JRE #1010 - Brian Redban

9/7/2017

Joe Rogan Podcast – #1010 – Brian Redban

This podcast features a conversation between Joe Rogan and comedian Brian Redban, diving into a wide range of topics. The discussion covers intriguing concepts like the power of the mind, the influence of technology, and the absurdity of certain online communities. Redban’s unique perspective adds a layer of humor and irreverence to the conversation, making for an engaging and thought-provoking listen.

Topics Explored:

Climate Change and Hurricanes: The podcast opens with a discussion on the recent hurricanes, specifically Harvey and Irma. Rogan expresses concern over the potential impact of warmer oceans on hurricane intensity.

Rogan points out the unusual nature of two major hurricanes hitting within a short time frame.
He highlights the potential for even larger and more powerful hurricanes due to warmer oceans.
The discussion touches on the vastness of the ocean and the feeling of being at its edge.
Rogan emphasizes the need to reconsider our impact on the environment, particularly the ocean’s ecosystem.

The Biggest Living Organism: Rogan and Redban discuss the honey fungus in the Blue Mountains of Oregon, a single living organism spanning 2.4 miles.

The conversation touches on the concept of interconnectedness and the scale of life on Earth.
It leads to a discussion about the metric system vs. the imperial system, with Rogan expressing frustration at the US’s continued reliance on miles and inches.
The topic delves into the history of the metric system in the US, including the Metrc Conversion Act of 1975.
Rogan ponders the future of measurement systems, speculating on the potential for a global shift towards the metric system.

The Ever-Present Devices: Rogan and Redban explore the implications of devices constantly listening to us, citing Alexa, Siri, and other voice assistants.

Redban states that these devices are always listening, highlighting the erosion of privacy in the digital age.
The conversation delves into the rapid pace of technological advancement and its impact on personal lives, particularly for younger generations.
Rogan expresses concerns about the increasing access to information, especially its potential for misinformation and manipulation.
They touch upon the formation of online communities, including groups like flat Earthers and vegan bloggers, which can create division and conflict.

The Flat Earth and Simulation Theories: Rogan and Redban discuss the prevalence of the flat Earth theory and its potential link to mental illness.

Rogan points out the absurdity of the flat Earth theory and the growing number of people who believe it.
Redban expresses amusement at the flat Earth community, having shifted from annoyance to fascination.
The conversation transitions to the simulation theory, which Rogan admits to embracing as a possible reality.
They explore the concept of a deeper connection to reality that goes beyond our senses, leading to a discussion on the placebo effect and its implications.

The Power of Music and Goosebumps: Rogan and Redban delve into the science behind music-induced goosebumps, discussing a study that links it to strong emotional reactions.

The discussion highlights the power of music to evoke strong emotions and the potential for its use in therapy.
Rogan ponders the novelty of music and its impact on listener experience, suggesting that repeated exposure can diminish the emotional response.
Redban shares his personal experience of experiencing goosebumps primarily from live performances.
They touch upon the evolution of music broadcasting, reminiscing about the days of DJs playing records and the occasional skips and static.

The Pre-Internet Era and Social Media Evolution: Rogan and Redban reminisce about life before the internet and cell phones, highlighting the stark contrast in communication and access to information.

The conversation touches upon the cultural shift in communication, from public shouting and answering machines to the dominance of social media and instant messaging.
Redban describes the evolution of social media from answering machine messages and away messages to ring back tones and status updates.
They lament the pressure to conform to societal expectations, particularly when it comes to music preferences.
Redban shares his guilty pleasure of enjoying Taylor Swift’s music, despite potential judgment from peers.

The Yeezy Phenomenon: Rogan and Redban discuss Kanye West’s Yeezy brand, with Rogan expressing his dislike for the shoes’ aesthetic.

Redban highlights Josh Martin’s keen fashion sense, using him as a litmus test for current trends.
Rogan criticizes the Yeezy shoes, comparing them to Rolexes and questioning the value proposition.
The conversation explores the concept of luxury goods and their appeal, including the status symbol associated with Yeezy.
Redban acknowledges the comfort factor of Yeezy shoes, but emphasizes that other brands offer similar comfort at a lower price point.

The Freddie Mercury Biopic: Rogan and Redban discuss the upcoming Freddie Mercury biopic, highlighting the casting of Rami Malek (from “Mr. Robot”) as Mercury.

