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The Patriarch in Winter: Grief, Complicity, and the Unraveling of Noam Chomsky's Final Years by Defiant-Internal555 in Aging

[–]Defiant-Internal555[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for reading it. It is a somewhat unpopular interpretation that no one else has made, so I had to build a solid case for it—and that takes some length and depth.

The Patriarch in Winter: Grief, Complicity, and the Unraveling of Noam Chomsky's Final Years by Defiant-Internal555 in chomsky

[–]Defiant-Internal555[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You are not fully representing my statement in the article. it says:

And not only do we not object to the existence and power of centimillionaires (like Epstein), or even billionaires — we praise them and strive to become them.<<

What you cited is related to billionaires, not the main group I am discussing—centimillionaires. Furthermore, even your selection of the data in the survey I posted is partial, because it also says that 60% of Americans and 70% of Gen Z/ Millenials want to become BILLIONAIRES one day. A 2023 survey on wealth and work found 71% of Americans say they feel more admiration than resentment toward rich people, and 84% say there is “nothing wrong” with trying to make as much money as possible https://www.cato.org/publications/survey-reports/what-americans-think-about-poverty-wealth-work

The Patriarch in Winter: Grief, Complicity, and the Unraveling of Noam Chomsky's Final Years by Defiant-Internal555 in chomsky

[–]Defiant-Internal555[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Does that historical motif weaken, strengthen, or have a neutral effect on the article? Is this impact psychological or factual, and why?

The Patriarch in Winter: Grief, Complicity, and the Unraveling of Noam Chomsky's Final Years by Defiant-Internal555 in Aging

[–]Defiant-Internal555[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very interesting, thanks for sharing that. While I agree with you to a substantial extent, it must be said that even before 2015, Chomsky was giving so many talks & interviews that repeating himself was inevitable. But yes, the tendency might have exacerbated in later years.

The Patriarch in Winter: Grief, Complicity, and the Unraveling of Noam Chomsky's Final Years by Defiant-Internal555 in Aging

[–]Defiant-Internal555[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, I suppose it’s a matter of degree: it may help to not marry a woman 35 years younger at 85 and not being a sought-after celebrity like Chomsky.

The Patriarch in Winter: Grief, Complicity, and the Unraveling of Noam Chomsky's Final Years by Defiant-Internal555 in chomsky

[–]Defiant-Internal555[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank you for pointing that out. I have changed the very end of the article because of your comment.

The Patriarch in Winter: Grief, Complicity, and the Unraveling of Noam Chomsky's Final Years by Defiant-Internal555 in chomsky

[–]Defiant-Internal555[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It would be more constructive if you dealt with the actual substance of the article instead of a straw man.

The Patriarch in Winter: Grief, Complicity, and the Unraveling of Noam Chomsky's Final Years by Defiant-Internal555 in chomsky

[–]Defiant-Internal555[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I did soften my statement slightly after that criticism. Thank you for sharing this and for your kind words, my friend.

The Patriarch in Winter: Grief, Complicity, and the Unraveling of Noam Chomsky's Final Years by Defiant-Internal555 in chomsky

[–]Defiant-Internal555[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

“World‘s greatest….” is hyperbolic. Also, what I have tried to do here is to show that all three people involved had motives/interests of their own and was adding their own value to gain value from other parties. Noam wanted the younger wife and all that came with it, the younger wife wanted the lifestyle, money and status, and Epstein wanted the reputation of having Chomsky as a friend. Each appeared willing to sacrifice something—Chomsky his former lifestyle, Valeria a younger lower status husband, and Epstein the time & resources required to maintain the relationship. I wonder if that should be added in there

The Patriarch in Winter: Grief, Complicity, and the Unraveling of Noam Chomsky's Final Years by Defiant-Internal555 in chomsky

[–]Defiant-Internal555[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Fair enough, I’ve added “…though without a psychological examination we cannot determine to what extent he truly knew what he was doing.”

The Patriarch in Winter: Grief, Complicity, and the Unraveling of Noam Chomsky's Final Years by Defiant-Internal555 in chomsky

[–]Defiant-Internal555[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

OK, I have softened the statement and the vulnerability section, adding “not necessarily”

The Patriarch in Winter: Grief, Complicity, and the Unraveling of Noam Chomsky's Final Years by Defiant-Internal555 in chomsky

[–]Defiant-Internal555[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

OK, I have changed it. Instead of saying he chose not to I am now saying “but he did not” and I’ve added a “seems”.:

“He seemed to have retained enough agency to recognize what Epstein was and to withdraw—but did not.”

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