I got up extra early this morning, and decided to waste away my Sunday morn (before going to work) by watching the much-discussed clip of Tom Cruise talking with Matt Lauer about psychiatry (mini-transcript here, full clip can be watched on MSN).
Essentially, Tom discussed his opinion that nobody should ever use psychiatric drugs to treat, well, psychiatric problems. He even went so far as to say that "chemical imbalance" does not exist. He's taking a lot of heat for saying that Brooke Shields shouldn't have used drugs to help her post-partum depression (something for which she has gotten a lot of approval for coming out and talking about). The response from much of the female community is that once he grows another human being in his body and then pushes it out his crotch, then we might want to listen to what he has to say on the issue. In the meantime, shut the hell up.
What I found so appalling in the interview is not so much what he said (which was just completely ridiculous and embarrassing), but how he said it. He continuously said to Lauer, "You gotta understand" or "You don't understand" or other variations on that theme. How belittling. Or another particularly beautiful exchange (on Brooke's use of drugs for her depression, again):
Cruise: Matt, I'm - Matt, I'm asking you a question.
Lauer: I understand there's abuse of all of these things.
Cruise: No, you see. Here's the problem. You don't know the history of psychiatry. I do.
The other thing I walked away with this interview with was a newfound respect for Matt Lauer. I have never disliked the guy, but he has always left me neutral. Watching the interview was incredibly painful, but it was enjoyable to see Lauer's interviewing skills. Even when the conversation became heated and Tom started accusing Matt of being "irresponsible" for not reading psychiatric reports on the use of Ritalin in children, Matt kept a straight face and came back with pertinent, pointed questions. Bravo to him.
In sum, heros of this interview: Brook Shields, Matt Lauer.
Dumbasses: Tom Cruise, and smirking Katie Holmes in the corner that the camera repeatedly kept showing.
Also? I just had no idea that Tom Cruise was so stupid. The intelligence difference between the two men was so obvious it was almost visibly suspended in the space between them as they talked.
If you don't like what Tom had to say, go here. It's amusing.
I mentioned this post in my own post on the same topic: http://punclox.blogon.com/archives/002177.html#002177
Tom Cruise is as stupid as they come. I hope someone delivers that petition to him.
heh, the history of psychology learned from scientology texts. real accurate information. what a puppet. he needs to shut up already.
I'm so sick of Tom Cruise! There IS such a thing as bad publicity!
I like this section of the interview:
Cruise: [...] Do you know now that Ritalin is a street drug? Do you understand that?
Lauer: The difference is �
Cruise: No, no, Matt.
Lauer: This wasn't against her will, though.
Cruise: Matt, Matt, Matt, Matt �
Lauer: But this wasn't against her will.
Cruise: Matt, I'm asking you a question.
If you're asking him a question, don't interrupt him while he's answering, then try to make it look like he's avoiding the question!
I hate that his response is always "You don't understand. I do." As if that's going to convince us! "Oh, well Tom Cruise isn't explaining any of this stuff that he knows, but he knows it! That's enough for me! Apparently Tom Cruise has some information no one else has! I'm sold!"
GAHHHHHHHHH!
Just discovered your blog... can't remember how... but I am loving it. I'm particularly jealous about your living in Paris. If I could uproot the hubs and the baby and find a way to afford it, I'd be there in a blink.
Yes, Tom has got to be one of the dumbest of the dumb. I think it's actually hilarioius that none of Tom's scientologist buddies has stepped up to his defense... instead they're all letting him go down in flames. It's all a freaking publicity stunt.
Hi Kat. Welcome. Glad you find the site amusing.
I find it hilarious that this Tom Cruise post has gotten more comments than any other post of mine since the "Who's America's Second President" post forever ago. Even funnier? The books section hasn't gotten any. I guess we know where our priorities are?
I stand by my words though: Tom is a dumbass.
Tom Cruise is very intelligent, very convincing in what he says and I believe every word of it. He who knows little often repeats it. Do you believe me?
Wouldn't it be nice of Tom met his namesake, the cruise missile, on live TV. I'd watch.
The DA
I'm not sure how accurate this fact is, but in other reports of the Lauer/Cruise exchange, it was mentioned that one of the "strategies" taught in Scientology practice is a form of debate where one assumes almost a bullying posture in the debate as far as one's mastery of facts, stats, "the truth," etc. As I said, I'm not sure if this is accurate or not, but it seems to explain some of the weirdness displayed by Cruise in the interview.