We love Hitchens because he put the time in to build his intellectual arsenal and he had the intelligence to wield it well and the courage to wield it unflinchingly. We get to be lazy and quote him to others. Yes, I don't think that would have pleased him.
Hitchens has been a major influence in my abandonment of Islam, and together with brilliant scientists, he has inspired me to pursue a career in medicine and science, instead of becoming an imam. I became MD recently, and am currently preparing for my residency in neurology and PhD in neuroscience. Thank you HITCH!
Congratulations on your achievement and your decision to not follow Islam. There is SO much good being done in the world and I'm not seeing Islam doing much of it! It's far better to pursue neurology and neuroscience than to want to kill apostates and infidels because some messed up book(s) tells you to. Follow your path of goodness.
I don't know what you're talking about, who chose what words against whom exactly? What he said is at best moronic, if I humiliate you in any shape or form you have the right to be angry about it, because dignity exists What madness are you living in to think overwise? Furthermore does that mean you never ever at all get offended? That's the human condition and you can't make it seize to exist by simply denying it, you deny others what you practice? Unparalleled insanity indeed
@@xxCrimsonSpiritxx Listen to the part from 1:35 to 1:45. The worst of the cartoons that got the Muslim world all riled up were made up IN ARAB COUNTRIES by ARAB RELIGIOUS LEADERS specifically to increase violent demonstrations against Denmark. I guess they thought no one would notice, but not much got by Hitch. If, as you say, one has a right to be indignant at ANY form of offense, then may I at least suggest that Muslims should have gotten violent against their own leaders, not some media people who were simply exercising their right to free speech in an entirely different country? I think that's what Hitch meant about climbing up on a ladder to see offensive behavior that isn't your business. As for my own self, I never claimed that I never get offended. For example I find your remarks somewhat offensive. Aren't you glad I'm not a religious fanatic, though, and therefore don't consider it my right to murder you for those offensive comments?
No, actually; the paid conmen were the televangelists who earned his righteous indignation. Hitch had a sense of morality more intact than plenty of people of faith (said by a person of faith)
If you want a bloodless conflict maybe take it up with saddam and co. Yes, I know civilians dying is bad, and it was a terribly conducted war, but removing saddam hussein was, in principle, a moral good. ISIS is a product of our absence in the region, by the way. I love how people grant zero agency to the actual members of isis who hold the insane murderous beliefs. Nope, we MADE them! All our fault! Watch as I whip myself to atone for my sins!
I'm not saying I support what happened, as a atheist I hate organized religion of any form. But cartoons are capable of saying and propagating really vile things. There are necrophilic and pedophilic cartoons/ manga out in the world.
@@AnantMall Well, yeah, because they're expressions of opinions with not only words, but pictures as well. But that's the point - they're just expressions of opinions. You don't fight opinions with violence, you fight them with rational responses. Violence is a terrible way to convince someone you're correct.
I would like to posthumously congratulate Mr. Hitchens for defending the international right of my own home-country, Denmark, to freedom of speech on the world stage.
Strictly speaking, wouldn't you have to be dead to do that? Pedantry aside, you never know, we may both get the chance to do that one day. Like the man said, he liked surprises ! Meanwhile, go Denmark ! Jer er røde, jer er hvite, jer er Dansk dynamit !
Denmark scores 97 on the World Freedom Index and is the 9th most-free nation in the world, 17 places higher than the UK and 43 places higher than the USA.
@@TonyEnglandUK Small EU countries like Denmark and Holland always do well in those areas, like my home country of Aotearoa New Zealand. Something we should never take for granted and something we small nations should be immensely proud of, and, above all, should defend
I always loved that one. That young lady straight up lied her ass off when she said she could walk around without a hijab or unescorted in Iran (assuming we're speaking of the same clip.) She lied so she could save face rather than speaking the truth, which, let's face it, would've had some less than savory consequences.
@@rse1113 But you're forgetting that her veil "would be small". That stupid woman even contradicted herself, and worse is that she utterly brushed off the ridiculous lack of human rights in Iran from the safety and comfort of a Western country. Sadly, there are many claiming to be "liberals" who would've applauded her stupidity like clapping seals.
@@rse1113 we can? i mean you can in afghanistan if you wanted to but no one does because they want to stay modest and probs cos their parents makes them. But now Taliban those extremist dogs came so you probs can't without getting told off. Iran is more softer than afghanistan ever since Taliban. I know because i've been there.
@@con.troller4183 For me, personally, the greatest Hitchslap was his comment about Falwell; *_"If you gave Falwell an enema he could buried in a matchbox."_*
@@candeffect "Do you know anyone who is 'determined to be offended'? " Quite many, actually. If anything it's gotten much worse since this video was recorded.
While I may agree with Hitchens on certain points in his argument, this one I do not agree with because with it there is an assumption of the power dynamic in play which is not always safe. If, for example, the Arabs were tomorrow the leaders of the world economically and militarily, I would nary doubt that their offense to comics etc is something that we could do nothing about. Similarly, you see criticism of China stifled around the world because China has trading relations with countries that make such criticism sacrosanct. We do not to China say “you are determined to be offended”, we edit our language. So yeah, in civil disputes you can ignore those who seem determined to take issue with you. But on the level of systems and nations such advice is only useful if you are a singularly dominating force
Among Hitchens' many talents is his ability to convey just the right tone of disgust and contempt for the apologists for censorship and bullying he so frequently comes up against, all of them mental pygmies by comparison.
Procommenter, interesting that your avatar name looks like a real word except it's not. That's the only interesting thing you bring to this comment page, everything else you say is base, crude insults of an exceptional man who cut through all the religious and political bullshit of the day with wit, panache and devastating intellect. What have you added to mankind's progress lately?
He was brilliant at getting over his points. He knew his facts incredibly well. He spoke the truth. He was fearless in the face of fanatical religions. We badly need more like him.
