On the occasion of the publication of a new edition of his book Intellectuals and Society, Thomas Sowell returns to Uncommon Knowledge for a wide-ranging interview.
"Intellectuals have no interest in what creates wealth , they are very concern about distribution of it. they act as if wealth just exists somehow" so true!
Thomas Sowell was raised in Harlem in the 1930's. He was transformed from his adopted Marxist beliefs AFTER he worked in Government in DC. Thomas never bought a book as a kid as he lived near a library. He has written over 25 books and in this interview conducted in 2012 his brilliant remarks about political intellectuals reveals why we need people with EXPERIENCE in business to hold government positions. A few quotes from Sowell: "The road to hell is paved with Ivy League degrees" - Thomas Sowell "The people in the labor department saw my interest in testing theories as a threat. Don't look to government to serve the interest of people. Other people's well being will never be the priority of politics." Thomas Sowell and... "President Obama has an absolute talent for saying things that make no sense but not only sound plausible, but inspiring".
You say he's a disciple of Christ? Not hardly. He loves to pick and choose he doesn't think all people are equal in the eyes of GOD their is no Jew or Catholic black or white just people God says...
It's good to see interviews and discussions on this level of intellect and knowledge. Just two educated men sitting down and digging deep, no moronic laughing audience or "interviewer" constantly trying to hog the attention and crack jokes.
Some of Thomas Sowell writings should be part of American public education curriculum. He is giant in intelectual circles. He is a legend in his own time IMO.
Once again, Thomas Sowell hits the nail on the head. There is nothing like hearing a truth teller tell the truth in spite of what is popular or popularly believed to be the truth.
I love Peter as interviewer, he's a so laid back, ask the relevant questions and let's the guest answer fully, with appropriate interruptions were needed.
The opening segment reminded me of one of my favourite Reagan quotes. Reagan had been a 'C' student at Eureka College, regarded by the elite as a 3rd-rate school & if memory serves, it was well into his 2nd term when he was giving the commencement address at his old alma mater, and with reference to how the cognoscenti derided him for his comparative lack of education, he quipped, "To this day I wonder what I might have achieved had I sought further education." I laughed so hard I nearly cried.
EXCELLENT interview.. I watch any and listen to every commentary this man makes. A truly great man and thinker for our country. GOD BLESS THOMAS SOWELL...
His expression at 46:06 on the inset picture is gold - as is his comment at 46:18 Ï may take a sleeping pill to forget it" Ha ha ha. What an absolute legend and quick wit.
I find Thomas Sowell enlightening in many of the ideas he puts forth, and thank you for posting these. It's amazing when he discusses that intellectuals ideas are NOT tested, and accepted or rejected on the basis of if they pass the reality test. They are accepted and never tested because they are put forth by intellectuals. Therefore in any particular discipline if you want to be taken seriously you must believe these ideas regardless of there true merit or be ostracized as unintellectual.
Sowell's reaction to Obama 37:42 is classic! Someone should make a GIF from that! On the other hand, making him watch Obama clips is like watching him get tortured. :-)
Elsewhere, Dr. Sowell slyly remarked that one benefit of a Harvard education is not having to be impressed by anyone with a Harvard education. This great interview gives more insight into that.
Hearing this in 2019, I am glad I was as wrong about Trump as Sowell. He has turned out to be a far better president than I dared hope. Yes I did vote for him, but as lesser of 2 evils. My wife was always extremely enthusiastic about him. I think she somehow read his intentions whereas I was hung up on his inarticulate words.
I am the only one who wants Thomas Sowell to adopt me so I can come over and have chats. He just seems so kind and sincere. An interesting person, for sure!
Wow, what a wonderful interview, with a brilliant mind, it really expanded on a lot of my thoughts on certain topics and helped me fill in the blanks. Thomas Sowell takes apart Obama, nicely done.
he's more than an interviewer, if you like him look up what he's done in the past 25 years. he is a gift to us who crave informstion from respectable people. And Sowell is the man!! I want a t-shirt with him on it!, so when asked, I could say "he's at least as important as Einstien, and Einstien's got t-shirts AND posters"
Thank you you two are the most intelligent men of our time!! Not because of the degrees and trappings after your names but the common sense you are blest with ! I have enjoyed you talks any time I can find them on tube.
