JRE #1984 – Brian Redban

This podcast, a conversation between Joe Rogan and comedian Brian Redban, is a wild ride through a variety of topics, reflecting the free-flowing, off-the-cuff style of the Joe Rogan Experience. Redban, known for his work on “Kill Tony” and his own podcast network, shares his experiences as a club owner, musings on technology, and personal stories that are both hilarious and thought-provoking. The underlying theme is a celebration of the absurdity and unexpected joy found in life’s little moments, while also acknowledging the anxieties and complexities of the modern world.

1. The Comedian’s Life and Club Ownership:
   • Redban’s transition from comedian to club owner in Austin, Texas, is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit within the comedy scene. He describes the challenges and rewards of running a club, emphasizing the sense of community it fosters.
   • The podcast highlights the vibrant comedy scene in Austin, with Redban mentioning various clubs and the constant flow of comics coming through the city. He even discusses how comics in town will bounce between different clubs, creating a dynamic and competitive atmosphere.
   • Redban’s perspective as a club owner offers a unique insight into the industry, highlighting the importance of nurturing local talent and creating a welcoming space for comics to experiment and hone their craft.
   • The podcast showcases the evolving nature of the comedy world, with Redban mentioning the emergence of comedy communities outside of traditional hubs like Los Angeles and New York City.
2. Tech Talk and the Future of Innovation:
   • Redban and Rogan dive into a discussion on technology, touching on the controversial yoke steering wheel in Teslas, the return of physical buttons in laptops, and the growing prevalence of wireless charging. Redban expresses his skepticism about these technological advancements, arguing for the simplicity and effectiveness of tried-and-true designs.
   • They explore the complexities of AI, discussing its potential benefits and drawbacks. Redban raises concerns about the reliability of information generated by AI, the potential for manipulation, and the ethical implications of its use.
   • The podcast highlights the rapidly evolving world of technology, with Redban and Rogan speculating on the future of virtual reality, augmented reality, and the potential impact of neural interfaces on human interaction with technology.
   • The conversation touches on the potential impact of AI on various industries, particularly the creative fields of comedy and film. Redban and Rogan ponder whether AI-generated content could one day replace human creativity and whether the future holds a world where we can no longer differentiate between real and artificial content.
3. A Look at the Absurdities of Everyday Life:
   • Redban shares a hilarious anecdote about his experience with the DMV in Texas, showcasing the bureaucratic absurdity and unexpected challenges one can encounter in everyday life.
   • He highlights the prevalence of “bullshit diets” and the often-misleading information circulated about food and nutrition. Redban challenges conventional wisdom about sodium and MSG, arguing that our understanding of these substances may be outdated or inaccurate.
   • The podcast includes a discussion about imitation crab meat, revealing the surprising ingredients behind this widely consumed food. Redban’s discovery of transglutaminase, a binding agent used in food processing, sparks a conversation about the unexpected substances we consume without realizing.
   • Redban and Rogan share their perspectives on the world of food and dining, highlighting the nostalgia for classic fast food chains and their appreciation for unique, independent establishments. They discuss the resurgence of smash burgers, the rise of artisanal food trends, and the challenges of finding truly authentic culinary experiences.
4. Wild Encounters with Nature and the Animal Kingdom:
   • Redban shares his experiences with the wildlife in his suburban neighborhood, including encounters with bobcats, coyotes, and foxes. He discusses the unexpected encounters with nature that can occur even in urban environments.
   • The podcast dives into a conversation about serval cats, exotic felines that are becoming increasingly popular as pets. Redban and Rogan discuss the dangers of keeping these animals, exploring their bite force, their potential for causing harm, and the controversy surrounding their ownership.
   • The conversation then shifts to the world of chimps, with Rogan enthusiastically recommending the Netflix documentary series “Chimp Empire.” He describes the incredible footage and the insights it provides into the social dynamics, territorial behavior, and violence within chimpanzee communities.
   • Redban recounts a disturbing encounter with a possum that had killed and partially eaten a toad in his yard. He discusses the surprising savagery of possums, highlighting their unexpected role as predators and their unusual defense mechanism of playing dead.

5 Memorable Quotes:

• “It’s weird because I just played the other Alamo theater the other day. They have an amazing little room in there and they have almost an exact replica of that spaceship on the second floor.”
• “I’m betting whatever the fuck is in the other stuff is what’s getting you. You know, it’s not that bad.”
• “You can have chat GPT read a lot of monologue for Jimmy Fallon. Oh, yeah. Come on. That would be easy.”
• “They have people calling up their parents and it’s a fake kid. It’s already happening.”
• “I think our future, we’re going to look back, and we’re the last of the Mohicans, because we’re people that grew up without the internet, and then had the internet when we’re adults, and then we’re seeing kids grow up with the internet, and then there’s going to be the next thing. And we’re going to be the people that went through the whole thing together, where everybody from the future is just going to be some weird cyborg.”