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At 2:50 pm, more than half the runners were through.
At 2:50 pm, more than half the runners were through.
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[Explosion] The first bomb explodes.
[Explosion] The first bomb explodes.
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Breaking news from Canada. Police say
Breaking news from Canada. Police say
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they've broken up an Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist attack
they've broken up an Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist attack
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that was aimed to disrupt a major North American transportation route.
that was aimed to disrupt a major North American transportation route.
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A sharp new warning of all-out war.
A sharp new warning of all-out war.
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For the first time, the mysterious and secretive nation
For the first time, the mysterious and secretive nation
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has threatened a preemptive nuclear strike against the US.
has threatened a preemptive nuclear strike against the US.
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In Europe, Spain is also feeling the economic pinch.
In Europe, Spain is also feeling the economic pinch.
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One in four are now currently unemployed in that country,
One in four are now currently unemployed in that country,
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and the EU expects that number to climb even higher.
and the EU expects that number to climb even higher.
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China and neighboring countries are mobilizing resources
China and neighboring countries are mobilizing resources
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to fight off a new strain of bird flu.
to fight off a new strain of bird flu.
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Hospitals in a race against time to contain nightmare super bacteria
Hospitals in a race against time to contain nightmare super bacteria
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before it spreads from the hospital out into the world.
before it spreads from the hospital out into the world.
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Geez, you scared me!
Jesus, you scared me!
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But hey I guess that's OK, right?
But hey, I guess that's OK, right?
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If you watch the news these days,
If you watch the news these days,
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there seems to be a lot to be concerned about.
there seems to be a lot to be concerned about.
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Nuclear war, terrorism, mass shootings, city bombings,
Nuclear war, terrorism, mass shootings, city bombings,
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corporate fraud, bird flu, bank failures, unemployment,
corporate fraud, bird flu, bank failures, unemployment,
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contamination, gangs, general crime
contamination, gangs, general crime
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and depending on your temperament and conditioning,
and depending on your temperament and conditioning,
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perhaps you've already armed yourself to the teeth
perhaps you've already armed yourself to the teeth
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and are watching this show from an underground bunker somewhere
and are watching this show from an underground bunker somewhere
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waiting for the end of civilization itself.
waiting for the end of civilization itself.
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Whatever the concern, the idea of protection or security from such woes
Whatever the concern, the idea of protection or security from such woes
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are ever-pervasive today.
are ever-pervasive today.
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Prisons, police, insurance, warranties, protection agencies,
Prisons, police, insurance, warranties, protection agencies,
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military and domestic armament, airport groping, government surveillance, etc.
military and domestic armament, airport groping, government surveillance, etc.
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reveal a culture of fear, if you will, on many levels.
reveal a culture of fear, if you will, on many levels,
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Not to mention that the modern trends
not to mention that the modern trends
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of such security risks are certainly fascinating.
of such security risks are certainly fascinating.
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For example, before the 1980s, the thought of someone
For example, before the 1980s, the thought of someone
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going into their workplace and wiping out a couple of people
going into their workplace and wiping out a couple of people
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was a relatively remote concept.
was a relatively remote concept.
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Today, we repeatedly see these acts of seemingly random violence,
Today we repeatedly see these acts of seemingly random violence,
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not only in businesses but in schools, churches, movie theaters,
not only in businesses but in schools, churches, movie theaters,
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malls, sporting events and other common institutions.
malls, sporting events and other common institutions.
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As unfortunate as this dark reality of our human capacity is,
As unfortunate as this dark reality of our human capacity is,
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it's perhaps not as unfortunate
it's perhaps not as unfortunate
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as the archaic methods we as a civilization have concocted
as the archaic methods we as a civilization have concocted
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in our attempt to counter such problems.
in our attempt to counter such problems.
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For instance, in the wake of growing US gun violence,
For instance, in the wake of growing US gun violence,
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the National Rifle Association will tell you that the problem
the National Rifle Association will tell you that the problem
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is a lack of armed security at every turn,
is a lack of armed security at every turn,
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and if only we'd just arm everybody like the Wild West,
and if only we'd just arm everybody like the Wild West,
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problems of social violence would subside.
problems of social violence would subside.
