JRE #1732 – Ben Shapiro

by

10-Nov-21






Joe Rogan Podcast – #1732 – Ben Shapiro

This podcast delves deep into Ben Shapiro’s perspective on various political and social issues, offering a contrasting viewpoint to Joe Rogan’s. Provocative topics include the state of California, COVID-19 policies, the 2024 presidential election, and the role of social media and free speech. Underlying themes explore the dangers of tribalism, the importance of individual responsibility, the complexities of risk and reward in society, and the significance of individual liberty versus government intervention.

Major Topics:

1. California Exodus and Political Divide:

  • Shapiro and Rogan discuss their recent relocation from California to Florida and Texas, respectively, citing dissatisfaction with the state’s political climate, COVID-19 restrictions, and social environment.
  • They highlight the increasing polarization in the United States, with California as a prime example of a state where liberal policies have created a sense of alienation for conservatives.
  • The discussion delves into the perceived failures of California’s government, including homelessness, crime, and inadequate public services.
  • The podcast explores the growing trend of individuals and businesses leaving California for more politically and economically friendly states, suggesting a potential shift in the national political landscape.

2. COVID-19 Response and Individual Responsibility:

  • Shapiro and Rogan debate the effectiveness and ethical considerations surrounding COVID-19 vaccine mandates and policies.
  • Shapiro emphasizes individual liberty and the right to make personal medical decisions, while Rogan expresses a more nuanced perspective, acknowledging the value of vaccines while questioning the government’s role in mandating them.
  • They discuss the role of media narratives in shaping public perception and the potential dangers of overreliance on government-controlled information.
  • The discussion touches upon alternative treatments and the suppression of information regarding their effectiveness, highlighting a broader distrust in established institutions and a growing demand for independent sources.

3. The 2024 Election and Political Speculation:

  • Shapiro and Rogan speculate on the potential candidates and outcomes of the 2024 presidential election, with Shapiro predicting a strong Republican victory fueled by dissatisfaction with the current administration’s policies.
  • They discuss the possibility of a Trump comeback and the role of Kamala Harris as a potential Democratic candidate, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses.
  • The podcast explores the role of social media in shaping political narratives and the potential for misinformation to influence the electorate.
  • The discussion highlights the increasing importance of independent media sources and the growing skepticism of traditional media outlets, suggesting a potential shift in how information is consumed and disseminated.

4. The Rise of Social Media and Free Speech:

  • Shapiro and Rogan discuss the implications of social media censorship and the suppression of dissenting viewpoints, criticizing the growing power of tech companies and their role in shaping public discourse.
  • They explore the dangers of echo chambers and the importance of fostering open dialogue and diverse perspectives, highlighting the potential for censorship to stifle free thought and intellectual growth.
  • The podcast examines the role of fact-checking organizations and their potential bias, raising concerns about the erosion of trust in information sources and the increasing difficulty in discerning truth from falsehood.
  • Shapiro emphasizes the importance of independent media platforms and the growing role of podcasts and alternative news sources in providing a counter-narrative to the prevailing media landscape, suggesting a potential for a more diverse and robust public sphere.

5. The Metaverse and Its Implications for Society:

  • Shapiro and Rogan discuss the potential impact of the metaverse on society, highlighting the increasing reliance on technology and the potential for virtual reality to supplant real-world experiences.
  • They express concerns about the potential for the metaverse to become a tool for social manipulation and control, emphasizing the need for individual responsibility and critical thinking in a digital age.
  • The podcast explores the potential for a societal bifurcation, with those at the top of the social and economic hierarchy potentially living in a virtual reality while those at the bottom remain trapped in the real world.
  • The discussion raises concerns about the long-term effects of virtual reality on human interaction and the potential for a disconnect from real-world experiences, prompting reflection on the nature of human connection and the future of civilization.

