Russell Brand lets rip on Newsnight

[Philski]

I don't agree that revolution would be a good thing, but you can't argue with his passion and articulacy

http://youtu.be/lLYcn3PuTTk

[Orion21]

You have to admire his passion and obvious intelligence. I may not agree with his proposed solutions of massive taxation, but respect his views. His idea of massive taxation and redistribution would create another Soviet Union. Someone has to be in charge, so you would be trading one elite class for another. I do appreciate his opening the dialogue.

[Blakes]

I do think more and more people are seeing the "current way" things are done just isn't working for the vast majority anymore... and is becoming very clear to see it just serves the few.

You can even see the "few" are seeing this, and taking some steps, look at all the new laws and controls that are been rushed through under the guise of "anti terrorism"

If you agree with Brand or not, It's refreshing to see someone talk with honesty and a actual passion and desire to better things. Most politicians Paxman interviews act like children quaking in their boots after been found with their hand in the cookie jar and chocolate all round their mouths.... still trying to deny it!

And for the so called choice we have in our democracy's today well, it's akin to the choice between which Monte Open to smoke!

[MrDowse]

I normally can't bear Russell Brand but i thought this was a great interview and he made some really powerful points. Does he have all the answers? I very much doubt it, but he certainly nails the problem with real eloquence.

[shiva13]

I'm going to see him next week Looking forward to it.

[Philski]

I do think more and more people are seeing the "current way" things are done just isn't working for the vast majority anymore... and is becoming very clear to see it just serves the few.

'Twas ever thus, though. I think that the 'current way' of the world, taken as a global view, is better than at any time in the past. Think back to feudal times, up to the Victorians and beyond - always an underclass enriching the few. There were massive redistributions of wealth in the 20th century, and people generally live in a world unimaginable to the masses a hundred years ago. What has changed is access to information.

But 'democracy' is generally a bag of ****. 'We have a mandate from the people..' blah blah. F**K off. The only democracy in the world that I think deserves the title is Switzerland.

I'm going to see him next week Looking forward to it.

Love to hear what it was like. I wonder if he's gearing up to be a latter-day Bill Hicks (v. big boots to fill).

[shiva13]

'Twas ever thus, though. I think that the 'current way' of the world, taken as a global view, is better than at any time in the past. Think back to feudal times, up to the Victorians and beyond - always an underclass enriching the few. There were massive redistributions of wealth in the 20th century, and people generally live in a world unimaginable to the masses a hundred years ago. What has changed is access to information.

But 'democracy' is generally a bag of ****. 'We have a mandate from the people..' blah blah. F**K off. The only democracy in the world that I think deserves the title is Switzerland.

Love to hear what it was like. I wonder if he's gearing up to be a latter-day Bill Hicks (v. big boots to fill).

I'll let you know how I get on. I like his stand up but I never saw him live before. He picked a nice cosy venue in Dublin instead of a big barn that he would no doubt fill. The tour is 'The Messiah Complex'. He's playing in London if you want to check it out. http://www.russellbr...e-in-the-world/

[Cohiba Stevie]

I've seen him live twice and he is quite funny if your in to that sort of humour.

I think some of the points he made are were quite well delivered. I disagree with some things he said and he didn't actually define the 'revolution' he was speaking of but there some provocative and poignant moments in that interview.

I also think that's the first time I've seen paxman wince in an interview, usually it's some dead eyed politician, banker or CEO taking the flames from him but Russell stood his ground and I think paxman was actually impressed with his passion.

[Orion21]

An especially brilliant moment was when Russell brought up the piece Paxman had done on his grandmother or great grandmother and how shew was treated during her life. He literally connected his argument about the lower classes today to Paxman's own emotional response to discovering the abuse of a family member. You could tell he was taken aback by Brands observation. The whole tone of the interview changed when Paxman realized he wasn't dealing with a coked out junky. Again, I do not believe in Brand's Socialistic Anti-Business Occupy Wall Street belief system, but he was very well spoken.

[Wil]

An especially brilliant moment was when Russell brought up the piece Paxman had done on his grandmother or great grandmother and how shew was treated during her life. He literally connected his argument about the lower classes today to Paxman's own emotional response to discovering the abuse of a family member. You could tell he was taken aback by Brands observation. The whole tone of the interview changed when Paxman realized he wasn't dealing with a coked out junky. Again, I do not believe in Brand's Socialistic Anti-Business Occupy Wall Street belief system, but he was very well spoken.

That was a great moment. He is clearly a very clever guy.

Like you, not sure I agree with his politics. But his sentiment and passion is refreshing.

[smokinpeace]

While quite well spoken, I am pretty sure he did not actually say anything in a positive sense. We all get that world governments each have their issues but what solution is he offering. The ideal he is embracing (large redistripution of wealth and overthrowing the "democratic" system) have been tried and in every instance resulted in greater corruption, economic disparity, and lower quality of life for all people within the society.

What would our quality of life be life if not for the industrical revolution brought about by the access to capital afforded by the establishment of corporations? Medical research would be primative. Global starvation would be rampant without modern machinery. You can't embrace the "goods" of a system without question while railing on the "bads".

[Wil]

While quite well spoken, I am pretty sure he did not actually say anything in a positive sense. We all get that world governments each have their issues but what solution is he offering. The ideal he is embracing (large redistripution of wealth and overthrowing the "democratic" system) have been tried and in every instance resulted in greater corruption, economic disparity, and lower quality of life for all people within the society.

What would our quality of life be life if not for the industrical revolution brought about by the access to capital afforded by the establishment of corporations? Medical research would be primative. Global starvation would be rampant without modern machinery. You can't embrace the "goods" of a system without question while railing on the "bads".

