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Free to Choose: A Conversation with Milton Friedman

Hillsdale College
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sithmat Avatar
sithmat
Posts: 0
Posted: 08.25.08, 12:10 PM
This video is AWFUL. It had so much potential, but the fat guy talks more than Friedman. As a result, we lose some valuable insights into the state of the modern world by Friedman himself, only years before his passing.

Avoid this video, and shame on the fat guy for shameless self promotion.
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davagain Avatar
davagain
Posts: 0
Posted: 11.09.08, 08:16 PM
you may wish to skip the first 20 minutes (extended introduction)
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Rishav Avatar
Rishav
Posts: 2
Posted: 11.22.08, 01:39 AM
The interviewer is awful. The first part was entirely a pain.

However, I would like to disagree with Friedman regarding his stand on capitalism and the free market.Capitalism only works when the world is flat (given an equal platform of equal opportunities, efficient competition is possible). However, when a capitalist from the first world with technological prowess, strong market power, economies of scale enters a foreign market without protectionism, the entire system is rendered ineffective as the local market is bound to collapse and the eventual unemployment which would be a ripple effect of this can only result in economic downfall. Capitalism is the way to freedom in economics, this is a statement I agree with. Yet, when capitalism is enforced and not gradually moved into, it would result in a failing economy.

Talking about the consumers, capitalism is a selfish enterprise or way of life that would only give to those who can afford it. Milton Friedman strongly undermines the government which has to tend to the poor and weak as well. Capitalism would bulldoze these individuals as noone would invest in a non profitable arena. Noone would provide for those starving in Africa. The issue of medical care in USA is such as well, had it been a free market, the poor would not be able to afford expensive treatments such as the MRI and Cat Scans. The fact that they receive "third class" treatment from doctors due to the lack of personal touch is a question on morality and not economics. The right to live should never be supported with the weight of money or financial power in one's realms. The complete free market which Milton Friedman suggest may be suitable for the world in general, however, it is merciless to the weak. The government is the sole propagator that can work for the self interest of the public through intervention.

If you leave a 100m sprinter in a race with a crippled boy, there is no doubt that this boy requires assistance if it has to complete, let alone win the race. The world is not perfect and many individuals are too crippled and many economies too young to face and stand against the insurgency of capitalism. Protectionism is thus crucial to a country (especially a developing one), if it has to see economic development for its entire population and not just the higher class.
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scamper Avatar
scamper
Posts: 26
Posted: 01.07.09, 03:01 AM
wow what a horrible host.
Milton has some interesting things to say, but please blank out this host.
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iconicscooter Avatar
iconicscooter
Posts: 1
Posted: 01.14.09, 08:13 AM
Let each care for self and all will be cared for.

The Poor are poor due to choice; those that placed them there through birth are accountable and own that choice; those that chose to be there as adults are accountable for not creating productivity in their personal life toward not being poor, i.e. education, job, etc.

Each is free to pursue life at personal choice.

All rationalizations, justifications and excuses are made to absolve the individual from taking ownership of personal choice and the ability to respond to that choice.

Why did we need to hear the editorializing and personal opinion of the host? Was that the job he was charged with doing?
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dodosword Avatar
dodosword
Posts: 1
Posted: 01.21.10, 06:58 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by sithmat
This video is AWFUL. It had so much potential, but the fat guy talks more than Friedman. As a result, we lose some valuable insights into the state of the modern world by Friedman himself, only years before his passing.

Avoid this video, and shame on the fat guy for shameless self promotion.
i completely agree with you.
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stagn Avatar
stagn
Posts: 1
Posted: 02.17.10, 07:31 PM
I agree with stithmat that the President of Hillsdale, Larry Arnn ruined this interview. It was almost unbearable to watch him. He acted more like a juvenile in High School than a college President. It was a shame that this guy would not shut up and wasted so much time fumbling papers and trying to be cute. Like I said juvenile behavior. Dr. Friedman in his usual way was kind and tolerant with him. It would have been great to have heard Dr. Friedman instead of "the fat guy" talk about the world shortly before his death.
With the passing of Dr. Friedman a great light has gone out. Thankfully we still have his books. One last comment. I saw a Charlie Rose interview with Dr. Friedman and it was as bad as this one. Charlie Rose like Larry Arnn wouldn't shut up and wouldn't give the elderly Dr. Friedman time to answer his question. Rose would interrupt with a comment and then ask another question. In my opinion Arnn and Rose both are full of themselves and are trying to impress people. Well, they impressed me as morons.
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