The conversation touches upon the anticipation for the film and the accuracy of Malek’s resemblance to Mercury.
Rogan mentions his personal association with Queen’s song “Dragon Attack,” using it as his “freeze song.”
Redban discusses his experience with cryotherapy and its potential benefits, including increased anti-inflammatory markers and norepinephrine levels.
The conversation delves into the placebo effect and the potential for altering reality through mental control and physical manipulation.

The Wim Hof Method: Rogan shares his experience with Wim Hof, a practitioner of extreme cold therapy and controlled breathing techniques.

Hof is known for his ability to endure extreme cold, including running marathons in shorts and sandals.
Rogan highlights Hof’s philosophy and his belief that controlled breathing and mental focus can influence physical resilience.
The conversation touches upon the body’s adaptation to extreme environments, citing examples from Inuit communities and cryotherapy users.
Rogan promotes the benefits of sauna use, citing research suggesting a significant decrease in mortality across various causes.

The John Jones Steroid Controversy: Rogan and Redban discuss the recent steroid controversy surrounding UFC fighter John Jones, exploring the possibility of tainted supplements or intentional sabotage.

Redban accurately predicted the steroid controversy earlier in the podcast, based on Jones’s past behavior and history with performance-enhancing drugs.
Rogan and Redban discuss the testing process used by USADA, highlighting its rigorous nature and effectiveness in catching cheaters.
The conversation delves into the potential for sabotage, pointing out the risks of pro fight camps and the presence of resentful individuals.
Rogan expresses disappointment and sadness at the possibility of Jones’s career being tainted by a steroid scandal.

The CRISPR Revolution: Rogan and Redban discuss CRISPR, a gene-editing technology that has the potential to revolutionize medicine and create new products.

The conversation highlights CRISPR’s potential for treating diseases, altering embryos, and even creating new food products.
Redban cites examples of CRISPR being used to create neon green beer and new colors of chocolate.
Rogan speculates on the potential for CRISPR to create superhumans, drawing parallels to comic book storylines.
The conversation touches upon the prevalence of autism and its potential connection to technology, diet, and gut bacteria.

The Future of Humanity: Rogan and Redban engage in a philosophical discussion about the future of humanity, exploring the potential for evolutionary changes driven by technology and societal pressures.

Rogan ponders the possibility of humans becoming more integrated with technology, creating a hybrid species of “robot people” with advanced abilities.
The conversation touches upon the potential for autism to become a dominant trait in the future, driven by environmental factors.
Redban expresses concern about the potential loss of human interaction and emotion due to the increasing reliance on technology.
The conversation explores the possibility of humans evolving into a new species with enhanced cognitive abilities, potentially even telepathic communication.

The Placebo Effect and Mental Control: Rogan and Redban discuss the placebo effect and its potential for influencing physical and mental well-being.

Rogan argues that belief systems, whether religious or otherwise, can have a powerful impact on individuals, potentially leading to a placebo effect.
The conversation highlights the intricate relationship between mind and body, suggesting that mental control can impact physical outcomes.
Redban emphasizes the need to explore and understand the full extent of our mental capabilities and their impact on our lives.
They ponder the potential for mental manipulation and the dangers of falling prey to deceptive practices.

The Evolution of Social Interactions: Rogan and Redban discuss the evolution of social greetings, from handshakes to bro hugs and high fives.

Rogan shares Bill Burr’s observation that handshakes were the primary form of greeting in the past, with hugs being a more recent phenomenon.
Redban expresses his preference for high fives as a more fun and egalitarian form of greeting.
The conversation delves into the nuances of social interactions, including the etiquette of low fives and the potential for misinterpretation.
Rogan highlights the ever-changing nature of social norms and the constant adaptation of human behavior.

The Importance of Gut Flora and Skin Health: Rogan and Redban discuss the importance of gut flora and skin health, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the body’s ecosystems.

Redban shares his experience with ringworm and the negative consequences of using antibacterial soap on the entire body, highlighting the disruption of natural skin flora.
Rogan promotes the use of tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil for skin health, and specifically recommends Defense Soap for its beneficial properties.
The conversation touches upon the dangers of MRSA infections and their prevalence among fighters, highlighting the silent threat they pose.
Redban and Rogan emphasize the importance of treating the body as an ecosystem, prioritizing natural remedies over harsh chemicals.

The Strange Case of the Ostrich Egg-Sized Bladder Stone: Rogan and Redban discuss the bizarre case of a man with a bladder stone the size of an ostrich egg, highlighting the unusual nature of medical occurrences.

