Lex Fridman podcast with guest Benjamin Netanyahu

Lex Fridman is probably one of my favorite podcasters for long form discussion. I can’t really get too much of a read on his bias, and he asks incredible questions while often trying to get his guest to steel man their arguments.

His host was the controversial Benjamin Netanyahu. I’ve been critical of bibi in the past (usually for specific issues), but I’d be hard pressed someone could listen to this interview and come out at least not having respect for the man.

I don’t even want to sum it up too much as I simply wouldn’t be able to do it Justice. It was eloquent and good natured. Both men were calm even while dancing around some very tricky subjects. I couldn’t recommend it enough, and even if me and bibi differ on issues or broad ideology, I have to say I’m impressed on how he carries himself through a conversation. I’d even go so far to say he’s probably one of my favorite leaders in modern times in terms of how he speaks and presents his case (unless it’s one of his silly presentations lol).

I’ll like the video below, though you can find the audio version on whatever platform you get podcasts from.

yay a war mongering land stealer.

Israel became the neo Fascist state.

a reply to: CriticalStinker

Bibi is arguably the greatest Israeli Prime Minister ever. Everything under his rule has been a positive. Israel before Bibi compared to Israel today is another world.

a reply to: chris_stibrany

He’s not without criticism, but I can separate that when I listen to the interview.

Look, there are a lot of questionable leaders out there, but it’s hard to argue against them if you ignore them completely.

I’m not really a fan of Putin, but I can’t ignore how powerful a speaker he is. His interviews with Oliver Stone were fantastic. Doesn’t mean you have to agree with him or admire him. But I can still appreciate his style as a leader, that’s how he got there and retained the power.

The only way to counter these types of leaders who command an audience is to find better versions, that’s where a lot of people are outright apathetic.

a reply to: ufoorbhunter

He goes over how he helped transition the country from a pseudo socialist nation into a capitalist powerhouse. They touched on some of the peace talks too (we could argue the efficacy here, but even getting people to show up to the table is impressive).

Whether someone agrees with his ideology as a leader or not, he’s seen the country through some incredible transitions.

originally posted by: CriticalStinker
a reply to: ufoorbhunter

He goes over how he helped transition the country from a pseudo socialist nation into a capitalist powerhouse. They touched on some of the peace talks too (we could argue the efficacy here, but even getting people to show up to the table is impressive).

Whether someone agrees with his ideology as a leader or not, he’s seen the country through some incredible transitions.

For sure CS he's spot on. Israel has gone from socialism to full on capitalism under Bibi's stewardship.

The peace stuff, yes Israel made peace treaties with Arab states also with the help of another genius of our time Trump.

Israel has never been as safe or as prosperous and this has been achieved through the leadership of Netanyahu

a reply to: CriticalStinker

I have no respect for Ben N . That you have any is revolting. You have respect for a land stealer ? You respect a man who commits genocide ? Please don’t tell us us who else you respect, I’d rather not throw up ,

a reply to: Shillkill

Some respect ≠ support.

Going around sticking our heads in the sand isn’t going to get us anywhere.

As for me, I am curious and enjoy listening to everyone, doesn’t mean I always agree with them. How can you argue with ideas you’ve never heard our?

For those who frequent the board, I’m sure some have seen me be critical of bibi and Israel ( the government, not *most of* the citizens).

These are conversations, not votes.

originally posted by: chris_stibrany
yay a war mongering land stealer.

Israel became the neo Fascist state.

For being like the smallest nation in ME and with zero oil, I think they got the short stick... What land did they steal? After the 1967 war, they gave back oil-rich land.

originally posted by: Shillkill

I have no respect for Ben N . That you have any is revolting. You have respect for a land stealer ? You respect a man who commits genocide ? Please don’t tell us us who else you respect, I’d rather not throw up ,

Who in the ME do you respect?

originally posted by: CriticalStinker
a reply to: Shillkill

Some respect ≠ support.

Going around sticking our heads in the sand isn’t going to get us anywhere.

As for me, I am curious and enjoy listening to everyone, doesn’t mean I always agree with them. How can you argue with ideas you’ve never heard our?

For those who frequent the board, I’m sure some have seen me be critical of bibi and Israel ( the government, not *most of* the citizens).

These are conversations, not votes.

Who has their head in the sand . All I said was the guy is guilty of genocide . You said you respect the guy . Sorry I called you out for respecting a genocidal maniac . You can , I just asked why you respected a genocidal land grabber but I didn’t get an answer ??

originally posted by: Xtrozero

originally posted by: Shillkill

I have no respect for Ben N . That you have any is revolting. You have respect for a land stealer ? You respect a man who commits genocide ? Please don’t tell us us who else you respect, I’d rather not throw up ,

Who in the ME do you respect?

People who commit genocide and war crimes and steal land are usually towards the bottom of my list of people I support . Honestly I try not to support anyone . I unfortunately support around 50 million illegals and countless bums and drug addicts and all around just lazy people , not by my choosing . Do you not support your new Arab spring leaders ? The subject was is Ben N

a reply to: Shillkill

and even if me and bibi differ on issues or broad ideology, I have to say I’m impressed on how he carries himself through a conversation.

Hmmmm, it’s almost like I said I differ from him in terms of broad ideology.

When a nation that represents .1% of the world and is under a hundred years old becomes extremely relevant on multiple levels, it’s a good idea to delve into why.

So yea, there can be a level of appreciation or respect even if there’s a lot to be critical of.

As far as your claims of him being a genocidal maniac, I’m sure it’s more nuanced than many of us not born there can understand. I imagine if my people were almost wiped off the earth, and left the continent that almost did it only to go to an equally hostile land, I may have a more complex view of things.

Does that make everything they do right? No, they more than anyone should appreciate at an intimate level what it’s like to be forced out of your home. And that’s why there is and should be real critical debate about Israel and their government.

But again, I can listen to his interview without instantly seething. It can help me understand all the sides over there even if I don’t directly agree with him. Just like I can be critical of Russia while also appreciating the Putin interviews with Stone. Ask anyone here, I haven’t carried any water for him.

I watched the Robert Kennedy Jr one last night. Lex is a hero!

originally posted by: Shillkill


I have no respect for Ben N . That you have any is revolting. You have respect for a land stealer ? You respect a man who commits genocide ?

How can he be a land stealer when over half the Israeli population is from the Arab / Persian / Berber world and were literally forced out of their native nations within living memory. This perpetrated by muslims who only emerged in those every same regions many years later than the original Jewish inhabitants. There is no genocide going on in Israel, minorities are treated phenominally well, there's a reason LGBT arabs find peace and sanctuary in Israel, Christians too when fleeing the Islamic world. Compare this to the real genocide In Iraq, Algeria, Yemen, oh the list is endless...............................

originally posted by: Shillkill

People who commit genocide and war crimes and steal land are usually towards the bottom of my list of people I support . Honestly I try not to support anyone . I unfortunately support around 50 million illegals and countless bums and drug addicts and all around just lazy people , not by my choosing . Do you not support your new Arab spring leaders ? The subject was is Ben N

The ME as a whole is a much different place than what we see as reality. Israel is in the ME and has been far from the worst of that area, so I guess you can hate all of it, but that is how they have been for 1000s of years. You keep saying genocide, war crimes, and stealing land and I ask again to explain that just a little.

Also... not sure what this means...

I unfortunately support around 50 million illegals and countless bums and drug addicts and all around just lazy people

Cheers