I don't think too many people would disagree with you. But in a democracy it's important to have such voices to temper what can be a fairly undemocratic and unfair system.

[smokinpeace]

I agree. I just prefer for people to try to find ways to improve the system rather than remove the self from the process add ***** eloquently to a reporter.

[El Presidente]

I think you need to separate democracy and capitalism. Democracy as a concept/practice is static in its pure form. Capitalism is not. it's evolution/globalisation over the recent past (40 years) has been quite astounding and concerning.

I always find it amusing that democracy is the greatest threat to capitalism in it's current form. It certainly has and continues to have the power to do so through the direct election of Governments with anti capitalist policies. ie ....democracy in this century continues to usher in differing versions of socialism around the world.

If we continue along the lines of concentration of wealth, Democracy will eventually bring that system down once the "aspirational" voter is outnumbered by the "resentful" one.

[AndrewNR]

Russel Brand is an imbecile. Knowing some large words and being able to build a semi-coherent sentence around a problem you can find out about on the front page of Wikipedia, or for that matter 4chan, doesn't make you a genius. The guys spent allot of time expanding his mind with literature and psychedelics. He hasn't however come up with any original or creative ideas himself or done anything for anyone but himself. It is my humble opinion he and the interviewer in this film are as narrow minded, uncreative and void of integrity as any political system they're claiming to stand for or against. He's just spent allot of time in his vanity corner finding fuel for his latest tangent to boost his ego as people sit by dumbstruck by his showmanship.

I like what you're saying Prez.

Anyway, I'll keep my political 2 cents out for now but yeah.. Really grinds my gears seeing credit go where it isn't due.

[El Presidente]

Russel Brand is an imbecile.

I wouldn't know Russel brand from Beyoncé .....he could be a deep thinker or full of it

What I do know is that capitalism requires the support of government which in a democracy is elected by people. You can draw a line that the system of capitalism is employed by the people of that given country to generate wealth/employment etal for the benefit of all (not just for shareholders).

If Capitalism loses the support of the majority of people within a democracy then the capitalist system will have to morph/adapt to Government changes in policy. eek indeed.

I could be wrong but I sense a changing mood "out there" that "things need to change". of course it is ill defined as to exactly what.

Whoever has a saleable concept with a charismatic leader that the center left and centre right adopt, are going to do well politically in the future.

There appears to be a void ready to be filled.

[khomeinist]

If we continue along the lines of concentration of wealth, Democracy will eventually bring that system down once the "aspirational" voter is outnumbered by the "resentful" one.

Well said.

Mr. Brand should lay off the Adderall. Nice performance art but completely lacking in content. Even a brick can seem interesting with elevated dopamine levels.

[khomeinist]

I could be wrong but I sense a changing mood "out there" that "things need to change". of course it is ill defined as to exactly what.

Whoever has a saleable concept with a charismatic leader that the center left and centre right adopt, are going to do well politically in the future.

There appears to be a void ready to be filled.

A certain North American country has been experimenting with this since 2008. I think there is a difference between filling a void during the campaign process and actually being able (or willing) to accomplish anything once in power.

[Skyfall]

A certain North American country has been experimenting with this since 2008. I think there is a difference between filling a void during the campaign process and actually being able (or willing) to accomplish anything once in power.

[El Presidente]

A certain North American country has been experimenting with this since 2008. I think there is a difference between filling a void during the campaign process and actually being able (or willing) to accomplish anything once in power.

No doubt.

We have experienced 3 years of political gridlock here in Oz. Now one party has an overwhelming majority in the house (but not the senate). However we have seen one new party (backed with plenty of money...but only 12 months in existence since registration as a political party)....pick up some 8% of the national vote.

Democratic volatility in action.

We have a new housing boom in this country (Sydney and Melbourne predominantly). However 75% of purchasers fuelling the boom are overseas buyers. If you are 18-25 in this country, there is a likelihood you will be renting for life. Average price of a house in the main capital cities is now over $500,000

That is one example of a government/industry/sector not taking the people with them. As a nation our primary focus must always be meeting the needs of our own people.

[Jeremy Festa]

Russel Brand is an imbecile. Knowing some large words and being able to build a semi-coherent sentence around a problem you can find out about on the front page of Wikipedia.

I am afraid Russell Brand is no slouch.

While his interview is passionate, and more impressive than most politicians, but mostly entertaining, his argument may just be a little bit skewed.

I admire it for fuelling debate, some lovely sentiments and ideals.

You should read his books Andrew. The guy is highly switched on.

[Philski]

Democracy as a concept/practice is static in its pure form.

No it's not. It's static in its practical form.

If you want an example of dynamic democracy, take a look at how Switzerland works. Wikipedia makes a reasonable effort.

*Edit* By dynamic democracy, I mean direct democracy. What we all get is representative democracy, which is what Brand is railing against - you vote in whoever for x years, and don't have any real say in what they do once in office.

[Wil]

If we continue along the lines of concentration of wealth, Democracy will eventually bring that system down once the "aspirational" voter is outnumbered by the "resentful" one.

Perhaps. The alternative is we discover that we don't actually live in a democracy. In a globalised world, the haves already far outnumber the have nots.

Woah, look what Brand has got us discussing

[CaptainQuintero]

Pres hit the nail, amoung western counties there is a slow but constant pressure rising up in the people, new anti terror laws to protect our freedom from the evil ones are easily seen for what they are and the people in charge have no idea how to counter the 'waking up' and people realising just how corrupt and staged the whole system is. It doesn't matter essentially who you vote for now, it's all set up in such a way that the figureheads change but nothing else, it's a one party system no matter how passionately media try to stir up the other half and divide nations so the populace can be manipulated into hate and spite.

The next 20 years will be extremely interesting

[Blakes]

The next 20 years will be extremely interesting

I think so too.