JRE #696 – Lewis, from Unbox Therapy

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9/17/2015






Joe Rogan Podcast #696 – Topics and Summary

Joe Rogan Podcast #696 – Topics and Summary

This podcast features Joe Rogan interviewing Lewis, the host of the popular YouTube channel “Unbox Therapy,” known for its in-depth reviews of new tech products. The conversation explores a wide range of topics related to technology, its impact on society, and even dives into controversial issues like the regulation of marijuana in sports and the dangers of misinformation online.

Topics and Summary

  1. Virtual Reality: The Future is Here
    • Lewis showcases the Samsung Gear VR headset, a VR device that utilizes a Samsung Galaxy S6 phone for its display.
    • The podcast discusses the potential of VR to revolutionize entertainment, gaming, and education, comparing it to the impact of the internet.
    • Rogan expresses his skepticism about VR, highlighting its current limitations, particularly in terms of resolution and immersion.
    • Lewis argues that VR’s accessibility, given the widespread phone ownership, makes it a significant game-changer.
  2. The Rise of 360° Video: Beyond Traditional Content
    • Lewis emphasizes the potential of 360° video, allowing viewers to experience content from multiple perspectives, like a real-life environment.
    • The podcast explores how this technology could transform film, TV, and even news reporting, offering a more immersive and interactive experience.
    • Rogan envisions a future where viewers could “choose their own adventure” in movies and shows, exploring different angles and storylines.
    • The conversation touches on the challenge of creating high-quality 360° content, discussing the use of multiple cameras and stitching software.
  3. The Smartphone Dilemma: Battery Life vs. Design
    • Lewis expresses his frustration with the emphasis on thin phone designs, arguing that it compromises battery life.
    • The podcast compares the Samsung Galaxy S6 Active, a durable and waterproof phone with a longer battery life, to the latest iPhone.
    • Rogan questions Apple’s decision to reduce the battery size in the upcoming iPhone despite its focus on improved performance and durability.
    • The conversation highlights the tension between aesthetics and functionality in smartphone design, emphasizing the importance of balancing these factors.
  4. The Future of Mobile Technology: 4K Resolution and Beyond
    • Lewis discusses the importance of 4K resolution for video content, emphasizing the growing availability of this technology, particularly on YouTube.
    • The podcast explores the challenges of 4K adoption, pointing to bandwidth limitations and the lack of widespread support from traditional media platforms.
    • Rogan believes that the telco infrastructure in North America is lagging behind other regions, particularly in terms of upload speeds.
    • The conversation highlights the need for faster internet connections to support the future of high-resolution video and immersive content.
  5. The Power of Google: Innovation and Control
    • Lewis discusses Google Fiber, a high-speed internet service that is challenging the dominance of traditional providers like Comcast and AT&T.
    • The podcast explores Google’s influence on the internet landscape, highlighting its dominance in search, email, and cloud services.
    • Rogan questions Google’s security measures, considering its vast data collection and potential vulnerabilities to hacking.
    • The conversation touches on the potential of Google to disrupt traditional media, promoting information access and challenging existing power structures.
  6. The Ad-Blocking Debate: A New Frontier in Online Revenue
    • The podcast explores the growing use of ad blockers, which are impacting the revenue models of content creators like Joe Rogan and Lewis.
    • Rogan acknowledges the significant financial impact of ad blocking, highlighting the need for users to be conscious of the importance of supporting content creators.
    • Lewis believes that ad blocking is a complex issue, with both positive and negative implications for the future of online content creation.
    • The conversation raises questions about the sustainability of online content in a world where ad-blocking is becoming increasingly prevalent.
  7. The Rise of Social Media and the Information Age: Navigating Misinformation and Manipulation
    • The podcast discusses the potential dangers of misinformation and manipulation on social media, highlighting the ease with which false information can spread.
    • Rogan expresses concern about the “signal to noise ratio” on social media, where it’s becoming increasingly difficult to discern truth from fiction.
    • Lewis believes that the rise of social media has accelerated the pace of information dissemination, creating both opportunities and challenges for consumers.
    • The conversation touches on the role of traditional media in contributing to misinformation, arguing that the focus on clickbait headlines and sensationalism can exacerbate the problem.
  8. The Controversial Case of Nick Diaz: Marijuana and the Regulation of Sports
    • Lewis expresses his outrage over the five-year suspension levied against Nick Diaz, a mixed martial arts fighter, for testing positive for marijuana.
    • The podcast discusses the inconsistencies in drug testing policies across different sports, highlighting the lack of scientific evidence supporting the ban of marijuana.
    • Rogan argues that the Nevada State Athletic Commission is incompetent and overly punitive, highlighting the power imbalance between athletes and regulators.
    • The conversation delves into the ethical implications of regulating substances like marijuana in sports, considering its potential effects on performance and recovery.
  9. The Future of Mixed Martial Arts: The Need for Reform and Athlete Advocacy
    • Lewis believes that the UFC should advocate for changes in the Nevada State Athletic Commission, highlighting its questionable practices and inconsistent regulations.
    • The podcast discusses the need for a fighter’s union to protect athletes’ rights and ensure fair treatment.
    • Rogan questions the legitimacy of the Nevada Athletic Commission’s decisions, arguing that they often lack scientific evidence and are driven by personal agendas.
    • The conversation calls for greater transparency and accountability within sports organizations and regulatory bodies, emphasizing the importance of fair play and athlete safety.
  10. The Power of Brands: Luxury, Prestige, and the Shortcut to Status
    • Lewis explores the concept of “branding” and its influence on consumer choices, highlighting the allure of luxury products and prestigious names.
    • The podcast discusses how brands can serve as a shortcut to status and social acceptance, particularly for those with an abundance of wealth.
    • Rogan questions the motivations behind pursuing luxury items, suggesting that it often reflects a desire to impress others rather than true personal satisfaction.
    • The conversation touches on the irony of branding, where even seemingly “authentic” companies like Samsung are often involved in various industries, including the production of weapons.
  11. The Evolution of Warfare: From Bombs to Information
    • Lewis explores the shift from traditional warfare, characterized by physical weapons and bombs, to a new era of information warfare.
    • The podcast discusses the potential of Google’s Project Loon, which utilizes weather balloons to provide internet access to remote and underserved regions.
    • Rogan believes that information access can be a powerful force for positive change, enabling people to challenge oppressive regimes and promote greater understanding.
    • The conversation touches on the role of social media in facilitating uprisings and revolutions, highlighting its ability to mobilize people and challenge established power structures.
  12. The Dangers of Power: Corruption and the Need for Accountability
    • Lewis expresses his concern about the potential for corruption within governmental organizations, pointing to the NSA scandal as an example of power abuse.
    • The podcast discusses the dangers of unchecked power, arguing that even seemingly benign organizations can become corrupt when given too much authority.
    • Rogan highlights the importance of transparency and accountability, emphasizing the need for systems that prevent individuals from abusing their power.
    • The conversation touches on the importance of civic engagement and public scrutiny in holding powerful institutions accountable for their actions.
  13. The Future of Entertainment: The Impact of Technology on Comedy and Culture
    • Lewis believes that technology is rapidly transforming the entertainment industry, providing new platforms for creators and audience members.
    • The podcast discusses the changing nature of comedy in the digital age, highlighting the rise of online platforms like YouTube and the emergence of new comedic styles.
    • Rogan acknowledges the power of social media to influence public opinion, emphasizing the importance for influencers to be responsible and accurate.
    • The conversation touches on the potential for technology to empower individuals and challenge traditional institutions, creating a more diverse and democratic landscape.

