I was listening to Malcolm Gladwell’s reluctant critique of Joe Rogan’s approach to interviews yesterday when it occurred to me that Rogan and Trump both got where they are by not trying to get where they are.
Great analysis. There's just one concept Dr. Ryan fails to grasp, which describes Rogan and Trump: Alpha. It might hurt his estrogen sensibility to hear it, but the reason he's never going on Rogan again, is because Joe doesn't like inviting beta energy into his studio. It leaves a stench you can't get rid of.
It’s a stretch, yes. But with all these comments saying how joe acts/ is now, but claim they just can’t stand to listen to him anymore..is ironic. How can you have such a locked in view while simultaneously refusing future input? It’s not fair.
You say the story goes and summarize trumps presidency as if it’s non fiction. We can only speculate. My story involves trump recognizing the bs of American politics, said hmm what if? (I didn’t vote for him then or now btw). And here we are after years of political warfare, which rogan recognized and questioned. Rogans unscripted style is what the world needs, debate on a national stage! No script or agenda from upper management aka Corporate Americas’ worst fear; loosing control of the Information.
Rogan can read the airwaves and choose to converse with whom ever he likes. If that agenda receives critique so should that of any other corporation, organization or government entity! Rogan does it unscripted and unedited, hence its popularity and why we are discussing it now!
I’ve only listened to a couple of his interviews, with you, Chris, so maybe I’m not qualified to comment, but here’s my two cents. Anyone who endorses Trump, I have to seriously question their intelligence, their morality, their judgement, and yes, their character. With our limited time in the so-called “attention economy,” why waste your time on a guy like this, when there are so many other more qualified, real journalists and topic experts doing podcasts now. It takes more than a cool persona and humor to get my attention.
Chris, I’ve always appreciated your work and still do, but I have a bit of a different take on Joe Rogan. I think he’s been on target more consistently than just about any major information source out there—definitely more so than the mainstream news, and honestly, I’d say even slightly more accurate than you on a few key issues, especially during Covid.
I know there’s been a lot of criticism around some of his guests, but when you look at the bigger picture, Joe’s been willing to challenge dominant narratives in ways that have aged pretty well. I’m curious—are there any mainstream outlets that any of you think have done a better job?
I’m sorry, I got a triggered and wrote before thinking. I don’t usually direct negativity at people online. It’s immature and unhelpful. I deleted the comment quickly, but not before it landed unfortunately. My apologies.
What I should have said is free speech needs to take priority over gatekeeping. Good ideas/info will outcompete bad ideas.
I relate Joe Rogan’s behavior to that nerdy athlete in high school, who eventually gravitates away from his ‘nerdy’ friends and now only hangs out with his ‘jocky’ teammates. Which, for me, you never forget where you came from so to speak, don’t ignore those old relationships and bonds of friendship so that you can keep the sway with the now ‘cool’ crowd.
It would just be nice for Joe Rogan to keep this casualness with all walks of life, old friends included. However, I’m not perfect either.
I think the size of the audience changed the JRE. It’s a superorganism type thing. Once the audience reached a certain size the guests started searching Joe out to sell books and promote movies, records and other podcasts. It wasn’t just Joe’s curiosity driving the bus, or maybe it was but the universe of destinations expanded. The Douglas Murray spectacle was a good example. Murray clearly wanted to be exposed to JRE audience to sell his new book and instead of debating the ideas in his book, he debated the credibility of his critics and blew the whole thing up, increasing the intensity of the experience, and the audience size again. Only possible at scale.
I also think there may be some battle for listeners going on. The volume of podcasts and other longish form content available is overwhelming. In addition, for over a decade podcasts filled a space for people who couldn’t tolerate main stream media narrative. With the MSM destroyed, it feels like there is no negation, and now the podcasters need to have conflicts within this realm to create the emotional pull. It’s very interesting to see such polarization in a realm that seemed to be the escape from polarization. Something is happening but it’s not clear what and where the bus is heading.
I was a loyal listener to JR podcast but had to quit listening because I couldn’t stomach the bullshit. He lost his authenticity a long time ago unfortunately. You should stop pretending you don’t give a shit either. Because obviously you do.