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While at the other extreme, folks will tell you that the problem is rather
While at the other extreme, folks will tell you that the problem is rather
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due to an ease of access: it's too simple to get weaponry,
due to an ease of access: it's too simple to get weaponry,
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and the removal of this easy access is now the correct path.
and the removal of this easy access is now the correct path.
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However, do either of these address the real issue,
However, do either of these address the real issue,
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the source of the behavioral problem at hand?
the source of the behavioral problem at hand?
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Where is the national discussion about, say, motivation
Where is the national discussion about, say, motivation
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and the sociological condition itself to which these acts erupt?
and the sociological condition itself to which these acts erupt?
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I point this out because in a technological age
I point this out because in a technological age
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where people can now print automatic weapons in secret,
where people can now print automatic weapons in secret,
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with home 3D printers paving the way for an eventual nanotech revolution
with home 3D printers paving the way for an eventual nanotech revolution
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that will enable the public to create powerful weapons at home,
that will enable the public to create powerful weapons at home,
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bypassing commercial regulation itself,
bypassing commercial regulation itself,
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perhaps we need to rethink our sense of causality here.
perhaps we need to rethink our sense of causality here.
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For unless you intend to outlaw scientific progress itself,
For unless you intend to outlaw scientific progress itself,
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regulation isn't going to amount to a damn thing in the long run.
regulation isn't going to amount to a damn thing in the long run.
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Likewise, come to think of it, maybe we also need to step back
Likewise, come to think of it, maybe we also need to step back
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and reframe what a viable threat to our safety really is
and reframe what a viable threat to our safety really is
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and how it measures up to other threats.
and how it measures up to other threats.
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On April 15, 2013,
On April 15, 2013,
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bombs exploded during the Boston Marathon in the United States
bombs exploded during the Boston Marathon in the United States
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killing 3 people, gaining global attention,
killing 3 people, gaining global attention
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almost like it was another 9/11.
almost like it was another 9/11.
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Yet in Iraq, on the exact same Monday,
Yet in Iraq, on the exact same Monday,
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bombs exploded killing 20 times as many people,
bombs exploded killing 20 times as many people,
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yet no one in the mainstream media seemed to care much about that.
yet no one in the mainstream media seemed to care much about that.
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You see, if you pay attention, you might notice
You see, if you pay attention, you might notice
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that the true quantifiable magnitude of a threat
that the true quantifiable magnitude of a threat
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or the actual toll of violence
or the actual toll of violence
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really doesn't mean much in the establishment perception.
really doesn't mean much in the establishment perception.
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It's the idea, the context, the political spectacle that matters.
It's the idea, the context, the political spectacle that matters.
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This might explain why America has spent almost five trillion dollars
This might explain why America has spent almost five trillion dollars
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on so-called terrorism when US citizens today
on so-called terrorism, when US citizens today
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and statistically always have been more likely to die of a peanut allergy
(and statistically always) have been more likely to die of a peanut allergy
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or in the bathtub than in a terrorist attack.
or in the bathtub than in a terrorist attack.
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As the following episode will argue, the security/fear industry
As the following episode will argue, the security/fear industry
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stretching from the ever-exploitative news media to the military-industrial complex,
stretching from the ever-exploitative news media to the military-industrial complex,
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to the criminal justice system, not only exploits sociological distortion
to the criminal justice system, not only exploits sociological distortion
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birthed out of the very fabric of our deprivation, scarcity-driven social order,
birthed out of the very fabric of our deprivation, scarcity-driven social order,
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it now appears to be accelerating in a vicious cycle.
it now appears to be accelerating in a vicious cycle.
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I don't know about you, but given all of this
I don't know about you, but given all of this
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I'm beginning to suspect that maybe, just maybe
I'm beginning to suspect that maybe, just maybe
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the very foundation of our socioeconomic system is in play here,
the very foundation of our socioeconomic system is in play here,
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no longer existing as a functional mode for human progress on this planet,
no longer existing as a functional mode for human progress on this planet,
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but rather as a conduit for a culture in decline.
but rather as a conduit for a culture in decline.
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From the creator of the Zeitgeist film trilogy
From the creator of the Zeitgeist film trilogy
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comes the worst reality show of all time.
comes the worst reality show of all time.
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The real one.
The real one.
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GMP Films presents
GMP Films presents
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CULTURE IN DECLINE
CULTURE IN DECLINE
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with your guide Peter Joseph.
with your guide Peter Joseph.
