JRE #681 – Gad Saad

This podcast features Gad Saad, a professor of marketing and evolutionary behavioral sciences, engaging in a lively discussion with Joe Rogan. The conversation tackles a range of provocative topics, exploring the dynamics of free speech on university campuses, the complexities of social justice movements, and the role of religion and ideology in shaping human behavior. Deep underlying themes include the power of cognitive biases, the limitations of rigid belief systems, and the importance of critical thinking in navigating a rapidly changing world.

Major Topics:

1. Coddling of the American Mind & Free Speech on Campus:
   1. The rise of trigger warnings and “safe spaces” on college campuses, leading to censorship and limitations on academic discourse.
   2. The article “The Coddling of the American Mind” in The Atlantic, which highlights the chilling effect of these movements on free speech and intellectual exploration.
   3. The disturbing trend of students demanding professors avoid certain topics or language to avoid triggering distress, exemplified by the Harvard Law students requesting the avoidance of rape law and the word “violate.”
   4. The need for diverse perspectives and open dialogue in academia to encourage critical thinking and prepare students for the real world.
2. Social Justice Warrior Movement & the Limits of Discourse:
   1. The rise of aggressive and confrontational behavior within social justice movements, often targeting individuals with differing opinions.
   2. The concept of microaggressions and its potential for creating an endless loop of apologies and accusations, leading to a breakdown of civil discourse.
   3. The limitations of social justice movements in engaging in respectful dialogue and accepting differing viewpoints, often resorting to insults and shutdowns.
   4. The importance of individual responsibility and critical thinking in navigating complex social issues.
3. Evolutionary Psychology & the Nature of Human Behavior:
   1. The application of evolutionary psychology to understand human behavior patterns, including sexual preferences, social dynamics, and consumer choices.
   2. The concept of sperm competition and its role in shaping sexual behavior, explaining the prevalence of polyandrous depictions in pornography.
   3. The biological basis for gender differences in toy preferences, challenging the social constructivist view that these are solely shaped by socialization.
   4. The importance of recognizing innate biological tendencies without resorting to biological determinism, emphasizing the interplay of nature and nurture in shaping human behavior.
4. Religion and its Role in Society:
   1. The evolutionary advantage of religion in fostering group cohesion and promoting survival, as argued by evolutionary biologist David Sloan Wilson.
   2. The limitations of religious belief systems, particularly the concept of “God’s will” and its impact on critical thinking and personal growth.
   3. The role of religion as a source of comfort and hope for individuals facing difficult circumstances.
   4. The potential of psychedelic experiences to alter perceptions and provide a spiritual reset, potentially explaining the origins of religious rituals and beliefs.
5. The Rise of the Information Age & the Future of Discourse:
   1. The impact of the internet and social media on the dissemination of information, leading to greater transparency and accountability.
   2. The challenges of navigating a world of information overload and misinformation, requiring critical thinking and discernment.
   3. The emergence of new platforms and voices, empowering individuals to share their perspectives and challenge existing narratives.
   4. The potential for a more open and honest dialogue in the future, driven by the accessibility of information and the growing awareness of cognitive biases.
6. The Limits of Tolerance and the Dangers of Ideology:
   1. The dangers of rigid ideologies and their potential for fostering intolerance and violence.
   2. The importance of recognizing the limitations of tolerance, acknowledging that certain ideologies cannot be tolerated without compromising individual rights and safety.
   3. The impact of Islamophobia and other forms of religious bigotry, highlighting the need for a more nuanced and critical approach to religious discourse.
   4. The importance of challenging the “bigotry of lowered expectations,” which seeks to excuse certain behaviors based on cultural or religious affiliation.
7. Gad Saad’s Personal Experiences and Reflections:
   1. Saad’s personal experiences growing up Jewish in Lebanon, highlighting the challenges of being a minority in a predominantly Muslim society.
   2. His reflections on the pervasive antisemitism he encountered in Lebanon, demonstrating the enduring power of prejudice and intolerance.
   3. His insights into the dynamics of cultural and religious conflict, emphasizing the need for open dialogue and understanding.
   4. His unwavering commitment to challenging dogma and promoting critical thinking, using his experiences to inspire others to question and explore.

Memorable Quotes:

• “You know what else is strange? It seems like you’re not allowed to be conservative in a university.”
• “There’s a lot of people out there that are just fucking assholes. And what they’re doing is trying to find something that allows them to get out that asshole aggression and be justified.”
• “I think they don’t have an ability to accept that people might have deferring opinions. You and I can debate many issues and yet we can leave here both being respectful of one another.”
• “I think what a lot of our culture is is an auto correction for the ignorance and hypocrisy of, like, the sixties and the seventies and the eighties. And so we’re going away the other way.”
• “It’s not that there’s sort of this hoards of other folks that come in. It’s it’s it’s the empire that becomes cancerous within itself, and it implodes.”