Peter Hitchens on Trade Unions, Tony Blair and the End of the Monarchy | Downstream

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  • Опубліковано 14 січ 2023
  • This week’s guest is an iconoclast, although he may not be comfortable being labelled that way given his devotion to christianity. Among his colleagues on the right, he stands out as someone who is genuinely thoughtful and perhaps as one of the few who could be described as a genuine conservative.
    Aaron meets Peter Hitchens to discuss abortion, the Soviet Union, and how to make a good cup of tea.
    _________________________________________________________
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 2,5 тис.

  • @MusicMatters95
    @MusicMatters95 Рік тому +632

    There should be more of this type of interview. Proper respectful debate across the political divide rather than guests agreeing in an echo chamber. In an increasingly polarised country this is truely encouraging.

    • @firebirdstark
      @firebirdstark Рік тому +65

      Yes, it’s great to see Aaron meet his senior, future self that is able to point out the folly of being in that spaceship of ideology.

    • @readsomebooks666
      @readsomebooks666 Рік тому +40

      Are you kidding? Peter utterly destroyed him here.

    • @Madonnalitta1
      @Madonnalitta1 Рік тому +41

      Lol. Peter was laughing at Aaron's childishness. This is why the left won't debate the right.

    • @huveja9799
      @huveja9799 Рік тому +6

      Could someone provide please the name of the 1990's film about the reality of the Soviet Union? Thanks!

    • @MusicMatters95
      @MusicMatters95 Рік тому +3

      ​@@readsomebooks666exactly 🙂

  • @DM_Curtis
    @DM_Curtis Рік тому +708

    I like the part where Hitchens basically said that Aaron should renounce his own book.

    • @gunternetzer9621
      @gunternetzer9621 Рік тому +1

      The interviewer is in way over his head, another smirking liberal.

    • @highseasailing8624
      @highseasailing8624 Рік тому +35

      Total gold!

    • @jiffjaffa3992
      @jiffjaffa3992 Рік тому +71

      Give it ten years, these will all be 'I used to be a communist...'

    • @johnmoser9731
      @johnmoser9731 Рік тому +9

      Yeah hopefully it's another Dave Reuben/Larry Elder situation.

    • @justsomeguy919
      @justsomeguy919 Рік тому +3

      So the whole thing?

  • @marcusmalone
    @marcusmalone Рік тому +353

    This is among the best slices of any sort of media I've seen in a while. Bravo for actually engaging in good faith ideological debate 👏

    • @CommonScents952
      @CommonScents952 Рік тому +9

      Agreed! However, perhaps Aaron should change his ideology before deciding to engage in another interview / debate with Mr Hitchens

    • @KarlHamilton
      @KarlHamilton Рік тому +2

      Viva Commodore!

    • @ls6097
      @ls6097 Рік тому +1

      LOL more like bravo for being dumb enough to step out in front of an intellectual freight train...if that sort spectacle is desired.

    • @fulltimeonfire8536
      @fulltimeonfire8536 Рік тому

      I agree, it's a shame more conservatives aren't capable of being this rational.

  • @Viddaric
    @Viddaric Рік тому +147

    "Bloodstained utopia to-do list" is a perfect summation of the entire communist ideology, and I'm going to use it in the future.

    • @ethelmini
      @ethelmini Рік тому

      Calling yourself a communist does not make you a Communist. If you claim absolute power over other people's lives you are a dictator in a totalitarian state. That's about as far from communism as you can get.

    • @Viddaric
      @Viddaric Рік тому +29

      @@ethelmini it is impossible to actually implement communism without totalitarianism, and even if it was implemented "correctly" (which will never happen) it would be an extremely fragile system that would collapse at the slightest crisis.

    • @Gooseplan
      @Gooseplan Рік тому +6

      @@Viddaric Wrong

    • @robh3007
      @robh3007 Рік тому +26

      @@Gooseplan No, he's pretty well right. The main reason it will always collapse under its own weight are basically summed up thusly:
      1) Those who impose communism on people always expect those people to respond to it in a way that matches their imagined utopia, and
      2) those who impose the communism cannot accept that things have gone wrong because they are wrong about human nature, so they end up taking revenge on the people refusing to go along with their imagined utopia, and historically, millions of deaths result. And as people die off and the truth of the history is lost to younger generations and antiquity, the Monday morning quarterbacks will always be there to state that "communism has never actually been tried." The human nature that the communists always get wrong is at least twofold: They make assumptions that the politburo or the leaders at the top will not go radically off the rails idealistically and turn into paranoid, power-intoxicated maniacal tyrants who gradually end up suspecting everyone around them of plotting against them, or worse, they descend into utter corruption, and rot the whole thing from inside out, top down because of greed. And usually, these leaders end up going down both paths in some form as time goes by. The other human nature they constantly get wrong is that of the people they mean to impose the communism on. They assume that everybody is all about "from each according to his ability to each according to his need." They discount the notion of the lazy, the indolent, those who are only looking to make a fast buck, those who want to game the system, those who seek to create black markets and a hundred other nefarious impulses that people act upon. These people will always exist, and it always comes as a result when people realize they can vote themselves largesse out of the public treasury, so long as there are leftists in government who decide that the answer for these people is more public welfare. When you subsidize bad behaviour, it comes as no surprise to anyone that you end up getting more bad behaviour as a result. The people marry the government, and the government, in turn, keeps these people trapped in the lower quintile of the income distribution in various forms of dependency. In Stalin's Soviet Union, owners of establishments like restaurants got paid whether they had any customers or not. So proprietors often saw customers as a pain and a nuisance; a distraction from their other illicit money-making operations going on behind the scenes that the restaurant was a front for.

    • @Gooseplan
      @Gooseplan Рік тому +1

      @@robh3007 He’s not

  • @jobbyjaws8050
    @jobbyjaws8050 Рік тому +452

    This is the kind of content that will take this channel to an elite level. Anti echo chamber, good faith debates FTW!

    • @josephinebrevig8748
      @josephinebrevig8748 Рік тому +7

      I agree

    • @tcgfade0ut
      @tcgfade0ut Рік тому +23

      I couldn't agree more with this. We should never simply sit and stagnate in our own ideas. We have to be willing to listen, engage with, challenge, and be challenged by opinions that aren't our own.