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Prison: from the dark dungeons of the Middle Ages
Prison: from the dark dungeons of the Middle Ages
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to our modern industrial mass incarceration correctional facilities,
to our modern industrial mass incarceration correctional facilities,
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the prison system is a signature edifice of society today.
the prison system is a signature edifice of society today.
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The United States, the land of the free,
The United States, the land of the free,
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now has the highest inmate population in the world,
now has the highest inmate population in the world,
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incarcerating over 2.3 million in fact.
incarcerating over 2.3 million in fact.
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The US has locked up more people than any other country on the planet,
The US has locked up more people than any other country on the planet,
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boastfully housing 25% of the entire world's prison population
boastfully housing 25% of the entire world's prison population,
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with an 800% increase in incarceration in the past 30 years alone.
with an 800% increase in incarceration in the past 30 years alone.
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Based partly on the need to remove active threats from society,
Based partly on the need to remove active threats from society,
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coupled with an ever-bleak undertone of retribution and revenge,
coupled with an ever-bleak undertone of retribution and revenge,
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the punitive, negative reinforcement tradition common to our justice system
the punitive, negative reinforcement tradition common to our justice system
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is now being challenged by some very basic realizations in the human sciences.
is now being challenged by some very basic realizations in the human sciences.
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We often forget that when it comes to human conduct,
We often forget that when it comes to human conduct,
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true behavioral causality has historically been ignored,
true behavioral causality has historically been ignored,
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with the focus rather on spooky superstitious forces
with the focus rather on spooky superstitious forces
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such as good and evil.
such as good and evil.
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As convenient as such ambiguous metaphysical assumptions are,
As convenient as such ambiguous metaphysical assumptions are,
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modern social science now places so-called criminal or anti-social acts
modern social science now places so-called criminal or anti-social acts
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in the context of public health, with real solutions
in the context of public health, with real solutions
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resting in the arena of preventive medicine, not mere punishment.
resting in the arena of preventive medicine, not mere punishment.
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Of course, as with most rational perspectives in the world today,
Of course, as with most rational perspectives in the world today,
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this view is rather agitating, for it shatters the glorified free will,
this view is rather agitating, for it shatters the glorified free will,
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morally empirical traditional assumptions
morally empirical traditional assumptions
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our entire criminal justice system is built upon.
our entire criminal justice system is built upon.
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However, let's put that aside for now,
However, let's put that aside for now,
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and point out the fact that, while most naturally do fear prison,
and point out the fact that, while most naturally do fear prison,
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its effect as a deterrent is actually quite weak.
its effect as a deterrent is actually quite weak.
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Considering US trends, we see a massive increase in incarceration over time,
Considering US trends, we see a massive increase in incarceration over time,
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so with this basic observation, the punitive threat of prison
so with this basic observation the punitive threat of prison
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clearly isn't working statistically.
clearly isn't working statistically.
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Likewise, prison is supposed to be some form of rehabilitation center, right?
Likewise, prison is supposed to be some form of rehabilitation center, right?
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So does this system work to reform human behavior,
So does this system work to reform human behavior,
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taking in so-called criminals and outputting mentally healthy,
taking in so-called criminals and outputting mentally healthy,
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law-abiding citizens?
law-abiding citizens?
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No. In the United States, two thirds of prisoners released
No. In the United States two thirds of prisoners released
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re-offend within three years, often with a more serious and violent offense.
re-offend within three years, often with a more serious and violent offense.
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00:08:06,961 --> 00:08:09,307
Dr James Gilligan, former director of
Dr James Gilligan, former director of
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the Center for the Study of Violence at Harvard Medical School
the Center for the Study of Violence at Harvard Medical School
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actually refers to prisons as graduate schools for crime and violence.
actually refers to prisons as 'graduate schools for crime and violence'.
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So given all of this, perhaps we need to step back a bit,
So given all of this, perhaps we need to step back a bit,
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shake off the shackles of common perception and ask ourselves
shake off the shackles of common perception and ask ourselves
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what other roles the judicial and prison systems really have.
what other roles the judicial and prison systems really have.
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For if incarceration isn't statistically working as deterrent,
For if incarceration isn't statistically working as deterrent,
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and those who get out of prison are more often worse
and those who get out of prison are more often worse
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than they were when they went in, something is clearly wrong.
than they were when they went in, something is clearly wrong.
