CHAT: Chomsky (Was Re: ALERT: Chomsky Giving a Talk on Language Creation?)

Anarchist wrote:

<<Isn't [Chomsky] also an anarchist? I'm an anarchist, so I've been wondering
if he is both a linguist and an anarchist.>>

I was surprised to learn that Chomsky did anything but linguistics, and when
I found out that he was some sort of politcal icon, I fully expected him to be
as right wing as they get, based on his work as a linguist.   But it turns
out that he's quite the opposite--politically, at least.   I believe (and this
is just what I've heard) that Chomsky is not an anarchist at all, but a
socialist.   I think he's actually a part of the socialist party...   I heard that
the anarchist tag comes from: (a) right wing politicians, who want to label him
as dangerous, and so call him an "anarchist"; and (b) youngish left wing
non-politicians who respond to his being labeled an anarchist, believing that he's
dangerous.   What is actually true?   I can't say.   Having seen him give a
linguistics talk, though, I can say that he's at one time a thoroughly dull
orator, and, at the same time, very unprofessional in the way he uses blanket
statements to insult entire fields of study, and members of the audience.

-David

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