    • @timjkoala7556
      @timjkoala7556 Рік тому +4

      I agree

    • @evsm3923
      @evsm3923 Рік тому +18

      @@muntingianinja3210 didn't catch right wing media to have any debate with opposite views

    • @XavierJAlexander
      @XavierJAlexander Рік тому +24

      @@muntingianinja3210 that’s bullshit lol you never see debates like this in right wing media, traditional or online

  • @josephinebrevig8748
    @josephinebrevig8748 Рік тому +336

    Aaron thank you for this. We need more candid and politically opposed debates like this. Grown up, refreshing.

    • @jontyson5407
      @jontyson5407 Рік тому +4

      I was going to write a comment but you said it better than I ever could.

    • @PoldarkGodzilla
      @PoldarkGodzilla Рік тому +5

      Douglas Murray next 👍

    • @Jonathan-qo1ir
      @Jonathan-qo1ir Рік тому +3

      And poor Aaron got completely owned. He shouldn't of bothered uploading it to save himself the embarrassment

  • @pault1289
    @pault1289 Рік тому +280

    Long form interviews are essential to really explore ideas and the lack of them isn't a good reflection on our ideas or contemporary politics.
    Thanks to both Peter and Aaron for this conversation.

    • @anniew4105
      @anniew4105 Рік тому

      Isn't this platforming hate speech?

    • @maybepumpkins
      @maybepumpkins Рік тому +9

      @@anniew4105 Which part of it was hate speech? I didn't hear any.

    • @blackmore4
      @blackmore4 Рік тому

      ​@@maybepumpkins Unless it conforms to a mind-numbingly tiny Marxist inspired worldview, all common sense and hard evidenced data is condemned as "hate speech" these days.

    • @skumar1993
      @skumar1993 Рік тому +4

      You can't call everything you disagree with hate speach!

    • @anniew4105
      @anniew4105 Рік тому

      @@maybepumpkins but hate speech is totally a real thing, right?

  • @steve4562
    @steve4562 Рік тому +71

    Best interview of Peter Hitchens I've even seen. Don't think I've ever seen the notoriously cranky Hitchens enjoy himself so much (I think he even laughed once). You are a gifted listener who clearly understands why people are watching - to hear the guest speak.

    • @chrisjones3901
      @chrisjones3901 Рік тому +3

      He was happy because it would never be a debate knowing the interviewer was not in his league.

    • @Alex-mj5dv
      @Alex-mj5dv Рік тому +4

      I think Peter was visibly staggered sometimes at how unread Aaron is. Especially for the quite ‘out there’ form of socialism he espouses. I think Peter maybe saw glimpses of himself as a student …

    • @jamesmoore4827
      @jamesmoore4827 7 місяців тому +2

      You needn't worry because Peter is right back to being his cranky self 😂

    • @TheM41a
      @TheM41a 3 місяці тому +1

      I like how the interviewer didn't spend half an hour on the same topic, unlike Alex O'Connor. A good interviewer should know when to move onto the next stage of the discussion.

    • @RugbyPass81
      @RugbyPass81 29 днів тому

      ​@@chrisjones3901By the way, how did Peter get on when debating, yes 'debating' Alex O'Connor?

  • @Dan-pj6sj
    @Dan-pj6sj Рік тому +280

    A great interview with Mr Hitchens. He has lived the experience of being a young revolutionary, a place that Mr Bastani ideologically resides today. Peter provides clear warnings that the communist fantasy doesn't exist and it's folly to chase it. It's rare for younger generations to hear and engage with opposition to their beliefs and are currently flying in the 'spaceship of university', unchallenged. I hope this sobering message resonates with the audience. Great work.

    • @oldtimergaming9514
      @oldtimergaming9514 Рік тому +51

      Yep, but he will learn nothing from this until another 40-50 million bodies stack up.

    • @Bread_Media
      @Bread_Media Рік тому +1

      That's all very well, but there needs to be some acknowledgement that neoliberalism is also a fantasy - it isn't working and it won't ever work. The bodies are stacking up, and those in charge have their fingers in their ears.

    • @Duranous.
      @Duranous. Рік тому

      @@Bread_Media Populist from the other side of the political spectrum agree too. Neoliberalism is just a bunch of elitists trying to screw over the average person. You see it in everything they do, why do they want the masses to consume less? To save the planet? They say so but based on their actions, it's clearly so they can consume more. We need to get away from the dehumanizing focus on material and mind manipulation and get back to a state where individuals can can some semblance of determinism.

    • @AlexReynard
      @AlexReynard Рік тому +45

      I don't know who said it, but it's a great quote: "The Right likes good systems that work. The Left likes better systems that don't work."

    • @SirDennisReynolds
      @SirDennisReynolds Рік тому +31

      @@AlexReynard It's a great expression for people that summarize their views in self reinforcing quotes made for children.

  • @sailyousuf
    @sailyousuf Рік тому +269

    I am a lefty but I think Peter Hitchens makes valid points on many issues and I often find myself agreeing with him .

    • @jacobvasquez7862
      @jacobvasquez7862 Рік тому +22

      Using "lefty" instead of "leftist" is sus.

    • @Karl-gf5gx
      @Karl-gf5gx Рік тому +140

      @@jacobvasquez7862interesting - I tend to find “lefty” quite common parlance among actual working class left-wing people. “Leftist” on the other hand is more commonly uttered by middle class university educated performative socialists.

    • @Vrailly
      @Vrailly Рік тому +41

      My dad, whose career was mostly spent as a bus driver - in which he was a union organiser - uses lefty to describe himself. That and Marxist. Lefty is fine.

    • @colincampbell4261
      @colincampbell4261 Рік тому +16

      I don't agree with his attitude towards cannabis, misguided imo.

    • @space.youtube
      @space.youtube Рік тому +4

      "I'm a lefty but..." ?
      Name a couple of things (hitchens said) you agreed with, that you consider incongruent with being "a lefty" ?
      Not banal statements of the obvious, but actual points of contention that warrant the "I'm a lefty but..." qualification at the start of your comment.

  • @Alorand
    @Alorand Рік тому +64

    The best thing about this interview is that Aaron lets Peter Hitchens talk.

    • @BulletPointFitnessPodcast
      @BulletPointFitnessPodcast Рік тому +8

      Piers Morgan could take a leaf out his book eh!

