Thomas Sowell on the Origins of Economic Disparities

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  • čas přidán 26. 05. 2024
  • Recorded on April 1, 2019
    Is discrimination the reason behind economic inequality in the United States? Thomas Sowell dismisses that question with a newly revised edition of his book Discrimination and Disparities. He sits down with Peter Robinson to discuss the long history of disparities among humans around the world and throughout time. He argues that discrimination has significantly less of a role to play in inequality than contemporary politicians give it credit for, and that something as incontrovertible as birth order of children has a more significant and statistically higher impact on success than discrimination. He discusses why parental attention is the most important aspect of a child’s intellectual development.
    Sowell goes on to break down different minority groups around the world who went on to have more economic and political success than their majority counterparts, such as the Indians in East Africa, Jewish people in Eastern Europe, Cubans in the United States, and the Chinese in Malaysia. He argues that there is an underlying assumption that if discrimination was absent equality would prevail, which historically has been proven wrong.
    Sowell goes on to discuss changes in crime rates and poverty since the expansion of US welfare programs in the 1960s and how this has had a huge impact on the success of African Americans. He talks about his own experience growing up in New York, how housing projects used to be considered a positive place to live, and his experience as the first member of his family to enter the seventh grade. Robinson asks Sowell his thoughts on the case for reparations currently being made in Congress, and Sowell presents an argument about why a plan for reparations is not only illogical but also impossible to implement, with so many US citizens’ ancestors arriving long after the Civil War. He also explains that slavery was common throughout the known world for thousands of years and that abolition movements didn’t begin anywhere in the world until the late 18th century. He reminds us that the United States was not the only country guilty of participating in slavery and yet is the only country debating reparations.
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    www.hoover.org/publications/u...
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Komentáře • 424

  • @bug5654
    @bug5654 Před 5 lety +2063

    Thomas Sowell, age 9: Visits a library
    Thomas Sowell, age 90(ish): Wrote an entire library

  • @HaIsKuL
    @HaIsKuL Před 5 lety +1797

    "If you have a lot of self control, you don't need a lot of government control."
    - Thomas Sowell

  • @bobxfromtexas6276
    @bobxfromtexas6276 Před 5 lety +1740

    Thomas Sowell 's books should be required reading for high school and college students.

    • @eval_is_evil
      @eval_is_evil Před 5 lety +42

      Maybe not high school (senior year perhaps) but college, definitely,yes!

    • @Aaronisification
      @Aaronisification Před 5 lety +67

      Bob X from Texas totally ! His writing is clear and concise and more engaging than all the fiction young people are force fed in public schools. Less fiction and more non fiction like TS would be revolutionary

    • @itsnotatoober
      @itsnotatoober Před 5 lety +88

      Institutions aren't democracies, they're oligarchies. So that won't happen until pressure comes into play. Our schools are a joke

    • @chivomartinez
      @chivomartinez Před rokem

      Even better, to create the civics and economic study guidelines for all our education system.

  • @haybaler97
    @haybaler97 Před 5 lety +810

    I’m glad I turned my TV off. Uncommon Knowledge is pure gold.

    • @erikarice6859
      @erikarice6859 Před 5 lety +14

      T R I moved out at 18 and never had earth tv or cable. It was a choice and one of the best choices I ever made, looking back 16 years later.

    • @harrytd
      @harrytd Před 5 lety +10

      Same here in the U.K. TR.

    • @mrow7598
      @mrow7598 Před 5 lety +27

      In the 90s you could turn on the TV and learn something. Back when the History, Discovery and TLC actually had programs that would teach you something. Now its just Reality TV.

  • @christiananaya6116
    @christiananaya6116 Před 4 lety +486

    "To me, capitalism is irredeemable." -- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC)
    "To me, she is irredeemable." -- Thomas Sowell
    EPIC mic drop!

  • @Daddy0os
    @Daddy0os Před 5 lety +1157

    I love how much fun Sowell has in these interviews. The man is a joy.