There is a lot of stuff to listen to, these days. A lot of us started listening to Joe way back because it was…unique. He said fuck the FCC, and it was unique. It was our own special club of dumb guys telling dumb jokes and getting guys like Doc to come pop in and educate our knuckle-dragging asses in between weed-fueled flat earth rants. It was great. The JRE was guys’ favorite neighborhood garage. No pretense, just a hang.
The fact is, it just isn’t anymore. The JRE isn’t immune to the changing times and flood of other options, or the way the entertainment industry works, either. Very few things in Hollywood have had the rise and staying power he/the show has, and it’s impressive, especially since there really hasn’t been anything “new” about JRE. Yeah, Joe probably changed after all the years. News flash, we all do. The house gets sold, the family moves, and we all have to find a different garage. Such is life. We remember the good times.
Second track and this must be pointed out that Joe invited both Pres candidates to do the same show, same format. One accepted, one declined. Just the facts.
I like to think about an alternate universe where both accepted and where we are having a radically different conversation because it would have kind of been like the Nixon / Kennedy moment of my generation.
Perhaps next time. And maybe they all light one up to bring what we all knew was special, full circle…a salute to the old garage. The way it should have always gone down…and the real ones here know it.
Most people seem to prefer having someone vet the guests, topics, books, and opinions for them—rather than simply skipping an episode or listening to another show.
Listening to Rogan, it's about one of the most entertaining things I get to consume, I do criticize his choice of guest, such as Mr Peterson, Musk and some o' those others "super humans and thinkers" come around his awesome hanger, I do glossed over the uneducated opinion, more than most time ill focus on "Americanism" and lack of, and/or wrongful view of the world, the real one.
Malcolm Gladwell's critique of Rogan is just him letting you know how good he is at asking the right thing and that's his job... Not Rogans.
I will continue to listen to both of them and the good Doctor, as I get to enjoy my duality in between the intellectual and childish fart jokes.
Does having a large audience come with a responsibility? Absolutely! Are you forced to give a fuck or make the responsible decisions? No! If you don't want to rise to the occasion (because being responsible is hhhhaaaarrrrddddd ;( ), you don't have to. That shit is not fun or easy and you get paid the same either way.
Certain people find that behavior okay and others find it off-putting. Which kind of company do you want around you?
Being criticized for your actions and declaring that that's unfair is also something you can do. One group of people will approve of that response, and another group won't. Once again, which people do you want to surround yourself with?
You don't have to wipe your ass, but it's silly to be indignant when someone says you smell like shit.
As a fan of shrimp parade I was very much interested in what you had to say about modern day Joe Rogan. For me it's a pretty simple equation based off of the Spider-Man motto: with great power comes great responsibility. Joe didn't have any power when he was just farting around with his buddies but now he does and he is shirking his responsibility by saying that he's just a dumb comedian shooting from the hip and nobody should take him seriously.
Great analysis. There's just one concept Dr. Ryan fails to grasp, which describes Rogan and Trump: Alpha. It might hurt his estrogen sensibility to hear it, but the reason he's never going on Rogan again, is because Joe doesn't like inviting beta energy into his studio. It leaves a stench you can't get rid of.
One of the most popular post from this Substack is raging hate for rogan. Hilariously telling.
"Raging hate?" Dude.
It’s a stretch, yes. But with all these comments saying how joe acts/ is now, but claim they just can’t stand to listen to him anymore..is ironic. How can you have such a locked in view while simultaneously refusing future input? It’s not fair.
You say the story goes and summarize trumps presidency as if it’s non fiction. We can only speculate. My story involves trump recognizing the bs of American politics, said hmm what if? (I didn’t vote for him then or now btw). And here we are after years of political warfare, which rogan recognized and questioned. Rogans unscripted style is what the world needs, debate on a national stage! No script or agenda from upper management aka Corporate Americas’ worst fear; loosing control of the Information.
Rogan can read the airwaves and choose to converse with whom ever he likes. If that agenda receives critique so should that of any other corporation, organization or government entity! Rogan does it unscripted and unedited, hence its popularity and why we are discussing it now!
He’s a deluded dunderhead (and woeful comedian) who likes the company of racists and fascists. Enough said.
