JRE #758 – Tom Papa

Joe Rogan Podcast #758 – Tom Papa: Topics and Summary

This episode features comedian Tom Papa, exploring various topics ranging from Joe Rogan’s future studio plans to conspiracy theories surrounding the death of journalist Michael Hastings. Papa shares his experiences with a wide range of subjects, including his love of cigars, his thoughts on the current political landscape, and his journey with the primal blueprint diet. Underlying themes include the complexities of navigating fame and scrutiny, the allure of alternative lifestyles, and the ever-present tension between personal freedom and societal control.

Topics:

1. Joe Rogan’s Future Studio Plans:
   1. Rogan’s desire for a new studio downtown or near his current location.
   2. His concerns about building a “compound” and potentially losing control.
   3. The potential challenges and advantages of a downtown location.
   4. The ideal high-rise studio with a stunning view for nighttime shows.
2. Earthquake Preparedness and the Pacific Northwest:
   1. Discussion of the potential for a massive earthquake and tsunami in the Pacific Northwest.
   2. Rogan’s personal experience with an earthquake in San Francisco and his reaction.
   3. The New Yorker article about Seattle being a “ticking time bomb” and the potential devastation.
   4. The possibility of relocating to Mexico or San Diego to escape the predicted catastrophe.
3. Self-Sufficiency and Solar Power:
   1. Rogan’s plan to convert his home to solar power, citing the cost-effectiveness and autonomy.
   2. Brian Callan’s struggles with the city of LA’s resistance to solar installations.
   3. The challenges and difficulties of completely disconnecting from the grid.
   4. The potential for a future where individuals are increasingly autonomous and less reliant on grid power.
4. Tesla Ownership and Autopilot Technology:
   1. Papa’s experience renting a Tesla and being impressed by its acceleration and autopilot capabilities.
   2. The rapid evolution of car technology and its potential impact on the future of driving.
   3. The implications of autopilot technology for the car insurance industry and overall safety.
   4. Concerns about the potential for hacking and misuse of autopilot systems, leading to accidents or even fatalities.
5. The Michael Hastings Conspiracy Theory:
   1. Discussion of the death of journalist Michael Hastings, who wrote a critical article about General Stanley McChrystal.
   2. Hastings received death threats and suspected foul play before his death in a car crash.
   3. Conspiracy theories surrounding the possibility of his car being hacked and manipulated to cause the crash.
   4. The chilling implication of powerful entities controlling technology for potentially nefarious purposes.
6. Joe Biden’s Political History:
   1. Papa’s recollection of Joe Biden’s plagiarism scandal during his 1988 presidential campaign.
   2. The prevalence of plagiarism in political circles, especially before the widespread use of the internet.
   3. The impact of the internet in exposing plagiarism and holding politicians accountable.
   4. The ongoing debate about Joe Biden’s qualifications and suitability for the presidency.
7. Prescription Drug Addiction and the Pharmaceutical Industry:
   1. The lack of discussion about prescription drug addiction during the Republican debates.
   2. The influence of pharmaceutical companies on politicians and the suppression of critical discussions about the dangers of prescription drugs.
   3. The comparison to the tobacco industry’s influence and the ongoing public health crisis related to smoking.
   4. The need for greater awareness and education regarding the risks and consequences of prescription drug abuse.
8. The Dangers of Charismatic Leaders in Spiritual Communities:
   1. Papa’s observations about the inherently sexual nature of yoga classes.
   2. The potential for cults to form within spiritual practices, especially when led by charismatic individuals.
   3. The case of Bikram Choudhury, the founder of Bikram Yoga, who has been accused of sexual misconduct and exploiting his students.
   4. The importance of finding reputable and ethical yoga studios and teachers who prioritize safety and well-being.
9. The Primal Blueprint Diet and its Benefits:
   1. Papa’s experience with the primal blueprint diet, which emphasizes eliminating grains and sugar.
   2. The reported benefits of the diet, including increased mental clarity, energy levels, and reduced inflammation.
   3. The challenges of adhering to the diet when dining out and the prevalence of hidden sugars in processed foods.
   4. The growing awareness of the negative effects of processed sugar and the potential for dietary changes to improve overall health.
10. The Allure of Sourdough Bread:
    1. Papa’s newfound passion for baking sourdough bread and the process of creating a starter.
    2. The intriguing concept of a living starter and its long history, passed down through generations.
    3. The health benefits of sourdough bread compared to conventional bread due to lower gluten content.
    4. The potential for a resurgence in traditional bread-making practices, embracing natural ingredients and processes.
11. The Legal System and its Impact on Divorce:
    1. Papa’s numerous anecdotes about friends who have been negatively impacted by divorce laws.
    2. The unfairness of alimony laws, particularly when women are not financially dependent on their husbands.
    3. The potential for these laws to be used for revenge or financial gain, causing significant hardship for men.
    4. The need for a more equitable and fair system that prioritizes individual responsibility and avoids perpetuating financial burdens.
12. The Prevalence of Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault:
    1. The horrific cases of Bill Cosby and other celebrities accused of drugging women for sexual assault.
    2. The importance of raising awareness about this issue and challenging societal norms that enable such behavior.
    3. The need for women to be vigilant about their drinks and surroundings, especially when out with strangers.
    4. The ongoing struggle for justice and accountability for victims of sexual assault and the need to dismantle systems that perpetuate abuse.
13. The Impact of Marijuana on Body Awareness:
    1. Papa’s personal experience with marijuana and its effects on his creativity and physical perception.
    2. The potential for marijuana to enhance body awareness and sensory experiences, including sexual pleasure.
    3. The cultural shift in attitudes towards marijuana and its increasing acceptance for recreational and medicinal use.
    4. The importance of responsible use and respecting the laws and regulations surrounding cannabis.
14. The Allure of Wildlife and Conservation:
    1. Papa’s upcoming trip to Africa and his fascination with wildlife, particularly lions and eagles.
    2. The complexities of wildlife tourism and the balance between conservation efforts and the need to generate revenue for local communities.
    3. The importance of respecting and protecting wildlife habitats, recognizing the interconnectedness of ecosystems.
    4. The potential for human-wildlife conflicts and the need for responsible and sustainable practices to ensure the survival of endangered species.
15. The Potential for Chimps to Evolve Beyond Humans:
    1. Recent observations suggesting that chimpanzees are entering the “stone age” and developing tool use.
    2. The implications of chimpanzee evolution and the possibility of surpassing human intelligence in the future.
    3. The ongoing exploration of animal intelligence and the potential for interspecies communication and understanding.
    4. The humbling reality of our place in the natural world and the possibility of coexisting with other intelligent species.
16. The Dangers of Anti-Semitism and Terrorism:
    1. Papa’s concerns about the rise of anti-Semitism and terrorism in Europe.
    2. The impact of immigration policies and cultural tensions on the social fabric of European countries.
    3. The importance of promoting tolerance and understanding, combating hate speech and discrimination.
    4. The need for international cooperation to address global terrorism and safeguard human rights.
17. The Importance of Physical Activity:
    1. Papa’s emphasis on the importance of regular exercise for maintaining physical and mental health.
    2. The benefits of weightlifting, stretching, and yoga for overall well-being and preventing injuries.
    3. The correlation between physical activity and mental health, including reducing stress and improving sleep.
    4. The need to prioritize self-care and create sustainable habits that support a healthy lifestyle.