  • @kevinbatts2804
    @kevinbatts2804 Před 5 lety +366

    A brilliant man. Thank you Thomas Sowell for being the kind of black man I can look up to.

  • @whoisaiahmoore9100
    @whoisaiahmoore9100 Před 5 lety +487

    My law professor told me to subscribe to the New York Times but having my IQ boosted by listening to this man I have chosen otherwise.

  • @densealloy
    @densealloy Před 5 lety +458

    18:30 one of the lessons my wife and I told our kids over and over is " Do the right thing because it's the right thing to do. No one will ever know you did it but you. Integrity is more important than credit." And one of proudest moments was when our then 9 yoa went to the washroom in a restaurant and after a short time my wife went to check on her and found her helping an elderly woman wash her hands and get around. Our daughter didn't see her mother and when she came back we asked if she was okay, she replied she was and didn't mention the elderly woman who she assisted. We have two 20 something adults now who are good people and not just nice and to me there is a real difference.

  • @erikarice6859
    @erikarice6859 Před 5 lety +219

    “You can’t give anyone an education, you can only offer them an education.”

  • @apocalypticskepticus3299
    @apocalypticskepticus3299 Před 5 lety +413

    Dr Sowell, Fridman and Hayek saved me from socialism.
    I am forever grateful!

  • @yosh6278
    @yosh6278 Před 5 lety +639

    As a millennial I try to listen to T. Sowell as much as a I can. I started checking out his books from the library to understand more. Being black in this country does elicit some feelings, but they're just that feelings. He helps me to see where exactly these problems lie, and I have a clearer vision of what my parents didn't know, what I know and how best to deal with the cultural lag. I don't like the idea of playing "catch up" but at the same time I have to admit the culture causes me to suffer a bit.

  • @itmademesignup9508
    @itmademesignup9508 Před 5 lety +452

    Mr. Sowell is a national treasure. Easily top three people I would ever want to have dinner/a drink with.

  • @donaldclifford5763
    @donaldclifford5763 Před 5 lety +632

    I feel like my IQ just went up a few points. Thank you, Peter and Thomas.

    • @sobc2737
      @sobc2737 Před 5 lety +3

      IQ doesn't exist.

    • @deangailwahl8270
      @deangailwahl8270 Před 5 lety +13

      Don't worry the democrat leaders and voters IQ just went down a few points.

  • @Guatzelot
    @Guatzelot Před 5 lety +172

    As a high school dropout whi came from non-reading family I never thought I'd have an intellectual idol. But here he is. A man from a another nation, time-period and race. I truly adore Thomas Sowell.

  • @thetruth7783
    @thetruth7783 Před 5 lety +321

    WELCOME BACK Dr. Sowell. America has MISSED you. You are a great patriot. Every American should be required in school to read Thomas Sowells books.

    • @JPG.01
      @JPG.01 Před 5 lety +12

      I do not think, that Mr. Sowell would agree to require people to read his books.

    • @616Haggard
      @616Haggard Před 4 lety +12

      It doesn't fit the slavery, reparations, afrocentrism narrative. In short, never gonna happen.

  • @scottgebow6539
    @scottgebow6539 Před 5 lety +278

    I’m a huge fan of Dr. Sowell. May he live to 100 and beyond. God bless this man of great common sense.

  • @Gretchaninov
    @Gretchaninov Před 5 lety +80

    So few people come close to Sowell in wit, intelligence, knowledge, discipline and calm, clear explanations. I just wish more people were exposed to his ideas...

  • @scottaberle8684
    @scottaberle8684 Před 5 lety +62

    These interviews (almost uncountable now) with Thomas Sowell should be in the Library of Congress, and more importantly should be shown to "OUR CONGRESS"!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU HOOVER INSTITUTION :o)
    and to you Peter ;o)

  • @CrimsonUniverse22
    @CrimsonUniverse22 Před 5 lety +76

    This dude is almost 90 YEARS OLD and is still amazingly coherent and speaks intelligently. I would say less than 1% of the American population that is over 70 years old can speak as clearly and as well as Sowell.

