Biography Flash: Noam Chomsky Silent After Stroke - Latest Updates from Brazil Recovery

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Noam Chomsky - Audio Biography

Inception Point Ai

21 episodes

2 days ago

Noam Chomsky Early Life and Education Avram Noam Chomsky was born on December 7, 1928, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His parents, William Chomsky and Elsie Simonofsky, were Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. Chomsky's father was a Hebrew scholar, and his mother was a teacher. This academic environment fostered Chomsky's early interest in learning, particularly in linguistics and politics.Chomsky attended an experimental elementary school where he was encouraged to develop his own ideas and interests. He later attended Central High School in Philadelphia, known for its rigorous academic standards. In 1945, Chomsky entered the University of Pennsylvania, where he initially studied philosophy and logic. His interest in linguistics was sparked by meeting Zellig Harris, a leading linguist, who became his mentor.Academic Career and Contributions to Linguistics Chomsky's academic career began in earnest at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he started teaching in 1955 and remained for the majority of his career. His groundbreaking work, "Syntactic Structures" (1957), revolutionized the field of linguistics by introducing the theory of transformational-generative grammar. This theory proposed that the ability to generate and understand sentences in a language is rooted in an innate, universal grammar shared by all humans. Chomsky's theories challenged the prevailing behaviorist views of language acquisition, which posited that language learning was based on habit formation and environmental stimuli. Instead, Chomsky argued that humans are born with an inherent ability to understand the structure of language, a concept he termed the "language acquisition device." His subsequent work, including "Aspects of the Theory of Syntax" (1965) and "The Minimalist Program" (1995), further developed his ideas on universal grammar and syntax. Chomsky's contributions to linguistics have had a profound impact on the field, influencing not only linguistics but also cognitive science, psychology, and philosophy. Political Activism and Criticism In addition to his work in linguistics, Chomsky is renowned for his political activism and criticism of U.S. foreign policy. His political engagement began in earnest during the Vietnam War, when he became a vocal critic of U.S. involvement. His 1967 essay, "The Responsibility of Intellectuals," argued that intellectuals had a moral duty to speak out against government actions that they believed to be wrong. Chomsky's critiques extend beyond specific policies to a broader critique of power structures and propaganda. In "Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media" (1988), co-authored with Edward S. Herman, Chomsky developed the propaganda model of media, arguing that media serves the interests of elite groups in society. Throughout his career, Chomsky has written extensively on issues such as imperialism, capitalism, and human rights. His books, lectures, and interviews have made him one of the most prominent and controversial public intellectuals of his time. Later Work and Ongoing Influence Chomsky retired from MIT in 1996 but continued to write and speak on both linguistic and political issues. In 2017, he joined the University of Arizona as a laureate professor in the Department of Linguistics and the Agnese Nelms Haury Program in Environment and Social Justice. Chomsky's influence spans multiple disciplines. In linguistics, his theories continue to be foundational, while in political science and activism, his works remain widely read and debated. He has received numerous honors and awards, including the Kyoto Prize in Basic Sciences and the Helmholtz Medal. Personal Life Chomsky married Carol Doris Schatz in 1949, and they had three children together. Carol, who was also a linguist, passed away in 2008. In 2014, Chomsky married Valeria Wasserman. Despite his advanced age, Chomsky remains active in both academic and public spheres. He continues to lecture, write, and engage in political discourse, maintaining his status as a vital and influential figure in contemporary thought. Recent News In June 2024, false reports about Chomsky's death circulated widely, prompting his wife, Valeria Wasserman, to clarify that he is very much alive. These rumors highlight the ongoing interest in Chomsky's life and work, as well as the challenges of misinformation in the digital age. Noam Chomsky's life and work have left an indelible mark on multiple fields, from linguistics to political science. His theories on language revolutionized our understanding of human cognition, while his critiques of power and media have reshaped political discourse. As both an academic and an activist, Chomsky's legacy is one of profound intellectual rigor and unwavering commitment to social justice. Thanks for listening and remember to like and share wherever you get your podcasts.

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Biography Flash: Noam Chomsky Silent After Stroke - Latest Updates from Brazil Recovery

Noam Chomsky - Audio Biography

3 minutes

1 week ago

Biography Flash: Noam Chomsky Silent After Stroke - Latest Updates from Brazil Recovery

Noam Chomsky Biography Flash a weekly Biography.

Noam Chomsky, at age 96, remains a towering intellectual figure, although his voice has been largely absent from public life over the past year. According to Media Lens and directly echoed in the Associated Press, Chomsky suffered a significant medical event—a stroke—in June of last year. Updates from his longtime MIT assistant Bev Stohl, made public on Reddit and picked up by Time and The Independent, confirm that he is recovering in Brazil, where his wife Valeria is from. Chomsky is no longer able to communicate much if at all, with his speech affected and his right side weakened; he is under daily care from specialists in a Sao Paulo hospital, but thankfully, as reported by Folha de S.Paulo, he has left the ICU and now resides in a regular hospital room.

His absence has been deeply felt within the global intellectual and activist communities, with reflections and expressions of gratitude flooding social media. Aaron Maté of The Grayzone and Matt Kennard of Declassified UK have recently praised Chomsky on X and other platforms for his powerful lifelong critique of American empire and his immeasurable contributions to the cause of justice and peace. Public recognition of his achievements, ranging from the Seán MacBride Peace Prize to being celebrated as “the most famous critic of US empire in the world,” permeates both activist and scholarly circles, as The Nation recently highlighted in a feature reviewing his latest, and likely final, book coauthored with Nathan Robinson.

While some ticket sites like Vivid Seats are still listing Chomsky among top public speakers for 2025, these appear to be out-of-date listings with no forthcoming appearances. There have been no verified business ventures, events, or interviews featuring Chomsky since June 2023, when his last major public conversation was recorded with Piers Morgan. Boston Review, often a venue for Chomsky’s ideas, lists him among past speakers but not for anything scheduled recently.

On social media, fans continue to post tributes and reminisce about his pivotal writings and lectures, particularly with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict dominating headlines—an issue on which his current silence feels especially poignant given his decades-long voice for peace. According to Valeria, when shown news coverage of Gaza, he responds with silent gestures of grief and frustration, a heartbreaking final commentary from a man who spent his life making sense of power, propaganda, and resistance.

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Noam Chomsky - Audio Biography