1/26/2017
Joe Rogan Experience #906 – Henry Rollins
This podcast features a conversation with Henry Rollins, a multifaceted artist and performer known for his energy and unconventional lifestyle. Rollins shares his insights on travel, work ethic, artistic pursuits, and his perspective on the world. Provocative topics include his fearless approach to travel, the importance of discipline and hard work, the power of an adversarial relationship, and his unique perspective on the world, shaped by his extensive global experiences.
Topics:
- Rollins’s Fearless Travel Philosophy:
- Rollins emphasizes the importance of experiencing the world firsthand, venturing beyond the typical tourist destinations.
- He actively seeks out places in conflict, political hot spots, and areas affected by globalization and climate change.
- Rollins believes travel informs his outlook on life, exposing him to diverse cultures and human experiences.
- He highlights the kindness and generosity he encounters in most parts of the world, contrasting with his experiences of violence in America.
- The Power of Discipline and Hard Work:
- Rollins credits his rigorous exercise routine, including powerlifting and other disciplines, as essential to his mental and physical well-being.
- He emphasizes the mental toughness gained from pushing his physical limits, which translates to his stage presence and ability to persevere through challenges.
- Rollins views exercise as a tool for managing stress and promoting restorative sleep, crucial for his demanding lifestyle.
- He promotes a balanced diet and emphasizes the importance of sustained effort over quick fixes, advocating for long-term discipline.
- Embracing an Adversarial Relationship:
- Rollins thrives on an adversarial relationship with his work, finding motivation in pushing against challenges and defying expectations.
- He actively seeks out rigorous schedules and demanding tours, viewing them as opportunities to test his limits.
- Rollins uses this adversarial approach to fuel his creativity, pushing himself to produce a significant volume of work across various mediums.
- He views this constant push as a way to combat complacency and ensure he never becomes stagnant in his creative endeavors.
- The World Through Rollins’s Lens:
- Rollins’s travels have instilled a unique perspective on the world, emphasizing the fragility of human society and the importance of appreciating the freedoms we have.
- He draws comparisons between the political and social systems of different countries, highlighting the potential for societal collapse and emphasizing the need for active citizenship.
- Rollins advocates for environmental consciousness and criticizes the exploitation of natural resources, particularly the privatization of public lands.
- He emphasizes the importance of local action and community involvement, suggesting that collective effort can create positive change.
- The Impact of the Internet:
- Rollins acknowledges the profound impact of the internet on communication, but expresses concern about its potential for fostering anonymity and cruelty.
- He contrasts the immediacy and anonymity of online interactions with face-to-face communication, highlighting the potential for amplified negativity and lack of empathy.
- Rollins encourages a more thoughtful and responsible approach to online discourse, emphasizing the importance of accountability and respect.
- He expresses concern about the potential for online echo chambers, where people only interact with those who share their views, hindering intellectual growth.
- The Motivation of Vengeance:
- Rollins candidly discusses his motivation for success, revealing an underlying desire for vengeance stemming from his experiences of being underestimated and ridiculed.
- This motivation fuels his relentless work ethic, pushing him to achieve more than his critics ever thought possible.
- He recognizes the immaturity of this desire but finds it oddly satisfying, viewing it as a driving force behind his achievements.
- Rollins embraces this motivation as a means to overcome challenges and prove doubters wrong.
- Living at the Speed of Life:
- Rollins describes his life as a constant state of motion, fueled by an insatiable desire to experience and create.
- He embraces a fast-paced lifestyle, moving between tours, writing projects, radio shows, and various other endeavors.
- Rollins thrives on this intensity, finding contentment in constantly pushing his limits and achieving new goals.
- He acknowledges the challenges of this lifestyle, emphasizing the importance of a supportive network and a willingness to prioritize his work.
- The Importance of Gratitude:
- Despite his impressive achievements, Rollins remains grounded and expresses gratitude for the opportunities he has been given.
- He acknowledges his privilege and emphasizes the importance of humility, particularly within a world of fame and fortune.
- Rollins views gratitude as a way to maintain perspective and avoid the pitfalls of ego and entitlement.
- He emphasizes the importance of appreciating the journey and recognizing the role of luck in achieving success.
- Rollins’s Relationship with Drugs:
- Rollins shares his limited and largely negative experiences with drugs, revealing a lack of affinity for stimulants or mind-altering substances.
- He credits his lack of drug use to a natural aversion to their effects, finding them more detrimental than enjoyable.
- Rollins describes himself as “wired” in a way that makes stimulants act as depressants, highlighting his unique biological makeup.
- He emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and understanding one’s relationship with substances, advocating for conscious choices.
- Rollins’s Perspective on Relationships:
- Rollins candidly discusses his struggles with romantic relationships, attributing them to his work-oriented personality and difficulty balancing personal commitments with his demanding career.
- He acknowledges the challenges of maintaining a healthy relationship while pursuing a life of constant travel and intensive creative output.
- Rollins expresses a genuine desire to connect with others but admits that his unconventional lifestyle makes it difficult to find compatible partners.
- He values the importance of genuine human connection, particularly with his close friends and family, but prioritizes his work as a central element of his life.
- The Power of Observation:
- Rollins shares his fascination with observing the world around him, even when it comes to seemingly mundane interactions.
- He expresses a deep curiosity for understanding human behavior, particularly in diverse cultural contexts.
- Rollins highlights the importance of active listening and the insights gained from interacting with people from different backgrounds.
- He acknowledges the value of empathy and understanding, even when encountering individuals with opposing viewpoints.
- The Importance of Action:
- Rollins emphasizes the importance of taking action and not just relying on passive observation, encouraging listeners to find their own path.
- He highlights the need to embrace challenges and pursue goals, regardless of the potential for failure.
- Rollins advocates for embracing an unconventional lifestyle and defying expectations, inspiring listeners to break free from societal norms.
- He encourages a mindset of continuous learning and growth, emphasizing the importance of embracing new experiences and expanding one’s horizons.
Memorable Quotes:
- “I try and live an eventful life. Like, I work at it. It’s not by chance.”
- “Don’t get eaten today is a great thing to have on your to-do list every once in a while.”
- “The day I stopped doing music was I woke up one day. And I just sat up and it was like a light bulb went on. I went, wow, I’m out of lyrics.”
- “I don’t understand why people don’t fear that. I wake up every day, but with the grim reaper’s scythe whistling by my ear going, you better get up, man.”
- “I’m a human frozen yogurt machine, as output. You know? I don’t want the applause. I like to build ships. I don’t wanna sail in them.”