Brand v Paxman

[gripper stebson]

[yt]3YR4CseY9pk[/yt]

Good watch this.

 

[BadFish]

Russel Brand - calling for revolution?



Just watched this video and although I can't say i agree with all of it the gist of it certainly resonates.

The main part that interests me is that Paxman keeps on about him not voting and accuses him of apathy. I have always voted but have never felt represented by the traditional parties. (actually this is not quite true as over the last couple of elections I have found a party that I am happy to vote for).

Never liked Russel Brand as a stand up or an actor or even a radio host but I find his interviews fascinating and am grateful for him for giving these ideas exposure.

 

[BadFish]

Beat me to it, Making the wife a cup of tea slowed me down

Can we merge mods?

 

[GreersElbow]

Whilst I completely disagree with his political views, I find myself enjoy listening him discuss them. He's quite articulate, and I'd hope more and more celebrities (I'll explain in a second) were more open about their political views. Regarding celebrities, they expose ideas to a very wide audience. While many would probably play blind to those ideas, nod and agree; I like to think people would be more interested in researching different types of political theories and begin to explore those ideas.

Alternatively, I think politics should be taught in schools to produce a more aware generation. Of course I want them all to have libertarian values! But, as democracy dictates, pluralism will hopefully make a real return in regards to political parties with a clear stance on policy. It was a topic that came up in my politics seminar this week regarding politics.

 

[brightonrock]

He absolutely runs rings around Paxman here, it shows up JP for what he is - a caricatured curmudgeon whose only tactic is to be abrasive and aggressive. Brand is far better equipped than the humourless, gaffe-prone politicians normally lined up for verbal slaughter, because his default setting as a comedian is to disarm, to take the piss. He's a fantastically articulate bloke, regardless of your views on him, and what he's saying rings very true on a basic level - people are getting increasingly disillusioned and disenfranchised from mainstream politics because the political class (of all parties) are all cut from the same cloth. The bit about the coming revolution is a bit much, but I certainly agree that people are frustrated with the same old lies, the same scandals, the same self-interest and the corruptions. It's not Brand's intention to suggest a genuine alternative, which JP tries to provoke him into - he's just saying the existing system is self-serving and broken, and it no longer serves the best interests of the country, of the people, but just reinforces the existing problems and divisions within wider society. Great interview.

 

[Raleigh Chopper]

Go Russell, I like the sound of most (not all) of that. I wish more people in the limelight would stand up and say what so many ordinary folk are thinking.

 

[Mr Albion]

Beat me to it, Making the wife a cup of tea slowed me down

Can we merge mods?

I liked the last line of this post, I don't want to be a grammar Nazi about the missing comma, as i'm not fussed about that, it's just the idea of merging mods that grabbed me.
Might I propose melding Lord Bracknell and Ernest?

 

[Raleigh Chopper]

Revolution can take many forms.
As much as I would like to see the full bloodied version and see the heads of the front bench of this so called coalition, on spikes in traitors gate, the democratic way is not to vote.
Politicians only exist to win votes, they are nothing without them, yet except for 3 weeks in every 5 years they tend to forget that its the people that keeps them employed, after the election the people do not exist.
Beats me why we all fall for it everytime.

 

[ThePompousPaladin]

Loved this vid, although not a Brand fan.

I liked the 'dupe' smile at the end with 'We're taking the power'.
If it knocks anyone out of political apathy it's got to be good.

 

[Motogull]

I wish I had that range of vocabulary. He's quite the charmer too.

 

[Billy the Fish]

This has been shared so many times on my facebook feed tonight. Brand commenting on politics is a great thing, perhaps it will make people sit up and listen.

What it shouldn't become is the old left v right, capitalist v socialist argument - it is all bollocks, both end with the same result: corruption, poverty and a controlling minority. You just shift the money round slightly differently.

We need a completely new system that doesn't involve currency in it's current form. Unfortunately there's too many people in the world to do it. The only revolution will be after enough of us are wiped out by disease, war, famine or climate change. It won't happen in our lifetime, but it is inevitable.

 

[BigGully]

I enjoy and quite like him as I do George Galloway, but I cannot always know what their own political alternative is but I am sure it is a load of old bollocks.

 

[Bring back Bryan wade!!]

Brand is clearly very passionate about his subject matter. Can we see a new political party emerge with Brand at the helm?

 

[BadFish]

I enjoy and quite like him as I do George Galloway, but I cannot always know what their own political alternative is but I am sure it is a load of old bollocks.

Not sure the political alternative has been dreamed up yet. Paxman seemed keen to pin Brand down on this but as he pointed out he doesn't know. What we do know is that the current system only works for the few and the rest of us are becoming increasingly frustrated and disenfranchised.

Personally I don't think that revolution will be a marked event. I think it will be a gradual progression from what we have to something more. We are seeing in both the UK and over here in Australia that the minor parties are garnering more influence in politics and I hope this continues. Maybe the Green winning seats in Brighton and Melbourne and the rise of the UKIP is the beginning of the revolution and the first step to an alternate system that represents us better. If this is the case then we need more celebrities like Brand talking about this stuff and making people more politically aware.

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

He writes very well and articulately as well. Watching this the other night, I just thought it was great hearing someone like him talk passionately about politics. The more people who might sit up and take notice of politics through him, the better.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

Might I propose melding Lord Bracknell and Ernest?

Have we ever been seen in the same room together?

 

[symyjym]

Brand is clearly very passionate about his subject matter. Can we see a new political party emerge with Brand at the helm?

No, his ego is big enough.

 

[Pavilionaire]

I don't know why Paxman bothered to do that interview.

 

[joeinbrighton]

Brand's basic message which was that there needs to be an alternative to same old party politics is absolutely true. Unfortunately, he does not have any more idea on how to achieve this than anyone else.

 

[Bevendean Hillbilly]

Brand admits he had a Messiah complex. When I watched this I started to agree with him. I even said to my other half "I think he's Jesus" she looked at me like I was mental.

He's right. All he needs now is a few miracles and I'm in.