JRE #1838 – Brian Simpson

This Joe Rogan Experience podcast features Brian Simpson, a standup comedian and podcast host. The conversation touches upon a wide range of topics, from technology and social media to politics and philosophy. Here’s a breakdown of the major topics and underlying themes explored in this podcast:

Technology and Social Media

The conversation begins with a discussion about the pros and cons of Apple and Android operating systems. Joe Rogan expresses his preference for Android due to its customizability, while Brian Simpson points out the seamless integration of Apple’s ecosystem.

1. The Apple “Walled Garden”: Rogan and Simpson discuss Apple’s strategy of creating a closed ecosystem that encourages users to stick with their products. They point out tactics like the green bubble text message issue to create a sense of “fear of missing out” and push users towards iPhones.
2. The Rise of WhatsApp and Global Mobile Communication: Rogan highlights the global dominance of messaging apps like WhatsApp, which he attributes to their ability to be used over WiFi and their inherent encryption features. He also notes the shift from paying for minutes to paying for data, a trend that has drastically altered how people communicate.
3. The Limits of Cell Network Capacity: Rogan and Simpson discuss the limitations of cell network infrastructure, particularly during high-demand events like sporting events or natural disasters. They point out the disconnect between the number of customers and the actual capacity of the network.
4. Social Media as a Tool for Propaganda: Rogan highlights the work of Yuri Bezmenov, a former Soviet intelligence agent, who outlined a strategy for ideological subversion. He claims that social media has become a powerful tool for spreading propaganda and eroding trust in institutions.
5. The Role of Memes in Modern Culture: The conversation touches on the evolution of humor and how memes have become a significant form of online communication. Rogan highlights their ability to encapsulate cultural moments and create a shared understanding among online communities. He also acknowledges the potential for meme-making to be a career path for those who are skilled at creating funny content.
6. The Problem of Bullshit Jobs and the Future of Work: Rogan and Simpson discuss the increasing number of jobs that are unnecessary and unproductive. They attribute this trend to the lack of efficiency in some workplaces and the persistent need for face-to-face interaction in the office environment.

Politics and Philosophy

The discussion transitions to the current political climate, touching on controversial issues like abortion and climate change. Rogan expresses his frustration with the polarization of the political landscape and the perceived lack of compromise.

1. The Role of Ruthlessness in Politics: Rogan argues that the need for ruthlessness in politics has led to a corruption of ideals. He suggests that aspiring politicians are often forced to compromise their principles to achieve success.
2. The Rise of Conservative Views among Liberals: Rogan observes that some liberals are turning towards conservative ideology due to their disillusionment with the extreme left. He criticizes the tactics of groups like Antifa and points out the counterproductive nature of their protests.
3. The Abortion Debate and Cancel Culture: Rogan discusses the recent Supreme Court ruling on abortion, arguing that the ruling will lead to an increase in unsafe abortions. He also criticizes the selective application of cancel culture, particularly against liberals.
4. The Brittney Griner Case and Political Prisoners: Rogan discusses the case of Brittney Griner, an American basketball player detained in Russia. He argues that she is being used as a political pawn in a larger negotiation for the release of an arms dealer.
5. The Dangers of Dictatorship and Propaganda: Rogan and Simpson discuss the resurgence of dictatorship in Russia under Vladimir Putin. They express concern about the increasing control of the government over information and the suppression of dissent.
6. The “Woke Narrative” and its Impact on Society: Rogan and Simpson discuss the concept of “woke culture” and its influence on social discourse. They express concerns about the potential for this ideology to stifle free speech and create a culture of censorship.
7. The Global Supply Chain and its Vulnerability: Rogan and Simpson discuss the global supply chain and its vulnerability, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. They point out the reliance on manufacturing in other countries and the potential for disruptions to impact the global economy.
8. The Role of Money and Corruption in Politics: Rogan and Simpson discuss the role of money in politics and the potential for corruption to influence policy decisions. They highlight the revolving door between government and industry, where individuals often move between positions of power and financial gain.
9. The Importance of Purpose and Fair Compensation: Rogan emphasizes the importance of purpose and fair compensation in finding job satisfaction. He suggests that these factors are more important than perks like team-building trips or office pizza parties.

Sports and Entertainment

The conversation also delves into the world of combat sports, particularly MMA and boxing. Rogan highlights the unique skills and strategies of fighters like Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira.

1. The Difference Between Boxing and MMA: Rogan and Simpson discuss the key differences between boxing and MMA, including the larger fighting space and the addition of grappling in MMA.
2. The Importance of Distance Management in Combat Sports: Rogan emphasizes the importance of distance management in both boxing and MMA. He highlights how fighters like Adesanya and Jon Jones use their movement and footwork to control the fight.
3. The Concept of “Killer Instinct” in Fighting: Rogan discusses the concept of “killer instinct” in fighting and how it can make a fighter more dangerous. He cites fighters like Jones and Adesanya as examples of those who possess this quality.
4. The Strategy of “Setting Up” Opponents in Striking: Rogan explains how fighters like Adesanya utilize advanced striking techniques to create opportunities for strikes by anticipating their opponents’ movements and weaknesses.
5. The Importance of Marketing and Entertainment in Combat Sports: Rogan and Simpson discuss the role of marketing and entertainment in combat sports. They highlight the importance of fighters being able to promote themselves and create engaging personalities.
6. The Future of Autonomous Driving Technology: Rogan and Simpson discuss the development of autonomous driving technology and its potential to revolutionize transportation. They speculate on the potential implications for society, including the need for new regulations and the potential for social credit scores to be used for access to roads.
7. The Role of Conspiracy Theories and their Impact on Society: The podcast touches upon the phenomenon of conspiracy theories, specifically mentioning the case of Bohemian Grove. Rogan and Simpson discuss how videos and information about Bohemian Grove, a private club for wealthy and powerful individuals, have revealed practices that were previously thought to be mere rumors. They also touch on the role of Alex Jones and his involvement in documenting these activities.
8. The Importance of Critical Thinking and Media Literacy: Rogan emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and media literacy in navigating a world full of misinformation. He encourages listeners to be skeptical of information and to be aware of the biases present in media outlets.
9. The Role of Hazing in Law Enforcement: Rogan and Simpson discuss the tragic case of a police officer who died during a simulated mob training exercise. They speculate on the possibility of hazing and the lack of transparency in the LAPD’s investigation of the incident.

Memorable Quotes

• “You know what kills me is, like, so take take this abortion thing that just happened. It’s like, you know what you know what you know what we lost? because we’re plus these. because we don’t have a Trump. We like, because cancel culture only works on our side. Republicans ain’t canceling no month, but they don’t give a what Like, they don’t cancel each other.”
• “You know, it’s like, I honestly believe if some if some global like, say, there was an asteroid headed towards earth like a like a a species ender. Right? congress would still be debating about some shit.”
• “Most of the American politicians needed an educational system. trains another generation of people who think they are living at a peacetime falls. United States is in the state of war, undeclared total war against the basic principles and the foundations of of this system.”
• “You know what also kills me too is, like, I think I think a lot of people don’t realize from the from the abortion thing is, like, they didn’t ban abortion. They they banned safe abortions.”
• “If you think Britney Greiner ain’t coming home. And she only had we were just talking about this on the last podcast. She only had a a vape pen of CBD.”