JRE #739 – Duncan Trussell & Christopher Ryan

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12/22/2015




This Joe Rogan podcast features Duncan Trussell, a stand-up comedian and podcast host, and Christopher Ryan, a psychologist and author. The conversation spans a wide range of topics, from spirituality and consciousness to technology and social issues.

Major Topics and Underlying Themes

Here are some of the major topics and underlying themes discussed in this Joe Rogan podcast:

  1. Spiritual Practices and Enlightenment
    1. Duncan and Joe discuss how a sense of humor and an ability to not be easily offended can be indicators of spiritual enlightenment.
    2. They explore the idea that people with real spiritual practices often have a deeper understanding of the universe and can navigate challenging situations with calmness and compassion.
    3. Ram Dass and his guru, Crowley Baba, are referenced as examples of individuals who have reached a state of non-obstruction, allowing them to experience the world without judgment or resistance.
    4. The conversation delves into the potential for meditation and other practices to cultivate a state of non-reactivity, even in the face of adversity.
  2. Psychedelics and Consciousness
    1. The podcast explores the historical use of psychedelic substances and their potential to induce profound spiritual experiences.
    2. Duncan and Joe discuss the role of psychedelics in ancient societies and how they may have contributed to the development of religious beliefs and rituals.
    3. The use of psychedelics in modern times, particularly in therapeutic settings, is discussed, emphasizing their potential to facilitate personal growth and healing.
    4. The conversation highlights the importance of respecting the subjective nature of psychedelic experiences and acknowledging their potential for both positive and negative effects.
  3. The Nature of Reality
    1. Joe, Duncan, and Christopher engage in a philosophical discussion about the nature of reality and the existence of God.
    2. They discuss the limitations of our perception and the possibility of a greater reality beyond our current understanding.
    3. The conversation touches upon the role of subjective experience and the challenges of reconciling different perspectives on reality.
    4. The possibility of a living, conscious universe that produces life is explored, challenging traditional notions of the universe as an indifferent entity.
  4. The Role of Culture in Shaping Our Reality
    1. Duncan and Christopher argue that modern culture often seeks to suppress our natural curiosity and sense of mystery, prioritizing material pursuits and conformity.
    2. They contrast modern society with the lives of foragers, who are immersed in the natural world and experience a sense of interconnectedness with all living things.
    3. The conversation explores the potential for technology and advertising to further distort our perception of reality and reinforce cultural norms.
    4. The podcast suggests that a shift in cultural values is necessary to create a society that supports individual growth and connection with the natural world.
  5. Technology and its Impact on Humanity
    1. The podcast explores the rapid advancement of technology, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence and automation.
    2. They discuss the potential benefits and risks of these technologies, including the possibility of creating a utopian society or a dystopian future.
    3. The conversation examines the role of technology in shaping our social interactions and our perception of the world.
    4. The podcast raises concerns about the potential for technology to further disconnect us from our natural instincts and our sense of purpose.
  6. The War on Drugs
    1. Duncan and Joe criticize the War on Drugs, arguing that it has been a failed policy that has led to mass incarceration and social harm.
    2. They discuss the historical context of the War on Drugs and the role of propaganda in shaping public opinion.
    3. The podcast emphasizes the potential benefits of psychedelics and the need for a more nuanced and compassionate approach to drug policy.
    4. They express concern about the potential for the War on Drugs to further suppress individual liberties and reinforce a culture of fear and control.
  7. Social Justice and the Role of Language
    1. The podcast addresses the complexities of social justice issues, including the ongoing struggle for racial equality.
    2. Duncan and Christopher discuss the importance of having nuanced conversations about controversial topics and avoiding the pitfalls of “cancel culture.”
    3. They critique the use of language as a weapon and argue for the importance of understanding the intent behind words rather than fixating on their literal meaning.
    4. The conversation explores the potential for social justice movements to be hijacked by individuals seeking power and control.
  8. The Importance of Connection and Love
    1. Despite the challenges and anxieties discussed in the podcast, Duncan and Christopher emphasize the importance of human connection and love.
    2. They argue that cultivating a sense of compassion and understanding is essential for navigating the complexities of the modern world.
    3. The conversation highlights the importance of finding meaning and purpose in our relationships with others and in our connection with the natural world.
    4. The podcast suggests that love and empathy are the most powerful forces for change and healing.
  9. The Need for Authenticity and Self-Awareness
    1. Joe, Duncan, and Christopher encourage listeners to embrace authenticity and self-awareness.
    2. They discuss the importance of questioning our beliefs and challenging the status quo.
    3. The podcast emphasizes the need to confront our fears and insecurities in order to live a meaningful and fulfilling life.
    4. They advocate for a more conscious and intentional approach to life, rather than blindly following cultural norms and societal expectations.

