10 ms·
> He is not a historian, he is not a sociologist, he is not an orientalist, he has zero credentials or background which would make him in any way an authority o
by nashashmi 11y ago
> He is not a historian, he is not a sociologist, he is not an orientalist, he has zero credentials or background which would make him in any way an authority or a source of insight.
He has traveled the world and visited lots of countries and viewed them with an open mind. He can make comparisons and contrasts. He can derive lessons as he did in the video where he touted the benefits of church/state separation. I think he has some expertise now. And definitely more than the theoretical historians, sociologists, orientalists who have never been in the field like he has.
> while government minders were close by but off camera.
Never mentioned this on camera. But he did mention that security would often inquire and investigate what he was up to.
> was carefully stage managed
He was not really stage managed. His focus was on the Iranian side of Iran, the human side, not the government side. And if he found information that he could not document, he spoke about it. That is not 'stage managed'.
- lingben 11y agoIran is an authoritarian country like North Korea. No foreign press is allowed in without first requesting a special permit. Among the information they have to present is who they are and what they are planning on reporting on. This is the first filter. For example, if you request a press pass to enter Iran and report on the persecution of Bahais, don't be surprised if you are turned down. But once allowed in, that's not the end of it. They are monitored and carefully managed to only present the positive. Also, who they speak to and what they say and hear is also monitored. This is well known and routine. Therefore, to think that a choreographed and superficial 'feel good' anecdotal video like Rick Steve's presents anything approaching reality is the height of naivete.