Webchat with Russell Brand - Weds 12 Nov - 1 o'clock

[JustineMumsnet]

We're very pleased to say that Russell Brand is joining us on Wednesday 12 November between 1 and 2pm.

For those who don't know, Russell Brand is a comedian, actor and author.

His latest book, Revolution, sets out his views for political change - because, he says, "democracy has been taken away from us".

You might have caught his recent interview on Newsnight, which was widely discussed on the boards.

This is his third book, following My Booky Wook and Booky Wook 2: This Time It's Personal and has just published the first in a new series of children's books Russell Brand's Trickster Tales: The Pied Piper of Hamelin, written by Russell and illustrated by Chris Riddell.

Please do join us on Wednesday - or if you can't, feel free to post questions in advance, here.

(Reminder that we only allow one question and one follow-up per user, so make sure to use yours wisely )

Oh and yes, MPs already know that a large proportion of their constituents are disaffected, but actually that's just playing into their hands as those who continue to vote will mostly vote for the people they've always voted for - one of the 2 or 3 main parties - and nothing will change; which is what the parties actually want isn't it? There'll be a bit of jostling at the edges but tories and labour can cope with that.

Russell, are women full human beings or basically just things?
If the former, does it worry you that so many women are alienated by the misogynist style of your writing? How are you going to convince us that there's anything in your revolution for us when everything about the way you talk about women suggests that women's liberation matters not a jot to you and come the revolution men will still be on top?

Do you think that anyone would take any notice of you if you didn't look like you do?

Dear Russell
First let me say that YOU'RE AWESOME! I love and appreciate your work.
Secondly are you aware of the whole election-situation from Romania, and what do you think of it?
Lots of love Xx

How might a group of people wishing to set up a community cafe/business put forward their proposal to you, following on from your response as to how the profits from your new book will be used?

QUESTION:

Russell, I wanted to thank you firstly for your efforts in bringing revolutionary thoughts from the far fringes, slowly into the mainstream consciousness. Given your notorious history of (but transition away from) extreme materialism, are you fully aware of how much that can sour your message to the less forgiving, and are you prepared to further step away from money/fame/glory to set an example?

Good day, Russel.
wiggles eyebrows suggestively

I'll miss the webchat as I'm working nights, but I'll be on the filthy bench in spirit, if not in "person".
Firstly, I really do admire the way you talk about addiction so openly & eloquently. I struggled with such things in my youth. Sucks, don't it?

I think Britain IS ripe for Revolution. However, this seems to me to be manifesting itself as hatred; angry, disenfranchised people flocking to groups like the frankly chilling Britain First and voting ukip.
How can we best turn the tide of vitriol into a force for good? Make people care about our fellow man, yet not be complacent?

Hi Russell, I'm loving reading Trickster Tales with my 10 year old son - he was hooked from the farts in spacesuits bit! We are just picking the next non fiction book in our book club so I just wondered if you could recommend any good books for grown ups?

Dear Russell, Firstly I would like to say what an extremely positive inspiration and hope you have been to me and I know many many others.

I have noticed the media attacks on you have been absolutely overwhelming since your rise in popularity as an activist and advocate of real change of a system that does not work. It has been nearly every major media outlet that has been attacking you and it has seemed to encourage more attacks from the general public. Most people do not realise that all of the mainstream news outlets in the UK are owned by the amount of people you can count on one hand so they figure that If all of them are trying to make you out as an idiot that It must be true

Firstly I would like to say PLEASE don't stop! you have given me such tremendous hope for humanity and you have so much overwhelming support from people that want what you want and know that you are sincere. I can't imagine what the pressure must be like when you have done so much to raise awareness for issues that really matter and to be attacked so viciously and quite frankly desperate and laughablly by the media but It only goes to show what a huge threat that someone like you is to the current system which is there to serve the few and is protected by all the systems that they own, government, media, military etc.

Your Parklife video was absolutely brilliant way to deflect the trolls and naysayers by coming back at them again with the things that are important and laughing off the jibes.

I have read your book a few times now. I know you say that you are prepared to die for your beliefs but please don't... we love you and I'm sure that you are aware that there will be people planning your demise. They probably even have a Russel Brand doll for children thats face becomes scary and then it indecently exposes itself to them!
Please take care Russell.

Stay strong Russ, we love you. Thanks for everything you are doing and for bringing joy and hope to people and for making people see how unfair, ridiculous our current system is but also that we can have a better world and that change isn't that difficult, we are the many and they are the few.

much love

Karl x

Love your response to the Parklife stuff, but in general how much do you believe you can make a difference and how seriously you will be taken, or do you think that "they" think that you will eventually just give up and go away if they look the other way long enough. How much infuence can we actually have?

Yes Russell!

Been a fan ever since your early days.

Would like to know your opinion on Russia.

Do you feel that the media is showing the truth behind the current crisis?

Trews please, mums trews, musing with the mums news!

What with your antiestablishmentarianism and all, are you at all suspicious of the vigour with which said establishment promote the sentiments of your perspective?

Hi Russell,

I just started reading Revolution and am really enjoying it. From what I can see so far, your revolution has been very much UK/US based. Are you planning on taking it further? Will you be connecting with organisations and fighting for good causes in other countries too?

I live in Spain where the number of Ghost Towns is ridiculous...Especially seeing as a lot of families are out on the streets with not a pot to piss in. In Sevilla, the town hall spent €40, 000 on kicking families in need out of an empty apartment complex, instead of striking up a deal that everyone could benefit from.

I believe there are great ways of putting these ghost towns to good use, by offering them for social housing and educational projects. When can I expect you here? :)

Peace & Love
Roxanne Sancto

Hello Russell. Not really got a question, just want to say that I love that you are trying to educate and inspire people around this country and the world. I love that although you ask people not to vote (I also haven't since I made a big mistake of falling for Tony Blairs bs in '97) you positively encourage activism. Please mums thinking of voting UKIP DON'T !!They are the BNP repackaged in a lot of cases and they might not be representing views you want to pass to your children, like casual racism, dismantling of the NHS further etc, etc. (The rep for UKIP around my way got caught visiting massage parlours, the dirty old git!) If you would like to sack it off and go and live in an ashram, could I get first dibs ?

lilann I think Mr Brand does a pretty good job of sexualising himself, non?

dear Russell, what sort of lady are you looking for to help you overthrow the government and bring world peace? x

Hi Russell

How would you give democracy back to the people?

Do you think that revolution can be achieved without a revolutionary party? I doubt it myself.

Russell,

I was wondering if you had any further remarks regarding the venus project or the Zeitgeist Movement. Also i left a few links covering some of the basics of what these groups or projects are about.

resource based economy.

Thank you for what you're doing.

TEDxOjai - Jacque Fresco - Resource Based Economy

Jacque Fresco - Slovenia Lecture - The Venus Project

Jacque Fresco: Future By Design Conference

Economic Calculation in a Natural Law / RBE, Peter Joseph, The Zeitgeist Movement, Berlin

Uterus

I don't really see how that applies to the argument that women on here are behaving in a manner that they would heartily object to from a man.

And yes we do understand that the media is owned by a few Karl. I can read a graph and dress myself too. Finding RB facile does not mean I am part of the establishment. There is a LOT of not so inspiring you don't know about your paper tiger and false idol.

What makes you so sexy and good looking

Do you think it would be a great idea to visit Tasmania? Our island is shaped like the bit merkins are designed to cover, but is actually covered in bush..please come :) ... p.s. sorry

why you so sexy goodlooking