Language is how we think, argue, joke and persuade. It also decides what can and cannot be said in public. London Real has talked to some of the best-known thinkers on language and the mind, as well as comedians, artists and commentators caught up in today’s arguments about speech. These conversations cover linguistics and human nature, reason and bias, comedy, censorship and the words at the centre of the culture wars. The guests often disagree. Every full interview is free to watch.
From Harvard psychologist and linguist Steven Pinker and linguist Noam Chomsky to Monty Python’s John Cleese, rapper and actor Ice-T, radio host Dennis Prager, author James Lindsay and The 48 Laws of Power author Robert Greene: how words shape the way we think and live.
Steven Pinker, a cognitive scientist who has written widely on language, explains why he thinks linguistics is essential to understanding humanity. He also talks about the culture of MIT and Harvard, his anarchist past and how he feels about Noam Chomsky. In Too Much Morality? Redux he argues that violence is falling, and in Enlightenment Now he explains how to guard against your own cognitive biases. Noam Chomsky, one of the founders of modern linguistics, has published widely both in his field and on dissent and US foreign policy.
Noam Chomsky argues that governments and technology companies want to silence people, and explains how to protect free speech. Ice-T looks back on his career and offers his own advice: say what you think, but watch what you say. John Cleese argues that modern culture has stifled comedy and shifted what counts as funny. James Lindsay, co-founder of New Discourses, argues that wokeness is radicalising people. Radio host Dennis Prager, on air in Los Angeles since 1982, challenges what he calls the systemic racism narrative. Author Robert Greene explains how to master your emotions and self-control.
Get every new episode free: watch the latest London Real interviews.
Who has London Real interviewed about language? Brian Rose has interviewed Steven Pinker, Noam Chomsky, John Cleese, Ice-T, Dennis Prager, James Lindsay, Robert Greene and Jay Shetty, among others.
What is the main debate in these episodes? Free speech. Noam Chomsky, Ice-T, John Cleese, James Lindsay and Dennis Prager come from very different places, but each argues that people should be able to speak more freely than they can today. Their reasons and their targets differ.
How is Language different from Speech? Language covers how words work, from linguistics and the mind to comedy. The Speech page focuses on free speech, censorship and the fight over what can be said online.
Are the full language episodes free to watch? Yes. Every full-length interview on this page can be watched free on londonreal.tv.
Join 6 million+ followers & subscribers. Full-length interviews with world-class guests, straight to your inbox every week.
We take your privacy seriously. We will never sell your information.
Chat