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What else is going on here?
What else is going on here?
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While the justification of incarceration is certainly viable
While the justification of incarceration is certainly viable
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with respect to true social threats,
with respect to true social threats,
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no different than the medical need to quarantine somebody
no different than the medical need to quarantine somebody
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who is a threat to society because of a contagious disease,
who is a threat to society because of a contagious disease,
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the evolution of the prison tradition reveals some very dark truths.
the evolution of the prison tradition reveals some very dark truths.
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The best way to think about it is from a historical perspective,
The best way to think about it is from a historical perspective,
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considering race conflict, class conflict
considering race conflict, class conflict
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in the context of economic and political expedience.
in the context of economic and political expedience.
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The first thing to understand is that political power, like economic power,
The first thing to understand is that political power, like economic power,
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is sourced in social inefficiency.
is sourced in social inefficiency.
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In other words, politicians need something to fight, and to a certain degree,
In other words, politicians need something to fight, and to a certain degree,
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the more problems a society has, the more the citizens tend to feel the need
the more problems a society has, the more the citizens tend to feel the need
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to give up their power to government control,
to give up their power to government control,
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with the most proven effective type of problem being fear,
with the most proven effective type of problem being fear,
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usually fear of some perceived identifiable external group.
usually fear of some perceived identifiable external group.
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Of course, this idea has been acknowledged for years,
Of course, this idea has been acknowledged for years,
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such as by political theorist Karl Schmitt,
such as by political theorist Karl Schmitt
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in his 'The Concept of the Political', saying that
in his 'The Concept of the Political', saying that
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political unity is achieved by defining a common enemy.
political unity is achieved by defining a common enemy.
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Nothing new. The Nazis did this with the Jewish culture.
Nothing new. The Nazis did this with the Jewish culture.
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The early US did this with the Native American culture and so on.
The early US did this with the Native American culture and so on.
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In short, the trick is to push the idea that some subculture,
In short, the trick is to push the idea that some subculture,
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usually in the minority, is the true source of all of society's woes,
usually in the minority, is the true source of all of society's woes,
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generating mass resentment, and thereby ignoring
generating mass resentment and thereby ignoring
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00:10:10,950 --> 00:10:14,760
more accurate, yet politically inconvenient realities.
more accurate yet politically inconvenient realities.
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And while direct racism and discrimination
And while direct racism and discrimination
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are certainly alive and well in the world today,
are certainly alive and well in the world today,
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the more elusive yet relevant bias is actually economic.
the more elusive yet relevant bias is actually economic.
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The greatest threat to any political establishment is...
The greatest threat to any political establishment is...
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what do you mean? This? This is a platform. It's three-dimensional.
What do you mean? This? This is a platform. It's three-dimensional.
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There's the base... yeah, I know it's not very good.
There's the base... yeah, I know it's not very good.
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Fuck off, Bob, don't make me shoot you again.
Fuck off, Bob, don't make me shoot you again.
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00:10:41,150 --> 00:10:44,082
The greatest threat to any political establishment
The greatest threat to any political establishment
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is any challenge to its underlying economic foundation,
is any challenge to its underlying economic foundation,
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00:10:47,646 --> 00:10:51,535
as all political platforms are rooted in an economic bias,
as all political platforms are rooted in an economic bias,
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00:10:51,675 --> 00:10:55,202
one way or another. If you can brainwash the public into, say,
one way or another. If you can brainwash the public into, say,
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00:10:55,342 --> 00:10:58,858
viewing the failures of capitalism as instead rooted
viewing the failures of capitalism as rooted
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in the poor moral virtue of a trouble-causing subsection of the population,
in the poor moral virtue of a trouble-causing subsection of the population,
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rather than a built-in consequence of perhaps
rather than a built-in consequence of perhaps
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00:11:06,339 --> 00:11:10,569
capitalism's elitist psychology and scarcity-driven structure,
capitalism's elitist psychology and scarcity-driven structure,
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00:11:10,709 --> 00:11:12,489
you can maintain control.
you can maintain control.
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00:11:12,629 --> 00:11:17,847
This is where the 'common enemy scapegoat scam' comes into play.
This is where the 'common enemy scapegoat scam' comes into play.
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00:11:19,120 --> 00:11:20,624
It's not that bad!
It's not that bad!