5 Memorable Quotes

  1. “This is bigger than the fucking wheel. This is bigger than the Internet. This bigger than everything, man. This is a fucking game changer.” – Rogan’s enthusiastic response to Duncan Trussell’s description of VR’s potential impact.
  2. “It’s like a few things. There’s it’s like a computational thing. Like, there when you’re dealing with something so refined, like, brands of hair, for example, and each one behaving independently. Like, long hair thrashing around is, like, incredibly complex how each piece moves.” – Lewis highlights the challenges of replicating realistic hair in VR due to its complexity.
  3. “I think that a person who has a certain, you know, certain access to a particular way of life that the shortcut The rich guy shortcut to buying to buying the right thing is to buy an expensive one.” – Rogan explains how the wealthy often rely on brands as a shortcut to making informed decisions.
  4. “They’re not those those people weren’t even willing to take into consideration the fact that he passed 2 tests. He passed 2 tests, 2 WADA tests, World Anti doping Association tests, and failed 1 from some fucking local lab. and the local labs numbers were off the chart.” – Rogan expresses his frustration with the Nevada Athletic Commission’s decision to disregard two valid tests, emphasizing their incompetence.
  5. “I think that the controls control structures that exist in our global perspective, they exist for because of an agenda, a particular agenda, whatever. that might be. And you can’t control people if you if you can if you don’t control information flow.” – Lewis points out that power structures often rely on controlling information access to maintain their authority.


 

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