The conversation explores the potential for bladder stones to form over extended periods and the discomfort they can cause.
Rogan shares his experience with kidney stones and their prevalence among fighters, particularly those who cut weight aggressively.
The conversation touches upon the biological variability of individuals and the unique ways in which our bodies respond to diet and other factors.
Redban expresses amusement at the sheer size of the bladder stone and speculates on its potential taste.

The Tony Hines Club and Nextdoor App: Rogan and Redban discuss the Tony Hines Club’s “mass text” bit, which involves sending out absurd text messages to a large group of people.

The conversation transitions to the Nextdoor app, a localized social media platform for neighborhoods.
Redban describes the app’s addictive nature and its potential for both helpful and humorous content.
Rogan expresses concerns about the potential for invasive technologies to connect directly to our brains, questioning the trustworthiness of governments and corporations.
They discuss the increasing reliance on technology and its impact on personal freedom, privacy, and control over our own lives.

The Future of Cars and Flying Cars: Rogan and Redban discuss the evolution of cars and the emergence of flying cars.

Rogan expresses his preference for older cars with manual e-brakes and his dislike for automated features that can malfunction.
Redban shares his experience with his Honda’s Apple CarPlay system, highlighting its potential for glitches and control issues.
The conversation touches upon the rapid pace of technological advancement in the automotive industry, including features like lane departure warnings and automatic braking.
Rogan expresses concern about the potential for automated vehicles to malfunction and cause accidents.

The “Russian Troll Farm” and the Meme Factory: Rogan and Redban discuss the emergence of “troll farms” that specialize in creating and disseminating online propaganda and misinformation.

Redban shares his experience meeting someone who works at a “meme factory,” revealing the existence of professional meme creators.
The conversation highlights the impact of social media on political discourse and the use of memes to manipulate public opinion.
Rogan praises the Twitter account of Wendy’s, highlighting their skillful and humorous responses to online trolls.
The conversation touches upon the dangers of online misinformation and the difficulty of discerning truth from falsehood.

The Burning Man Tragedy: Rogan and Redban discuss the recent tragedy at Burning Man, where a man died after running into a fire.

Rogan speculates on the potential for drugs to have played a role in the man’s actions.
They discuss the dangers of psychedelics, particularly for individuals with pre-existing mental health issues.
Redban highlights the chaotic nature of Burning Man and the difficulty of discerning reality from hallucination during intense psychedelic experiences.
The conversation touches upon the challenges of eyewitness accounts during traumatic events.

The FBI’s Entrapment Tactics: Rogan and Redban discuss the FBI’s use of entrapment tactics, highlighting the ethical implications and the potential for abuse.

Rogan cites examples of the FBI talking people into committing crimes they wouldn’t have otherwise committed, often targeting vulnerable individuals.
The conversation touches upon the slippery slope of government power and the potential for abuse of authority.
Redban expresses concern about the use of entrapment tactics by the FBI and other law enforcement agencies.
They discuss the importance of accountability and oversight of powerful organizations to prevent abuse.

The Release of Charles Manson Follower: Rogan and Redban discuss the impending release of Leslie Van Houten, a follower of Charles Manson, after decades in prison.

Redban highlights the potential for a documentary on Van Houten’s experience, from her time as a young teenager to her life as an older woman.
The conversation touches upon the impact of incarceration on individuals, particularly those who have spent a significant portion of their lives in prison.
Rogan expresses concern about the potential for Van Houten to reintegrate into society after decades of isolation.
They discuss the challenges of rehabilitation and the potential for individuals to re-offend.

The Power of Hurricane Irma: Rogan and Redban discuss the destructive potential of Hurricane Irma, comparing its energy to the bombs used in World War II.

Rogan suggests the use of giant windmills to capture the energy of hurricanes, suggesting a potential solution to the energy crisis.
The conversation touches upon the challenges of evacuating during a hurricane, highlighting the potential for gridlock and resource shortages.
Redban expresses concern for friends and family in Florida, highlighting the potential devastation of the storm.
Rogan discusses the unpredictability of hurricanes and their potential to change direction, causing widespread damage.

The “Hurricane Party” Phenomenon: Rogan and Redban discuss the phenomenon of “hurricane parties” and the dangers of ignoring warnings.

Rogan highlights the human tendency to underestimate the threat of natural disasters, often leading to complacency and denial.
The conversation touches upon the impact of hurricane Harvey on Houston, emphasizing the unprecedented amount of rainfall and flooding.
Rogan expresses frustration at the lack of definitive answers regarding the role of human activity in climate change.
Redban shares his skepticism about the effectiveness of water-absorbing concrete in mitigating the impact of flooding.

