Noam Chompsky Rocks!

[Sunstone]

For private reasons, I was given the chore of emailing Noam Chompsky the other day. I did not expect the man to reply.

After all, he was recently called in the media, "One of of the top ten most important living scientists", and he must get dozens of random emails from strangers each day, plus a lot of silly and offensive ones.

On top of which there has been a longtime campaign to smear him as "a cranky old man".

He replied.

Politely.

Even had some kind words and encouragement for me.

The guy is a true gentleman -- as my dear, departed Republican mother would be the first to say.

 

[exchemist]

For private reasons, I was given the chore of emailing Noam Chompski the other day. I did not expect the man to reply.

After all, he was recently called in the media, "One of of the top ten most important living scientists", and he must get dozens of random emails from strangers each day, plus a lot of silly and offensive ones.

On top of which there has been a longtime campaign to smear him as "a cranky old man".

He replied.

Politely.

Even had some kind words and encouragement for me.

The guy is a true gentleman -- as my dear, departed Republican mother would be the first to say.

Even though you mis-spelled his name!

 

[exchemist]

I'd have though "Chompski" would appeal to @Revoltingest. Though perhaps chomping through bacon sandwiches might not be his forte cf. Ed Miliband (on right) trying to do the same:

 

[Valjean]

Chomsky is God.

 

[exchemist]

Chomsky is God.

He seems to have been writing impenetrable stuff since the 1960s. If not God, the Delphi Oracle perhaps.

 

[Sunstone]

Even though you mis-spelled his name!

I tend to do that when I've gone awhile without sleeping. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Sunstone]

He seems to have been writing impenetrable stuff since the 1960s. If not God, the Delphi Oracle perhaps.

I understand him rather well. I'm surprised you can't.

 

[exchemist]

I understand him rather well. I'm surprised you can't.

Linguistic philosophy is tough.

 

[Valjean]

Linguistic philosophy is tough.

True. His works on linguistics are complex enough to be appreciated only by a fellow linguist. His political works, on the other hand, are clear enough.

 

[exchemist]

True. His works on linguistics are complex enough to be appreciated only by a fellow linguist. His political works, on the other hand, are clear enough.

As a Brit, I don't find politics travels the Atlantic too well. Our issues in Europe are somewhat different. I think over here he's mainly known for the linguistic philosophy.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I didnt know he wrote anything on linguistics. Any good recommendations?

 

[Sunstone]

Linguistic philosophy is tough.

True. Studied philosophy, philosophy of linguistics, and linguistic anthropology at uni. You have a point.

 

[Valjean]

I didnt know he wrote anything on linguistics. Any good recommendations?

He's the father of modern linguistics and probably the most famous living polymath.
Who Is Noam Chomsky, and What Is His Contribution to Linguistics?
Noam Chomsky | Biography, Books, & Facts

 

[Shadow Wolf]

He's the father of modern linguistics and probably the most famous living polymath.
Who Is Noam Chomsky, and What Is His Contribution to Linguistics?
Noam Chomsky | Biography, Books, & Facts

I had no idea. I could tell hes clearly a heavyweight of an intellectual, but Ive only known him for politics, and certainly not as a polymath.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Thats pretty lame none of my psych stuff mentioned him.It always focused on Skinner. And of course language is alot of immitation and repition, why wouldnt the brain play a very critical role in organizing it all?

 

[exchemist]

True. Studied philosophy, philosophy of linguistics, and linguistic anthropology at uni. You have a point.

Good for you. I expect you know Chomski's thought backwards.

As a physical scientist, I found it a considerable stretch. There used to be a rather good and thorough magazine I subscribed to in my youth called Science Journal - a sort of British equivalent to Scientific American, but possibly a bit more rigorous. Occasionally Chomski articles would appear in that and I have to say I struggled.

 

[rocala]

I understand him rather well.

His "How the World Works" is one of my favourite books.

 

[Politesse]

I have serious issues with his linguistic theories, but he has always been a kind and well-mannered scholar.

 

[Valjean]