    • @EE16SVT
      @EE16SVT Рік тому +10

      and the worst thing is Mr. H never lets Aaron complete his question. You could see the frustration often.

    • @louisadriaansteyn5827
      @louisadriaansteyn5827 Рік тому +5

      I am a big fan of Peter Hitchens, but he has an annoying habit of waiting until his opponent/interviewer starts speaking before continuing his answer. His brother had the same habit funnily enough. Credit to Aaron for being so gracious and patient.

  • @zachthornton8337
    @zachthornton8337 Рік тому +38

    I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to watch two people engage in a good faith conversation about politics. We all gain so much more from engagements like these.

  • @worship568
    @worship568 Рік тому +208

    I am enjoying this interview so much. A good example of engaging with people who think differently.

    • @GeoNeilUK
      @GeoNeilUK Рік тому +11

      Especially when both sides are prepared to engage.

    • @bettiekehrt4950
      @bettiekehrt4950 Рік тому

      @@GeoNeilUK ì

    • @bettiekehrt4950
      @bettiekehrt4950 Рік тому

      @@GeoNeilUK ì

    • @space.youtube
      @space.youtube Рік тому +6

      Yes, it is a good example of "engaging with people who think differently"
      Unfortunately it wasn't a good example of testing whether the underpinning assumptions of those "differences" would stand up to rigorous scrutiny.

    • @michaellabram5980
      @michaellabram5980 Рік тому

      Yes

  • @maccyjames64
    @maccyjames64 Рік тому +24

    As a conservative, I haven't watched much Novara Media before. I must say I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the interviewer.

    • @Silphwave
      @Silphwave Рік тому +8

      I'm glad he took the time to read Hitchen's books. That showed good faith and a genuine openess to engage and learn. Very rare in these circles.

    • @DP-cd5wr
      @DP-cd5wr Рік тому +2

      @@Silphwave good faith goes a long way. More of this, less of the twitter styled spats would be fantastic.

  • @therainman7777
    @therainman7777 Рік тому +7

    He may have the single greatest voice I’ve ever heard. Listen to this with a subwoofer if you can. It’s just unbelievable the depth and power in his voice, along with how articulate he is.

  • @JoBo301
    @JoBo301 Рік тому +100

    These two may be at opposite ends of the political spectrum, but this was conducted in a very civil and respectful manner. No loud voices, no screaming or labeling the other person, no point scoring, but a meeting of different ideologies. If you watch his appearance on Question Time over the years you can see that Peter Hitchens has been years ahead of his time, and predicted much of what has happened in this country. Thanks to Aaron and NM for hosting this.

    • @Jimmy-es8bc
      @Jimmy-es8bc Рік тому +7

      Yes, Aaron is at the wrong end and Peter is at the right end.

    • @matictelic
      @matictelic Рік тому +1

      That's how it should be, i mean this for both sides, credible people from both sides

    • @George-nv1ri
      @George-nv1ri Рік тому +7

      @@Jimmy-es8bc well Aaron is at one end, Peters somewhere in the middle

    • @5ynthesizerpatel
      @5ynthesizerpatel Рік тому +3

      Are they at opposite ends of the spectrum?
      PH is on record on many occasions as being what we would consider today as far left in terms of the kinds of economic policies he supports (admittedly this isn't particularly far left in the great scheme of things) - he's broadly in the same camp as someone like Corbyn on those issues, and has indeed written nice things about Corbyn.
      Conversely he has been considerably less supportive of the economic policies of Thatcher (describing her as a Liberal - which is technically correct in a classic and economic sense). He was deeply sceptical of Thatcher's work as archiect in chief of Britain's relationship with the EU which PH never supported and found her rhetoric that "there [was] is no substitute" deeply suspect and dishonest.
      He's really only socially and culturally conservative - in other aspects he's still a leftie - just not a Trot

    • @JoBo301
      @JoBo301 Рік тому

      @@5ynthesizerpatel I'd be very surprised if Peter himself would use the label of 'Leftie' to describe himself!

  • @amandatillmann8981
    @amandatillmann8981 Рік тому +17

    HITCHENS is so interesting, but full credit to the interviewer too; prodding, never craven; great content.

  • @abazely2743
    @abazely2743 Рік тому +110

    So much of what Peter Hitchens wrote in 'The Abolition of Britain' over 20 years ago still has much traction now about being well on the road to 1984 and the brave new world.

    • @dustinliam7878
      @dustinliam7878 Рік тому +26

      To the radical left, dystopian novels, (vis-a-vis Fahrenheit 451, 1984, etc) are guidebooks, not advisories.

    • @SirDennisReynolds
      @SirDennisReynolds Рік тому +1

      @@dustinliam7878 Which is why the right wing in the United States is banning books. I thought they considered Fahrenheit 451 to be advisory? Hahahahaha you have no idea what you're talking about, just living in fantasy land in your head

    • @enanden9025
      @enanden9025 Рік тому +6

      the poor will live in 1984 and the rich in brave new world.

    • @dustinliam7878
      @dustinliam7878 Рік тому +20

      ​@@bluelanterns2982 1984:
      -State spies on its citizens
      -Denizens are divided into 2 categories, Party members (the actual "citizens") and the Proles (the lower class)
      -Party members are held to rigid standards of conduct, Proles are given much more leeway in debauchery (i.e., the Party must uphold noble virtues, but the base Proles can't help themselves and are savages)
      -Dissent is swiftly and cruelly "corrected" by governmental agencies (e.g., MiniLuv) under the guise of reformation
      -Statist propaganda leans towards the notion of the common good of all, vice the good for the individual
      Brave New World:
      -From the start (and most controversial point), children are introduced to sexuality at a very young age (early prepubescence)
      ---Not only introduced, but ENCOURAGED (erotic play is promoted and supervised by adults)
      -Promiscuity is also championed amongst adults, point in fact, no one is allowed to refuse any asking partner, eliminating monogamous relationships entirely
      -All children are vat-born, surrendered to State control
      -No person has personal agency in their employment, instead, they are manipulated (sometimes intentionally deformed) to becoming whatever profession the State NEEDS them to be
      ---All vat-born children are actually spliced inseminated eggs, producing hundreds of children from a single egg. Important with the previous point, in that although identical, a not-insubstantial portion of those children will be MODIFIED (through reduced oxygen during development) into becoming slave labor
      -Society as a whole (and can be seen as an argument against leftism) has devolved into pure consumerism (the State leader is even called the "Ford", after Henry Ford)
      -Society has also been medically placated with Soma, the wonder drug designed to keep everyone happy and compliant with State-mandated statutes
      Fahrenheit 451:
      -Society has begun burning books en masse, due to people being offended by the words
      ---Anything that is deemed offensive by anybody is culled, whether the print in newspapers or books, or even from the television is swiftly culled
      ---Anybody found harboring offensive material is labelled as anathema, and are themselves culled from the population
      ---The agency tasked with cremation of said materials is State-sponsored, and anybody that shows signs of dissent, are labelled traitors, and are again, culled

    • @dustinliam7878
      @dustinliam7878 Рік тому +3

      @@bluelanterns2982 I have some more additions to make, but that post I just made was already extremely long.