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00:11:20,909 --> 00:11:25,242
We simply demonize the victims of this system, shifting blame away
We simply demonize the victims of this system, shifting blame away
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00:11:25,382 --> 00:11:30,032
from the more relevant environmental, causal, social condition itself
from the more relevant environmental, causal, social condition itself
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00:11:30,172 --> 00:11:35,371
and in the context of the justice system, the war on crime is a perfect tool.
and in the context of the justice system, the war on crime is a perfect tool.
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00:11:35,511 --> 00:11:40,251
All that war on crime is, is a war on the poor and economically irrelevant.
All that war on crime is, is a war on the poor and economically irrelevant.
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00:11:40,391 --> 00:11:42,663
And if a society is conditioned to believe
And if a society is conditioned to believe
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00:11:42,803 --> 00:11:45,721
that a person breaking into their car to steal property
that a person breaking into their car to steal property
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00:11:45,861 --> 00:11:50,139
is simply an amoral abomination with all the life choices in the world
is simply an amoral abomination with all the life choices in the world
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00:11:50,279 --> 00:11:54,469
otherwise to make ends meet, then the causal shift is a success.
otherwise to make ends meet, then the causal shift is a success.
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00:11:54,609 --> 00:11:58,001
The reality, however, is that most of those incarcerated today
The reality, however, is that most of those incarcerated today
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are there almost always due to crimes born from deprivation;
are there almost always due to crimes born from deprivation;
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deprivation which can be generalized in two forms:
deprivation which can be generalized in two forms:
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00:12:05,215 --> 00:12:07,807
relative and absolute.
relative and absolute.
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00:12:07,947 --> 00:12:11,046
Absolute deprivation is when a person's most basic needs
Absolute deprivation is when a person's most basic needs
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00:12:11,186 --> 00:12:14,866
are simply not met, and poverty is the lead source.
are simply not met, and poverty is the lead source.
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00:12:15,006 --> 00:12:18,566
The spectrum of disorder that arises from poverty is vast:
The spectrum of disorder that arises from poverty is vast:
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from drug dealing, theft and prostitution
from drug dealing, theft and prostitution
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00:12:21,300 --> 00:12:23,885
in areas lacking employment opportunities
in areas lacking employment opportunities
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00:12:24,025 --> 00:12:28,851
to emotional loss, self-worth neuroses and illegal self-medication
to emotional loss, self-worth neuroses and illegal self-medication
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00:12:28,991 --> 00:12:31,619
leading to complex and elusive chain reactions,
leading to complex and elusive chain reactions,
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00:12:31,759 --> 00:12:35,174
which can result in destructive antisocial behavior.
which can result in destructive antisocial behavior.
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00:12:35,620 --> 00:12:40,059
Today, one out of every 15 African American kids in the United States
Today, one out of every 15 African American kids in the United States
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00:12:40,199 --> 00:12:43,606
have at least one parent in prison, usually the father.
have at least one parent in prison, usually the father.
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00:12:43,746 --> 00:12:47,429
It's bad enough that the father figure is important to familial survival
It's bad enough that the father figure is important to familial survival
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00:12:47,569 --> 00:12:50,848
as the historical breadwinner, but the proven emotional toll
as the historical breadwinner, but the proven emotional toll
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00:12:50,988 --> 00:12:54,850
on children who must go without such an influential parental figure
on children who must go without such an influential parental figure
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00:12:54,990 --> 00:12:58,189
also has dark results, as those children are also
also has dark results, as those children are also
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00:12:58,329 --> 00:13:02,971
statistically more likely to be imprisoned as adults, in fact.
statistically more likely to be imprisoned as adults, in fact.
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00:13:03,210 --> 00:13:08,006
If you combine poverty with emotional deprivation, you have the perfect recipe
If you combine poverty with emotional deprivation, you have the perfect recipe
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00:13:08,146 --> 00:13:11,614
for not only the manifestation of socially aberrant behavior,
for not only the manifestation of socially aberrant behavior,
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00:13:11,754 --> 00:13:16,338
but the perpetuation of such distortions across generational time.
but the perpetuation of such distortions across generational time.
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00:13:16,577 --> 00:13:20,145
Relative deprivation, on the other hand, is when our sense of worth
Relative deprivation, on the other hand, is when our sense of worth
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00:13:20,285 --> 00:13:25,498
and self-respect is associated to our cultural perception of success.
and self-respect is associated to our cultural perception of success.