  • @livingtwice
    @livingtwice Před 5 lety +134

    This man is a national treasure.

  • @beaunossaman4722
    @beaunossaman4722 Před 5 lety +127

    Sowell is good for the soul.

  • @TVPubCrawl
    @TVPubCrawl Před 5 lety +196

    Imagine for a moment what America would look 20-30 years from now if Universities/Colleges began teaching their students the principles of Thomas Sowell's books/lectures.

  • @dralexkay2485
    @dralexkay2485 Před 5 lety +37

    Professor Sowell changed my life for sure. I am 6 months away from finishing my PhD and plan to tour the U.K. giving talks about the 'moral superiority of personal liberty' to quote Professor Sowell's best friend Walter E. Williams (who I highly recommend to anyone interested in this kind of thing). Thomas Sowell, Milton Friedman, Adam Smith and Walter Williams have all taught me not to depend on Government. Hell sometimes I think Government can't even fix that damn potholes, what makes you think they can cure income disparities? In the words of Milton Friedman, "where on earth do you find these Angels who are going to rearrange society for us?... I don't even trust you to do that!" The message of these great men need to live on. Thank you Professor, you are a once in a lifetime. Furthermore, you seem like a genuine nice guy!

  • @fullthrottlemaxrpm
    @fullthrottlemaxrpm Před 5 lety +79

    I watch interviews with Sowell over and over again and I catch something new each time

  • @Eukatae
    @Eukatae Před 5 lety +52

    I was sad when Mr. Robinson appeared to be retiring, I was crushed when Mr. Sowell announced his retirement. I thought we would never see either of them again; especially not together.
    I have read and seen thousands of hours of Sowell yet I still manage to learn and enjoy every time. One of the greatest men of our time, perhaps of all time.

  • @mandoarevee7578
    @mandoarevee7578 Před 2 lety +7

    Happy 91st birthday Mr Sowell 🎉🎈🎊🎁

  • @dasmesser1
    @dasmesser1 Před 5 lety +25

    I am a simple man: I see Thomas Sowell, I click "Like"

  • @cordynasty
    @cordynasty Před 4 lety +233

    It's kind of sad really. Thomas Sowell had been arguing with socialists for decades, and here he has to see, watching everything around America and going "I told you so. I'm so tired."

  • @thanksfernuthin
    @thanksfernuthin Před 5 lety +94

    I am still savoring the blessings of living in a world with Thomas Sowell in it.

  • @Betcsbirds
    @Betcsbirds Před 5 lety +46

    One of the greatest men in US history.

  • @pelicanbird901
    @pelicanbird901 Před 4 lety +76

    “Eternal vigilance is the price for Liberty”. Loved the interview!

  • @MP15aug
    @MP15aug Před 5 lety +22

    you can not give someone an education, you can only offer someone an education. that is truly inspired.

  • @craigevan9649
    @craigevan9649 Před 3 lety +21

    45 minutes well spent!
    Thank you Thomas Sowell.

  • @PinkPanter572
    @PinkPanter572 Před 5 lety +46

    Thomas Sowell got old but he is still fighting. The man should be cherished.

  • @UNDFTDGordon
    @UNDFTDGordon Před 5 lety +27

    Thomas Sowell's writing has changed my life. There isn't a day that goes by when I don't use the knowledge from his books.

  • @starsine9062
    @starsine9062 Před 5 lety +79

    A high school dropout, with a BA in Economics from Harvard, PhD in Economics from Chicago , before any Kind of affirmative action or removal of Calculus . A truly outstanding and brilliant mind. The positive is, I kind of think Dr Sowell is aware of his intellectual integrity and doesn’t seem to Value the much lauded, but to his mind rather mediocre intellectuals who seem to overlook him. A real polymath. He talks of Pinker, but Pinker should speak of him 👍🏾👨🏾‍💻.

