JRE #1221 – Jonathan Haidt

This episode of the Joe Rogan podcast features a wide-ranging conversation with Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist and Professor of Ethical Leadership at New York University’s Stern School of Business. Their discussion explores the current state of higher education, social media’s impact on mental health, and the evolution of moral cultures. The conversation delves into provocative topics like the rise of “grievance studies,” the dangers of overprotection, and the complexities of free speech in a polarized world. Underlying themes include the importance of critical thinking, the need for diverse viewpoints, and the challenges of raising resilient individuals in a rapidly changing society.

Below is a summary of major topics covered in the podcast.

The Grievance Studies Hoax

• In 2017, Peter Boghossian, along with two colleagues, published fake academic papers on topics like “homo-eroticism in dog parks” and “rape culture in the context of feminist theory.”
• The papers were designed to expose the academic practice of “grievance studies” where research prioritizes political activism over scholarly rigor.
• Boghossian’s work has sparked controversy and debates about the role of free speech in academia.
• The incident highlights the need for critical thinking and open debate within universities to ensure the pursuit of truth.

The Rise of Safetyism and Call-Out Culture in Universities

• Haidt argues that a shift in university culture has led to an increase in “safetyism” and “call-out culture.”
• These trends, which emerged around 2014, prioritize emotional safety and political correctness over intellectual freedom.
• Professors often feel compelled to self-censor and avoid potentially controversial topics.
• Students are increasingly quick to “call out” any perceived microaggressions, leading to a climate of fear and distrust.

The Role of Social Media in Shaping Young Minds

• Haidt and Rogan agree that social media has contributed to the rise of mental health problems among young people.
• Social comparison, fear of missing out (FOMO), and cyberbullying are all intensified by social media platforms.
• Haidt emphasizes the importance of antifragility, arguing that young people need to be exposed to challenges and adversity to develop resilience.
• They discuss the need for parents and educators to establish healthy norms around technology use, including limiting screen time and delaying social media access until high school.

The Dangers of Overprotection and the Importance of Free Play

• Haidt argues that excessive overprotection of children has inadvertently contributed to a rise in mental health issues.
• He advocates for “free range parenting,” allowing children greater independence and autonomy.
• Unsupervised play, he argues, is crucial for developing essential social skills, resilience, and emotional intelligence.
• The fear of legal repercussions for allowing children unsupervised has created a climate of excessive caution and restricted development.

The Evolution of Moral Cultures and the Importance of Nuance

• Haidt explores the changing nature of moral cultures, noting that the rise of identity politics and grievance studies often leads to oversimplification and binary thinking.
• He emphasizes the importance of common humanity and the need for diverse perspectives in addressing societal issues.
• He criticizes the redefinition of terms like racism and sexism, which often prioritize group-based grievances over individual accountability.
• Haidt calls for a return to nuance and critical thinking, recognizing the complexity of human behavior and avoiding simplistic categorization.

The Power of Free Speech and the Need for Critical Thinking

• Haidt and Rogan discuss the importance of free speech as a cornerstone of a healthy society.
• They acknowledge the challenges of balancing free speech with the need to address hate speech and online harassment.
• Haidt emphasizes the role of education in fostering critical thinking skills, encouraging individuals to engage with diverse viewpoints and challenge their own assumptions.
• They warn against the dangers of ideological echo chambers and the erosion of intellectual diversity.

Memorable Quotes

• “If you’re playing the truth seeking game, you wanna define the terms to give your side maximum advantage. ” – Haidt on the dangers of using language strategically to advance a political agenda.
• “The truth seeking game is a very special game that can only be played in a very special institution with special norms.” – Haidt on the unique role of universities in fostering intellectual curiosity and the pursuit of truth.
• “The key idea that we need to put on the table here and that I think everybody who works with kids needs to keep in mind every day is antifragility.” – Haidt on the importance of exposing children to challenges and adversity to foster resilience.
• “There’s no reason why kids in middle school or elementary school should have Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, any of those.” – Haidt on the need to delay social media access until high school to protect children’s mental health.
• “We all need critics. We all need to engage with a variety of viewpoints.” – Haidt on the importance of intellectual diversity and the need for open debate.