JRE #1963 – Michael Shellenberger

30-Mar-23

Joe Rogan Podcast: #1963 – Michael Shellenberger

In this podcast, Michael Shellenberger, journalist, author, and environmental advocate, dives deep into the controversial topic of censorship and misinformation, particularly within social media platforms and the influence of government agencies. He draws connections between these practices and the rise of extremism, the manipulation of narratives, and the erosion of democratic institutions.

He also explores a wide range of issues including the origins of COVID-19, the trans movement, the decline of Western civilization, and the potential dangers of artificial intelligence.

Underlying themes include the dangers of government overreach, the importance of free speech, the need for critical thinking, and the dangers of ideology. The podcast raises questions about the role of social media in society and the need for transparency and accountability from those in power.

Major Topics Discussed:

1. The Twitter Files and Government Censorship:

   • Shellenberger details his firsthand experience accessing the Twitter files, revealing how government agencies and contractors pressured Twitter to censor certain information and individuals.
   • He highlights specific examples of censorship, including the Hunter Biden laptop story and the suppression of accurate information about COVID-19 vaccine side effects.
   • He argues that these actions represent a violation of the First Amendment and a dangerous precedent for government control over free speech.
   • He warns of the dangers of government-funded organizations acting as “censorship industrial complexes,” pushing for increased censorship and shaping narratives.

2. The Lab Leak Hypothesis and COVID-19 Origins:

   • Shellenberger discusses the evidence suggesting that COVID-19 may have originated in a lab, specifically the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
   • He points to the US government’s continued funding of gain-of-function research in China, despite a 2014 ban on such research in the US.
   • He exposes a potential cover-up, suggesting that government officials and scientists may have been incentivized to downplay the lab leak hypothesis.
   • He expresses concern about the dangers of unchecked research and the potential for future pandemics.

3. The Trans Movement and the Dangers of “Gender Affirming Care”:

   • Shellenberger explores the growing debate around the trans movement, particularly the concept of “gender affirming care” and its implications for children.
   • He raises concerns about the potential for misdiagnosis of gender dysphoria, particularly among autistic children and those who may later identify as gay or lesbian.
   • He criticizes the financial incentives associated with “gender affirming care” and the pressure on medical professionals to diagnose children with gender dysphoria.
   • He argues that the trans movement has become an ideology that silences dissenting voices and promotes a harmful and potentially dangerous form of “gender theology.”

4. The Decline of Western Civilization and the Rise of Wokism:

   • Shellenberger discusses the potential decline of Western civilization, citing trends in declining patriotism, declining religious faith, and declining birth rates.
   • He links these trends to a broader cultural shift, a loss of shared values and a sense of meaning, and a growing distrust of institutions.
   • He argues that wokism is a symptom of this decline, a form of secular religion that provides meaning and purpose in a world where traditional religions are losing their grip.
   • He warns of the dangers of wokism’s obsession with identity politics and its tendency to censor dissenting voices.

5. The Dangers of Artificial Intelligence:

   • Shellenberger expresses deep concern about the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and its potential impact on humanity.
   • He cites the example of a Google engineer who claimed that AI had become sentient, an assertion dismissed by many but nonetheless alarming.
   • He highlights the potential for AI to surpass human intelligence and even become a “God,” capable of self-improvement and potentially posing existential threats.
   • He calls for greater caution and regulation in the development and deployment of AI, emphasizing the need for ethical considerations and human control over this powerful technology.

6. The Importance of Free Speech and the Need for Transparency:

   • Shellenberger passionately defends the importance of free speech as a cornerstone of democracy and a fundamental human right.
   • He argues that censorship, particularly by government agencies and powerful corporations, undermines free speech and creates an environment of fear and distrust.
   • He advocates for greater transparency in government and corporate actions, particularly when it comes to censorship and the manipulation of narratives.
   • He believes that more speech, not less, is essential for a healthy and functioning society.

7. The Power of Individual Choice and the Need for Personal Responsibility:

   • Shellenberger emphasizes the importance of individual choice and personal responsibility in shaping our lives.
   • He criticizes the growing trend towards paternalism and the attempt to control people for their own good, particularly through government policies and regulations.
   • He encourages a return to a more traditional, individualistic morality based on reason and common sense.
   • He believes that individuals have the capacity to make good choices for themselves and that we should not succumb to fear-mongering and the temptation to cede control to authorities.

Memorable Quotes:

• “The story quickly shifted from us sort of, and I think what Elon thought, which was that it was just very progressive people being biased in their content moderation in their censoring, to there is a huge operation by US government officials, US government contractors, and all of these super sketchy NGOs getting money from who knows where, basically demanding that Twitter start censoring people.”
• “I think the other interesting, you know, thing that’s important to to know here about that laptop story is that within Twitter, they look at that New York Post article. Yol Rah, the head of safety and his team, they look at it, and they go, yeah. I mean, it’s legit. It doesn’t violate our our internal, it doesn’t violate our terms of service.”
• “We need to defund and dismantle the censorship industrial complex. But we also need to hold people accountable who were doing this, I think it’s legal anyway. If if people aren’t held accountable, then it seems like you can just do it again and get away with it.”
• “You have to remember the New York, I mean, and I’ll, and I’ll, I’ll put on myself. I was so biased. The New York Post published the the subpoena, which is a kind of receipt from the FBI, showing they had taken Hunter Biden’s laptop. from this computer repair store owner in Delaware.”
• “It’s so creepy that there’s no repercussions. Yeah. It’s essentially lying and using taxpayer dollars to promote propaganda that they know to be untrue.”