  • @Gefreiter44
    @Gefreiter44 Před 5 lety +73

    I never miss an opportunity to listen to Dr. Sowell. He is logical and straightforward. I learn something new every time he speaks. This interview was riveting and impossible to ignore.

  • @athenassigil5820
    @athenassigil5820 Před 5 lety +20

    A living breathing genius and his age hasn't slowed his intellect one bit. Complete admiration and a joy to hear him in this period of time. Soldier on, our professor of liberty.

  • @thegiftedteacher
    @thegiftedteacher Před 5 lety +79

    I've noticed that liberals will criticize a lot of people with right leaning economic views. But they never go after this guy.

  • @wordsworth41
    @wordsworth41 Před 5 lety +17

    Dr. Thomas Sowell and Mr. Peter Robinson - winning combination!

  • @tonycatman
    @tonycatman Před 5 lety +16

    I love watching Sowell talk.
    It reminds me that I'm not as smart as I think I am, and that I don't have anywhere near the personal integrity I'd like to have.
    I always come away determined to be a better person.

  • @shyama5612
    @shyama5612 Před 5 lety +16

    if I had the ability to give years from my life to anyone else, top of the list would be Thomas Sowell. One extra year of his life is worth hundreds of simpletons like me. What a gift to the world! It's been sheer privilege listening to his wise words.

  • @wellofbeersheba
    @wellofbeersheba Před 5 lety +27

    Peter Robinson is a master of the interviewer's craft.

  • @andrewdurfee3896
    @andrewdurfee3896 Před 4 lety +45

    "The first level of defense is morality"- Thomas Sowell . Sounds familiar, "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." John Adams

  • @PAVANZYL
    @PAVANZYL Před 4 lety +15

    I watch this again and again, and every time I find something new and significant. What a great mind!

  • @sapatomaluco
    @sapatomaluco Před 5 lety +14

    Uncommon Knowledge = The best channel in CZcams.
    Peter Robinson deserves a bronze chest in a public boulevard.

  • @Aaronisification
    @Aaronisification Před 5 lety +27

    required read for all high school students. Cut back on the fiction and bring on the reality! They would love it. TS and associates are pure gold.

  • @thatguygreg
    @thatguygreg Před 5 lety +20

    Another great Uncommon Knowledge episode with Dr Sowell, hardly a surprise! I am so glad I discovered Sowell, a true living legend. The part when he was telling us about how his family were so proud of him for reaching the 7th grade because that was farther than any of them had gone was very touching.

  • @Ju5tJoshing
    @Ju5tJoshing Před 5 lety +28

    Thomas Sowell is a national treasure.

  • @michaeldavis243
    @michaeldavis243 Před 5 lety +19

    The tale of 2 blackouts shows how special Dr. Sowell!
    The man who changed my life

  • @CMIC
    @CMIC Před 5 lety +9

    Mr. Robinson sure knows how to interview this great mind of our time. His questions really help to extract the nuggets of knowledge out of Thomas Sowell's brain. I love watching/listening to these interviews.

  • @scottmcgraw3749
    @scottmcgraw3749 Před 5 lety +14

    Always love hearing Thomas Sowell share his ideas. He is truly an American gem and true intellect. I pray he is in good health and remains so for many, many more years. We need men like him more than ever to help us reach Generation Z. God bless!

  • @pennedarts
    @pennedarts Před 5 lety +36

    Great to hear Thomas Sowell again. He is never boring. :-)

  • @Vicflash
    @Vicflash Před 5 lety +14

    I really enjoy the humbling and convincing crossroads of facts and interpretation that Thomas Sowell provides. We need more exposure to his knowledge and insights. Thank you.

  • @johanswede8200
    @johanswede8200 Před 5 lety +10

    Sweden calling...We badly need facts based people like Thomas Sowell!!! He is my hero...

