Noam Chomsky: linguist professor at MIT, political theorist and social activist. Jack Kerouac: author and major figure involved in the beatnik movement. Very different backgrounds but I admire both of them, and so they have become the influence for my name. While they may seem different they actually have quite a bit in common.
Noam Chomsky is an anarchist, believing that no authority is legitimate to govern the people. He believes in the power of people to come together forming their own notions of right and wrong with direct participatory democracy. Chomsky often discusses tyranny of government and ways in which the common people can form bonds to overcome it.
Jack Kerouac on the other hand is a literary figure. A college dropout, he spent his time wandering the states experiencing everything he thought life had to offer. Kerouac developed his own beliefs regarding religion, morality, and the way American society treats its citizens.
The key aspect of both of these men is that they stand for one thing I believe in, and that is freedom. The freedom to choose what is good for you, the freedom to wander where you want to go, the freedom to live in peace without the fear of someone looking over your shoulder, the freedom to live in the way you want. Now I don't agree with everything that both of these men said. I disagree with Chomsky's view of majority rule and many of his assertions regarding intervention. I disagree with many of Kerouac's lifestyle choices such as his treatment of women and his rampant drug use. However, I still believe in the principle of freedom that these men stand for.
Other than that, I am simply interested in these subjects. I am a political science major who happens to enjoy literature. I love the adventure of Kerouac but the logic and judgment of Chomsky. Logic is a useful tool but sometimes its just more fun to rely on your emotions. I guess thats what I hope this name says.