“He knew his facts incredibly well” “We badly need more like him” Ho the irony!! Sorry but what can be claimed without evidence can be dismissed without evidence!! This is so ironic it beggars belief!! Because the “fact” is that it is how we choose to live and end our life that defines how “brilliant” “we” are!! The “fact” is that Hitchens subscribed to the (Merelogical Fallacy), the belief that “we” are all just a brain!! The”fact” is that it’s “self” refuting!! Because the “fact” is that under Christopher Hitchens strictly reductive materialism, atheism or philosophical naturalism “we” are nothing more than “a bag of chemicals” buddy and nothing more substantive than an overgrown amoeba with illusions of grandeur. Under a strictly reductive materialism, atheism or philosophical naturalism “you” and Hitchens are nothing more than the science project of vinegar and baking soda bubbling over!! Does the science project of vinegar and baking soda bubble over bravely when it straw mans moderate religious expression. Can the baking soda and vinegar take the credit for its circular logic and self contradiction? You can’t replace “facts” and truth with showmanship and style over substance. Sorry but it’s beyond ironic that you believe that someone like Hitchens who was caught out being an history revisionist numerous times “knew his facts incredibly well”. This is comedy gold and the worship in this comments section is beyond cringe worthy and hilarious. Sorry but the “fact” is that Hitchens became a willing apologist for the dirty deeds of the American empire? According to the expert linguist and brilliant cognitive scientist Noam Chomsky this is not a good sign that Hitchens “knew his facts incredibly well” It’s a sign that he believed exactly what he wanted to believe and thousands of innocent civilians payed the price. Evidence to the contrary please!! I’ll wait!! Equally, the “fact” is that Hitchens associated with people who promote torture, eugenics, antisemitism and promoted the dangerous belief that “moderate religious believers are more dangerous than extremists because they make extremists look more respectable” (Daniel Dennette). Does that mean that everyday normal “respectable” atheists are more “dangerous” than Stalin, Pol pot and Mau because they make them look more “respectable”? The “fact” is that Hitchens was part of the intelligentsia of the four horsemen that included Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins and Daniel Dennette!! The “fact” is that Hitchens associate Sam Harris unashamedly bragged… “I am one of the few people I know of who has argued in print that torture may be an ethical necessity.” (Sam Harris). I wonder why he’s one of the few ? Is it because the “fact” is he’s more enlightened than the rest of us or is it because the “fact” is that torture is unbelievably evil and has never been justified by appeals to emotion as there is no clear distinction on where to draw the lines Harris argues that there are scientific “neurological" grounds, “facts” for supposing that his moral reasoning is logically correct and that we “ought” to be torturing people for collateral reasons. We all know which group of people he has in mind. Where he gets his “ought” from is beyond most normal people as he is a determinist so he believes free will does not exist. Are women and children exempt from Harris’s state sponsored torture programme if they had information (facts) that was required by the state.? The “fact” is that…. “Torture is one of the ultimate abuses of state power, and the use of extreme violence that exploits the powerlessness of individuals subject to state control is anathema to the rule of law. It easily becomes a license to target anyone who is declared to be a threat” (Lutz Oette). According to the scientific populariser Richard Dawkins who ironically was recently excommunicated by the (Association of Humanists) and stripped of his (Humanist of the year award) for bigotry and intolerance against moderate religious expression and marginalised groups such as the disabled etc…According to Dawkins who has 3 million followers on Twitter the “fact” is that….. “It’s one thing to deplore eugenics on ideological, political, moral grounds, It’s quite another to conclude that it wouldn’t work in practice. Of course it would. It works for cows, horses, pigs, dogs & roses. Why on earth wouldn’t it work for humans? “Facts” ignore ideology.” ( Richard Dawkins). The “fact” is that I think the parents of disabled children including the bereaved relatives of the people who died under the Nazis eugenics policy would beg to differ. The irony is that Dawkins was recently stripped of his (Humanist of the year award) by no other than the (Association of Humanists). That’s a secular atheist organisation by the way! The “fact” is that Dawkins even wrote a book aimed at children that equated the Jews with the Nazis something that is clearly advantageous to the alt right. “Dawkins has over the past several years accumulated a history of making statements that use the guise of scientific discourse to demean marginalized groups, an approach antithetical to humanist values,” (Association of Humanists). Similarly, a report from the Southern Poverty Law Center, an American non-profit which tracks extremist activity, stated that some alt-righters found Sam Harris' work "blended easily into that of more overtly racist writers". The report argues that "Under the guise of scientific objectivity, Harris has presented deeply flawed data to perpetuate fear of Muslims and to argue that the “fact” is that black people are genetically inferior to whites." It notes some of Harris' less responsible uses of his podcast, including the Charles Murray incident, and quotes one alt-righter who moved from Harris' content to that of the overtly racist blogger Paul Kersey. The “fact” is that if you’re going to defend Hitchens, Sam Harris, Dawkins and Dennette (The four horsemen) the “fact” is that you need to remember to defend eugenics and torture including the belief that “moderate religious believers are more dangerous than extremists” and that black people are “genetically inferior” to whites. Not to mention antisemitism. Also please remember that Hitchens accused Mother Teresa of being guilty by association when she accepted money for the poor from people who had chequered pasts. So by Hitchens own standard of cherry picked half truths and logic the “fact” is that all these men including Hitchens himself are all guilty by association of promoting torture, eugenics, racism, prejudice and (Antisemitism) and hate crimes. Furthermore, at the bare minimum it is estimated that 10 thousand Christians currently die every year due to persecution and thousands of Muslims die due to persecution. This includes the persecution of parents and their children!! The “fact” is that Hitchens himself became an apologist for the persecution and dirty deeds of the American empire and by his own standard of evidence he is guilty by (association). What a waste because all of these men could have been so much more!! Furthermore, the worship and deification of Hitchens in this comments section, not to mention the triumphalism and proselytising about a strictly reductive materialism, atheism or philosophical naturalism, is beyond cringe worthy and ironic!! The strictly reductive materialists, atheists or philosophical naturalists worship of the gods of determinism and automatism condemns their myths to hollowness!! I rest my case!!
Unfortunately, dairy products to the Middle East is one of our most significant export incomes, which suffered tremendously under the boycott, but in the end rational business sense prevailed :-)
"Get this bit right, atheism is when you tell me I need God I tell you I can get along equally as well without him." What a star in the face of the sky, this man is fucking BRILLIANT!
Hitchens was wrong about there not being an afterlife...on UA-cam, in videos like this, he is alive to me today as he ever was. When I miss him, I just come here for some "Hitch". He is immortal.
He could tell a witty joke and stop there, and he would have been charming enough. He could respond immediately with a treasure trove of historical knowledge and facts that would bowl over his opponent, and he would have been considered impressive. Hitchens did BOTH in the same response. And that's why he's nothing short of legendary.
There is nothing better then Hitchens disgust for the attempts of the religious facists to validate their intolerant bigotry. His eloquence and humor while doing so, is wit in its highest form.
Jazzkeyboardist1 but that is cherry picking. war is not a matter of what ifs. it’s a matter of what. if one of his relatives did not die, i wouldn’t consider him “lucky”. if there were only 7 casualties i will say one thing though. obviously those 7 danish thought that it was worth it. and as far as Their relatives go, they would not appreciate you trying to claim their deaths in vain. my case is closed *no hitchens needed for this hitchslap*
Jazzkeyboardist1 no not everything is what if. maybe in the mind of someone who would rather get moved than move on their own behalf. by the way, whenever did i say that i didn’t have empathy for those who died? where did that assumption even come from? that’s right.. from an illusionist who believes putting words in their competitors mouth will win them an argument speaking of empathy, if anyone here is lacking it is you. the way you’re referring to hitchens is very dogmatic
How does he have so much historical information in his head? I don't know even a fraction of the things he knows about religion, history and world events about the things that I have spent decades being most interested in. Truly brilliant.
@@tgstudio85 I never said he didn't, I take key notes in front of me when I speak too. You'd have to be an idiot not to. Show your reading comprehension "kiddo"
He was the most effective debater I ever listened to. Total clarity of thought, of speech, and of message. Surrendering your democratic rights, because someone is "outraged" is the quickest path to losing all of your democratic rights, because someone, somewhere, is outraged about something. Remember that some people are outraged by the existence of Jews. Always remember that when someone tells you they are outraged. You can be outraged and an idiot simultaneously. They aren't mutually exclusive conditions.
To have that intellect, vast library of facts and anecdotes, and the beautiful and articulate delivery of one's thoughts on the hoof is a rare and hugely impressive phenomenon. I miss Hitch.
It's worth pointing out that he's clearly looking down at his notes when he begins that anecdote. It's something he prepared in advance because he knew what the subject of the talk would be.
His command of the english language and his ability to form a coherent argument is so impressive that you could argue the sky is blue and grass is green and you'd still lose to him in a debate.
A man is not dead until he is forgotten therefore Christopher Hitchens is immortal thanks to clips like these. I often wonder and 'pray' that his family and friends read these comments to see, as if they didn't know, how much he is so missed.
I love that (even though I'm a reasonably intelligent person) I sometimes need to re-play what Hitch said, and then do a bit of research, before finally understanding the brilliance of his 'off the cuff' riposte! I miss this guy sooo much!!
Lol the guy on the right of Christopher was looking like he couldn’t wait for the punchline. He already knew whatever Chris was going to say was going to be brutal
As long as there are videos of Hitchens then he is never truly gone, we can still learn from him! He would want us to become more intellectual and he is still here teaching us how to do it!
@@markanthony4950 You should have left out the comma. It looks like you are shouting "HONEY!" after saying you are glad! Also, what are you glad about?
The amount of world events and obscure quotes that were locked inside his head is astonishing and unparalleled. This is one of the reasons why he was unbeatable in any debate he participated in.
I am so envious. As someone with a phenomenally terrible memory, I can't argue at all, which is increasingly dangerous in the modern world where we're all on trial all the time.
I love how he handles this. First a small narrative. Smal but with a fierce sting. And then, when he has already scored the point, he doubles down with a fenomenal blow of *facts* .
Hold on. We have Noam Chomsky, and when Gore Vidal was asked after Iraq if Hitchens is your natural successor, Vidal replied, " *NO!!* " Good for Gore.
He was a protector of our way of life, not easily replaced though more than ever we need somebody to take up the mantle. A gentleman of war and a fine Conrad to look up to, and to learn from. A pleasure as ever Christopher Hitchens
not sure under which rock i was hiding while Hitchens was working his craft, but am glad to have stumbled across it now! what a voice he had! please reason/sanity don't RIP yet..
