I highly recommend reading Chomsky or Herman’s work directly and drawing your own conclusions. It is extensively footnoted with primary sources.[1]
I grew up in a conservative environment. One day I came across some of Chomsky’s speeches on the early web with claims I found somewhat shocking (e.g. “the US is the world’s leading terrorist state”). But there was something compelling about it, so I took the extra step to check myself into my university library and read some of his books. And actually follow up on the citations. (Which actually documented terrorist activity on the part of the US government, among other things.) This was pre-Wikipedia. It was truly mind-expanding and equipped me with faith that careful study of the facts can change beliefs.
I fear that far too many of us rely on the summations of others. Wikipedia is truly a wonderful resource, but there is no substitute for checking sources yourself.
[1] An extensive online archive of Chomsky’s work can be found at http://chomsky.info
I grew up in a conservative environment. One day I came across some of Chomsky’s speeches on the early web with claims I found somewhat shocking (e.g. “the US is the world’s leading terrorist state”). But there was something compelling about it, so I took the extra step to check myself into my university library and read some of his books. And actually follow up on the citations. (Which actually documented terrorist activity on the part of the US government, among other things.) This was pre-Wikipedia. It was truly mind-expanding and equipped me with faith that careful study of the facts can change beliefs.
I fear that far too many of us rely on the summations of others. Wikipedia is truly a wonderful resource, but there is no substitute for checking sources yourself.
[1] An extensive online archive of Chomsky’s work can be found at http://chomsky.info