Christopher Hitchens

[edo]

There's very few public figures that I give a second thought to when they die, but Christopher Hitchens is one of them. The world is a poorer place in my opinion without his presence today. Agree or disagree with him, he was a powerful intellectual and moral force and his writing was out-of-this-world, although I guess I'm biased as I did agree with him on a lot of issues.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011...ary?intcmp=122

If you get an hour free sometime, watch this famous debate between Hitchens and Tony Blair on religion. It is almost embarrassing to watch how easily Hitchens pulls apart Blair's arguments one by one and the former PM - who, let's face it, will clearly go down as one of the most successful British politicians ever - is left with playing to the crowd for cheap applause.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3kHRTUUJAI

 

[newguy]

Watching this right now: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/9233571.stm

He made a real difference, especially in the US, where there had been very little in the way of open debate concerning religion until recent years.

 

[disruptive]

Sad loss, I always enjoyed listening/watching or reading Christopher whenever possible. We all knew hwe was dying, but the reality has hit home now.

It feels rather premature as really he was only at the cusp of what he could have achieved, cut off in mid-flow.

 

[edo]

That's a great interview, NewGuy, thanks. Don't think I've ever heard someone talk so eloquently about cancer as Hitchens.

Btw, if you disagreed with a lot of what Hitchens said or stood for, feel free to say so. I share his belief (perhaps that is the wrong word) that debate is the only option in a free-thinking democracy.

 

[Sussexite]

I read his recent book Hitch-22 while on holiday on the Isle of Skye this summer and thoroughly enjoyed it...and learned a few things too.

Which is something you wouldn't expect of a book by an ex-Commie Pro-War intellectual.

RIP