JRE #897 – Hunter Maats

by

1/10/2017






Joe Rogan Podcast Episode #897: Hunter Maats

This podcast dives deep into the intriguing world of cultural evolution, exploring diverse societal structures and the fascinating interplay of human psychology and cultural conditioning. Hunter Maats, a co-author of “The Straight-A Conspiracy” and co-host of The Bryan Callen Show podcast, joins Joe Rogan to discuss the evolution of human behavior, the dangers of unchecked power, the intricacies of social dynamics, and the pervasive influence of culture on individual lives. Provocative topics include the rise of social justice warriors, the limitations of modern education systems, the impact of globalization on tribalism, and the dangers of fundamentalism in various forms. The conversation delves into the complex world of human behavior, analyzing how cultural evolution has shaped our beliefs, biases, and ultimately, our decisions.

Major Topics

  1. The Bryan Callen Show Podcast:
    1. Hunter Maats co-hosts The Bryan Callen Show, a podcast that explores diverse topics with a unique blend of comedy and intellectual discussion.
    2. The podcast began with a focus on interviewing strippers, porn stars, and MMA fighters, but expanded to include professors, academics, and scientists.
    3. The inclusion of these diverse voices provided Brian Callen with exposure to a broader range of perspectives and ideas.
    4. The podcast serves as a platform for exploring complex ideas in an engaging and accessible way.
  2. Cultural Evolution and Tribalism:
    1. Hunter Maats’s own upbringing involved constant relocation between different countries and cultures, exposing him to diverse ways of life.
    2. This experience instilled in him a deep fascination with cultural evolution and the impact of tribalism on individual perspectives.
    3. The podcast explores how tribalism shapes our understanding of normalcy, influencing our beliefs, behaviors, and interactions with those outside our own groups.
    4. The discussion highlights the importance of recognizing and challenging our own cultural biases to foster a more inclusive and understanding world.
  3. The Dunbar Number and Social Dynamics:
    1. The Dunbar number, a concept in social psychology, suggests a limit to the number of meaningful social relationships a human can maintain.
    2. The podcast delves into the Dunbar number’s implications for social dynamics, explaining how it impacts our ability to form meaningful connections in large-scale societies.
    3. Gossip and social grooming are explored as mechanisms for maintaining social bonds in large groups, highlighting the role of language and communication in managing social complexity.
    4. The discussion underscores the need for conscious effort to nurture meaningful relationships in an increasingly interconnected yet fragmented world.
  4. Power Dynamics and Corruption:
    1. The podcast explores the inherent corrupting nature of power, examining how it influences human behavior and decision-making.
    2. Research on the effects of power, including studies by Docker Keltoner, reveals that power increases impulsivity and decreases empathy.
    3. The discussion sheds light on how unchecked power can lead to unethical behavior, including impulsive decisions and a disregard for the well-being of others.
    4. The podcast emphasizes the importance of checks and balances in society to mitigate the potential for abuse of power.
  5. Social Justice Warriors and the Abuse of Power:
    1. The podcast critically examines the social justice warrior movement, highlighting the dangers of wielding power for social control rather than fostering genuine understanding and equality.
    2. The discussion explores how well-intentioned causes can be corrupted by power dynamics, leading to the silencing of dissenting voices and the creation of echo chambers.
    3. The use of language, particularly the proliferation of gender pronouns, is discussed as a tool for exerting social control and silencing those who disagree.
    4. The podcast underscores the importance of open dialogue, respectful debate, and critical thinking in promoting social progress.
  6. The University System and its Challenges:
    1. The podcast criticizes the current university system, highlighting its declining efficacy and its tendency to perpetuate harmful ideologies.
    2. The discussion delves into the limitations of specialization, arguing that it hinders a holistic understanding of complex issues and promotes a siloed approach to knowledge.
    3. The podcast emphasizes the importance of fostering a culture of critical thinking, open dialogue, and intellectual curiosity within academia.
    4. The conversation suggests the need for a reevaluation of educational priorities to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for navigating an increasingly complex and interconnected world.
  7. Fundamentalism and its Dangers:
    1. The podcast explores the dangers of fundamentalism, emphasizing how rigid belief systems can lead to intolerance, violence, and the suppression of individual freedom.
    2. The conversation examines examples of fundamentalism across various religions, including Islamic fundamentalism, Christian fundamentalism, and the rise of new atheism.
    3. The discussion highlights the importance of recognizing and challenging our own biases and the need for a more nuanced and critical approach to complex issues.
    4. The podcast emphasizes the importance of open dialogue, respectful debate, and the willingness to challenge our own assumptions in fostering understanding and tolerance.
  8. The Role of Culture in Individual Development:
    1. The podcast delves into the concept of cultural conditioning, exploring how our environment shapes our beliefs, behaviors, and ultimately, our sense of self.
    2. The discussion examines Thomas Sowell’s work on cultural evolution, analyzing how different cultures can produce varying outcomes for individuals even when faced with similar challenges, such as slavery.
    3. The podcast highlights the importance of understanding and challenging our own cultural biases to promote individual growth and social progress.
    4. The conversation encourages introspection and a willingness to step outside our own cultural bubbles to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the world around us.
  9. The Impact of Herding Cultures:
    1. The podcast examines the influence of herding cultures, specifically the Scotts-Irish, on the development of a “culture of honor” characterized by an emphasis on violence, aggression, and a strong sense of pride.
    2. The discussion explores how this culture has impacted the American South, contributing to higher rates of homicide and a culture of violence.
    3. The podcast analyzes the impact of this culture on African-American communities, highlighting the need for a deeper understanding of the complex interplay of race, culture, and social conditions.
    4. The conversation emphasizes the need for a nuanced understanding of cultural influences to promote social progress and address systemic inequalities.
  10. The Dangers of Unchecked Power and the Rise of Donald Trump:
    1. The podcast examines the rise of Donald Trump in the context of cultural evolution, analyzing how his rhetoric and policies resonate with certain cultural values and anxieties.
    2. The discussion explores how Trump’s appeal to a “culture of honor” and a sense of resentment towards perceived societal changes has fueled his political success.
    3. The conversation delves into the dangers of unchecked power, emphasizing the need for vigilance and critical thinking in navigating political discourse.
    4. The podcast highlights the importance of understanding the complex interplay of cultural dynamics, political maneuvering, and individual psychology in shaping political outcomes.
  11. The Role of Science and its Limitations:
    1. The podcast examines the limitations of scientific inquiry, highlighting the inherent biases and limitations that can hinder progress and lead to misinterpretations.
    2. The discussion explores the dangers of tunnel vision in scientific research, emphasizing the need for a more holistic approach that considers the interplay of different disciplines and perspectives.
    3. The podcast examines the impact of ego and the resistance to change within the scientific community, highlighting the need for a more open-minded and self-critical approach to scientific inquiry.
    4. The conversation underscores the importance of clear communication, accessible language, and a willingness to challenge established theories in advancing scientific knowledge.
  12. The Interplay of Thinking and Feeling:
    1. The podcast dives into the complex relationship between thinking and feeling, challenging the Cartesian view of reason and emotion as separate entities.
    2. The discussion examines scientific research that demonstrates the intimate connection between thinking and feeling, highlighting the role of emotions in shaping our decisions and behaviors.
    3. The podcast underscores the importance of understanding and managing our own emotions to make informed and ethical choices.
    4. The conversation encourages a more nuanced understanding of human psychology, recognizing the interplay of reason and emotion in shaping our experiences and interactions.
  13. The Importance of Challenging Established Ideas:
    1. The podcast advocates for a more critical and open-minded approach to established ideas, emphasizing the need to challenge dogma and promote a culture of inquiry.
    2. The discussion highlights the importance of questioning our own beliefs and assumptions, particularly those that are deeply ingrained in our cultural context.
    3. The podcast underscores the dangers of intellectual laziness and the need for constant self-reflection and intellectual growth.
    4. The conversation encourages a willingness to engage in intellectual battles, recognizing that challenging established ideas is essential for progress.
  14. The Diffusion of Innovations and the Need for Effective Communication:
    1. The podcast explores the concept of the diffusion of innovations, examining how ideas spread and the factors that influence their adoption.
    2. The discussion highlights the importance of packaging and communicating ideas in a way that is culturally and psychologically digestible, emphasizing the need for clear communication and relatable narratives.
    3. The podcast critiques the limitations of traditional scientific communication, arguing for a more accessible and engaging approach that resonates with a broader audience.
    4. The conversation underscores the crucial role of effective communication in promoting progress, bridging divides, and fostering a more informed and engaged society.