I have never seen or read the work of a man who is so articulate and in command of the English language as Christopher Hitchens was - not to mention his expert use of reason, logic and clarity of argument.
@@ckmoore101 I like Jordan Peterson. Have all his books, went to his tour, watched hundreds of hours of his lectures and talks over the years, so I’m not just some hater, but he is not as articulate and on the fly as Hitchens was, and even in the debate against Sam Harris he somewhat struggled.
@@jennycook290 I would've love to put christopher hitchens in the arms of the 1949 possessed boy in saint louis missouri on april 13 1949 that's when christopher hitchens was born the exorcism in saint louis missouri was 5 days from it's conclusion christopher hitchens would look totally own if I took a photo of that moment if the moment would've been.
The 1949 possessed boy in saint louis missouri his the reason why the exorcist film starring actress linda blair hit theaters on december 26 1973 the exorcism film starring actress linda blair is just the baby.
"When Dr. Samuel Johnson had finished his great lexicography, the first real English dictionary, he was visited by various delegations of people to congratulate him, including a delegation of London's respectable womanhood who came to his parlor in Fleet Street and said "Doctor we congratulate you on your decision to exclude all indecent words from your dictionary." and he said "ladies I congratulate you on your persistence in looking them up."
@@mattd400 In order to know he excluded ALL indecent words from the dictionary, those respecatables ladies had to 1) write EVERY indecent word in existance. 2) check the lexicography and search each one of them, to see if it was there. That means not only that those ladies were aware of every indecent word anyways, but more importantly, that they spent a huge amount of time TRYING to be offended, they just didn't succeed. This is what Hitchens then links to the next example: if someone does difficult acrobatics over a precariously balanced ladder in order to be able to watch into the window of my bathroom in the second floor of my house, it's not my problem if they get offended by my nudity. Maybe they should try less hard to be offended in the first place.
I've used this argument myself. Those who want to be offended, go out of their way to find the item they're offended by. A perverse form of mental sadomasochism, it seems they need to feel offended so the adrenaline rush can kick in to fuel their addiction. The worst are those who are offended by things that are not directed at them or the group they belong to.
To be interventionist and against pacifism when it comes to toppling horrible dictatorships does not make him more right wing. The traditional left wing view of things was interventionist, and traditionally, it was conservatives that were isolationist. In other, later interviews, he has admitted he is still on the left. I think the way he felt about his relationship with the left altered a lot throughout his life. Reportedly, his last words before he died were 'Capitalism downfall'. Socially speaking he had conservative views? He has spoken before about how the best way to liberate and develop societies is by giving rights, especially economic rights, to women. There's a whole debate with him about feminism, and he comes across as very rational and pretty left wing. And anyway, the regressive left isn't the left wing I mean when I talk of Hitchens. The regressive left is a modern-ish warping of the left wing. And anyway mk. II, you've mentioned Orwell twice, who was a stalwart socialist.
Anthony de Carvalho No, the world does not need him. The world needs Christ, but Hitchens was an enemy of Christ. That cancels out whatever admirable qualities he possessed. As Christ said, the first will be last, and the last first.
@@marcusonesimus3400 The world had your "god" for 2000 years and look where it brought us. Stop your nonsense or at least keep your colorful ignorance to yourself. We need humans, not invisible stalkers in the sky.
Ouch Paul, Religiously? hmmm It's not that I should be the decider I'm just thinking that wouldn't be a word that I would use to describe the way I watch Hitchens. It would be more like...I watch him atheisticaly, that is; with an open mind.
Loss to the world? I’m unsure how many people he actually helped ... fed ... clothed... healed... I’ve just discovered Chris Hitch and quite certain I would have been ok had I never known of him
@@cquinn4555 Of course you would be ok but who cares what you think? If Gods design for the human body had been perfect there would be no need for healers. The fact is, the faults in the human body fills hospitals and doctors surgeries to capacity, hospitals are overflowing with illness. If god cared he would send Manna from heaven to feed the starving of the world, there would be no need for charities like UNICEF, but christianity loves suffering doesn't it ? as long as it's not YOU that's suffering.
I saw this entire presentation on free speech. It was revolting, the mewling and bleating about protecting beliefs. If you need a law to protect your beliefs from any kind of language, that is itself a demonstration that the belief cannot stand on its own and should be jettisoned.
"If a woman sees a man getting undressed through his window he is indecent, if a man sees a woman getting undressed through her window he is a Peeping-Tom!" The philosopher Sir Bob Monkhouse 🏆🇬🇧
Phil Rabe Do you scare easily? Or is darkness as light to you, and vice versa. Such sentimental rubbish coming from an atheist? It hardly seems appropriate. You guys are supposed to be so tough, so hard-nosed, wedded as you are to the imperturbable goddess Reason. Where's your coldly rational. 'scientific' perspective on death? But here's another: 'it is appointed for men to die once, then judgment.' Your authorless universe is probably the most ridiculous fable I've ever heard. I cannot muster enough faith in the power of Nullity to believe that fairytale. Who are you to dump on benighted islamists, granted that they are shameless historical revisionists? (John 3:20) 'For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.'
Anatomy of this Hitchens reply: 0:33 Humorous analogy to familiarise the audience - while also entertaining them - with the idea of proactively being offended 1:01 Use the momentum of the audience being on-side to deliver the otherwise unacceptably-strong remark, "sinister piffle" 1:11 Use another humourous analogy enroute to the conclusion of self-made offence 1:25 Use all of this as a premise in your argument that the offence takers are the real danger
tobo86 Nothing unacceptable about using the phrase "sinister piffle" to refer to sinister piffle. And the offence-takers are indeed the danger, since they are the ones who want to censor speech and thought, censorship being essential for totalitarianism.
tobo86 And all this unprepared, on the hoof. Just constructs this beauty of an argument with all these tacit implications and relevant historical references to make mincemeat of the foolish point his opponent was making.
This man is like the embodiment of Denmark. Seriously i grew up there and ive lived many places, never have i seen a more chill people with zero fucks given but also wont put up with your shit and will shut you down with the most witty dark humor and contempt.
The next best thing to Hitchens would be a young college kid named Alex O'Connor. If you haven't already, check him out on The Cosmic Skeptic on UA-cam. Well worth your time.
He is just immotal. He calls BS immediately right there and is not affraid of anyone. So far I haven't seen anyone more erudite, knowledgeable, and more ready to cut through any crop out there. He was like a walking encyclopedia but powered by superb reasoning. I don't even understand how anyone even hoped to make any dent in a debate with him. Thank goodness we live in the era of UA-cam to forever have these jewels.
What i truly love here is at the point where Hitch starts his reply the guy to his right gives off this superb rye smile as if to say ` strap your self in chums it gona be a hell of a trip `
He should have got a bunch of badges made up that read "I've just been hitchslapped" and handed them out to the idiots just after he hitchslapped them :-)
RudeBoy Jim Your ass isn't an entity you need concern yourself with... Unless your are gay? But even then, imagining your ass has a personality is still silly. A bit like those folks who imagine there's a God with an equally fragile, easily offended ego, and their best interests in mind hey!
gor265 agree with the second part. As far as the part where you didn't understand that I was just jokingly reimagining the meaning of your comment goes, that's retarded!
It's such a mistake to even debate with theists. If someone repeatedly told you there was a dragon in their wardrobe, would you A) Invite other dragon-believers and unbelievers to discuss the matter or B) Say _"Show me the dragon or hush"_
They do actually, it's part of the nature of their job. To talk people through and out of the negative emotions they experience. That is done by crafting arguments that have to hold up stronger than those of their patients
Hitchens was a formidable debater, even on issues where he was wrong (for instance, his position on the Iraq war) you would have to come very well prepared before starting a discussion with him.
Hitch said in one of his final interviews that he had gotten real sense of the impact of his work, his words, in the world. Fans and enemies alike, but he got what he wanted most out of life, he challenged tyrannical institutions and inspired people to think. He was also very honored to be considered one for the "Four Horsemen" of atheism/secularism, along with Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, and Sam Harris. He was a very powerful agent of freedom, and is sorely missed.