There is one thing I wish conservatives would understand when it comes to the tax code. It has absolutely nothing to do with funding government. It has everything to do with controlling economic behavior. Obama said it best when he said, you can open a coal plant, you will just be taxed and regulated into bankruptcy. And if we really pay attention to how the elected propose any tax or tax credit/exemption (loophole). The levied tax is meant to cause reduced economic activity or for the individual products/industries. The tax credit/exemption is meant to try and offset the negative economic effect of the tax. And the tax credit/exemption is applied to the political opposite economic activity. Tax carbon energy, tax credit/exemption for green energy. Tax bad behavior and tax credit/exemption for good behaviour. Chutes and ladders with our economy. And if we really pay attention, elected from both parties from ALL levels of government will allow tax credit/exemption or even government subsidies to bribe businesses/ industries or sports teams to move to their city or State. The question and answer as to why only give a tax credit/exemption individually instead of reducing the tax rate for all businesses/ industries? Cause the elected would like to control who can succeed and how they succeed. Again Obama said, we do not begrudge success, so long as your income has been earned FAIRLY. Who defines what is FAIRLY earned income?
41:35 When people keep their own money that's called "subsidizing them", I love it! You know, that's the brilliance of intellectuals, that they can use words in such a malleable way, that they can.. I mean Obama has an absolute talent at saying things that make no sense, but not only sound plausible but inspiring. You know, subsidizing, we're subsidizing the oil companies, when they deduct the cost of doing business in order to arrive at the figure of how much net income they have. Everybody does that! I'm busting up over here, I think I can much more clearly see the inanity of Obama's crazy speeches post Obama. I'm pretty sure he got away with a lot not so much by virtue of anything inherent to what he was saying but by the fact that he held a powerful office.
What a brilliant honest man, with no agenda except the truth , what a joy to listen to a man of his intellectual and moral stature , and Peter Robinson is a terric interviewer
Love listening to Thomas Sowell. I could listen to him all day.
"Intellectuals have no interest in what creates wealth , they are very concern about distribution of it. they act as if wealth just exists somehow" so true!
What I understand Dr. Sowell to say is "No one is as smart as what they want others to think they are."
@ Randall Porter...Another good bumper sticker, and T shirt statement.
He was so right. Watching this in quarantine. This rings so true.
Thomas Sowell was raised in Harlem in the 1930's. He was transformed from his adopted Marxist beliefs AFTER he worked in Government in DC. Thomas never bought a book as a kid as he lived near a library. He has written over 25 books and in this interview conducted in 2012 his brilliant remarks about political intellectuals reveals why we need people with EXPERIENCE in business to hold government positions. A few quotes from Sowell: "The road to hell is paved with Ivy League degrees" - Thomas Sowell "The people in the labor department saw my interest in testing theories as a threat. Don't look to government to serve the interest of people. Other people's well being will never be the priority of politics." Thomas Sowell and... "President Obama has an absolute talent for saying things that make no sense but not only sound plausible, but inspiring".
Thomas Sowell is the type of intellectual we need more.
Disciple of Christ practical intellect. It seems most people as intelligent as Sowell can't apply it to everyday life.
Not really
You say he's a disciple of Christ? Not hardly. He loves to pick and choose he doesn't think all people are equal in the eyes of GOD their is no Jew or Catholic black or white just people God says...
@@48petey Disciple of Christ is the name of the user whom started the thread.....not a reference to Sowell. Attention to detail sir.
8 years later and he is still spot on the the issues still stand unaddressed.
I am a huge fan of Thomas Sowell. I respect him so much.
"The road to hell is paved with Ivy League degrees" - Thomas Sowell 37:21
Love it!
Peter Robinson is by far the best interviewer I've ever seen.
2 class acts, Robinson gets the best out of Sowell and his presentation skills and delivery are top class
"There are no solutions, only trade offs." T. Sowell.
Brilliant 😊
What a boss. Wish he was our first black president. Imagine how different the political climate would be.
It's good to see interviews and discussions on this level of intellect and knowledge. Just two educated men sitting down and digging deep, no moronic laughing audience or "interviewer" constantly trying to hog the attention and crack jokes.
Sowell is a quotable machine! I enjoy hearing and reading his thoughts
How can someone listen to Thomas Sowell and not love him? He's so right on. I'm going to hate when he leaves us.
We will always have his books and interviews
Some of Thomas Sowell writings should be part of American public education curriculum. He is giant in intelectual circles. He is a legend in his own time IMO.
"There are no solutions. There are trade-offs." Great line. The economic way of thinking escapes most people, especially politicians.
Wow 12 yers ago! CZcams is full of gems like this. Thomas Sowell is becoming my intellectual anchor in these modern times.
