JRE #859 – Brian Redban

by

10/13/2016






Joe Rogan Podcast #859: Brian Redban

This podcast features a dynamic conversation between Joe Rogan and comedian Brian Redban, delving into diverse topics ranging from social commentary to pop culture with a sprinkle of humor and absurdity. The episode explores the challenges of navigating information in the digital age, the complexities of social justice movements, the nature of celebrity, and the enduring fascination with strange and bizarre phenomena.

Here’s a breakdown of major topics discussed, highlighting their depth and intrigue:

Information Overload and Fact-Checking

  • The podcast begins with a discussion about the overwhelming amount of information we are constantly bombarded with in the digital age and the difficulty of forming independent opinions.
  • Rogan and Redban emphasize the importance of fact-checking and critically evaluating sources, especially amidst the prevalence of fake news and misinformation.
  • They share anecdotes about encountering dubious websites and articles, highlighting the challenges of separating truth from fiction in an era of digital manipulation.
  • The conversation underscores the need for critical thinking and media literacy in today’s world.

Social Justice and Cancel Culture

  • The discussion shifts to the complexities of social justice movements and the rise of “cancel culture,” focusing on the tension between free speech and the pursuit of social justice.
  • Redban shares his perspective on the growing sensitivity around gender pronouns and the backlash faced by a professor in Toronto who refused to use a multitude of pronouns.
  • Rogan and Redban question the effectiveness of “sensitivity courses” and the concept of subconscious bias, prompting a nuanced exploration of the limits of social control and the potential for censorship.
  • This section invites listeners to grapple with the ethical dilemmas surrounding freedom of expression, personal responsibility, and the complexities of navigating social change.

Celebrity Culture and the Quest for Relevance

  • Redban discusses his experiences with being known as “Redban,” questioning whether it’s appropriate to be addressed by a nickname, especially in professional settings.
  • The conversation transitions to the pursuit of relevance in the entertainment industry, focusing on the lengths to which celebrities go to stay in the public eye.
  • They discuss the phenomenon of celebrities making appearances at conventions and charging exorbitant fees for photos and autographs, highlighting the transactional nature of fame.
  • The section highlights the evolving landscape of celebrity culture, where maintaining relevance can often feel like a constant performance.

The Power of the Bizarre and the Unintentional Comedy of Reality

  • The podcast ventures into a realm of oddities, discussing topics like the hottest peppers in the world and the surprising popularity of “Hot Ones,” a show where celebrities eat progressively hotter chicken wings while answering questions.
  • Redban and Rogan debate the effectiveness of bong rips in mitigating the effects of consuming extremely spicy peppers.
  • They share anecdotes about their own experiences with edibles and the unexpected insights that can arise from altered states of consciousness.
  • This segment explores the human fascination with the bizarre, highlighting the potential for comedy to emerge even in unexpected or uncomfortable situations.

The Enduring Fascination with the Past and the Unpredictability of the Future

  • Redban reminisces about his childhood, reflecting on the role of simple, non-digital toys in fostering creativity and imagination.
  • The conversation touches on the resurgence of vintage technology like laser discs and VCRs, highlighting the cyclical nature of trends and the potential for forgotten items to become valued again.
  • They discuss the rapid pace of technological advancements, particularly in the realm of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), prompting a discussion about the potential impact of these technologies on our lives.
  • This section explores the interplay between nostalgia, innovation, and the ever-evolving landscape of human experience.

Conspiracy Theories and the 9/11 Truth Movement

  • The podcast delves into the realm of conspiracy theories, exploring the persistence of the 9/11 Truth Movement and the arguments surrounding the collapse of World Trade Center Tower 7.
  • Redban shares his encounter with a professor who believes that Tower 7 was a controlled demolition, highlighting the complexity and divisiveness of conspiracy theories.
  • They explore the inherent appeal of conspiracy theories, particularly the desire for a simple explanation for complex events and the allure of hidden knowledge.
  • This section encourages listeners to consider the dangers of confirmation bias and the importance of critically evaluating information before jumping to conclusions.

The 2016 Presidential Election and the Future of Politics

  • Redban and Rogan discuss the 2016 Presidential Election, offering their perspectives on the candidates, the debates, and the divisive nature of political discourse.
  • They explore the phenomenon of “team mentality” in politics, where individuals often prioritize their chosen side’s narrative over objective truth.
  • They speculate about the potential outcomes of the election and its implications for the future of the United States.
  • The conversation underscores the deep divisions within American society and the challenges of finding common ground in a polarized political landscape.

The Enigmatic Nature of Reality and the Simulation Hypothesis

  • The podcast concludes with a discussion of the Simulation Hypothesis, exploring the possibility that we are living in a simulated reality.
  • They contemplate the implications of this theory, suggesting that if we are living in a simulation, the boundaries of our understanding of reality may be far more fluid than we currently believe.
  • They discuss the bizarre and unexplainable events that seem to point towards a simulated reality, like the disappearance of old people in China and the emergence of cannibalism videos on subways.
  • This segment invites listeners to question their assumptions about the nature of reality and to embrace the unknown.

Memorable Quotes

  • “It’s like a fake CNN where it just like and it has like a like a article about this brain pill and you’re reading it as if CNN wrote this article, it’s it there’s a lot of those brain pill things in the soy in it. You know the soy in?” – Rogan describes the deceptive nature of fake news websites that mimic reputable news sources.
  • “It’s like, you might be right or you might not be right. There might be an argument against what you’re saying that you might have to consider. Like in that, when when people get an idea 1 way in their head, they don’t wanna consider any other possibilities.” – Rogan reflects on the limitations of rigid thinking, highlighting the importance of open-mindedness.
  • “You gotta stand your ground, your growl. Can you get your backup? Get your prickles up?” – Redban suggests a confrontational approach to dealing with unwanted attention, emphasizing the right to feel safe in public spaces.
  • “It’s really interesting to see how people just fucking formed Teams, man. They just formed Teams. They go right or they go left. But they form a team and then they write shit that doesn’t necessarily make sense, but it fits within the narrative of their team winning.” – Rogan observes the tendency for individuals to align with political ideologies and prioritize their team’s narrative over objective truth.
  • “You know, I really am feeling more and more every day like we’re living in a simulation. And the simulation is revealing itself to us.” – Rogan expresses his belief in the Simulation Hypothesis, suggesting that the increasing strangeness of the world may be a sign of a simulated reality.