The thing about Hitchens was he had no agenda, in that sense he was like a scientist. "I give not one solitary fuck about anyone's beliefs or arguments if they are not founded in evidence and facts". And isn't that the way we should all approach life? Do not allow people to tell you what to think, do not accept orthodoxy, investigate stuff for yourself and form your own opinions. It's about being a grown-up, sentient, independent being, we are not sheep so why do so many of us behave like them?
Hitch said it best: Shepherds don’t look after sheep because they like them. They either want to fleece them, eat them, or fuck them. Sheep spend their entire lives fearing the wolves, but the shepherd is the one who sells the wool and lives on the mutton.
When Denmark is mentioned, with praise, by any major celeb (like hitch) us Danish people react like you would If you saw that you had randomly been filmed and put in Avengers: endgame #WeLoveOurSmallCountry
Stop missing Hitchens, and become a Hitchens; Its what Hitchens would've wanted.
We love Hitchens because he put the time in to build his intellectual arsenal and he had the intelligence to wield it well and the courage to wield it unflinchingly.
We get to be lazy and quote him to others.
Yes, I don't think that would have pleased him.
With you all the way!! :)
I have been trying to articulate this point but you did it much better than I could. Thanks
Comment of the year on any forum.
Death is the beginning, the beginning of decomposition.
Why isn't being self-aware miracle enough?
Hitchens has been a major influence in my abandonment of Islam, and together with brilliant scientists, he has inspired me to pursue a career in medicine and science, instead of becoming an imam.
I became MD recently, and am currently preparing for my residency in neurology and PhD in neuroscience.
Thank you HITCH!
Congratulations on your achievement and your decision to not follow Islam. There is SO much good being done in the world and I'm not seeing Islam doing much of it! It's far better to pursue neurology and neuroscience than to want to kill apostates and infidels because some messed up book(s) tells you to. Follow your path of goodness.
@Kadyrbek Nurlybekov
There is only one right path John 14:6.
@@ohiostate7382 The path of science and reason
@@hamza678narejo He's not the idiot, you're the one.
Kadyrbek Nurlybekov ....fine, but the missing ingredient is compassion....without that we are nothing.....
Hitch's ability to turn his adversaries OWN WORDS into a devastating point against them is unparalleled.
I don't know what you're talking about, who chose what words against whom exactly? What he said is at best moronic, if I humiliate you in any shape or form you have the right to be angry about it, because dignity exists
What madness are you living in to think overwise? Furthermore does that mean you never ever at all get offended? That's the human condition and you can't make it seize to exist by simply denying it, you deny others what you practice? Unparalleled insanity indeed
@@xxCrimsonSpiritxx Listen to the part from 1:35 to 1:45. The worst of the cartoons that got the Muslim world all riled up were made up IN ARAB COUNTRIES by ARAB RELIGIOUS LEADERS specifically to increase violent demonstrations against Denmark. I guess they thought no one would notice, but not much got by Hitch. If, as you say, one has a right to be indignant at ANY form of offense, then may I at least suggest that Muslims should have gotten violent against their own leaders, not some media people who were simply exercising their right to free speech in an entirely different country? I think that's what Hitch meant about climbing up on a ladder to see offensive behavior that isn't your business. As for my own self, I never claimed that I never get offended. For example I find your remarks somewhat offensive. Aren't you glad I'm not a religious fanatic, though, and therefore don't consider it my right to murder you for those offensive comments?
@@xxCrimsonSpiritxx you’re good at insulting, but it’s clear you can’t address Hitch’s arguments because your intellect is sorely lacking.
ignore the twat above me, they didn't endeavor to think for more than 2 seconds about the words in the video
@@xxCrimsonSpiritxxhumans must be above simple animalistic reactions. Thats the whole point.
Determined to be offended , sums it up globally
You know what makes Hitch different is that he has an almost infinite store of witticisms and anecdotes and he knows exactly, how to use them.
Also he has a talent for getting right to the core of the matter.
Interlectual sniper
@Jesus Christ the lord hath spoketh
He also knew exactly how to use a comma. ,
No, actually; the paid conmen were the televangelists who earned his righteous indignation. Hitch had a sense of morality more intact than plenty of people of faith (said by a person of faith)
"If you are ever invited to debate with Christopher Hitchens....decline" - RIchard Dawkins. Amen Richard.
Matteoj when Dawkins says not to debate someone... You'd better know you'll lose. What a huge compliment.
Jazzkeyboardist1 Galloway chewed him up and spat him out
Letting iraq rot away under the control of a psychopathic crime family is actually, as it turns out, not the moral thing to do.
Koala Nectar causing the deaths of 1 million people, spawning ISIS, and setting the middle East on fire is a strange definition of good morality
If you want a bloodless conflict maybe take it up with saddam and co. Yes, I know civilians dying is bad, and it was a terribly conducted war, but removing saddam hussein was, in principle, a moral good. ISIS is a product of our absence in the region, by the way. I love how people grant zero agency to the actual members of isis who hold the insane murderous beliefs. Nope, we MADE them! All our fault! Watch as I whip myself to atone for my sins!
Sam Harris has the best moral analysis of the cartoons:
"People were killed over a cartoon. End of moral analysis"
I'm not saying I support what happened, as a atheist I hate organized religion of any form.
But cartoons are capable of saying and propagating really vile things. There are necrophilic and pedophilic cartoons/ manga out in the world.
@@AnantMall well, enough people to kill then
@@AnantMall Well, yeah, because they're expressions of opinions with not only words, but pictures as well. But that's the point - they're just expressions of opinions. You don't fight opinions with violence, you fight them with rational responses. Violence is a terrible way to convince someone you're correct.
@@AnantMall Imagine missing the point, in a quote, two sentences and 10 words long.
@@mattschemmer3091 nicely said, and I understand where i was wrong.
"Anyone who understands that story will see through the sinister piffle we were just treated to now!" -- Miss him.
haha, dude sitting next to him knew a hitch slap was coming and was smirking from the beginning.
Doug Cassidy haha I was also smiling
Is that a dude or a dudette?
I saw that too... he could hardly contain his anticipation of the wrath to come 🤣
Robert Svorinich You blind?
That dude is sooo happy he's sitting next to him and not opposed to him.
I would like to posthumously congratulate Mr. Hitchens for defending the international right of my own home-country, Denmark, to freedom of speech on the world stage.
Strictly speaking, wouldn't you have to be dead to do that?
Pedantry aside, you never know, we may both get the chance to do that one day. Like the man said, he liked surprises ! Meanwhile, go Denmark ! Jer er røde, jer er hvite, jer er Dansk dynamit !
Danes are good people. Even in south america we know that.
well worth it, though I'm perplexed how the first animation of Muhammed on South Park ever got missed?
Denmark scores 97 on the World Freedom Index and is the 9th most-free nation in the world, 17 places higher than the UK and 43 places higher than the USA.
@@TonyEnglandUK Small EU countries like Denmark and Holland always do well in those areas, like my home country of Aotearoa New Zealand. Something we should never take for granted and something we small nations should be immensely proud of, and, above all, should defend
"don't you tell me you can do any of that in iran"
That was another epic boss moment
I always loved that one. That young lady straight up lied her ass off when she said she could walk around without a hijab or unescorted in Iran (assuming we're speaking of the same clip.) She lied so she could save face rather than speaking the truth, which, let's face it, would've had some less than savory consequences.
@@rse1113 But you're forgetting that her veil "would be small". That stupid woman even contradicted herself, and worse is that she utterly brushed off the ridiculous lack of human rights in Iran from the safety and comfort of a Western country. Sadly, there are many claiming to be "liberals" who would've applauded her stupidity like clapping seals.
@@rse1113 we can? i mean you can in afghanistan if you wanted to but no one does because they want to stay modest and probs cos their parents makes them. But now Taliban those extremist dogs came so you probs can't without getting told off. Iran is more softer than afghanistan ever since Taliban. I know because i've been there.
"sinister piffle we were treated to just now..." 😂
Hitch didn't just turn phrases, he spun them like a centrifuge.
