mattnunn said:

superkartracer said:

So this system takes your hard earned wealth and hands it to a some chav ahole that can't be bothered to work?

Hang on

A dream

What if 90% of people have no skills and can't be arsed?

What if I grew a turnip out of my ear?

[Mark Benson]

mattnunn said:

Mark Benson said:

scherzkeks said:

Mark Benson said:

While living in LA, in a $2.5m house.

But it's OK, he was a junkie once, so he's, you know, 'down with the people'....

Yes. Brand should live just as you do. Only then will his commentary be relevant. For if he lives any other way, he must be written off.

Do you have anything to contribute, anything at all? Other than the criticise what you (I assume) don't agree with.

The point, as you and others are missing, is his constant and well-publicised critique of a system he plays no active part in. He's full of complaints, some of which are valid, but with no ideas and no action (other than some kind of undefined 'revolution' ruse that presumably he can absent himself from back to LA if it all gets a bit hairy) he's just another loudmouth moaner.

And the "I was once a junkie" schtick, what actual insight does that give him on the way society works - I have huge respect for his views on addiction and how we treat addicts, I think on that subject he can and does speak with great authority - but to claim that a former addiction gives him some insight into a society he willingly absents himself from is a step too far.

So no, to dignify your sniping with far more of an answer than it deserves, I don't care how someone lives. But if they set themselves up as arbiter of what's right and wrong about a society, they at least ought to be part of that society, and if they can come up with some viable suggestions, or better still actually do something to bring about change, so much the better. Brand does neither, but he's beloved by that section of society that loves to tell us all where we're going wrong, but loathes actually giving up a bit of comfort by actually doing something about it - the 'awareness raisers' (hey, like, I have a wristband and, like wrote to the co-op bank and yeah, loads of stuff) rather than the 'do-ers'.

That's a complete straw man, Brand is offering up and he is doing something, perhaps far more than most people.

Limiting allowed commentary on things to only the people connected to or inside those things is the most ridiculous form of commentary I've ever heard (mind you it would certainly provide the nation with some well needed peace and quiet to actually think for a change)

It's very easy to offer up 'revolution' as an answer when you've nothing to lose.

As is 'Tax the bankers' when you earn your living outside the country.

So, what is Brand doing to bring about his revolution then?

[0000]

mattnunn said:

That's a complete straw man, Brand is offering up and he is doing something, perhaps far more than most people.

I've missed a bit here... has he done something? I thought it was just waffle.

[Prawnboy]

The Don of Croy said:

he'd certainly not offer himself for election (but given our turnout figures there is - surely - enough of a constituency there to propel such a popular figure straight into Downing Street at the next GE).

).

except that in our country we dont get to vote for a prime minister, only for your local member of parliment.
Another reason not to vote when you live in a safe seat like i do.

[0000]

mattnunn said:

What if I grew a turnip out of my ear?

Then it would be a conjoined twin?

[Mark Benson]

0000 said:

mattnunn said:

What if I grew a turnip out of my ear?

Then it would be a conjoined twin?

And the turnip would talk more sense.

[mattnunn]

Mark Benson said:

It's very easy to offer up 'revolution' as an answer when you've nothing to lose.

Eh? I thought he was a minted celeb, he's more to loose than you or I presumably

Mark Benson said:

As is 'Tax the bankers' when you earn your living outside the country.

Eh? Where he lives is of no consequence to his opinion, I have opinions on all sorts in all sorts of countries. You seem t be under the impression that taxing wealthy people would have some sort of detrimental effect to the UK standard of living, if show please show your working

Mark Benson said:

So, what is Brand doing to bring about his revolution then?

Well he's managed to wangle an interview and opinion piece on one of the worlds most respected News and politics commentary shows with one of the worlds most respected News and politics commentators/journalists, so I would say he's not doing nothing.

[superkartracer]

mattnunn said:

superkartracer said:

mattnunn said:

superkartracer said:

So this system takes your hard earned wealth and hands it to a some chav ahole that can't be bothered to work?

Hang on

A dream

What if 90% of people have no skills and can't be arsed?

What if I grew a turnip out of my ear?

What if the other 10% were growing them also??

[superkartracer]

Look... Brand is a jester, the man wked some bloke off on TV for a few $$, can't take him serious sorry.

[Luftgekuhlt]

Has he got another book out? Or maybe a tour coming up.

He came across like Rik from the Young Ones. Dull.

[qube_TA]

He's an idiot, but I find him entertaining which is his job so I have no complaints.

I'm sure Paxman enjoys interviewing him as it's always quite animated.

However Brand is typical in not having any consideration or interest to why the world is as it is, he just thinks it's all wrong and needs to be different, but doesn't know what would need to change or what it would have to change to to improve. Yes capitalism, the free market, profit doesn't suit everyone, but removing all of that for some quasi-communist ideal has never yielded success. China might be on its way to owning the world but it's not like the Chinese population are all reaping the rewards of this success.

[mu0n]

I've just watched it.

It's clear this was just a challenge for him. Take on paxman at a political debate. Something he has an unqualified fascination with but just to prove he can win a political rant I guess.

Although he articulates well, I do find him ironic. I guess he he didn't do his stand up for profit or have to be asked twice for Hollywood stardum. I guess all his millions made have gone into clean energy research and he lives in a self sufficient mud hut in the middle of nowhere.

[Mark Benson]

mattnunn said:

Mark Benson said:

It's very easy to offer up 'revolution' as an answer when you've nothing to lose.

Eh? I thought he was a minted celeb, he's more to loose than you or I presumably

Not when he lives abroad.

mattnunn said:

Mark Benson said:

As is 'Tax the bankers' when you earn your living outside the country.

Eh? Where he lives is of no consequence to his opinion, I have opinions on all sorts in all sorts of countries. You seem t be under the impression that taxing wealthy people would have some sort of detrimental effect to the UK standard of living, if show please show your working

I wouldn't have the brass balls to say how much tax residents of another country should pay, seems Brand has no such modesty

mattnunn said:

Mark Benson said:

So, what is Brand doing to bring about his revolution then?

Well he's managed to wangle an interview and opinion piece on one of the worlds most respected News and politics commentary shows with one of the worlds most respected News and politics commentators/journalists, so I would say he's not doing nothing.

So he's 'raising awareness'? Of what? What cause, group, party or organisation did he raise awareness of in that interview? None. He might as well have talked about a book or a film but instead he used it as a platform to moan about the way the world works. Big deal, he achieved about as much as you or I wearing a wristband. Unless the cause he was supporting was himself, I suspect he's sold a few more books off the back of the interview.