  • @smithswoodrookie
    @smithswoodrookie Рік тому +136

    Absolutely adore finding a new long form interview with Peter Hitchens. What a man!

    • @swampy1234
      @swampy1234 10 місяців тому +6

      You're easily please then my friend

    • @JohnPG1706.
      @JohnPG1706. 9 місяців тому

      @@swampy1234Why’s that ?

    • @fraggit
      @fraggit 9 місяців тому

      @@swampy1234 He is not within your bubble, I take it.

    • @joshuagonsalves3904
      @joshuagonsalves3904 7 місяців тому

      My favourite is his interview with Alex O'Connor where he throws a temper tantrum

  • @raddimusmcchoyber3362
    @raddimusmcchoyber3362 Рік тому +44

    As a culturally conservative Novara viewer I was really pleasantly surprised when I saw that this was happening and it absolutely did not disappoint. Excellent stuff.

    • @thecriticalgamer8462
      @thecriticalgamer8462 10 місяців тому +1

      Just out of interest, and this is a genuine question, not looking for an argument, what do you mean by 'culturally conservative' exactly?

    • @raddimusmcchoyber3362
      @raddimusmcchoyber3362 10 місяців тому

      @@thecriticalgamer8462 Ah sorry yeah, I probably should’ve written “socially and culturally”.
      I take a pretty strong small-‘c’ conservative position on many social or cultural issues: policing, crime and criminal justice; immigration; free speech and individual liberty; privacy rights and the size and scope of Govt in relation to them; national defence and foreign policy etc.
      I’ve revised my view on the interview slightly as well (not that it remotely matters, but your response to my original comment has reminded me). I’m still very glad Novara got PH on, but I’m not keen on PH’s approach for quite a bit of it (consistently interrupting Aaron, particularly not allowing him to properly ask follow up questions or express responses to PH’s points).

    • @thecriticalgamer8462
      @thecriticalgamer8462 10 місяців тому +1

      @@raddimusmcchoyber3362 that's interesting. So just for example, if you have the time, could you expand a little on your position around policing? Just as it was the first point you listed. What would be your view as a cultural or social conservative on the role of the police, how that has been enacted over the years and how it may provide some solutions to some of the problems we have seen over that time? It's a big question I know, but I'm interested to hear it if you have chance.

    • @raddimusmcchoyber3362
      @raddimusmcchoyber3362 10 місяців тому

      @@thecriticalgamer8462 Can you tell i’d had a terrible morning at work? Throwing “disgraceful” and “disgusting” about a bit much in my comment! 🤣 How foolish!

  • @bpdlr
    @bpdlr Рік тому +14

    Peter is starting to mellow and develop the sort of sardonic humour that made his brother such a joy to listen to.

    • @marylou3995
      @marylou3995 8 місяців тому

      They were both very brainy too.

  • @Listlesscheese
    @Listlesscheese Рік тому +137

    Aaron, I've only watched 10 minutes of this and it's already the best Peter Hitchens interview I've heard. Thank you so much

    • @Exsugarbabe1
      @Exsugarbabe1 Рік тому +8

      I could listen to this man all day. He is incredibly thoughtful, freedom loving and experienced.

    • @stevepottinger471
      @stevepottinger471 Рік тому +4

      I agree, the days of full and proper interviews ended once Wogan started his TV show. It's about promoting the latest book/film/ TV series/Podcast or whatever, it is such a delight seeing two individuals of opposite opinions and views being able to discuss that difference in a polite and respectful way and to present their arguments rather to try to enforce them. It is such a pity our political masters can't run our country on similar lines. (Although Peter would disagree with that as he is a great supporter of the adversarial system).

    • @theotherguy5516
      @theotherguy5516 Рік тому +2

      Having seen the whole interview, I'm fairly sure this is the best interview with Hitchens I've seen. He's on absolute top form here.

  • @naylorbroughton1159
    @naylorbroughton1159 Місяць тому +1

    Just watching both these men just talk. Just refreshing. Keep it up!

  • @peha9942
    @peha9942 Рік тому +11

    Love the way he describe Tony Blairs mental capacity by the Brazilian language story.

  • @notgodzod
    @notgodzod Рік тому +23

    What a great interview. Aaron's admiration for Peter, despite disagreeing with him, was palpable (and rightly so). And that in itself is a very beautiful thing.

  • @MotorcyclePhaedrus
    @MotorcyclePhaedrus Рік тому +67

    One of the more enlightening interviews i have watched of late. I felt the host did his job in challenging peter, which seems to be an unenviable task for most. And then towards the home stretch the tone became noticably more amicable and relaxed. This was time well spent.

  • @evanfirebrand
    @evanfirebrand Рік тому +4

    Very mature. Good humoured. Captivating and intelligent. Both of the men. Worth the nearly-two-hours sitting.

  • @bfoster417
    @bfoster417 Рік тому +26

    I love listening to Peter, I'm going to buy his books.

  • @jobl5505
    @jobl5505 Рік тому +46

    Great interview, Peter Hutchins is an interesting, sensible, brilliant and articulate mind. Always worth listening too.

    • @MontyCantsin5
      @MontyCantsin5 Рік тому +11

      Just a shame that he is so irrational when it comes to his core worldview.

    • @eoghan375
      @eoghan375 Рік тому +5

      Not always, alot of his views are seriously out dated. Especially his opinions on drugs. However you can't deny he is intelligent and true to himself and his ideals. As far as conservatives go he's intelligent and interesting to listen to.