@@con.troller4183 For me, personally, the greatest Hitchslap was his comment about Falwell;
*_"If you gave Falwell an enema he could buried in a matchbox."_*
@@TonyEnglandUK Ah yes. Good times.
That's the one I pulled out, as well😂
@@TonyEnglandUK I don't understand !!? 🥲
"If people are determined to be offended... there's nothing you can do about that."
More prophetic words were never spoken.
And if people are determined to see an enemy where none exists, there's nothing you can do about that, either.
What's worse is that they're usually determined to be offended on behalf of others.
Do you know anyone who is 'determined to be offended'? No one is. It was a typical nonsense statement from Hitchens.
@@candeffect "Do you know anyone who is 'determined to be offended'? "
Quite many, actually. If anything it's gotten much worse since this video was recorded.
While I may agree with Hitchens on certain points in his argument, this one I do not agree with because with it there is an assumption of the power dynamic in play which is not always safe. If, for example, the Arabs were tomorrow the leaders of the world economically and militarily, I would nary doubt that their offense to comics etc is something that we could do nothing about. Similarly, you see criticism of China stifled around the world because China has trading relations with countries that make such criticism sacrosanct. We do not to China say “you are determined to be offended”, we edit our language. So yeah, in civil disputes you can ignore those who seem determined to take issue with you. But on the level of systems and nations such advice is only useful if you are a singularly dominating force
Among Hitchens' many talents is his ability to convey just the right tone of disgust and contempt for the apologists for censorship and bullying he so frequently comes up against, all of them mental pygmies by comparison.
Procommenter ya mum does
Procommentor are you being a homophobe?
Procommenter, interesting that your avatar name looks like a real word except it's not. That's the only interesting thing you bring to this comment page, everything else you say is base, crude insults of an exceptional man who cut through all the religious and political bullshit of the day with wit, panache and devastating intellect. What have you added to mankind's progress lately?
man oh man I wish he was here now to take the rightful piss out of the SJWs.
Hitchens had a talent for conveying his contempt and disgust. He was a contemptuous and disgusted man.
No one ever can replicate this man’s wit, oratory & intellect. Thank heavens for so many podcasts. Intellectual gymnast. Irreplaceable!
He was brilliant at getting over his points. He knew his facts incredibly well. He spoke the truth. He was fearless in the face of fanatical religions. We badly need more like him.
“He knew his facts incredibly well”
“We badly need more like him”
Ho the irony!! Sorry but what can be claimed without evidence can be dismissed without evidence!! This is so ironic it beggars belief!! Because the “fact” is that it is how we choose to live and end our life that defines how “brilliant” “we” are!!
The “fact” is that Hitchens subscribed to the (Merelogical Fallacy), the belief that “we” are all just a brain!! The”fact” is that it’s “self” refuting!! Because the “fact” is that under Christopher Hitchens strictly reductive materialism, atheism or philosophical naturalism “we” are nothing more than “a bag of chemicals” buddy and nothing more substantive than an overgrown amoeba with illusions of grandeur. Under a strictly reductive materialism, atheism or philosophical naturalism “you” and Hitchens are nothing more than the science project of vinegar and baking soda bubbling over!!
Does the science project of vinegar and baking soda bubble over bravely when it straw mans moderate religious expression.
Can the baking soda and vinegar take the credit for its circular logic and self contradiction?
You can’t replace “facts” and truth with showmanship and style over substance. Sorry but it’s beyond ironic that you believe that someone like Hitchens who was caught out being an history revisionist numerous times “knew his facts incredibly well”. This is comedy gold and the worship in this comments section is beyond cringe worthy and hilarious. Sorry but the “fact” is that Hitchens became a willing apologist for the dirty deeds of the American empire? According to the expert linguist and brilliant cognitive scientist Noam Chomsky this is not a good sign that Hitchens
“knew his facts incredibly well”
It’s a sign that he believed exactly what he wanted to believe and thousands of innocent civilians payed the price. Evidence to the contrary please!! I’ll wait!!
Equally, the “fact” is that Hitchens associated with people who promote torture, eugenics, antisemitism and promoted the dangerous belief that “moderate religious believers are more dangerous than extremists because they make extremists look more respectable” (Daniel Dennette). Does that mean that everyday normal “respectable” atheists are more “dangerous” than Stalin, Pol pot and Mau because they make them look more “respectable”?
The “fact” is that Hitchens was part of the intelligentsia of the four horsemen that included Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins and Daniel Dennette!!
The “fact” is that Hitchens associate Sam Harris unashamedly bragged…
“I am one of the few people I know of who has argued in print that torture may be an ethical necessity.”
(Sam Harris).
I wonder why he’s one of the few ? Is it because the “fact” is he’s more enlightened than the rest of us or is it because the “fact” is that torture is unbelievably evil and has never been justified by appeals to emotion as there is no clear distinction on where to draw the lines
Harris argues that there are scientific “neurological" grounds, “facts” for supposing that his moral reasoning is logically correct and that we “ought” to be torturing people for collateral reasons. We all know which group of people he has in mind. Where he gets his “ought” from is beyond most normal people as he is a determinist so he believes free will does not exist. Are women and children exempt from Harris’s state sponsored torture programme if they had information (facts) that was required by the state.? The “fact” is that….
“Torture is one of the ultimate abuses of state power, and the use of extreme violence that exploits the powerlessness of individuals subject to state control is anathema to the rule of law. It easily becomes a license to target anyone who is declared to be a threat” (Lutz Oette).
According to the scientific populariser Richard Dawkins who ironically was recently excommunicated by the (Association of Humanists) and stripped of his (Humanist of the year award) for bigotry and intolerance against moderate religious expression and marginalised groups such as the disabled etc…According to Dawkins who has 3 million followers on Twitter the “fact” is that…..
“It’s one thing to deplore eugenics on ideological, political, moral grounds, It’s quite another to conclude that it wouldn’t work in practice. Of course it would. It works for cows, horses, pigs, dogs & roses. Why on earth wouldn’t it work for humans? “Facts” ignore ideology.” ( Richard Dawkins).
The “fact” is that I think the parents of disabled children including the bereaved relatives of the people who died under the Nazis eugenics policy would beg to differ.
The irony is that Dawkins was recently stripped of his (Humanist of the year award) by no other than the (Association of Humanists). That’s a secular atheist organisation by the way! The “fact” is that Dawkins even wrote a book aimed at children that equated the Jews with the Nazis something that is clearly advantageous to the alt right.
“Dawkins has over the past several years accumulated a history of making statements that use the guise of scientific discourse to demean marginalized groups, an approach antithetical to humanist values,” (Association of Humanists).
Similarly, a report from the Southern Poverty Law Center, an American non-profit which tracks extremist activity, stated that some alt-righters found Sam Harris' work "blended easily into that of more overtly racist writers". The report argues that "Under the guise of scientific objectivity, Harris has presented deeply flawed data to perpetuate fear of Muslims and to argue that the “fact” is that black people are genetically inferior to whites." It notes some of Harris' less responsible uses of his podcast, including the Charles Murray incident, and quotes one alt-righter who moved from Harris' content to that of the overtly racist blogger Paul Kersey.
The “fact” is that if you’re going to defend Hitchens, Sam Harris, Dawkins and Dennette (The four horsemen) the “fact” is that you need to remember to defend eugenics and torture including the belief that “moderate religious believers are more dangerous than extremists” and that black people are “genetically inferior” to whites. Not to mention antisemitism. Also please remember that Hitchens accused Mother Teresa of being guilty by association when she accepted money for the poor from people who had chequered pasts. So by Hitchens own standard of cherry picked half truths and logic the “fact” is that all these men including Hitchens himself are all guilty by association of promoting torture, eugenics, racism, prejudice and (Antisemitism) and hate crimes. Furthermore, at the bare minimum it is estimated that 10 thousand Christians currently die every year due to persecution and thousands of Muslims die due to persecution. This includes the persecution of parents and their children!! The “fact” is that Hitchens himself became an apologist for the persecution and dirty deeds of the American empire and by his own standard of evidence he is guilty by (association). What a waste because all of these men could have been so much more!! Furthermore, the worship and deification of Hitchens in this comments section, not to mention the triumphalism and proselytising about a strictly reductive materialism, atheism or philosophical naturalism, is beyond cringe worthy and ironic!! The strictly reductive materialists, atheists or philosophical naturalists worship of the gods of determinism and automatism condemns their myths to hollowness!!