The Delta Airlines Flight Through Irma: Rogan and Redban discuss the recent incident where a Delta Airlines flight accidentally flew through Hurricane Irma.

The conversation highlights the pilots’ skill and the accuracy of weather satellites in guiding the flight through the storm.
Rogan expresses awe at the pilots’ bravery and the technology that allowed them to navigate the hurricane.
Redban shares his anxiety and apprehension at the thought of being on a plane during a hurricane.
The conversation touches upon the power of natural disasters and the challenges of understanding their scale and impact.

The Importance of Recognizing Specialists: Rogan and Redban discuss the importance of recognizing specialists in various fields, particularly in combat sports.

Rogan emphasizes the value of specialization in achieving mastery, highlighting Floyd Mayweather’s dominance in boxing.
The conversation touches upon the complexities of combat sports, particularly MMA, where different styles can lead to unexpected outcomes.
Rogan expresses enthusiasm for the upcoming Canelo Alvarez vs. Triple G fight, highlighting the clash of two top-level fighters.
He advocates for mutual respect between different combat sports, emphasizing the value of learning from each other.

The Return of Georges St-Pierre: Rogan and Redban discuss the return of UFC fighter Georges St-Pierre and his upcoming fight against Michael Bisping.

Rogan expresses excitement about St-Pierre’s return and his potential fight against Tyron Woodley, highlighting the stylistic clash of their fighting styles.
He acknowledges the challenge of Bisping’s size and fighting style for St-Pierre, but expresses confidence in his ability to overcome the obstacle.
The conversation touches upon St-Pierre’s lengthy hiatus from fighting and his dedication to maintaining his fitness.
Rogan discusses St-Pierre’s accomplishments and his status as a hero in Canada, highlighting his global influence.

The Gatorade Mold Controversy: Rogan shares his experience with a moldy Gatorade bottle, expressing disgust and vowing never to drink the beverage again.

Redban offers a humorous explanation of the mold, suggesting that it may be a result of mishandling or improper storage.
The conversation touches upon the importance of food safety and the dangers of consuming spoiled products.
Rogan expresses his paranoia about food contamination, citing the potential for mold and other contaminants to exist in sealed products.
They discuss the age-old practice of winemaking and the discovery of a 6,000-year-old vessel containing wine residue.

The History of Measurement: Rogan and Redban discuss the history of measurement systems, specifically the invention of the thermometer and the development of units for measuring temperature.

The conversation highlights the challenges of measuring temperature before the invention of the thermometer, relying on subjective interpretations of “hot” and “cold.”
Rogan expresses frustration at the continued use of Fahrenheit in the US, contrasting it with the global adoption of Celsius.
They explore the complexities of measurement systems, highlighting the potential for corruption and manipulation in standardized units.
The conversation touches upon the concept of a “zero point” in history and the arbitrary nature of timekeeping.

The Impact of Psychedelics: Rogan and Redban discuss the dangers of psychedelics, particularly for individuals with pre-existing mental health issues.

The conversation highlights the potential for psychedelics to induce hallucinations and disorientation, making them dangerous in certain situations.
Rogan shares his personal experience with psychedelics and the altered perceptions they can induce.
Redban expresses concern about the potential for psychedelics to exacerbate mental health issues, particularly in vulnerable individuals.
They discuss the importance of understanding the potential risks and benefits of psychedelics before using them.

Memorable Quotes:

“We’re next to an enormous chunk of blue. It’s so big. Dude, I’ll tell you, man, when I was living that house in Malibu for a couple months on the water, I rented a spot on the water. That’s when you realize. You go, oh, that’s a monster. That’s like you’re living on the edge of a world that can just reach in and swaddle you.” – Rogan on the ocean’s vastness and power.
“The world of the ocean, it is a real trip. If you stop and think about when it really is, because if if it was in the sky above your head, you’d be freaked out all the time.” – Rogan on the ocean’s hidden dangers.
“You can fucking find anything online, man. Anything. Any any weird group, you can find them.” – Rogan on the vastness and accessibility of information on the internet.
“I think we have a connection that’s changing too. I think our connection with our reality, not just because of information and technology that allows you to call each other in stuff like that. I think the information that we’re getting is is allowing us to like almost like go through the world in away. And things are sinking up more and more with a lot of people.” – Rogan on the evolving relationship between humans and reality.
“I think that we don’t know, you know. It just makes me sad. It makes me sad. But 1 day, you know, when they’ll they’ll have it eradicated, but by then, I think there’s gonna be some new methods. I think they’re gonna have genetic methods. That’s the next 1.” – Rogan on the potential for genetic advancements.