    • @sanniepstein4835
      @sanniepstein4835 Рік тому +4

      @@eoghan375 Outdated? What does fashion have to do with it?

    • @Kavafy
      @Kavafy Рік тому

      @@sanniepstein4835 The facts have long since overtaken his view.

    • @MrZORROish
      @MrZORROish Рік тому

      @@eoghan375 facts and truths are never out-dated unless you think they should be ignored when inconvenient

  • @crumplepunch312
    @crumplepunch312 Рік тому +36

    Can't stop laughing at the Blair Brazil anecdote.

  • @harald6452
    @harald6452 Рік тому +2

    “Been a joy, thanks” delivered in perfect English monotone. Great interview.

  • @adamsharpe9452
    @adamsharpe9452 Рік тому +13

    Amazing interview Aaron, I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish

  • @danieljohnson1924
    @danieljohnson1924 Рік тому +21

    Excellent conversation. Thanks for putting it up.

    • @neilthefish
      @neilthefish Рік тому

      I agree with you, excellent upload by Navarra media we definitely need more of this.

  • @eastchchkea6475
    @eastchchkea6475 Рік тому +31

    This interview was refreshing, great job

  • @plugdude69
    @plugdude69 Рік тому +5

    Great interview/conversation. I really appreciate Peter Hitchens perspective on so many issues and Aaron was awesome on the other side of the table from him. Great listening :-)

  • @mrhappyendland
    @mrhappyendland Рік тому +8

    Very good, nice to hear reasoned and balanced conversation which is quite rare nowadays.

  • @raymondc6249
    @raymondc6249 Рік тому +45

    First time viewer on your channel, and have to say absolutely fantastic and enlightening.. I'm away to order the books mentioned... Thank you to both of you..

  • @carletonraisbeck4137
    @carletonraisbeck4137 Рік тому +13

    Great! What a delightful interview. Thank you.

  • @andyshort6714
    @andyshort6714 Рік тому +4

    Hitchen's smirk is gold.

  • @simonprodhan5050
    @simonprodhan5050 Рік тому +27

    absolutely superb interview, hitchens is a diamond in the rough, a beacon of light in an ever increasingly dark tunnel, superbly conducted by novara media chap, great stuff and so gripping!

  • @lowrider007007
    @lowrider007007 Рік тому +44

    Interviews like this give Novara a lot more credibility imo, good to break out of the echo chamber once in a while.

    • @James_36
      @James_36 Рік тому +9

      Novara would have more credibility if it ditched its religion like PH is hinting at all throughout this lol

    • @rebeccaconlon9743
      @rebeccaconlon9743 Рік тому +6

      They didn't exactly, they hoped his trotskyist links and past would lead to common grounds

    • @lostalone9320
      @lostalone9320 Рік тому +4

      Well they were wrong 👍 Hitchens' history with Trotskyism just gives him experience of how Communism does not have a monopoly on improving society.

    • @dbaggins1159
      @dbaggins1159 Рік тому +4

      @Utoobe Izkaka Much like most of socialism’s advocates s today, actual workers do not have time for political frivolities.

    • @topskek9786
      @topskek9786 Рік тому +1

      @@utoobeizkaka2737 99 percent of leftists come from wealthy families lol

  • @patrickselden5747
    @patrickselden5747 Рік тому +10

    Fascinating conversation, gents - thanks!
    ☝️😎

  • @jagonchichon590
    @jagonchichon590 Рік тому +6

    Big fan of Hitchen; He's incredibly erudite... I'd say I don't agree with him on everything but then he's so well informed, it's difficult to challenge him. Listening to Hitchen and Aaron, though, encourages self exploration and learning

  • @Benjieboy247
    @Benjieboy247 Рік тому +8

    More content like this please!! Really great interview, good work

  • @purelegendary789
    @purelegendary789 Рік тому +22

    An extraordinary interview with a fascinating man. Well well done!

  • @freshwaterspaceman7194
    @freshwaterspaceman7194 Рік тому +5

    Big admirer of Hitchens, great interview thanks Aaron! (and Novara)

  • @Libertariun
    @Libertariun Рік тому +2

    I subscribe to novará media, but never really heard anything worth much until this interview. I’d listen to another x hours. Only regret was that Mr Aaron Bastani didn’t push back more on Peter Hitchens, as it looked like he was enjoying the cut and thrust. Best interview I’ve ever seen with the force that is Peter Hitchens.

  • @pablisimo666
    @pablisimo666 Рік тому +2

    I would just like to say thank you both for an engaging discussion.

  • @stmatthewsisland5134
    @stmatthewsisland5134 Рік тому +11

    Great interview I thought you drew out some very interesting facts and insights, other interviewers tend to get him a bit defensive but this showed what amazing experiences and fund of wisdom he has. I liked the mutual sharing of life experiences and ways of seeing things.

  • @philiplevins6702
    @philiplevins6702 Рік тому +12

    coming together with a good heart, honesty and being true to intelligence and reasoning...mostly results in positivity and progress...have a huge amount of respect for the Hitchens' clan...peace

  • @cxj810
    @cxj810 Рік тому +23

    Superb interview. Can’t thank you enough for interviewing Peter Hitchens. The Blair vignette made it all worthwhile.

  • @manusha1349
    @manusha1349 Рік тому +50

    Great conversation! Just discovered this channel and have subscribed. Peter Hitchens is a force of nature! His late brother, Christopher, is a Legend ♥️ love their work.
    Thank you for being a respectful yet challenging host.

  • @burtcocain1986
    @burtcocain1986 Рік тому +30

    Always great value, Peter Hitchens.

  • @michellewilson8845
    @michellewilson8845 Рік тому +4

    Completely hooked on this, a brilliant interview

  • @davelewis7098
    @davelewis7098 Рік тому +2

    I absolutely love Mr hitchen he once again shows that you cannot argue with the truth !! the opposition is left speechless bravo and God bless him

  • @c.j.griffin
    @c.j.griffin Рік тому +8

    I respect Aaron moreso after seeing this. Patient, careful, persistent, and intellectually generous... there were occasions where it seemed difficult for him to get a word in edgeways, but a recognition, I think, that Hitchens was the guest/content and to let him proceed.
    Skillful.

