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 )

Hi Russell,
I read your book, and it's brilliant in making light of the fact that there is a lot that is wrong with the world that most of us are not aware of.But it does not give a clear alternative.

Do you think the Venus Project is one alternative?

It seems like the answer to all the problems you have enlightened us to.

Solo

PM? I think not.
Eddie Izzard on the other hand would get my full support

[thisnotmyrussellhishairistooshiny ]

Spy

Here is Russell rejecting his life of blind ease, on his way to an environmental activism meeting (Maybe?) in his low emission range rover.

Can you stand for parliament, maybe in a high student population constituency?

It would be so nice to have some independent voices.

If you lead the way others might follow.

Everyone slags off those in power but no one wants to put in the time or effort to get voted in.

Just for the record I hold RB The Person no ill well and wish him well.
RB The Public Persona otoh I wish would calm down and stop preaching. I fear his having been given a 'political' voice is rather cynical media manipulation - RB is 'allowed' to say what many think in the manner of a court jester.

Russell, do you feel manipulated? Used for a larf??

On a scale of 1 to 10, how intelligent do you think you are?

Do you really believe that all personal debts should be cancelled. How would that actually work?

I presume you have given the matter some thought and are not just saying it to be popular, and to get a reaction.?

Hi Russell - love the Trews and what you are doing to awaken people. Particularly interested in the spiritual aspect of your message. Do you think it could be a good idea to try to reach people within the system to bring about change from within the system (I gave up my career in the City as I became disillusioned/disgusted with millions corporations were saving in tax planning etc while ordinary people were suffering and I know a lot of people there feel similarly disillusioned). May be better than writing off the whole City.

"I fear his having been given a 'political' voice is rather cynical media manipulation"
I think it's the complete opposite - his trews channel was going along for ages before the media picked up on it. The fact that he is now getting so much press is more, I think, the reaction of a powerful elite (which those who own our media are part of) to someone who is from their perspective, giving people messages that they don't like. So they react in the usual way with the constant headlines about his "don't vote" message which is months old rather than the countless other thing's he has said since which most people would agree with. The more they shout about RB from their headlines the more worried they are.
I think what he's doing is fantastic - he's making people think about what they hear on the news and not taking things at face value - his analysis of some of the Fox news stuff on his trews channel is brilliant. My question to RB is "do you think our education system should be doing more to help young people question what they hear and understand how news etc. can be manipulated?"

Hi russell, there are many of us that have been wanting this 'revolution' for some time.

But it's not happened and there's no sign of it. I suspect this is because there is no incentive for those at the top who have all the power to actually change, and there are no consequences if they don't.
So it's easy to convince those suffering under the system for a need to change. But how do you convince those with all the power for a need to change? What are the incentives and consequences for them?
(NB. Being a 'nice human being' doesn't work as an incentive as they usually think they already are and deserve all their lovely power and dosh).

Also, although I agree with many of your views I find it hard to reconcile with much of your past "shagging wimmin" misogynistic behaviour. Do you get me on that? It's hard if you believe in all equality to be inspired by a man whose past clearly involved treating women as mere sex objects.
(And please don't reply..."But I love women"...that just makes it worse)

I'd also like him to answer the question of whether he's a feminist.

Vair important question.

In terms of witnessing the possibly catastrophic introduction of an expensively-orchestrated project into tricky, fast-moving and at times hostile terrain, should I today be following Russell Brand's arrival at the celestial headquarters of Mumsnet, or the Rosetta satellite landing on a comet?

Dear RB,

When I have been discussing my views towards corrupt politicians, tax avoiding and the media's propaganda based existence with other people, I have found myself getting extremely irate with the level of ignorance people have. What would you suggest saying to these people to help their eyes be opened to the well needed world change?

Big Love,
Charli.

I can't be here either. But just wanted to say that if people aren't to be appearing and questioned on the basis of past actions and sayings, that pretty much rules out everyone ever with the possible exception of That Bastard Gandhi.

can't read the thread as pc is slooooooow

not a q more a statement NOT FAWNING HOH NO

Russell I think you are fucking great

glad you are using your powers for good instead of evil

keep on keepin' on!

HULLLLLLLLYYYYYYYYYY!!

I think it's great that you've been trying to get discussion about this, I really do. But talking to some of my friends who say they are in favour of what you have said aren't getting the right message, they think you are saying "Hey you, disillusioned person, do nothing, that'll learn them". I'm tired of hearing it. How do you intend to counter this? How can I counter this? Reason and logic don't work when someone counters it with, they wouldn't have had Russell on News programmes if he didn't know what he was talking about.

Also, it's my birthday today, and I've been sober for six years too, so feel free to say something verbose and charming to me

I'm trying to imagine how a web chat with ThatBastardGhandi would've gone on here. I can only conclude it would've been awesome.

Actually ........

Justiiiiiiiiiiine as its my birthday, A lovely present would be a photo of Mr Brand giving you a lovely peck on the cheek, because I know you'll blush.

So can you get one of the HQers to get camera ready?

Your recent relationship with a member of one of Britain's most powerful establishment families has made me question the authenticity of your calls for revolution. Are you trying to infiltrate the system from the inside?

RB, hello
How many cups of coffee do you drink each day? And what is your favourite biscuit?

If a famous female came on here to do a web chat and was subjected to the same level of sexualised, sexist and lascivious comments, you'd all be up in arms.

Funny how those principles don't apply when it is directed towards a man.

Dirty bench

Russell, I'm another who thinks that your message of 'don't vote' is wrong-headed. I really don't understand how that can achieve anything. Could you explain it without a word-cloud; just straightforward, simple sentences?