The review examines Daniel Everett's 'How Language Began', which challenges Chomsky's linguistic theories and proposes an alternative view of language as a gradual cultural invention. Longer summary

This book review discusses Daniel Everett's 'How Language Began', which challenges Noam Chomsky's dominant theories in linguistics. Everett argues that language emerged gradually over a long period, is primarily for communication, and is not innate but a cultural invention. The review contrasts Everett's views with Chomsky's, detailing Everett's research with the Pirahã people and his alternative theory of language origins. It also touches on the controversy Everett's work has sparked in linguistics and its potential implications for understanding language and AI. Shorter summary

Scott reviews 'Manufacturing Consent' by Chomsky and Herman, analyzing its arguments about media bias and US foreign policy atrocities. Longer summary

This post reviews Noam Chomsky and Edward Herman's book 'Manufacturing Consent', which argues that the US media has a strong conservative bias despite the liberal leanings of most journalists. The book proposes five mechanisms for this bias and presents case studies of US military interference in Third World countries. Scott analyzes the book's arguments, noting some issues with bias and cherry-picking of examples, but concludes that its core thesis about media bias and US foreign policy atrocities is largely compelling. He discusses how the book changed his understanding of historical events like the Iraq War and explores its relevance to modern media dynamics. Shorter summary