6. The Role of Government in Society:

  • Shapiro and Rogan debate the proper role of government in individuals’ lives, with Shapiro advocating for limited government intervention and individual responsibility, while Rogan expresses a more nuanced perspective, acknowledging the need for certain social safety nets.
  • They discuss the potential dangers of government overreach and the erosion of individual liberty, highlighting the importance of a balance between individual freedom and collective well-being.
  • The podcast explores the complexities of social welfare programs, including unemployment benefits and universal basic income, weighing their potential benefits against the risks of disincentivizing work and fostering dependency.
  • Shapiro and Rogan highlight the importance of individual initiative, hard work, and personal responsibility as key drivers of success, emphasizing the potential for government programs to stifle individual ambition and innovation.

7. The Importance of Education and Individual Growth:

  • Shapiro and Rogan discuss the value of education and the changing landscape of learning in the 21st century, criticizing the perceived failures of traditional college education and advocating for more practical and diverse pathways to knowledge.
  • They emphasize the importance of hard work, personal responsibility, and a commitment to self-improvement as key ingredients for individual success, questioning the reliance on degrees and the increasing cost of higher education.
  • The podcast explores the potential for alternative learning models, including apprenticeship programs and online platforms, to provide a more relevant and accessible education for individuals in a rapidly changing world.
  • Shapiro and Rogan discuss the potential for a revival of classical education, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking, open dialogue, and a balanced approach to knowledge acquisition, suggesting a return to traditional values of learning and intellectual exploration.

8. The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict:

  • Shapiro provides a detailed and nuanced perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting the complexities of the historical and political realities of the region.
  • He emphasizes the importance of understanding the conflict’s historical context, the role of terrorism and political manipulation, and the various perspectives involved in the dispute.
  • Shapiro discusses the differing narratives surrounding the conflict, analyzing the claims of both Israeli and Palestinian sides, and offering a critical assessment of the arguments presented.
  • The discussion highlights the importance of seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflict, acknowledging the human cost and the need for dialogue and compromise to achieve a lasting solution.

9. The Role of Meritocracy and Effort Inequality:

  • Shapiro and Rogan debate the concept of meritocracy and its implications for social equality, with Shapiro advocating for a system that rewards hard work, intelligence, and innovation, while acknowledging the complexities of factors influencing individual success.
  • They discuss the potential dangers of equating wealth with moral worth, recognizing the importance of compassion and social responsibility alongside individual achievement.
  • The podcast explores the role of effort inequality in shaping social outcomes, acknowledging the influence of environmental factors, opportunities, and individual choices in determining individual success.
  • Shapiro and Rogan emphasize the need for a society that values both individual achievement and collective well-being, suggesting a balance between individual ambition and social responsibility.

Memorable Quotes:

  • “California is so polluted by show business. It’s hard to really reconcile it. It’s hard to really understand how bad it is until you leave. And then you go, oh, okay. That’s not normal. This is normal. Like, just regular people. It’s crazy.” – Ben Shapiro
  • “The man the man, it wasn’t be dead because they they rolled them out for the debates. It was being not Trump. It was being barely alive. Like, be barely sentient. He’ll make trouble.” – Joe Rogan
  • “I think they’re kinda 2 I used to think there were 2 types of people with regard to what they thought of human nature. You know, some people think human nature is good, some people human nature is kinda sinful. I think that’s still true. But I think there’s another distinction that the pandemic really exposed. There are there are two kinds of people. People who are okay with living with a certain level of risk and people who just are not and think that if they delegate all their power to people to make decisions for them, that all risk can be mitigated. And if that means controlling all the people around them, that’s totally fine.” – Ben Shapiro
  • “If you’re a politician, your chief mechanism of staying in power is by telling people things they want to hear. The number one thing no one has ever wanted to hear is you need to eat less and you need to get off your ass and move.” – Ben Shapiro
  • “The the vulnerability lies in the power grid because the power grid is so vulnerable. That if someone just detonated the power grid, all this stuff stops, and then you have no light. Your life is completely you’ve invested it completely in this augmented world, this virtual world. But this virtual world, all you have to do is pull the plug and it’s out and it’s out for millions of people.” – Joe Rogan