Memorable Quotes:

• “My problem is I’m afraid because I know me. I don’t necessarily trust me. I’m afraid I’ll go whole hog Colonel Curtz and start a real compound once I have the actual land and start putting things in and realize I’m not really that restricted financially from building shit. I might just start getting crazy.” – Rogan’s humorous self-reflection on the potential for his future studio project to spiral into something more ambitious.
• “And then you can but all your followers could work. That’s the problem. And then becomes a problem. The unstable ones shows up with a fucking suicide vest.” – Rogan’s lighthearted, yet somewhat ominous, warning about the potential for his compound to attract undesirable elements.
• “The really big one is really big. By the way, we’re receive so much hate and I think fucking threats and all kinds of crazy shit — Yeah. — that she had to I think she had to make an amendment to this. but not so big one to say, hey, fuckers. Relax. I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m just — Yeah. — a notice like Mexico seems fine. look goes all the way down to California, all the way to let’s see the peel that they’re showing in the illustration. Mhmm. Mhmm. I think Mexico’s our move. Let’s do it. Let’s go.” – Rogan’s humorous reaction to the potential devastation in the Pacific Northwest, suggesting Mexico as a viable escape route.
• “I rented a Tesla for a day — Mhmm. — because we have a sponsor. It’s called skirt, s k u r t, and they’re real new. but what they’re doing is they’re essentially like Uber for rental cars. So let’s say if you were outside the comedy store and you’re like, I need a rental car. wanna drive to San Francisco. Right. They’ll fucking show up in 20 minutes with a rental car. And you’d take that bitch and drive it up the coast. Jeez. It’s crazy. Yeah. You you you have an application on your phone. Right? You use the app. You order up a car, and you can get a Tesla. I said, okay. Wow. I wanna try this service out before we do it. Let’s get me a Tesla. Amazing. So I got a Tesla.” – Papa’s excited description of the new rental car service “skirt” and his experience with a Tesla.
• “But if he really did interrupt some military operations that cost soldiers their lives, Right. because the general wasn’t there anymore because he had to step down and it fucked up the entire chain of leadership. That’s heavy. And he was talking about in that same article call that Jamie put up that he was around he was whenever he was around people who killed people for a living — Mhmm. — they would invariably tell him we’re going to kill you. Like, it wasn’t it wasn’t a a couple people that were saying this to him. Like, there was several people that were saying, hey motherfucker. You’re dead. just so you know, we’re all we’re all gonna kill you. So this guy, what did he do? He doubled down. Went after the CIA afterwards. God. balls on them. Like balls on this young man.” – Rogan’s chilling account of Michael Hastings’s bravery and the dangerous consequences of his investigative journalism.