In 1971 two giants of intellectual activity debated philosophy and politics on Dutch television.

Noam Chomsky (1928) is a linguist, historian, philosopher, critic and political activist. Often regarded as the “father of modern linguistics”, Chomsky is perhaps more widely known for his later work as a major critic of foreign policy of the United States and media propaganda. his best know book Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media was co-written with Edward S. Herman.

Michel Foucault (1926 – 1984) was a French philosopher, social theorist, historian and literary critic. His work explored the evolution of knowledge and its link with various modes of social control. He is best known for his critical studies of social institutions such as psychiatry, social anthropology, the prison system and the history of human sexuality.