I rest my case!!
@@georgedoyle7971
Brevity is the soul of the wit.
God bless Hitchens!!, no wait sorry.....my religious conditioning again...you know what I mean!
I don't remember him ever stepping up to judaism ever.
@@eldritch6871 So your theory is that he secretly prefers Judaism? Very interesting conspiracy theory
I would step in the ring with a professional boxer before I'd ever even attempt to debate this mans genius.
McLeod hahahha. yup
Mcleod Just show him an exorcism you will challenge him with that if he was still alive sadly his not let see him debate in that situation
@Jazzkeyboardist1 you're an idiot. And I love Stewart!
STUPID PEOPLE FEAR MAN MORE THAN GOD
@jack COOL STOY, BRO
That the Arab world got together to boycott the Danish economy is almost funny. Their major exports are beer and bacon. Good luck with that. :P
Excellent point, and very much in Hitch's style! :)
🙋♂️😁😁😁
Unfortunately, dairy products to the Middle East is one of our most significant export incomes, which suffered tremendously under the boycott, but in the end rational business sense prevailed :-)
A delicious irony.
haha. Skål on that
I only became familiar with Hitchens after his passing. His work continues to enlighten people everywhere. What a man.
"Get this bit right, atheism is when you tell me I need God I tell you I can get along equally as well without him." What a star in the face of the sky, this man is fucking BRILLIANT!
We are all lucky that Hitch lived in the age of UA-cam. His ideas will resonate into the future.
... "treated to the piffle we just heard there"
- instant classic
Sinister piffle at that :)
Hitchens was wrong about there not being an afterlife...on UA-cam, in videos like this, he is alive to me today as he ever was. When I miss him, I just come here for some "Hitch". He is immortal.
what are you on? you don't even make sense from a christian point of veiw
@@howardmckeown7187 - he means because you can see him on youtube, it's not complicated
"Beethoven, Mozart and Chopin didn't die, they simply became music"
@@howardmckeown7187
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[Jeffrey Weekley's point] 💨💨💨💨💨
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[Your Head]
sorry, i might have been drunk,lol
He could tell a witty joke and stop there, and he would have been charming enough.
He could respond immediately with a treasure trove of historical knowledge and facts that would bowl over his opponent, and he would have been considered impressive.
Hitchens did BOTH in the same response. And that's why he's nothing short of legendary.
This man was a true legend in debate. Almost untouchable.
Untouchable
Supported the Iraq war
The dumb fuck supports war lol
Almost?
There is nothing better then Hitchens disgust for the attempts of the religious facists to validate their intolerant bigotry. His eloquence and humor while doing so, is wit in its highest form.
Shame he supported the political fascists in the US government, then....
Ooh, big fancy words.
almost as bad if not worse is the so-called liberals who defend them and seek to silence critics for being 'offensive'
An incredibly well-lettered commentary on Hitchens' dialogue.
@@MaxOnVox watch the devil and father amorth trailer.
As a Dane, Thank you Hitch.
Getting rid of Saddam Hussein and his disgusting sons wasn't a good thing?
Jazzkeyboardist1
but that is cherry picking. war is not a matter of what ifs. it’s a matter of what. if one of his relatives did not die, i wouldn’t consider him “lucky”. if there were only 7 casualties
i will say one thing though. obviously those 7 danish thought that it was worth it. and as far as Their relatives go, they would not appreciate you trying to claim their deaths in vain. my case is closed
*no hitchens needed for this hitchslap*
Jazzkeyboardist1
no not everything is what if. maybe in the mind of someone who would rather get moved than move on their own behalf. by the way, whenever did i say that i didn’t have empathy for those who died? where did that assumption even come from? that’s right.. from an illusionist who believes putting words in their competitors mouth will win them an argument
speaking of empathy, if anyone here is lacking it is you. the way you’re referring to hitchens is very dogmatic
Jazzkeyboardist1
you lost my interest in the first paragraph. make your points, make them simple.
@@SimonKanner-si3it dummy
How does he have so much historical information in his head? I don't know even a fraction of the things he knows about religion, history and world events about the things that I have spent decades being most interested in. Truly brilliant.
literally written in front of him bro, he's reading it
@@bobloblaw418 sure kiddo show your knowledge, because Hitchens proved plenty of times he has it.
@@tgstudio85 I never said he didn't, I take key notes in front of me when I speak too. You'd have to be an idiot not to. Show your reading comprehension "kiddo"
His library is filled with history and philosophy as well as religious books - he has read every single one.
I have 467 books still to read
by reading, writing and speaking for hours every single day without fail for decades, and of course his natural iq.
He was the most effective debater I ever listened to. Total clarity of thought, of speech, and of message.
Surrendering your democratic rights, because someone is "outraged" is the quickest path to losing all of your democratic rights, because someone, somewhere, is outraged about something.
Remember that some people are outraged by the existence of Jews. Always remember that when someone tells you they are outraged.
You can be outraged and an idiot simultaneously. They aren't mutually exclusive conditions.
To have that intellect, vast library of facts and anecdotes, and the beautiful and articulate delivery of one's thoughts on the hoof is a rare and hugely impressive phenomenon. I miss Hitch.
It's worth pointing out that he's clearly looking down at his notes when he begins that anecdote. It's something he prepared in advance because he knew what the subject of the talk would be.
Yes, one in a 1 000 000 000, or less. Extraordinary
"…a kristallnacht against Denmark put up by religious demagogues and thugs."
Pretty much sums everything on this issue.
I had to google two of these words.... and I can only agree. Perfectly chosen words.
hardly a kristallnacht though
and still it goes on... teacher beheaded in France over some cartoons !
@@sdrawkcabUK Riots in sweden over an book burned
His command of the english language and his ability to form a coherent argument is so impressive that you could argue the sky is blue and grass is green and you'd still lose to him in a debate.
A man is not dead until he is forgotten therefore Christopher Hitchens is immortal thanks to clips like these. I often wonder and 'pray' that his family and friends read these comments to see, as if they didn't know, how much he is so missed.
I miss you Hitch. What a guy!
What happened to the poor sod?
I miss him too. He was a true mastermind
Jazzkeyboardist1 How incredibly rude and disrespectful you are. You’re nothing but a filthy troll.
Don't worry, Hell will have lots of space for all the atheists.
@@auntiesemite9295 as if your the prize that awaits heaven. Dont drown in your dilutions.
Hitchens the Voltaire of the 21st century
Religion was born when the first scoundrel met the first fool.
He was one of the best Eternity Trashing preachers. All of evil must be proud.
I love that (even though I'm a reasonably intelligent person) I sometimes need to re-play what Hitch said, and then do a bit of research, before finally understanding the brilliance of his 'off the cuff' riposte! I miss this guy sooo much!!
Lol the guy on the right of Christopher was looking like he couldn’t wait for the punchline. He already knew whatever Chris was going to say was going to be brutal
As long as there are videos of Hitchens then he is never truly gone, we can still learn from him! He would want us to become more intellectual and he is still here teaching us how to do it!
Cliff Hanley Your brain is dead, move on away forever.
'No one's ever really gone'
Luke Skywalker
@@launabanauna8958 only someone who is intellectually lazy would come up with such an insult
He’s definitely gone.
Poetry, pure eloquent poetry ...
I wish I could express my thoughts half as eloquently as Hitch did. He made it look easy. Amazing speaker, debater and classy too!
"sinister piffle"...
TO STUPID PEOPLE
I love u
He certainly is an intellectual powerhouse.
The poetic, lyrical journey that always precedes the famous Slap is almost as satisfying as The Slap itself.
That dude beside Christopher is sooo happy that he's sitting next to Christopher, not to his opposite.
This man had instant genius rebuttals to everyone. Pure eloquent wit
perfect execution.
CoastLifee 10/10
No survivors
To be “offended” is a personal choice.
No one has the power to offend you without your permission and involvement.
Be un-offendable
Hitchens was the ultimate, erudite Intellectual- his oratory prowess was unparalled!
