There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
Noam ChomskyRead
It's a near miracle that nuclear war has so far been avoided.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the precariousness of global peace in the face of nuclear weapons.
Noam Chomsky's quote reflects the thin line humanity treads to avoid nuclear conflict. It underscores the fragility of peace, suggesting that despite the potential for devastating war, we have managed to maintain stability through careful diplomacy and skepticism of authority. This statement acts as a reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance and cooperation to prevent catastrophic outcomes.
In practice
In a discussion on international relations, this quote could emphasize the importance of diplomacy.
There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
The 'free-floating intellectual' may occupy himself with problems because of their inherent interest and importance, perhaps to little effect.
If you're teaching today what you were teaching five years ago, either the field is dead or you are.
There are very few people who are going to look into the mirror and say, 'That person I see is a savage monster;' instead, they make up some construction that justifies what they do.
The Republican Party has become overwhelmingly so extreme that it's hardly a traditional political party anymore.
There is still much debate about whether torture has been effective in eliciting information - the assumption being, apparently, that if it is effective, then it may be justified.
If neurotic is wanting two mutually exclusive things at one and the same time, then I'm neurotic as hell. I'll be flying back and forth between one mutually exclusive thing and another for the rest of my days.
I can concede that the government has no knowledge of the people, but I believe the people know less of the government. There are useless officials, evil, if you like, but there are also good ones, and these are not able to accomplish anything because they encounter an inert mass, the population that takes little part in matters that concern them.
People's ability to forget what they do not want to know, to overlook what is before their eyes, was seldom put to the test better than in Germany at that time.
Evil comes at leisure like the disease. Good comes in a hurry like the doctor.
Mindfulness helps us get better at seeing the difference between whatβs happening and the stories we tell ourselves about whatβs happening, stories that get in the way of direct experience. Often such stories treat a fleeting state of mind as if it were our entire and permanent self.
Events can neither be regarded as a series of adventures nor strung on the thread of a preconceived moral. They must obey their own laws.
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