  • @AlwaysHopeful87
    @AlwaysHopeful87 Před 3 lety +4

    Went to Harbor Freight to buy a tool. None in stock. Asked if I could buy the display model. Was told, "None of our floor stuff works. We do that because of theft. "

  • @VituMV
    @VituMV Před 4 lety +26

    I couldn't believe a new Thomas Sowell video was up on the tube. Very grateful for this interview AND a new book, would you believe it?! Cheers from Brazil to the common sense community. God Bless!

  • @ProChessPlayer
    @ProChessPlayer Před 5 lety +14

    Pure gold. Thomas Sowell needs more exposure!

  • @timothysnow5
    @timothysnow5 Před 5 lety +51

    Thank you for this great conversation

  • @brandoncepeda1211
    @brandoncepeda1211 Před 3 lety +3

    Thank you to Peter Robinson and the Hoover institution for providing these interviews with Thomas Sowell. At the time that I am writing this, I will be around 23 years old, and I am glad I learned about this man at a relatively young age. The amount of knowledge Thomas has to share is amazing and life changing. I know Thomas is an old man now, but I hope god blesses him with many more years of life so he can continue spreading the wisdom he carries with him.

  • @andrewmcginnis4149
    @andrewmcginnis4149 Před 5 lety +47

    These are like when your favorite rapper drops an album in the middle of the night without announcement

  • @showmetheevidence777
    @showmetheevidence777 Před 3 lety +9

    How can you not love his straight forward attitude - and the fact that he's so well learned in his area(s) of expertise.
    Here's a man who's successful because he's great at what he does, but who also spreads KNOWLEDGE! Our politicians should all be ashamed at the utter BS they spew when compare to someone like Sowell.

  • @tubularbill
    @tubularbill Před 5 lety +51

    Whenever I need an IQ boost I listen to Dr Sowell.

  • @pkyamaha17
    @pkyamaha17 Před 5 lety +12

    I havnt watched cable tv or had any social media accounts in years, all i need is long form interviews and podcasts on youtube, and uncommon knowledge is the best one and thomas sowell is the best guest. I hope one day i can shake peter robinson's hand and simply say "thank you."
    I almost forgot, Im Not Norm is the other channel I can't live without.

  • @LexBravary
    @LexBravary Před 5 lety +36

    A new interview with the legend himself? Good I can add this to the rotation of all his other interviews I frequently rewatch. The replay value on these is so strong.

  • @bethcoddington2150
    @bethcoddington2150 Před 3 lety +10

    AOC "To me Capitalism is irredeemable." Thomas Sowell "To me, she's irredeemable." BRAVO 👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻

  • @haydenblack9594
    @haydenblack9594 Před 4 lety +53

    Anyone else here because of the riots?

  • @vparetti
    @vparetti Před 5 lety +5

    Listening to this great man takes focus. He makes a statement and is done. Short, accurate, and leaving me thinking, "Huh, what? That's it?" Yes! Listen closely Vince you may miss it. This man is a joy and an American treasure. I read his books while listening to the audio version at the same time. Very enlightening!

  • @Zerofightervi
    @Zerofightervi Před 3 lety +4

    I've just discovered this channel today, what a breath of fresh air.

  • @harryradley
    @harryradley Před 5 lety +38

    This channel is criminally under-subscribed. People chop these interviews into clips and get 10 times the views 😑

  • @intuneknight9681
    @intuneknight9681 Před 4 lety +3

    I'm Cuban and that man is telling the truth I love Thomas I think all people should read his books he is an amazing person.

  • @bunkerbill
    @bunkerbill Před 5 lety +5

    Just please keep getting him back on. I love this man and hope that he will live for a very long time. We need people like this.

  • @miriambertram2448
    @miriambertram2448 Před 5 lety +23

    Did anyone here see the cartoon of Sowell holding up his Basic Economics to AOC and she begins melting!

