I once called a classmate a ’schwag’ in passing to another classmate, and it eventually found it’s way back to the main target. He didn’t quite get the meaning, but at least asked me to define it. ‘Schwag’ is often used to refer to (1) low-grade drugs or (2) free products you get from companies. I use the term to mean a person who is an idiot on a grand scale but gives the air of being better than that. C.f. William F. Buckley, below, trying to act all better than Noam Chomsky. Granted, this was back in the late 1960s and perhaps folks didn’t realize the genius of Chomsky at that point, but come on. Buckley gets owned by Chomsky in this debate.
The only other person I’ve seen go up against Chomsky with any sort of hope for at least a draw was Michel Foucault, in their debate over Justice and Power.
Buckley never really let Chomsky talk, which is too bad.
I haven’t seen that conversation in a while. Thanks for sharing!
@The Partner: Yes, Buckley’s constant interruptions were annoying. If you can tolerate having to read subtitles, the Foucault talk is a good watch, too.
I believe we watched that together a while back. I’m sure I missed somethings, though.
@The Partner: You know my memory!