JRE #1079 – Tony Hinchcliffe

by

2/15/2018







#1079 – Tony Hinchcliffe

This episode of the Joe Rogan Experience is a wild ride through a myriad of topics ranging from the existence of Bigfoot and UFOs to the complexities of gun control and the absurdity of pro wrestling. Tony Hinchcliffe, a stand-up comedian known for his podcast “Kill Tony,” brings his unique brand of humor and thought-provoking observations to the table. Through their conversation, Rogan and Hinchcliffe explore the human fascination with the unknown, the dangers of blind belief, and the importance of questioning authority. The episode also delves into the cultural significance of pro wrestling, the awe-inspiring feats of elite athletes, and the power of genuine laughter in a sometimes-serious world.

Topics Covered:

  1. The Bigfoot Debate: Rogan and Hinchcliffe dive headfirst into the Bigfoot controversy, exploring the historical evidence, the allure of the unknown, and the psychological reasons why people want to believe. The conversation hinges on Jane Goodall’s surprising belief in Bigfoot and a California woman’s lawsuit demanding official recognition of the creature.
    • Jane Goodall’s unexpected belief in Bigfoot
    • The California woman suing the state over Bigfoot’s existence
    • The psychological aspects of believing in the impossible
    • The lack of concrete evidence and the prevalence of hoaxes
  2. UFO Sightings and Alien Life: The podcast delves into UFO sightings, the possibility of alien life, and the potential consequences of such a discovery. Rogan and Hinchcliffe discuss the potential for advanced alien technology and how it might evade detection.
    • The possibility of advanced alien technology
    • The potential for alien life to evade detection
    • The potential consequences of discovering alien life
    • The fascinating concept of a universe teeming with life
  3. Gun Control and the American Paradox: The podcast tackles the complex and controversial issue of gun control in the United States, exploring the conflicting perspectives of gun ownership, mental health, and the tragic frequency of mass shootings.
    • The prevalence of mass shootings in the U.S.
    • The debate between gun ownership and public safety
    • The complexities of mental health and gun violence
    • The search for solutions in a deeply polarized society
  4. The Future of Technology and Robotics: Rogan and Hinchcliffe ponder the rapid advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence, discussing the potential risks and benefits, particularly regarding the rise of autonomous weaponry.
    • The rapid pace of technological advancement
    • The potential dangers of autonomous weaponry
    • The ethical implications of artificial intelligence
    • The future of human-machine relationships
  5. The Allure of Pro Wrestling: Hinchcliffe shares his passion for pro wrestling, discussing the history of the sport, the absurdity of its storylines, and the captivating performances of iconic wrestlers. The conversation touches on the controversy surrounding real injuries in the sport.
    • The history and cultural significance of pro wrestling
    • The absurdity and entertainment value of pro wrestling storylines
    • The captivating performances of iconic wrestlers
    • The debate surrounding real injuries in a scripted sport
  6. Elite Athletes and Human Potential: The conversation turns to the extraordinary physical abilities of elite athletes, specifically in mixed martial arts (MMA) and wrestling. Rogan and Hinchcliffe discuss the unique talents of wrestlers like Yoel Romero and Brock Lesnar, highlighting their exceptional strength, speed, and technique.
    • The awe-inspiring physical capabilities of elite athletes
    • The importance of technique and training in MMA and wrestling
    • The unique talents of wrestlers like Yoel Romero and Brock Lesnar
    • The human body as a testament to resilience and potential
  7. The Power of Laughter: The episode ultimately emphasizes the importance of laughter and its ability to bring people together, even in the face of challenging topics. Rogan and Hinchcliffe showcase their shared humor and how it allows for open and honest conversations.
    • The power of laughter to connect people
    • The ability of humor to lighten serious topics
    • The importance of perspective and finding joy in the unexpected
    • The shared human experience of laughter and its universal appeal
  8. The Comedy Store and its Legacy: The podcast features insightful reflections on the Comedy Store, its historical significance, and the impact it has had on comedy. Hinchcliffe shares a personal anecdote about a strange encounter at the Store, adding a touch of mystery and intrigue to the conversation.
