JRE #1562 – Dave Smith

11-Nov-20

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This podcast features stand-up comedian, radio personality, and political commentator Dave Smith, known for his work on “Part of the Problem” and “The Legion of Skanks.” Joe Rogan and Dave delve into a wide array of topics, exploring political complexities, cultural shifts, and social commentary with their signature blend of humor and insight.

Podcast Topic Breakdown

1. The Complicated Reality of Politics

• People often have a superficial understanding of politics and blindly follow narratives.
• Special interests, money, and corruption influence the political system, making it challenging to understand.
• Trump’s appeal lay in his outsider status and promise to fight for those outside the system.
• The complexity of issues like the Iraq war and the crime bill is often simplified, making it difficult to have meaningful dialogue.

2. The Role of the Press and the Rise of Activist Journalism

• The press is often as corrupt as the conspiracy theorists they criticize, prioritizing narratives that align with their agenda.
• The corporate press actively worked to discredit Trump, even silencing opposing viewpoints.
• The Hunter Biden laptop story highlights the press’s willingness to suppress information harmful to their preferred narrative.
• The rise of activist journalism blurs the lines between reporting and advocacy, diminishing trust in traditional media.

3. The “Woke” Culture and its Impact on Society

• The “woke” culture has permeated mainstream media, corporate America, and even political circles.
• The “woke” culture, while rooted in noble intentions, can be used as a tool for divide and conquer and corporate profit.
• It encourages performative activism and superficial gestures over genuine change and economic justice.
• The “woke” culture is often amplified in universities, shaping young minds with a left-leaning perspective.

4. The Perils of Government Overreach and the Lockdown’s Unintended Consequences

• Governors seized unprecedented power during the pandemic, imposing lockdowns with minimal pushback.
• The lockdowns had devastating consequences for businesses and individuals, leading to a decline in mental and physical health.
• The lockdowns set a dangerous precedent for government control, potentially leading to further restrictions in the future.
• The lockdowns were often inconsistently enforced, with protests and other events receiving preferential treatment.

5. The Enduring Impact of Trump and the Question of “Normalcy”

• The Trump era has fundamentally shifted the political landscape, leaving a lasting impact on American society.
• A pre-Trump world may be impossible to return to, as the divisions and distrust he exacerbated continue to linger.
• The “woke” culture, the pandemic, and political polarization have created a new normal, one that is likely to be more complex and challenging.
• The question of how to navigate this new normal and find common ground remains a significant challenge.

6. The Military Industrial Complex and the Cost of Endless Wars

• The military industrial complex is a powerful force that benefits from perpetual war, driving up military budgets and prolonging conflicts.
• The wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria have been disastrous, costing trillions of dollars and leaving countless lives lost.
• The wars have fueled instability and chaos in the Middle East, creating vacuums of power for adversaries like Iran.
• The wars have also drained resources from domestic issues, contributing to economic and social problems.

7. The Allure of “Heroism” and the Need for Leaders, Not Rulers

• People often crave strong leadership figures, especially during times of crisis, leading to the rise of charismatic figures like Trump.
• However, true leadership requires more than charisma; it requires integrity, a commitment to truth, and a willingness to challenge the status quo.
• The ideal leader is one who inspires others without seeking to rule over them, who guides rather than dictates.
• The challenge is to find leaders who are not susceptible to the temptations of power and who prioritize the needs of the people.

8. The Unintended Consequences of Overthrowing Dictators

• While overthrowing dictators may seem like a noble goal, the consequences can be complex and often undesirable.
• The wars in Iraq and Libya resulted in instability, violence, and humanitarian crises, leaving the countries worse off than before.
• Democracy is not a guaranteed outcome of regime change, and imposing Western ideals on other cultures can be counterproductive.
• The United States has a troubled history of interventionism, with few examples of successful regime change.

9. The Enduring Power of Lies and the Fragility of Civilization

• Political leaders and institutions often resort to lies and deception to manipulate the public and maintain power.
• The Iraq War serves as a prime example of how lies can lead to disastrous consequences, with profound impacts on the region and the world.
• The ongoing wars and societal divisions have fueled a culture of distrust and cynicism, making it challenging to discern truth from fiction.
• The future of civilization is uncertain, with threats like nuclear war and climate change looming, reminding us of the fragility of our existence.

10. The Potential for Reset and the Search for a Better Future

• The current state of the world suggests that a reset, a period of dramatic change, may be inevitable.
• The “woke” culture, the pandemic, and political polarization are all signs of a society in flux, one that is struggling to adapt to new realities.
• The potential for a reset could be devastating or liberating, depending on the choices we make moving forward.
• The need for a more decentralized government, greater personal responsibility, and a focus on building community are crucial for navigating this period of change.

11. The Power of Drugs and the War on Drugs

• The war on drugs has had devastating consequences, fueling black markets, violence, and mass incarceration.
• The criminalization of drugs has created a system that disproportionately punishes marginalized communities.
• The legalization of marijuana and the growing acceptance of psychedelics offer a path toward a more humane and effective approach to drug policy.
• The potential benefits of psychedelics for mental health treatment and personal growth warrant further exploration and research.

12. The Importance of Perspective and Finding Joy in the Face of Chaos

• The world has always been a complex and challenging place, with plenty of reasons for worry and anxiety.
• It’s essential to maintain perspective, recognizing that people have persevered through difficult times throughout history.
• Surrounding oneself with good people, building strong relationships, and finding joy in everyday life can provide solace and strength.
• The pursuit of personal growth, meaningful connections, and a sense of purpose can help us navigate the uncertainties of the future.

Memorable Quotes

• “So many people just have this sort of cursory understanding of politics, and then they follow a narrative. The narrative is Trump is bad. You get him out. Biden’s good. And then you go, yeah. What about the crime bill? What about the Iraq war? What about what about what she did? nobody wants to hear it. Nobody wants to hear it.”
• “And then after all that, the people who sent you there are now lecturing you about your white privilege.”
• “You know, there’s a whole bunch of people around me who want to go to war because it makes them 1,000,000,000 of dollars.”
• “It is really odd in a country that thrives on this concept of diversity that there’s almost no diversity and in the intellectual ideologies that these professors have.”
• “I think that if, like, I agree with the spirit of everything you’re saying. And I think when I when I said it’s a corrupt system, it’s just that fact that you have all of these parties involved where you have like the government who’s guaranteeing all of these student loans.”

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