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00:13:25,638 --> 00:13:29,262
While absolute deprivation is measured by basic health concerns
While absolute deprivation is measured by basic health concerns
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00:13:29,402 --> 00:13:32,775
expressing the ever-important need for society to work
expressing the ever-important need for society to work
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00:13:32,915 --> 00:13:38,483
to efficiently meet our immutable human needs for sanity and true security,
to efficiently meet our immutable human needs for sanity and true security,
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00:13:38,623 --> 00:13:42,581
relative deprivation exists in the realm of subjective comparison
relative deprivation exists in the realm of subjective comparison
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00:13:42,721 --> 00:13:45,533
and resulting de-humanization.
and resulting de-humanization.
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00:13:45,673 --> 00:13:48,527
Likely the greatest example of this negative pressure
Likely the greatest example of this negative pressure
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00:13:48,667 --> 00:13:51,706
is the state of class imbalance in the world.
is the state of class imbalance in the world.
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228
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00:13:51,846 --> 00:13:56,056
While it is true that the formally classified poor of the West today
While it is true that the formally classified poor of the West today
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00:13:56,196 --> 00:13:58,510
actually live, in material terms,
actually live, in material terms,
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00:13:58,650 --> 00:14:01,762
better than the upper class a thousand years ago,
better than the upper class a thousand years ago,
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00:14:01,902 --> 00:14:04,857
the dehumanizing wealth stratification occurring today
the dehumanizing wealth stratification occurring today
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00:14:04,997 --> 00:14:10,680
continues to create complex, destabilizing psychosocial problems.
continues to create complex, destabilizing psychosocial problems.
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00:14:10,820 --> 00:14:13,689
Long considered an incentive for social progress,
Long considered an incentive for social progress,
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234
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00:14:13,829 --> 00:14:16,960
class difference and wealth imbalance has turned out to be
class difference and wealth imbalance has turned out to be
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00:14:17,100 --> 00:14:19,029
a powerful public health issue,
a powerful public health issue,
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00:14:19,169 --> 00:14:23,145
generating massive psychological and sociological distortion.
generating massive psychological and sociological distortion.
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00:14:23,285 --> 00:14:26,433
Want to be intellectually honest? The issues raised here
Want to be intellectually honest? The issues raised here
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238
00:14:26,573 --> 00:14:30,319
00:14:26,573 --> 00:14:30,319
have more to do with commerce than they do with the Second Amendment.
have more to do with commerce than they do with the Second Amendment.
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239
00:14:30,459 --> 00:14:35,379
00:14:30,459 --> 00:14:35,379
A lot of people make a lot of money selling firearms and ammunition.
A lot of people make a lot of money selling firearms and ammunition.
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240
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00:14:35,519 --> 00:14:39,506
The National Rifle Association has said the solution
The National Rifle Association has said the solution
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241
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00:14:39,646 --> 00:14:43,172
is to have armed security guards at every school.
is to have armed security guards at every school.
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00:14:43,312 --> 00:14:47,609
Certainly, every piece of security we engage in can be helpful,
Certainly, every piece of security we engage in can be helpful,
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00:14:47,749 --> 00:14:51,824
00:14:47,749 --> 00:14:51,824
but it's foolish to think that only security is what we need.
but it's foolish to think that only security is what we need.
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00:14:51,964 --> 00:14:54,879
The great challenge is, can we prevent these tragedies?
The great challenge here is, can we prevent these tragedies?
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00:14:55,019 --> 00:14:58,780
Sorry to interrupt, Chief, but since you've just brought up this notion of prevention
Sorry to interrupt, Chief, but since you've just brought up this notion of prevention
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00:14:58,920 --> 00:15:01,727
which is of course the real issue here, right? I'm curious
which is of course the real issue here, right? I'm curious
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when this conversation is going to move to more relevant social science.
when this conversation is going to move to more relevant social science.
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248
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00:15:05,663 --> 00:15:08,982
For example, we have the NRA here. Hi!
For example, we have the NRA here. Hi!
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Yet we don't have anyone from the pharmaceutical industry.
Yet we don't have anyone from the pharmaceutical industry.
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Isn't it true that most of the mass shootings that have commenced
Isn't it true that most of the mass shootings that have commenced