On this episode of The Chris Hedges Report, host Chris Hedges talks to two MIT PhD students who bravely challenged their school's active participation in the genocide in Gaza, and, for one of them, paid a heavy price.
As a Columbia alum and veteran of the '68 protests, I was initially uplifted by the pro-Palestinian student support, then appalled but unsurprised by the corporate administration's response.
Re: research other than the disgusting drone swarm and other computer, AI, and physical science from MIT, let's not forget numerous bio-research institutions funded by agencies like DARPA. Biowarfare research is alive and well in academia because the tools are available -- both the tools of molecular biology, and the human tools, bioscientists with somewhat compromised ethical foundations. Unlike Chris' interviewees.
I wish enough students would refuse to attend these genocidal institutions so they would be completely shut down. They aren’t teaching anything of real value now.
This is a sophisticated and significant piece about the hypocritical and insidiously imperial behavior of our institutions. But as another poster has noted, that behavior is entirely consistent with past history. Government, universities, mainstream media always serve their owners' interests, and those owners are not the people.
I would add that the difference between institutional behavior in the '60s vs. now is, the right wingers cleverly if unfortunately have learned to apply some of the rhetoric and tools of the left against itself, i.e. through claims of or for "safe spaces," "hate speech," racist bias, etc.
I think that the most salient point is made in the closing statement: "They can take away your MIT PhDs, but they can't take away your moral courage and your integrity, both of which you have and which I admire."
I think that one of the other cultural/generational differences (losses) since the 1960s is not just awareness of the wrongs of the society, but an individual moral commitment not to be a part of their commission. Since the 1970s and the death of the social and political counterculture (the substantive parts of the counterculture, at any rate) there seems to be both a blindness to and acquiescence in the face of institutional power and a seduction of popular sentiment by the apparent (untenable and largely illusory) bounty of the material products of neoliberal economics. (The death of the liberal class?)
Reading this does give some hope, (as with the description of the younger generation of Jews in the U.S. who don't buy into Zionism), the numbers of those students who disagree with the oligarchic policies is somewhat encouraging, at least some potential for a more widespread awakening to the need for change.
Hopefully a greater awareness of the commonality of interest with others might grow at some point.
"Right, well, you know, I don't want to get in too much trouble with my faculty advisors and all that, I'm kind of on thin ice."
I'd love for you to define "too much trouble", Richard; sounds like you're already past that point. I say that if your faculty advisors are not speaking up (or better yet, acting) on your behalf by pointing out the moral contradictions and, indeed, civil right violations to your M.I.T administrators, then they shouldn't be your academic "advisors" of choice---or worthy of your concern. If I was one of your advisor, then I'd get the hell out of there and advise you to do the same. IMO, your valuable time and efforts are better spent elsewhere.
If all these staid and government co-opted Universities (M.I.T, Columbia, Princeton, etc.) are working against the concerns and rights of their student bodies, then doesn't it stand to reason that it is high time these student vacate en mass and establish new Universities where talented and ethical minds like Richard's can enroll/transfer and flourish--rather than remain and be suppressed? Where are all the like minded administrators that are capable of establishing such...and why aren't they doing it? Are there none? Or maybe its a matter of calling attention to the ones that are (I don't know of any, but they may well be out there) and have the capacity to accommodate this apparent tide of revulsion. Seems to me this is something concrete that can (and should) be discussed by folks like Chris that have forums such as these. And it seems to me this could be acted upon immediately in order to establish that "cradle" they nebulously yearn for. Why spend your money at the pigsties of these corrupted institutions of "higher" academic learning where many continue to futilely tilt their lances? Besides a strong moral compass, your wallet is one of your most powerful weapons; use it. Make a change. Make it now.
Excellent and informative interview showing the rot in our university system and how it cooperates with and helps facilitate the genocide that is occurring in Gaza.The real American heroes are the students and faculty who risk damage to their careers and safety to speak out, while the administrators who are cowards go along with the israel lobby in supporting the genocide.
the confluence of science w/tech is the downfall patenting of life and if you don't recognize the funding of your "expertise" before a post/graduate degree you may not be smart but complicit
Great interview Chris. Love the moral clarity of those two young men. The story of Richard’s Palestinian friend brought me to tears which is a phenomenon that is happening more often when witnessing this genocide.
As a Columbia alum and veteran of the '68 protests, I was initially uplifted by the pro-Palestinian student support, then appalled but unsurprised by the corporate administration's response.