  • @MinistryB4Industry
    @MinistryB4Industry Před rokem +3

    I have five of this man's books, he's brilliant and a pleasure to listen to

  • @krissykriss328
    @krissykriss328 Před 3 lety +2

    IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW SMART YOU ARE, UNLESS YOU STOP AND THINK. THOMAS SOWELL 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

  • @B.P._
    @B.P._ Před 3 lety +1

    I am trying to avoid being a mouthpiece of a political party and learning to genuinely think for myself. I have to say Thomas Sowell is being a great help.

  • @PhilosoFeed
    @PhilosoFeed Před 5 lety +20

    The absolute greatest of all time. I love both of these guys so much.

  • @theoc.victor3185
    @theoc.victor3185 Před 5 lety +10

    And I thought Dr. Sowell had gone into his well-earned retirement, last year. To see him here for one more episode makes for an even more pleasant surprise.

  • @rakashaagain
    @rakashaagain Před 5 lety +10

    I'm a simple man. I see sowell I click!

  • @liljesseclark043ili
    @liljesseclark043ili Před 5 lety +6

    Sowell is just simply the best kind of person

  • @DUNGEONDRAGONZ
    @DUNGEONDRAGONZ Před 5 lety +9

    We need more Thomas Sowell's in the world.

  • @robcook6120
    @robcook6120 Před 5 lety +4

    His book "Basic Economics" change my life and the way I view the world. Easily one of the most brilliant men alive today.

  • @TomKaren94
    @TomKaren94 Před 5 lety +9

    Wow... Black poverty rate 22%. White poverty rate 11%. Poverty rate for black married couples... 7.5%.

  • @meilyn22
    @meilyn22 Před 5 lety +33

    Ohh mehn! I learned a lot from this. Thank you sir!

  • @juliekemp419
    @juliekemp419 Před 4 lety +3

    Bl...y great! Let's go to Lunch! What fine men. Love Tom. Have just been drenching myself in his and Peter's superb interviews. THANK YOU from this 71 yo Australian.

  • @aal2206
    @aal2206 Před 5 lety +11

    Guy is a national treasure, honestly so much respect for this man.

  • @damiensmith1690
    @damiensmith1690 Před 5 lety +6

    He looks much more energetic and cheerful than his past few interviews, pleased to see this

  • @joeymarino7907
    @joeymarino7907 Před rokem +2

    We need this man to teach for 1 hour 5 days a week, @night on prime time. America would be better for it.

  • @juliangreco8201
    @juliangreco8201 Před 5 lety +8

    Tom Sowell is a gift to this world. Keep it up, Robinson

  • @ferbluesy
    @ferbluesy Před 3 lety +4

    It would be an inmense honour to meet this man. He is a huge source of knowledge.

  • @googletaqiyya184
    @googletaqiyya184 Před 5 lety +4

    The inner calm that comes from hard work to explore righteous truth displayed for all to see. God Emperor Sowell, hero to so many. May his words be immortalized for all of eternity.

  • @Scott.Silburn
    @Scott.Silburn Před rokem +2

    Such lovely clear thought and expression...

  • @jeffdkillman
    @jeffdkillman Před 4 lety +8

    If the answer Sowell gave to the first question was thoroughly understood, it would change the course of history. This man is one of the greatest minds produced by Western Civilization.

  • @b.w.8104
    @b.w.8104 Před 5 lety +56

    Im not sure what the good doctor's feelings on the matter may be, but he's got my vote to become the first mind downloaded to a super computer so he can live on, and continue to bring magnificent common sense to this world.

  • @andrewleatham3198
    @andrewleatham3198 Před 5 lety +2

    Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww yisssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss. New Thomas Sowell interview. I could watch these two guys talk for hours.

  • @benjaminramsey4695
    @benjaminramsey4695 Před 2 lety +3

    Thank you!

  • @MrIrrepressible
    @MrIrrepressible Před 3 lety +4

    What an amazing man.

  • @imreborbas9029
    @imreborbas9029 Před 5 lety +2

    Man it's unreal how nice it is to listen to Sowell.

  • @derekketcher9154
    @derekketcher9154 Před 5 lety +10

    "She's irredeemable" ...thank you