Thomas Sowell should be standard reading every year of school!
This man has too much common sense! 🥰
Live forever Thomas Sowell
How awesome it must be to have this man as your grandpa. Assuming he has grandkids I genuinely hope they know just how blessed they are.
Once again, Thomas Sowell hits the nail on the head. There is nothing like hearing a truth teller tell the truth in spite of what is popular or popularly believed to be the truth.
Thomas Sowell was a major influence on me, he woke me up from my dogmatic liberal slumber.
I'm so glad that 2.7 million people have viewed this interview. Thank you Dr. Sowell and thank you Peter Robinson.
I love Peter as interviewer, he's a so laid back, ask the relevant questions and let's the guest answer fully, with appropriate interruptions were needed.
Always the voice of reason and truth....I love you Dr. Sowell!
Love Sowell... but This interviewer is the best! Best interview of this legendary intellectual I have seen.
I could listen to Thomas Sowell all day long....he's absolutely refreshing!
Im such a Sowell Fanboy. Hes like a rockstar to me, if he did concerts id go and watch lol.
God bless you and your respect for reality!! Thank you.
The opening segment reminded me of one of my favourite Reagan quotes. Reagan had been a 'C' student at Eureka College, regarded by the elite as a 3rd-rate school & if memory serves, it was well into his 2nd term when he was giving the commencement address at his old alma mater, and with reference to how the cognoscenti derided him for his comparative lack of education, he quipped, "To this day I wonder what I might have achieved had I sought further education." I laughed so hard I nearly cried.
Most people know who George Floyd is and have no idea who Thomas Sowell is. We're doomed...
One of American best social theorists.
The body language and look on Sowell's face during the Obama clips were hilarious and responses too.
Love that man with such great intellect and common sense!
"DON'T GO TO A COLLEGE WHERE THE PROFESSORS THINK THAT THE STUDENTS ARE THERE TO PROVIDE THEM WITH AN AUDIENCE FOR INDOCTRINATION"
“Calm would be the end of their job”- brilliant.
37:05 lmfao! These interviews/book reviews are the best. Dr. Sowell is truly a living legend.
EXCELLENT interview..
I watch any and listen to every commentary this man makes. A truly great man and thinker for our country. GOD BLESS THOMAS SOWELL...
Mr Sowell, Thank you sir for the. fantastic and enlightening.
thought this subject would be boring ..but in the hands of of Dr. Sowell it is informative and entertaining.
You should have a Thomas Sowell interview every month.
His expression at 46:06 on the inset picture is gold - as is his comment at 46:18 Ï may take a sleeping pill to forget it" Ha ha ha. What an absolute legend and quick wit.
This is one of the most thought provoking discussion on this topic I've heard in a long time, thank you !
“Vision of the Anointed” I love that.
I’m a simple man. I see Thomas Sowell, I click
this guys a real hero,i never really bought his stuff but he filped me
I could listen to Thomas Sowell all day long.
Pride comes before the fall... every time!
This guy debating Noam Chomsky would be to die for.
A Brilliant man!
I keep myself from saying stupid things by constantly asking myself "How do I know that I know?"
I must say these interviews with Sowell are quite interesting and laid back.
I find Thomas Sowell enlightening in many of the ideas he puts forth, and thank you for posting these. It's amazing when he discusses that intellectuals ideas are NOT tested, and accepted or rejected on the basis of if they pass the reality test. They are accepted and never tested because they are put forth by intellectuals. Therefore in any particular discipline if you want to be taken seriously you must believe these ideas regardless of there true merit or be ostracized as unintellectual.
Please have Dr. Sowell on again soon!!
Like Sowell so much, wish he'd do more interviews....
This Man is the living embodyment of Charisma
Just finished the "Intellectuals & Society" audio book. Talk about uncommon knowledge. More relevant today than when it first came out.
Sowell's reaction to Obama 37:42 is classic! Someone should make a GIF from that! On the other hand, making him watch Obama clips is like watching him get tortured. :-)
This ages like fine wine
A truly smart man.
Dr. Thomas Sowell, one of the men that changed my life!
8 years later and the high speed trains are still late!
"They don't want to know the answer" - brilliant! Self aggrandizement of intellectuals.
Thomas Sowell's opinions are always well informed and interesting, I wish he'd entered politics.
Elsewhere, Dr. Sowell slyly remarked that one benefit of a Harvard education is not having to be impressed by anyone with a Harvard education. This great interview gives more insight into that.
