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Rich and powerful people like Epstein like to collect influence and status and part of that status is collecting novelty. This is something money can't directly buy and is exclusive so they need it like the parasites they are. Part of Epstein's appeal to these ghouls was that not only would he make you rich and get you girls but he himself was "smart" end erudite and surrounded himself with the "best and brightest." This is why he consorted with people like Hawking and Chomsky; he collected their reputations in his bag and then could tell other ghouls hey look come to the island, you can meet the most famous physicist of all time and, maybe, bang some young girls.
Hawkins?
Sorry, Stephen Hawking https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/jan/05/prince-andrew-clinton-hawking-what-do-the-epstein-documents-say-about-key-people
To be fair to Hawking (who was a d-bag), there isn't evidence that he went to the Island but he did meet with Epstein likely because Epstein sought out smart people to consort with
I do not care to delve into the personal life of all scientists, particularly physicists, who rarely opine on human nature. Hawking's contributions to astrophysics and quantum physics are unrelated to his associations with shitty humans. In that arena, however, I do prefer Leonard Susskind over Hawking, in that Hawking's fucking ego would not let him consider other positions related to certain topics. (In short, yes, he was a douche bag).
There's an excellent book by Susskind called the Black Hole Wars about how he was right and Hawking was a dick when it came to how black holes consume objects and the data therein. Hawking eventually conceded to Susskind reluctantly after a few decades.
His net worth is <$2M.
At that point in his career, Chomsky was getting invited everywhere because he was branded "the top intellectual in the world".
People would see him speak and not understand a damned word he said.
People would see him speak and not understand a damned word he said.
It's not like Chomsky understood anything he was saying outside of linguistics.
Epstein collected intellectuals. He bought whole science departments at MIT, and kept a brothel of soft intellectuals like Malcolm Gladwell (imo definitely participated in some extra curriculars with Epstein), Richard Dawkins, Stephen Pinker (whom JE voted off the island (heh) because he wouldn't corroborate JE's eugenicism) and many others.
Norm (I call him Norm now) Chomsky is a guy who will just like answer any emails that come to him. He's not difficult to get a response from. I think Epstein was good at handling intellectuals, and had a lot to offer researchers like Chomsky who wanted to know how to follow the money, and where the bodies were buried. Epstein's connections and insider knowledge to the CIA, Mossad, and Les Wexner are all legitimate enough reasons to spend time talking with him.
This isnt to shift blame or culpability away from Chomsky, just to say that Epstein and associates had developed a concrete basis for power and influence among intellectuals. It wasnt just taking advantage of underage young women for personal pleasure, but all rivers seem to run into that sea.
To me though it really illustrates how Chomsky was really an ivory-tower elitist. If there was ever proof that left wing ideas only matter when they lead to taking effective action in the struggle for liberation, then Chomsky's unrepentant associations with Epstein are a shining example. As if many of his "left wing" positions weren't already problematic enough, he made sure to put on full display whom is the real subject of his work, and it isnt the toiling and exploited classes. I have some ideological differences with him, but thankfully we don't need to worry about that. His actions speak to the actual nature of his ideas, so we need only gesture toward this photo as proof of how he demolished his own legacy, and how he doesnt deserve a place among those who actually struggle to educate people about the truth of our conditions.
May his work be forgotten. What a sad, pathetic man.
He isn't really on the opposite side of Chomsky. Chomsky is very much allowed as vocal "opposition" because his conclusions all lie in cynicism towards the idea that there are meaningful alternatives to the status quo. He redirects radicalism toward doomerism and away from meaningful practice.
If you look at his emails with Epstein, it's literally Epstein asking him about his academic work, Epstein toying with various little theories and asking Chomsky about them, etc. All above board so far. Him being on the plane is not great, but it doesn't necessarily mean he's a pedo. It opens up that possibility, but there is not proof of him doing anything wrong. Yet. I really hope he didn't do anything wrong, but it's obviously a possibility.
No matter what you think about Chomsky, he's an extremely important intellectual figure and is associated with the left. Him going down would be bad for all of us - so I hope he's not a bastard.
I highly recommend you read On Chomsky by Roderic Day. Chomsky's a bastard and the left would be better without him, as he ultimately postures his "leftism" in manners that uphold the US Empire through cynically demonizing any real alternatives.
Thanks for the recommendation, will take a look at it. What I've read of Chomsky so far is often a critique of (mostly, but not exclusively) US Imperialism, so I'm curious what this person is arguing
His critique of US imperialism is as I said, done in a way that downplays any alternative in real life and redirects radicals towards cynicism and nihilism. His point can be summed up as "The US Empire is evil, but everyone else is worse, so we have to support it."
It opens up that possibility, but there is not proof of him doing anything wrong.
Spending time and discussing politics with a convicted sex trafficker as well as getting on his "Lolita express" is already wrong enough in my opinion.
Chomsky is a Zionist which publicly supports the genocidal Apartheid and is anti BDS.
Most of Chomsky's criticism is correct but coincidentally applies to Chcomsky himself.
Epstein was a major bundler and influencer in the liberal establishment, specifically within the US East Coast and the EU West Coast regions. Chompsky was also in this circle of influential political and media figures. Its not crazy that they'd run into each other any more than Epstein hobnobbing with any other Ivy League professors or national media figures or British Royals.
did the book sales for manufacturing consent get him that fucking rich?
More that knowing a guy like Epstein is what gets you regularly syndicated in news columns and invited as a guest onto TV shows. You could say the same about Larry Summers or Steven Pinker.
how does he afford to get a ticket to go to epstein island?
Epstein was a Mossad agent offering "honey pots" for kompromat and rule over the US/west. "You're a super interesting guy. I'm having a supermodel orgy in Bahamas with lots of other famous people. I can fly by and pick you up"... you're not doing anything wrong by saying yes.
Highly recommend On Chomsky by Roderic Day for anyone that idolizes this guy or thinks him a reputable voice for the left.
Not idolizing anyone has saved me so much grief. I have been upset many times (I once went to see Bill Cosby live), but never heartbroken.
That's a good attitude to have. I certainly have historical and current figures I respect and look up to, though, and would be quite upset if I found out they were as bad as Chomsky. Thankfully I never had a Zizek phase.
Chomsky: "The collapse of USSR was victory for the working class"
The "working class" he meant: 
What's the point of having a world class child prostitution ring if you can't use it smooze with some politicians from time to time. They are all playing the same game, and we aren't in it.
Look, Noam isn't wearing his glasses, he might think he's talking to Anthony Bourdain