Brand V Paxo On Newsnight

[ChillDoubt]

Whether you think he's a kn*b or not, he does speak a lot of sense and you really can't argue with a lot of his reasoning:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24648651

[Hypognosis]

He scores points for identifying the villains of the planet correctly but loses points just as fast by being a non-voter and proposing a method of rectification for the problem which is famous for going out of control and resulting in both bloodshed and (usually) a fresh set of crooks taking charge.

[ludwig]

If I had his money I probably wouldn't bother voting either.

[Gromit]

I cannot agree with not voting. If he feels disenfranchised he should write that on his ballot paper. And I think it is apathy. I have never seen him on any demos or marches against the present system. If he doesn't want to be part of a democratic process, perhaps he should bog off to China.

The main parties are all trying to get our vote so they all pitch their policies to appeal to the same people. The result is that the parties appear similar. Especially if your views are not the same as the majority of the electorate. In short, we get the political parties, and Governments we deserve.

[bazwillrun]

"that a administrative system based on the "massive redistribution of wealth" should replace the status quo. "

well he can start by redistributing his "wealth" then

naive pudding

[youngmafbog]

Wonder how much he contributes to charities or the poor in time and money.

I agree with Gromit on the not voting bit.

He is a spanner through and through.

[youngmafbog]

Brand that is, not Gromit !!

[Gromit]

Ymb :-)

[mikey4444]

To be honest, every time Brand comes on the TV, I can't reach for the off button quickly enough, so I'm afraid I can't watch this clip for long enough to make a comparison.

[ichkeria]

I'm sure Russell Brand does speak a lot of sense. It's just that none of it is appearing in that link :-)

[douglas9401]

Most people get that stuff out of their system by about 21. The only thing missing was 'communism is the answer'.

[viv38]

He's an intelligent man, sadly I didn't see Newsnight.

[FredPuli43]

But he is amusing though. I do wonder how seriously he takes himself; when he was asked, at the beginning, what plan he had for reform he answered that he had no idea, but he had only got short notice ! And why was he guest editor of a national, political, magazine? Well, he was approached by a very attractive young lady ; wasn't Boris the editor of a magazine once [The Spectator] ? !

[Kromovaracun]

I really hate it when people get all self-righteous about other people not voting.

Going into a ballot box and making a mark on the paper is an implicit acceptance of the idea that it is the only legitimate way that change happens, and that it works. Personally, I don't agree with Brand on very much, but I do share his sentiments here. I can't see any evidence that this is actually an effective way to change things in the UK and I will not be persuaded otherwise by being emotionally blackmailed with the rather pathetic "you have no right to complain then" argument.

Not voting is the only thing that seems to scare people now. It's the only thing that seems to make people worry that there is a problem.

As for Brand, I do think he has a habit of throwing around big words without actually giving much thought to them, and often comes across quite incoherent. He isn't stupid, and he makes some valid points, and I actually admire his ability to refrain from taking himself too seriously, which normally defeats people in interviews. His politics, however, aren't particularly well thought-out.