I would like to know the reasons 2000 people disliked this... I can't find even one
I still remember watching this a couple years back . I'm kinda surprised that CZcams is actually recommending this to me now .
Peter robinson is astounding. Under-rated as an interviewer
Hearing this in 2019, I am glad I was as wrong about Trump as Sowell. He has turned out to be a far better president than I dared hope. Yes I did vote for him, but as lesser of 2 evils. My wife was always extremely enthusiastic about him. I think she somehow read his intentions whereas I was hung up on his inarticulate words.
37:20 I love how quickly Peter stifles his laugh.
Found my new passion🙏🏿 Study the life of Thomas Sowell
Outstanding.
Why is it that such quality discussions as this, are never on the telly. But some screwed up Osbourne family is?
"Thank heaven I'm sitting down" hahahahah
Great conversation
I am the only one who wants Thomas Sowell to adopt me so I can come over and have chats. He just seems so kind and sincere. An interesting person, for sure!
Thomas Sowell - A Great man
This man should be admired by any man or woman who seeks truth regardless of race color or creed.
Wow, what a wonderful interview, with a brilliant mind, it really expanded on a lot of my thoughts on certain topics and helped me fill in the blanks. Thomas Sowell takes apart Obama, nicely done.
he's more than an interviewer, if you like him look up what he's done in the past 25 years. he is a gift to us who crave informstion from respectable people. And Sowell is the man!! I want a t-shirt with him on it!, so when asked, I could say "he's at least as important as Einstien, and Einstien's got t-shirts AND posters"
One of the greatest living Americans. Great interview.🙌🙌
Thank you you two are the most intelligent men of our time!! Not because of the degrees and trappings after your names but the common sense you are blest with ! I have enjoyed you talks any time I can find them on tube.
Dr. Sowell is truly a jewel in the crown of our great na/
There is one thing I wish conservatives would understand when it comes to the tax code.
It has absolutely nothing to do with funding government. It has everything to do with controlling economic behavior.
Obama said it best when he said, you can open a coal plant, you will just be taxed and regulated into bankruptcy.
And if we really pay attention to how the elected propose any tax or tax credit/exemption (loophole). The levied tax is meant to cause reduced economic activity or for the individual products/industries. The tax credit/exemption is meant to try and offset the negative economic effect of the tax. And the tax credit/exemption is applied to the political opposite economic activity. Tax carbon energy, tax credit/exemption for green energy. Tax bad behavior and tax credit/exemption for good behaviour.
Chutes and ladders with our economy.
And if we really pay attention, elected from both parties from ALL levels of government will allow tax credit/exemption or even government subsidies to bribe businesses/ industries or sports teams to move to their city or State. The question and answer as to why only give a tax credit/exemption individually instead of reducing the tax rate for all businesses/ industries? Cause the elected would like to control who can succeed and how they succeed.
Again Obama said, we do not begrudge success, so long as your income has been earned FAIRLY.
Who defines what is FAIRLY earned income?
Great questions asked, great answers given
“If you believe in social justice and saving the environment, you are really something!”
Hahah love Tom.
Why can't we get someone like Mr. Sowell in the Oval office?. He seems to me as a person who could talk some sense into Americans. I like him....
This man is truthful and brilliant! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!❤
I'm a sowell man....definitely!
“Calm would be the end of his job” - the driving fear behind every Democrat
What an enjoyment. Lol. I’ve never heard of him until recently but he speaks truth in society on the videos I’ve seen so far. Good stuff.
loved intellectuals and society, might have to check out a copy of the revised edition - I don't like to miss out
41:35 When people keep their own money that's called "subsidizing them", I love it! You know, that's the brilliance of intellectuals, that they can use words in such a malleable way, that they can.. I mean Obama has an absolute talent at saying things that make no sense, but not only sound plausible but inspiring. You know, subsidizing, we're subsidizing the oil companies, when they deduct the cost of doing business in order to arrive at the figure of how much net income they have. Everybody does that!
I'm busting up over here, I think I can much more clearly see the inanity of Obama's crazy speeches post Obama. I'm pretty sure he got away with a lot not so much by virtue of anything inherent to what he was saying but by the fact that he held a powerful office.
This man is incredible
This holds up very well.
Thooms Sowell a very.intelligent
man..
This man is amazing
I really enjoy his books! Great video!
What a brilliant honest man, with no agenda except the truth , what a joy to listen to a man of his intellectual and moral stature , and Peter Robinson is a terric interviewer