I cringed so hard at your comment that I gave birth to my husband :)
@@uncooked_ham: I'm glad, honey!
@@markanthony4950 You should have left out the comma. It looks like you are shouting "HONEY!" after saying you are glad! Also, what are you glad about?
The amount of world events and obscure quotes that were locked inside his head is astonishing and unparalleled. This is one of the reasons why he was unbeatable in any debate he participated in.
I am so envious. As someone with a phenomenally terrible memory, I can't argue at all, which is increasingly dangerous in the modern world where we're all on trial all the time.
Every intellectual debate since his death achingly misses him.
"If people are determined to be offended... there is nothing you can do about that"
I love how he handles this. First a small narrative. Smal but with a fierce sting. And then, when he has already scored the point, he doubles down with a fenomenal blow of *facts* .
The world may never see his like again, Hitch you are sorely and truly missed. We love you and always will.
Hold on. We have Noam Chomsky, and when Gore Vidal was asked after Iraq if Hitchens is your natural successor, Vidal replied, " *NO!!* " Good for Gore.
“Sinister piffle...”
Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em.
He was a protector of our way of life, not easily replaced though more than ever we need somebody to take up the mantle. A gentleman of war and a fine Conrad to look up to, and to learn from. A pleasure as ever Christopher Hitchens
not sure under which rock i was hiding while Hitchens was working his craft, but am glad to have stumbled across it now!
what a voice he had!
please reason/sanity don't RIP yet..
BEAUTIFUL... this man leaves his intellectual opponents WASTED and WANTING.
I have never seen or read the work of a man who is so articulate and in command of the English language as Christopher Hitchens was - not to mention his expert use of reason, logic and clarity of argument.
I think Jordan Peterson, and Milton Friedman are up there.
But don’t forget, Hitchens was virtually always drunk whenever he was awake, yet could still mop the floor with his opponent’s arguments.
@@ckmoore101 I like Jordan Peterson. Have all his books, went to his tour, watched hundreds of hours of his lectures and talks over the years, so I’m not just some hater, but he is not as articulate and on the fly as Hitchens was, and even in the debate against Sam Harris he somewhat struggled.
It's never good when he takes off his glasses and folds his arms
@TheReedable Oh I beg to differ. It's always good
@@jennycook290 I would've love to put christopher hitchens in the arms of the 1949 possessed boy in saint louis missouri on april 13 1949 that's when christopher hitchens was born the exorcism in saint louis missouri was 5 days from it's conclusion christopher hitchens would look totally own if I took a photo of that moment if the moment would've been.
The 1949 possessed boy in saint louis missouri his the reason why the exorcist film starring actress linda blair hit theaters on december 26 1973 the exorcism film starring actress linda blair is just the baby.
@@jennycook290 The 1949 possessed boy once wrote " I am the devil dead bishop and a face was drawn that no one recognized...
I pause the video and go get popcorn
Ten years ago today. He is still missed dearly.
"When Dr. Samuel Johnson had finished his great lexicography, the first real English dictionary, he was visited by various delegations of people to congratulate him, including a delegation of London's respectable womanhood who came to his parlor in Fleet Street and said "Doctor we congratulate you on your decision to exclude all indecent words from your dictionary." and he said "ladies I congratulate you on your persistence in looking them up."
Thank you from the bottom of my heart, I have hearing problems.
Can someone explain this to me? I'm not getting it.
@@mattd400 In order to know he excluded ALL indecent words from the dictionary, those respecatables ladies had to 1) write EVERY indecent word in existance. 2) check the lexicography and search each one of them, to see if it was there. That means not only that those ladies were aware of every indecent word anyways, but more importantly, that they spent a huge amount of time TRYING to be offended, they just didn't succeed. This is what Hitchens then links to the next example: if someone does difficult acrobatics over a precariously balanced ladder in order to be able to watch into the window of my bathroom in the second floor of my house, it's not my problem if they get offended by my nudity. Maybe they should try less hard to be offended in the first place.
@@gustavotriqui Thanks Gustavo
I've used this argument myself. Those who want to be offended, go out of their way to find the item they're offended by. A perverse form of mental sadomasochism, it seems they need to feel offended so the adrenaline rush can kick in to fuel their addiction. The worst are those who are offended by things that are not directed at them or the group they belong to.
Miss you hitch ......no more like you
Adam Knights search for 'Douglas Murray'. He's the next best thing.
Douglas Murray is a neoconservative. Hitchens was a socialist, and when he renounced that, he was still a lefty. Not remotely comparable
To be interventionist and against pacifism when it comes to toppling horrible dictatorships does not make him more right wing. The traditional left wing view of things was interventionist, and traditionally, it was conservatives that were isolationist. In other, later interviews, he has admitted he is still on the left. I think the way he felt about his relationship with the left altered a lot throughout his life. Reportedly, his last words before he died were 'Capitalism downfall'. Socially speaking he had conservative views? He has spoken before about how the best way to liberate and develop societies is by giving rights, especially economic rights, to women. There's a whole debate with him about feminism, and he comes across as very rational and pretty left wing. And anyway, the regressive left isn't the left wing I mean when I talk of Hitchens. The regressive left is a modern-ish warping of the left wing. And anyway mk. II, you've mentioned Orwell twice, who was a stalwart socialist.
This man is VERY sorely missed - I hold him in the highest of esteem …great knowledge, extremely articulate, style and BALLS OF STEEL !!
Couldn't have said it any better myself
How much we miss him, how much the world would need him. Greatness!
Anthony de Carvalho
No, the world does not need him. The world needs Christ, but Hitchens was an enemy of Christ. That cancels out whatever admirable qualities he possessed. As Christ said, the first will be last, and the last first.
@@marcusonesimus3400 The world had your "god" for 2000 years and look where it brought us.
Stop your nonsense or at least keep your colorful ignorance to yourself. We need humans, not invisible stalkers in the sky.
Just when you think you've seen every CH video after years of watching them religiously, another pops up. Thanks!
Ha! Love the irony of you watching Hitch videos "religiously"!
Nice, Gerry. It's as if you wrote that pile of shit just so people like me can tell you to go fuck yourself!
Ouch Paul, Religiously? hmmm It's not that I should be the decider I'm just thinking that wouldn't be a word that I would use to describe the way I watch Hitchens. It would be more like...I watch him atheisticaly, that is; with an open mind.
nice try Gerry... Perhaps you could talk to Scott Savage since Hitch is not here to correct your lies.
I don't think we can adequately measure the loss to the world that Chris Hitchens still continues to be.
..... and we never will.
Agreed, but with all due respect he would've wanted you to refer to him as Christopher! He always called people out for referring to him as Chris lol
Hitch didn't like to be called Chris, he always said he promised his mother he would never circumcise his name.
Loss to the world? I’m unsure how many people he actually helped ... fed ... clothed... healed... I’ve just discovered Chris Hitch and quite certain I would have been ok had I never known of him
@@cquinn4555 Of course you would be ok but who cares what you think? If Gods design for the human body had been perfect there would be no need for healers. The fact is, the faults in the human body fills hospitals and doctors surgeries to capacity, hospitals are overflowing with illness.
If god cared he would send Manna from heaven to feed the starving of the world, there would be no need for charities like UNICEF, but christianity loves suffering doesn't it ? as long as it's not YOU that's suffering.
I saw this entire presentation on free speech. It was revolting, the mewling and bleating about protecting beliefs. If you need a law to protect your beliefs from any kind of language, that is itself a demonstration that the belief cannot stand on its own and should be jettisoned.
USA?
@@thesubhumancomedy I think the presentation was filmed in the USA. But not certain.
@@InformationIsTheEdge Ok, thanks
@@thesubhumancomedy Full debate ua-cam.com/video/7oCmhZ-1gGc/v-deo.html
@@thesubhumancomedy Actually... ua-cam.com/video/Tjhj9Hn8oQw/v-deo.html
"If a woman sees a man getting undressed through his window he is indecent, if a man sees a woman getting undressed through her window he is a Peeping-Tom!"
The philosopher Sir Bob Monkhouse 🏆🇬🇧
I can see why so many people were threatened by this man
The world is a darker and more frightening place without this mind to help shine the light of reason upon stupidity and dogma.