  • @simonbooth1622
    @simonbooth1622 Рік тому +11

    Peter is brilliant in this interview

  • @TheNamesBettyNyahhh
    @TheNamesBettyNyahhh Рік тому +47

    The world is much enriched thanks to both the Hitchens brothers.

    • @reforest4fertility
      @reforest4fertility Рік тому +3

      Oh, so he's Christopher's brother & not his son? Makes sense, given this guy's lack of tender age.

  • @DP-cd5wr
    @DP-cd5wr Рік тому +2

    Great interview!
    Edit: I wrote the above half way through the interview, at the end of it I must say this was a brilliant interview for a number of reasons.

  • @rolandrothwell4840
    @rolandrothwell4840 Рік тому +2

    This is the best interview I have seen for a long time. Its candid and combative at times.

  • @James-wy6qu
    @James-wy6qu Рік тому +26

    Peter Hitches deserves respect because he's genuine. As in he actually believes what he says, which is rare enough in political discourse.

    • @DarrenBurgess1989
      @DarrenBurgess1989 Рік тому +1

      So was a certain German leader in his views. Genuine in your hateful beliefs should not be respected.

    • @James-wy6qu
      @James-wy6qu Рік тому +4

      @@DarrenBurgess1989 Godwin's law... Not sure I can detect much hatred. And the lack of agenda or ambition is also pretty laudable. We should be able to speak to authentic people who disagree with us without calling them hateful.

    • @DarrenBurgess1989
      @DarrenBurgess1989 Рік тому

      @@James-wy6qu it’s not godwins law as I wasn’t comparing him to a natzee so I’m not sure what purpose that was for apart from a demonstration of your intellect. He lies throughout. Perhaps that’s a me problem that I find lying that has real world consequences abhorrent.

    • @James-wy6qu
      @James-wy6qu Рік тому +3

      @@DarrenBurgess1989 Sorry I assumed you meant *the* certain German leader, lol. Not so much an intellect thing, just shorthand for a longer point. Didn't catch any lies but maybe I wasn't listening closely enough. (Caught plenty of things that I would consider wrong/misinterpretations, etc., but no lies).

    • @gunternetzer9621
      @gunternetzer9621 Рік тому

      @@DarrenBurgess1989 They are not hateful beliefs.

  • @samdegoeij6576
    @samdegoeij6576 Рік тому +10

    I'm from the Netherlands and our media landscape is as appauling as the British is or perhaps even worse. I thoroughly enjoyed this eventhough I vehemently disagreed with Mr. Hitchens, it was fascinating.

    • @chillwinston8961
      @chillwinston8961 Рік тому

      @@BettBeat_Media I’m thinking of moving to the Netherlands what’s so bad about the media?

  • @rakasin
    @rakasin Рік тому +2

    Did I like this interview? No. I fucking loved it! Knowledgeable people chatting and maintaining respect and civility. Splendid stuff! Hitchens is clearly a thoughtful individual and his interlocutor, whose name I forget, well informed on his interviewee and well prepared for the convo. Congrats all around 🤘

  • @polymathable
    @polymathable Рік тому +9

    This is a good one. Do more on Peter Hitchens!

  • @syddog44
    @syddog44 Рік тому +10

    More like this, the two sides must listen to each other more. No more divide and conquer.

  • @banjokazooie370
    @banjokazooie370 Рік тому +41

    We need more interviews like this where there are 2 people of opposing view points talking to each other. It is also rare to find a debate where they are not trying to shout each other down, not answer the question with another question, not let them answer the question or actively trying to humiliate the other person.

    • @WiseOwl_1408
      @WiseOwl_1408 Рік тому +4

      Hard to argue with Peter

    • @SirDennisReynolds
      @SirDennisReynolds Рік тому +7

      @@WiseOwl_1408 He's right on foreign policy, completely and utterly wrong on divorce and abortion

    • @drifter402
      @drifter402 Рік тому +1

      It makes for bad clickbait

  • @TheYopogo
    @TheYopogo Рік тому +9

    The anecdote about Blair at 1:37:37 is absolutely priceless; really makes you re-evaluate the conventional wisdom around New Labour.

    • @johnkeane1419
      @johnkeane1419 Рік тому +7

      That Blair was a clown is pretty much common knowledge?

    • @hardinhp
      @hardinhp Рік тому

      then i guess you should say the anecdote about stalinism is having a stroke while having personal doctors on stand by but too scared to help you

    • @TheYopogo
      @TheYopogo Рік тому

      @@hardinhp I'm not being funny, but I genuinely cannot understand what you are trying to say.
      Can you try rephrasing it more clearly?

  • @jeepis
    @jeepis Рік тому +79

    This is an iconic interview that will stand as a great marker for our times. Thank you Novara for operating with an open minded, respectful approach to great thinkers/scribblers.

    • @mdaniels6311
      @mdaniels6311 Рік тому +5

      Lol, do you watch many interviews? It was okay. I thought Aaron let him off the hook too much, and Peter ketp talking over Aaron. I found it a bit annoying.

    • @zilefn9212
      @zilefn9212 Рік тому +8

      @@mdaniels6311 Peter always talks until he finishes his point, and if that means talking over his interviewer, he does so. I find it annoying too, but that's how he rolls and everyone knows it.

    • @jeepis
      @jeepis Рік тому +2

      @@mdaniels6311 I do and I enjoyed it, while arguments weren't always pushed to critical depths it was provoking and rare for this time. That is Hitchen's style, it's terrible but is best taken with humour if you can.

    • @mdaniels6311
      @mdaniels6311 Рік тому +1

      @@jeepis fair enough.

    • @jeepis
      @jeepis Рік тому

      @@mdaniels6311 do u have any great interviews you'd like to point me to?

  • @MangoEV
    @MangoEV Рік тому +78

    Peter makes compeling arguments about most things. He is a terrible contrarian at times! But fascinating character who holds a lot of respect. I enjoy his individuality and objectivity.

    • @Liam-yr4uf
      @Liam-yr4uf Рік тому +5

      Contrarian? In what way? That's demeaning.

    • @beachcomber2008
      @beachcomber2008 Рік тому +15

      @@Liam-yr4uf No, it's not.

    • @182dunc
      @182dunc Рік тому +3

      Being a contrarian would involve not having a rational, testable argument on the subject. What you mean is you disagree with him on some things, why you feel the need for ad hominem attacks is only known to you.