    • The historical significance of the Comedy Store
    • The impact of the Store on the world of stand-up comedy
    • The unique atmosphere and culture of the Comedy Store
    • Hinchcliffe’s personal experience with a strange encounter at the Store
  9. The Nature of Belief: The episode explores the human tendency to embrace belief systems, whether rooted in scientific evidence or personal experiences. The conversation delves into the dangers of unquestioned faith and the importance of critical thinking.
    • The allure and dangers of belief systems
    • The complexities of indoctrination and deprogramming
    • The importance of critical thinking and questioning authority
    • The human need for meaning and understanding
  10. Social Media and Cultural Polarization: Rogan and Hinchcliffe touch on the impact of social media and its role in exacerbating cultural divides and promoting echo chambers. They discuss the challenges of finding common ground in a fragmented digital landscape.
    • The impact of social media on cultural discourse
    • The rise of echo chambers and polarization
    • The challenges of finding common ground online
    • The potential for social media to both unite and divide
  11. The Black Panther Phenomenon: The podcast touches on the cultural phenomenon surrounding the film “Black Panther,” exploring the reactions it has generated and the broader conversation around representation and cultural identity. Hinchcliffe expresses his concern over the overreaction on both sides of the political spectrum.
    • The cultural impact of the film “Black Panther”
    • The discussion surrounding representation and cultural identity
    • The overreaction to the film on both sides of the political spectrum
    • The importance of appreciating art for its own merit
  12. Cryptocurrency and the Future of Finance: Rogan and Hinchcliffe discuss the potential of cryptocurrency to disrupt traditional financial systems, exploring the concept of decentralized currencies and their implications for the future of money.
    • The potential of cryptocurrency to disrupt traditional finance
    • The concept of decentralized currencies and their implications
    • The future of money and financial systems
    • The potential for cryptocurrency to empower individuals
  13. The American Dream and the Pursuit of Success: The podcast explores the pursuit of the American Dream and the complexities of success, touching on the role of hard work, talent, and opportunity. Rogan and Hinchcliffe discuss the challenges of navigating a system that can be both rewarding and unpredictable.
    • The pursuit of the American Dream and the complexities of success
    • The role of hard work, talent, and opportunity
    • The challenges of navigating a system that can be both rewarding and unpredictable
    • The importance of resilience and determination in the face of setbacks
  14. The Human Condition: Throughout the conversation, Rogan and Hinchcliffe explore the human condition, reflecting on the contradictions, complexities, and shared experiences that connect us all.
    • The contradictions and complexities of the human experience
    • The shared experiences that connect us all
    • The power of empathy and understanding
    • The ongoing journey of self-discovery and growth

Memorable Quotes:

  • “Even if you just knew for sure that you saw a real ship or if the aliens looked like a Bigfoot. Then you kill 2 birds with 1 stone.” – Hinchcliffe jokes about the possibility of Bigfoot being an alien, merging two mysteries into one.
  • “You think about, like, you know, all the way to just comedians. Right. You know, you think of Chappell’s voice. If you look at the transcript of what Chappell’s saying at times, I’m sure it’s not that insane, but you listen to him say those things.” – Rogan emphasizes the power of voice and delivery in influencing belief.
  • “That’s what a drone is. Yeah. Think about where the drone is. What the drone is is someone is piloting something just because it’s flying around. Doesn’t mean it’s not a robot.” – Rogan points out the paradoxical nature of drones as both remote-controlled and robotic.
  • “The dissatisfaction with their current state in life, their physical health, people have all sorts of undiagnosed mental issues, and maybe they don’t have insurance and they can’t afford treatment or maybe they just got off of it and they think they’re fine.” – Rogan delves into the complexities of mental health and the challenges of accessing treatment.
  • “There’s something wrong. There’s a I also think that there’s something to be said about, like awareness of depression and psychological disorders for the older generation.” – Rogan highlights the generational gap in understanding and addressing mental health issues.