Phil Rabe
Do you scare easily? Or is darkness as light to you, and vice versa. Such sentimental rubbish coming from an atheist? It hardly seems appropriate. You guys are supposed to be so tough, so hard-nosed, wedded as you are to the imperturbable goddess Reason. Where's your coldly rational. 'scientific' perspective on death? But here's another: 'it is appointed for men to die once, then judgment.'
Your authorless universe is probably the most ridiculous fable I've ever heard.
I cannot muster enough faith in the power of Nullity to believe that fairytale. Who are you to dump on benighted islamists, granted that they are shameless historical revisionists?
(John 3:20) 'For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.'
I miss him so much, we would need him now in this day and age, he would bring reason
This debate forever added the phrase "sinister piffle" to my lexicon, what a gem
Anatomy of this Hitchens reply:
0:33 Humorous analogy to familiarise the audience - while also entertaining them - with the idea of proactively being offended
1:01 Use the momentum of the audience being on-side to deliver the otherwise unacceptably-strong remark, "sinister piffle"
1:11 Use another humourous analogy enroute to the conclusion of self-made offence
1:25 Use all of this as a premise in your argument that the offence takers are the real danger
Exactly. He was a genius at argument.
tobo86 Nothing unacceptable about using the phrase "sinister piffle" to refer to sinister piffle. And the offence-takers are indeed the danger, since they are the ones who want to censor speech and thought, censorship being essential for totalitarianism.
tobo86
And all this unprepared, on the hoof. Just constructs this beauty of an argument with all these tacit implications and relevant historical references to make mincemeat of the foolish point his opponent was making.
After reading this, I imagined Hitchens rehearsing this in his mind moments before speaking a la Robert Downey Jr's Sherlock Holmes.
@@nick260682 And with Hitchens' assured confidence, the listener has no doubt that he is right.
How we need Christopher Hitchens now. All these people who constantly defend the intolerance of Islam need to hear his words. .
This man is like the embodiment of Denmark. Seriously i grew up there and ive lived many places, never have i seen a more chill people with zero fucks given but also wont put up with your shit and will shut you down with the most witty dark humor and contempt.
Notice how Hitchens received three (almost four) separate rounds of applause for this one statement compared to zero for the lady before him
How we need Hitchens NOW in America! (3 July 2019).
The next best thing to Hitchens would be a young college kid named Alex O'Connor. If you haven't already, check him out on The Cosmic Skeptic on UA-cam. Well worth your time.
@@Soapandwater6 Thanks. I've been a big fan of Alex/Cosmic Sceptic for quite a while. But no one will ever replace Hitch.
@@bobh5087 True. I've only discovered Cosmic Skeptic recently.
My god, we need this man right now!
In 2021, we need him more than ever.
Such a smart man. Miss him a lot.
He is just immotal. He calls BS immediately right there and is not affraid of anyone. So far I haven't seen anyone more erudite, knowledgeable, and more ready to cut through any crop out there. He was like a walking encyclopedia but powered by superb reasoning. I don't even understand how anyone even hoped to make any dent in a debate with him. Thank goodness we live in the era of UA-cam to forever have these jewels.
Damn i miss this man.
What i truly love here is at the point where Hitch starts his reply the guy to his right gives off this superb rye smile as if to say ` strap your self in chums it gona be a hell of a trip `
The best example of someone who is "well read"
He should have got a bunch of badges made up that read "I've just been hitchslapped" and handed them out to the idiots just after he hitchslapped them :-)
Utterly brilliant Hitchens, and 110% on the money as always.
Offended my ass.
he offended my ass too!
RudeBoy Jim Your ass isn't an entity you need concern yourself with... Unless your are gay? But even then, imagining your ass has a personality is still silly. A bit like those folks who imagine there's a God with an equally fragile, easily offended ego, and their best interests in mind hey!
gor265 agree with the second part. As far as the part where you didn't understand that I was just jokingly reimagining the meaning of your comment goes, that's retarded!
gor265 no, but YOU are GAY!!
RudeBoy Jim Is that you or your ass talking?
That was pure brilliance , I have watched it many times over the years and each time is like the first time .
Christopher Hitchens is an absolute legend.
I distinctly remember the day he died. The world became a palpably poorer place.
It still is.
tonycatman and hitchens became a christian.
YHWY. You have got the wrong Hitchens.
YHWY or the HWY Idiot.
rubbish. twaddle. but he was exceptionable.
Let him rot in the pit of hell.
Why is there even 2 sides to this debate. Do psychiatrists debate with their patients?
Only one comment we'll said
The Atticus Finch no, but some patients have the audacity and ignorance to attempt to debate their psychiatrists
It's such a mistake to even debate with theists. If someone repeatedly told you there was a dragon in their wardrobe, would you
A) Invite other dragon-believers and unbelievers to discuss the matter
or
B) Say _"Show me the dragon or hush"_
They do actually, it's part of the nature of their job. To talk people through and out of the negative emotions they experience. That is done by crafting arguments that have to hold up stronger than those of their patients
_So well put. Thank you._
He always had the exactly appropriate response to the precisely asked questions!
Folks, you cannot imagine how I wish someone transcribe this speech of him. So concise and clinical.
Hitchens was a formidable debater, even on issues where he was wrong (for instance, his position on the Iraq war) you would have to come very well prepared before starting a discussion with him.
Yep. He was right about most things but he was completely, tragically wrong about that one. And frankly, I would have loved to debate him on it.
Hitch said in one of his final interviews that he had gotten real sense of the impact of his work, his words, in the world. Fans and enemies alike, but he got what he wanted most out of life, he challenged tyrannical institutions and inspired people to think. He was also very honored to be considered one for the "Four Horsemen" of atheism/secularism, along with Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, and Sam Harris.
He was a very powerful agent of freedom, and is sorely missed.
Old lady to constable “ there’s a man exposing himself .” Constable “ I can’t see him.” Old lady “if you stand on that chair you can see him.”
Voice of reason in the darkness.
The thing about Hitchens was he had no agenda, in that sense he was like a scientist. "I give not one solitary fuck about anyone's beliefs or arguments if they are not founded in evidence and facts". And isn't that the way we should all approach life? Do not allow people to tell you what to think, do not accept orthodoxy, investigate stuff for yourself and form your own opinions. It's about being a grown-up, sentient, independent being, we are not sheep so why do so many of us behave like them?
because in our evolution not everyone needed to evolve, hence the Psychopath theory
@@carmenchantilly9049 individuals don't evolve, populations do.
He absolutely had an agenda. The agenda was self promotion. He didn't encourage critical thinking at all.
Each of us has one chance to live in the real world.
Hitch said it best: Shepherds don’t look after sheep because they like them. They either want to fleece them, eat them, or fuck them. Sheep spend their entire lives fearing the wolves, but the shepherd is the one who sells the wool and lives on the mutton.
I've never forgiven this man for dying so early...
There's no such thing as "best hitchslap ever," cause every hitchslap is superb.
Some are better than others. Hitchens would have told you that.
@@mja91352 But some does just hit you harder. Anyway mad respect!
There was The Shawshank Redemption and The Christopher Hitchens Redemption (of Reason and Debate!)
But this one is even more superber
For the record: *Hitchslaps* are *not* rare
When Denmark is mentioned, with praise, by any major celeb (like hitch) us Danish people react like you would If you saw that you had randomly been filmed and put in Avengers: endgame
#WeLoveOurSmallCountry
Some of us Americans know of the courage of Christain X and the Danish Resistance- three cheers and three cheers more for Denmark!
Imagine talking with a hot potato in your mouth.
j/k just some bants from your Nordic little brother, Finland.
Did Hitch actually drink water? No, it's got to be vodka.
Jan Banan He liked to alternate. It's how he drank his comrades under the table.
Jan Banan His favourite drink was Johnnie Walker Black Label cut with Perrier.
Shannmeister thank you for sharing this information
Jan Banan Yeah he was a known alcoholic.
He turns the water in vodka
RIP to this amazing man. One of the best in the business
“. . . the sinister piffle to which we were just treated” - Sinister Piffle would be a great band name. Hitch is gold!