Memorable Quotes

  • “It’s always interesting to me. There’s a there’s a an added insight that you get from people that come from another country and then live in America. Mhmm. there’s something different about, like, oh, you guys don’t know how weird this fucking place is. Like, I know. You know, I’ve been to Scotland. I live there. You know? Like, those people have a a different insight, very different insight.” – Hunter Maats
  • “It’s not 7,000,000,000. That’s not even close. Yeah. Well, that’s what’s interesting about small towns. is that there’s a there’s a feeling in small towns of an invasion invasion of your privacy — Mhmm. — as much as there is a feeling of camaraderie There’s also, like, a noziness. Yeah.” – Joe Rogan and Hunter Maats
  • “The real function of teasing is is that, you know, if you look at these hunter gatherer tribes, they have all these mechanisms for making sure that nobody’s head gets too big. Right? So for example, you know, they’ll do things where, for example, I’ll give you my arrow, and you’ll go hunt with my arrow. So then even if you kill a deer, it’s actually not your kill because it was done with my arrow. It’s everybody’s kill. It’s everybody’s kill.” – Hunter Maats
  • “It’s like you can be an single person and be like a super ambitious crazy person who wants to succeed in business for some reason. They’re not mutually exclusive. Nope.” – Joe Rogan
  • “If you really wanna talk about gender, you should force anybody who wants to deny gender to talk about David Reimer. You make David Reimer a household name. And we’re all gonna talk about what lessons can we learn from the tragedy of David Reimer.” – Hunter Maats


 

Leave a Comment