    • @yannichudziak9942
      @yannichudziak9942 Рік тому +6

      @@Liam-yr4uf I would more say that they mean devil’s advocate here in that he will push people to stop and think about the opposite or diverging opinions.

    • @MangoEV
      @MangoEV Рік тому +7

      @@182dunc no, not at all. Its in the way he struggles to agree with anyone in a conversation. For the sake of it some times. We've all met one.

  • @exitnightenterlight5327
    @exitnightenterlight5327 Рік тому +14

    Thank you Novara Media great interview. 12 years ago when Peter Hitchens brother died i was sad, as i was a big fan of Christopher Hitchens. I did not know of Peter Hitchens back then, but i would have disagreed with almost all of his positions. Now 12 years later alot has changed for me. I now agree with Peter on about 80% of the things he said in this interview. Peter speaks alot of uncomfortable truths that alot of people don't want to, and cannot understand.

    • @justgivemethetruth
      @justgivemethetruth Рік тому +6

      I had the same experience of hearing Christopher, around the time of 911, and then looking back on videos that show him with William F. Buckley and so forth. I was annoyed by Chris' attacks on religion, odd since I am not religious in the least. I prefer Peter's manner. Still disagree with him on many things, but it is never unpleasant to listen to him and always educational.

    • @kevinb9830
      @kevinb9830 Рік тому +3

      it's the tried and tested slow lurch to the right as we get older. Wisdom and reality hit, things change.

    • @justgivemethetruth
      @justgivemethetruth Рік тому

      @@kevinb9830
      The original condescending attitude from the greedy, criminal Right-wing.

    • @kevinb9830
      @kevinb9830 Рік тому +2

      @@justgivemethetruth Nope, you get less greedy and less self centred with age.

  • @ogazm1865
    @ogazm1865 Рік тому +2

    Good interview. Very interesting. Thanks to both.

  • @Walt1972
    @Walt1972 Рік тому +22

    Well done on interview conduct. Tempting to get stuck in ideology and argument as most of these interviews do, but hearing someone out to the full lets you get some common ground. Not to mention Peter makes some persuasive arguments.

  • @sequoiavancamp2152
    @sequoiavancamp2152 Рік тому +7

    Excellent interview!

  • @nacnud2323
    @nacnud2323 Рік тому +4

    That was fabulous, thank you.

  • @seriouslyshortofnormal925
    @seriouslyshortofnormal925 Рік тому +35

    It was a pleasure watching Hitchens calmly dismantle Aaron's worldview.

  • @sticksman1979
    @sticksman1979 Рік тому +3

    Peter Hitchens 'on tea.' The question I didn't know I needed. Thank you!

  • @dancollins3999
    @dancollins3999 Рік тому +26

    This was a completely fascinating discussion. Enlightening, challenging and vital. The more of this you can do, the better.

  • @jamesnorman6089
    @jamesnorman6089 Рік тому +6

    I rarely comment on videos but this interview was simply excellent and well done absolutely loved it you have earned a new sub

  • @starmersbarber
    @starmersbarber 4 місяці тому

    I've come to this very late...but it has been well worthwhile discovering this. Excellently and thoughtfully conducted by Aaron and I found Peter Hitchens a powerful presence. Thanks for this- it will lead to further journeys to other conversations.

  • @privaatsak
    @privaatsak Рік тому +6

    Bravo. Political theory meets lived history and wisdom - we need more of this!

  • @gagamba9198
    @gagamba9198 Рік тому +25

    Hitchens schooled you. Good on you to invite him.

    • @Motownisyourtown
      @Motownisyourtown Рік тому

      Hitchens couldn't school anyone except the likes of you. Sit down

    • @georgehetty7857
      @georgehetty7857 Рік тому

      @@Motownisyourtown Perhaps you need some schooling on self awareness?

  • @desertwhisperings
    @desertwhisperings Рік тому +76

    Excellent interview. Peter really got Aaron to question his assumptions a couple of times, and it was great to explore his perspective and world view in a long-form format. Peter is definitely a contrarian character but he thinks deeply about many issues and is not afraid to challenge conventional wisdom no matter the pushback.

    • @Yeeeooo
      @Yeeeooo Рік тому +41

      Perhaps, but unfortunately people like Aaron will sleep and awake the next day having taken absolutely none of this onboard to becoming a better person.

    • @johnwade1095
      @johnwade1095 Рік тому +24

      I don't think Aaron represents conventional wisdom.

    • @Madonnalitta1
      @Madonnalitta1 Рік тому +2

      There is no conventional wisdom in Aaron. Only crazies think this way, the rest of us have a family to look after. Hopefully he'll have learnt alot but I'm doubtful. Peter knows first hand what Marxism brings. It brings death.

    • @somebloke13
      @somebloke13 Рік тому +10

      @@Yeeeooo The brainwashing is deep in that one...

    • @DP-cd5wr
      @DP-cd5wr Рік тому +10

      @@Yeeeooo maybe not the day after but as he goes through his own life and experiences he will inevitably look back on parts of that conversation with different perspectives and understanding that only comes with experience. Its how life goes for most.

  • @tria380
    @tria380 Рік тому

    What a great conversation! Thank you both.

  • @agr7879
    @agr7879 Рік тому +2

    Fascinating. Could listen to this intellectual heavyweight all day long.

  • @ILUVBlogs1
    @ILUVBlogs1 Рік тому +3

    This is a great interview!

  • @wardropper
    @wardropper Рік тому +4

    Fascinating discussion. I just happened on it because I suspected this Hitchens might be the brother of Christopher, and he certainly reminds me of him in many ways - particularly with his quickness of response, as if he knew exactly what his interviewer was going to say next. This discussion covered a lot of interesting ground. Thank you!

  • @user-fq5kg6gk1g
    @user-fq5kg6gk1g Місяць тому

    ❤ Peter Hitchens and his Brother Christopher Hitchens

  • @thetonyblair1
    @thetonyblair1 Рік тому +3

    Best interview I’ve seen in quite sometime time. I feel like I like him much more now as he’s not really what I thought he was.

  • @reghand3276
    @reghand3276 Рік тому +12

    What a fascinating interview; thank you both so much

  • @Yeeeooo
    @Yeeeooo Рік тому +11

    That was a fantastic watch. Nobody does it better than Hitchens.