Re: research other than the disgusting drone swarm and other computer, AI, and physical science from MIT, let's not forget numerous bio-research institutions funded by agencies like DARPA. Biowarfare research is alive and well in academia because the tools are available -- both the tools of molecular biology, and the human tools, bioscientists with somewhat compromised ethical foundations. Unlike Chris' interviewees.
I wish enough students would refuse to attend these genocidal institutions so they would be completely shut down. They aren’t teaching anything of real value now.
This is a sophisticated and significant piece about the hypocritical and insidiously imperial behavior of our institutions. But as another poster has noted, that behavior is entirely consistent with past history. Government, universities, mainstream media always serve their owners' interests, and those owners are not the people.
I would add that the difference between institutional behavior in the '60s vs. now is, the right wingers cleverly if unfortunately have learned to apply some of the rhetoric and tools of the left against itself, i.e. through claims of or for "safe spaces," "hate speech," racist bias, etc.
I think that the most salient point is made in the closing statement: "They can take away your MIT PhDs, but they can't take away your moral courage and your integrity, both of which you have and which I admire."
I think that one of the other cultural/generational differences (losses) since the 1960s is not just awareness of the wrongs of the society, but an individual moral commitment not to be a part of their commission. Since the 1970s and the death of the social and political counterculture (the substantive parts of the counterculture, at any rate) there seems to be both a blindness to and acquiescence in the face of institutional power and a seduction of popular sentiment by the apparent (untenable and largely illusory) bounty of the material products of neoliberal economics. (The death of the liberal class?)
Reading this does give some hope, (as with the description of the younger generation of Jews in the U.S. who don't buy into Zionism), the numbers of those students who disagree with the oligarchic policies is somewhat encouraging, at least some potential for a more widespread awakening to the need for change.
Hopefully a greater awareness of the commonality of interest with others might grow at some point.
Richard Solomon:
"Right, well, you know, I don't want to get in too much trouble with my faculty advisors and all that, I'm kind of on thin ice."
I'd love for you to define "too much trouble", Richard; sounds like you're already past that point. I say that if your faculty advisors are not speaking up (or better yet, acting) on your behalf by pointing out the moral contradictions and, indeed, civil right violations to your M.I.T administrators, then they shouldn't be your academic "advisors" of choice---or worthy of your concern. If I was one of your advisor, then I'd get the hell out of there and advise you to do the same. IMO, your valuable time and efforts are better spent elsewhere.
If all these staid and government co-opted Universities (M.I.T, Columbia, Princeton, etc.) are working against the concerns and rights of their student bodies, then doesn't it stand to reason that it is high time these student vacate en mass and establish new Universities where talented and ethical minds like Richard's can enroll/transfer and flourish--rather than remain and be suppressed? Where are all the like minded administrators that are capable of establishing such...and why aren't they doing it? Are there none? Or maybe its a matter of calling attention to the ones that are (I don't know of any, but they may well be out there) and have the capacity to accommodate this apparent tide of revulsion. Seems to me this is something concrete that can (and should) be discussed by folks like Chris that have forums such as these. And it seems to me this could be acted upon immediately in order to establish that "cradle" they nebulously yearn for. Why spend your money at the pigsties of these corrupted institutions of "higher" academic learning where many continue to futilely tilt their lances? Besides a strong moral compass, your wallet is one of your most powerful weapons; use it. Make a change. Make it now.
Thank you, Chris Hedges, (again)!! These 2 young men are Amazing; they are Heroic. They are Inspiring. God Bless all of you! 🙏🏽💐
The courage of your guests brought tears in my eyes Chris.
To mine, as well, Chryssa! 😌
Excellent and informative interview showing the rot in our university system and how it cooperates with and helps facilitate the genocide that is occurring in Gaza.The real American heroes are the students and faculty who risk damage to their careers and safety to speak out, while the administrators who are cowards go along with the israel lobby in supporting the genocide.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
What tremendously impressive and inspiring people these are!!!
the confluence of science w/tech is the downfall patenting of life and if you don't recognize the funding of your "expertise" before a post/graduate degree you may not be smart but complicit
Great interview Chris. Love the moral clarity of those two young men. The story of Richard’s Palestinian friend brought me to tears which is a phenomenon that is happening more often when witnessing this genocide.
Too bring a different perspective to this is that nine eleven was planned to bring us into war with the Middle East.