    Memorable Quotes

    Here are 5 memorable quotes from the podcast:

    1. “You know, I think it’s problematic is the label. Like, even what how I said it. like you’ll meet God. Like, that just that word is so loaded.” – Christopher Ryan
    2. “I think that, you know, I was watching this nature program a couple weeks ago, and there was a seal. I may have even talked with you about this last time when I was on. But there was a, like, a seal playing in the waves, and then you hear the, like, and you see the shadow coming up, and it’s a great white. and it hits the seal. And then they the guy the narrator actually says we slowed this down to 1 40th of normal speed. Right? And you see the teeth of that. and and the seals flopping around, and there’s blood everywhere. And there’s and the the meanwhile, the narrator’s saying the struggle for survival isn’t ever over. And And so I’m watching that and I’m thinking, well, but Seals seem kinda happy to me. Right? Like, how come they’re not more stressed out? because all the seals I’ve seen were lying on rocks and chilling chilling and barking and having fun. So I looked up this seal as a harbor seal, I think. They lived to be about 30. So let’s say this one’s in its prime. It’s 25. Okay? It’s whole fucking life. It’s been lying on warm rocks and eating fresh fish. And then in half a second, it’s dead. Okay? And we’re looking at that as evidence of the cruelty of nature That what’s the ratio there? You know, what’s the ratio of good days to bad days that it feels like? It’s pretty fucking good.” – Christopher Ryan
    3. “The psychedelic sort of just force feeds you that reality. Exactly. Or or it paints a it puts a different coat of paint on top of it. So now it seems you need — No. — novel again. — novel again. But you you it’s just another level of the same experiences happening. which is that you are surrounded by a living, partially living universe that has a as a tendency from time to time to produce life. This universe that we’re in produces life and you’re part of it and you’re surrounded by an infinite ocean of that tendency. So that’s very overwhelming, I think, for people, which is why they begin to accept, oh, this is just completely normal, this thing. This And then, that’s when you take the psychedelic and you’re like, holy shit. I saw God. It’s like, no. You saw the exact same thing that you’ve been seeing It’s only that you saw it in a different form.” – Christopher Ryan
    4. “I think it’s it’s like a I think you could see images. Like, you could see the outside of the body as well. Mhmm. It’s not just as simple as, like, you see the scalability. Eventually, you’ll see I’m sure they’ll figure out a way to to interpolate whatever data they’re gathering and turn it into something that isn’t shadows. It’s just a matter of time. And it’s a matter of time, any technology that is being controlled by the state. because it’s too expensive for normal people to obtain. Eventually, more than likely, will become less and less expensive and everyone will have it. So if right now, there’s some some insane technology that people are using to look through walls and see shadows fuck. then it’s, what, 10, 15 years before it’s gonna be something that you could just order or something that you can download on your super sophisticated Like drones for Christmas. Yeah. Now my TV is using mobile X-ray vans to spy on unknown targets.” – Joe Rogan
    5. “But, anyway, but it’s but it’s innately inherently meaningful is what I’m saying. Right? And the reason it’s inherently meaningful is because that’s the animal that we evolved to be. Yeah. And now we live in this society that’s that’s distracting us from that, trying to sell it back in little pieces. Maybe you can afford a hunting weekend in Utah at this branch. And What what the hell was the point? Well, the point is we can do something. Losing the change. humanity. When do we stop being human? Yeah. I think we already have, and I think that’s the major fucking ailment of our times.” – Christopher Ryan


     

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