  • @user_1664
    @user_1664 Рік тому +2

    Enjoyed every minute , thank you .

  • @stevecooper2541
    @stevecooper2541 Рік тому +1

    That was such an enjoyable converstion to listen to, many thanks.

  • @Magna_pinna
    @Magna_pinna Рік тому +66

    Great interview. His one with Owen Jones is great too. Novara media need to have more debates with people who have differences of opinion instead of the echo chamber. It could really elevate the channel.

    • @JordanJLyon
      @JordanJLyon Рік тому +4

      Agreed

    • @josephinebrevig8748
      @josephinebrevig8748 Рік тому +4

      Agree

    • @kittytrail
      @kittytrail Рік тому +5

      could be way more interesting than the usual echo chamber effect. 😏

    • @patcampton7163
      @patcampton7163 Рік тому +11

      Novara is a welcome echo chamber for me as most of the media is a right wing echo chamber. I remember when the BBC used to do these sort of debates so it's great to see this. However I come to novara as a break from the MSM in which the left is barely heard. Sometimes it's great to know there are people with similar views to my own.

    • @Yeeeooo
      @Yeeeooo Рік тому +2

      @@patcampton7163 I'd be interested to know where you believe the BBC is right wing, considering OFCOM's recent report.

  • @holnrew
    @holnrew Рік тому +3

    Can't say I'm a fan of Peter, but I have massive respect for him coming on this channel.

  • @laogong52
    @laogong52 Рік тому +1

    Very appreciated and refreshing interview. Letting Mr Hitchens talk out and nuance his points of view is almost unique in today's media environment. Though not agreeing with him on all issues it is important to understand that a diverse and varied life and work experience is to be respected and has validity.

  • @mrdix660
    @mrdix660 Рік тому +1

    Excellent interview from both parties.

  • @jeanfrancoisnelson
    @jeanfrancoisnelson Рік тому +23

    Class guest and a good faith debate. Aaron delivering as always.

    • @papajahko7121
      @papajahko7121 Рік тому +2

      Really……..Aaron was on the back foot for most of this……unfortunately Hitchens controlled this ……thought the BBC gave these ‘journalists’ an easy ride smh

    • @laurieharper1526
      @laurieharper1526 Рік тому +9

      @@papajahko7121 You are doing exactly what Aaron is trying to avoid, which is seeing it as a game of one-upmanship. The aim was not to defeat Hitchens (a tall order - like him or not, he is well read and informed, highly intelligent and articulate), but to understand where he is coming from, even if you don't agree with him.

    • @papajahko7121
      @papajahko7121 Рік тому

      @@laurieharper1526 Nope !…..NM is supposed to be a critical thinking left leaning alternative to MSM….. especially BBC News & those so called journalists on brain numbing day time shows….. you know who I mean !
      I agree that point scoring etc does nothing positive & proper debate n discussion,taking into account & trying to understand your guests position & thought process will always be best !………Where Hitchens spoke freely without a care of upset to any individual or group….even contradicting himself at times…. he still controlled the discussion……. Aaron though looked startled & lost for words… on the back foot so to speak….sort of scared to say the wrong thing that might not sit well with his ‘left’ doctrine & that of his peers …..Aaron needed time to think while Hitchens reacted…….. that’s all I’m saying & Ive been in that position myself many a time….lost debates discussion arguments etc trying to be fair & listening to others points of view.
      IMO interviewing people like Hitchens is fine although I think he’s got enough platforms to talk shite on , so I’d rather be interviewing people who are trying to make change at grass roots level…. people with differing Political stances need a platform more than this old hack n his like !
      As for Aaron…… he’s the interviewer… he should be in control……that doesn’t mean point scoring etc… just means keeping some decorum in the proceedings
      No hate here…. Just my opinion ✊

    • @laurieharper1526
      @laurieharper1526 Рік тому

      @@papajahko7121 Why does the interviewer have to be "in control"? If you allow someone free reign, rather than attempting to control them, they often give away more (and even show themselves in a poor light) than they would if kept on a short leash. Yes, Hitchens did say some iffy things (I found his casual dismissal of the fact that capital punishment means some innocent people will loose their lives pretty appalling). Better to see people for who they are, rather than a carefully sanitised version of them.

    • @papajahko7121
      @papajahko7121 Рік тому

      @@laurieharper1526 The ‘interviewer’ role is like the chairperson at a meeting…..letting the interviewee speak freely within the allotted timescale is all good with questions put by interviewer !………you’re speaking as if this is some informal chat ….it’s not !…… it’s an interview ffs……… but this interview was made by Novara Media on UA-cam for public viewing to presumably show another side to their ‘progressive’ journalism & boost their viewing figures……by your thinking it might’ve been better to just give Hitchens an open platform where NM supply questions & he answers them in his own way if he can be arsed !…..because that’s more or less what happened here for the exception of Aaron staring into the headlights while we watched the Peter Hitchens show !
      If you then like this style of interview I suggest you watch BBC news or any of the Political debate nights as they seem to follow this format…..hard hitting questions & no respect to guests seem confined for the likes of Mick Lynch or anybody speaking for Scottish Independence !…..
      Sorry if my reply seems a bit nippy Laurie…..not my intention to offend you
      Take care

  • @robertwinslade3104
    @robertwinslade3104 Рік тому +18

    Downstream has to be one of my favourite Novara segments!

  • @janebaker966
    @janebaker966 Рік тому +2

    Young man. I was born in 1955,but I'm still here. You've just made me feel VERY OLD. Sympathy to you for having lost your Mum. Now Mr Hitchens said he was born in the 1950s but was brought up in the 1930s. I can identify with that even if Mr Hitchens didn't mean it how I interpreted it. My parents got married in their early 30s,so their ideals and worldview and even entertainers in their mind worlds was of their formative years in the 1920s/30s of which a big feature was the Great Depression. But the area where we got our family home was full of young families but these were all young mum's in their early 20s,it was a huge and unbridgeable cultural chasm. I'm actually really glad because I feel that I have the mental structure to cope with an era of frugality (enforced) and doing without. It was not a good mindset however for the consumerist,materialist, consumption driven 1960s to 2010.

  • @colinneilson2630
    @colinneilson2630 2 місяці тому +1

    massively underrated is Peter Hitchens