I’ve only listened to a couple of his interviews, with you, Chris, so maybe I’m not qualified to comment, but here’s my two cents. Anyone who endorses Trump, I have to seriously question their intelligence, their morality, their judgement, and yes, their character. With our limited time in the so-called “attention economy,” why waste your time on a guy like this, when there are so many other more qualified, real journalists and topic experts doing podcasts now. It takes more than a cool persona and humor to get my attention.
Chris, I’ve always appreciated your work and still do, but I have a bit of a different take on Joe Rogan. I think he’s been on target more consistently than just about any major information source out there—definitely more so than the mainstream news, and honestly, I’d say even slightly more accurate than you on a few key issues, especially during Covid.
I know there’s been a lot of criticism around some of his guests, but when you look at the bigger picture, Joe’s been willing to challenge dominant narratives in ways that have aged pretty well. I’m curious—are there any mainstream outlets that any of you think have done a better job?
I’m sorry, I got a triggered and wrote before thinking. I don’t usually direct negativity at people online. It’s immature and unhelpful. I deleted the comment quickly, but not before it landed unfortunately. My apologies.
What I should have said is free speech needs to take priority over gatekeeping. Good ideas/info will outcompete bad ideas.
All the best.
Elijah
I relate Joe Rogan’s behavior to that nerdy athlete in high school, who eventually gravitates away from his ‘nerdy’ friends and now only hangs out with his ‘jocky’ teammates. Which, for me, you never forget where you came from so to speak, don’t ignore those old relationships and bonds of friendship so that you can keep the sway with the now ‘cool’ crowd.
It would just be nice for Joe Rogan to keep this casualness with all walks of life, old friends included. However, I’m not perfect either.
I think the size of the audience changed the JRE. It’s a superorganism type thing. Once the audience reached a certain size the guests started searching Joe out to sell books and promote movies, records and other podcasts. It wasn’t just Joe’s curiosity driving the bus, or maybe it was but the universe of destinations expanded. The Douglas Murray spectacle was a good example. Murray clearly wanted to be exposed to JRE audience to sell his new book and instead of debating the ideas in his book, he debated the credibility of his critics and blew the whole thing up, increasing the intensity of the experience, and the audience size again. Only possible at scale.
I also think there may be some battle for listeners going on. The volume of podcasts and other longish form content available is overwhelming. In addition, for over a decade podcasts filled a space for people who couldn’t tolerate main stream media narrative. With the MSM destroyed, it feels like there is no negation, and now the podcasters need to have conflicts within this realm to create the emotional pull. It’s very interesting to see such polarization in a realm that seemed to be the escape from polarization. Something is happening but it’s not clear what and where the bus is heading.
I was a loyal listener to JR podcast but had to quit listening because I couldn’t stomach the bullshit. He lost his authenticity a long time ago unfortunately. You should stop pretending you don’t give a shit either. Because obviously you do.
same
There is a lot to be gleaned from the fine art of not giving a fuck.
There is a lot of stuff to listen to, these days. A lot of us started listening to Joe way back because it was…unique. He said fuck the FCC, and it was unique. It was our own special club of dumb guys telling dumb jokes and getting guys like Doc to come pop in and educate our knuckle-dragging asses in between weed-fueled flat earth rants. It was great. The JRE was guys’ favorite neighborhood garage. No pretense, just a hang.
The fact is, it just isn’t anymore. The JRE isn’t immune to the changing times and flood of other options, or the way the entertainment industry works, either. Very few things in Hollywood have had the rise and staying power he/the show has, and it’s impressive, especially since there really hasn’t been anything “new” about JRE. Yeah, Joe probably changed after all the years. News flash, we all do. The house gets sold, the family moves, and we all have to find a different garage. Such is life. We remember the good times.
Second track and this must be pointed out that Joe invited both Pres candidates to do the same show, same format. One accepted, one declined. Just the facts.
I like to think about an alternate universe where both accepted and where we are having a radically different conversation because it would have kind of been like the Nixon / Kennedy moment of my generation.
Perhaps next time. And maybe they all light one up to bring what we all knew was special, full circle…a salute to the old garage. The way it should have always gone down…and the real ones here know it.
Thanks for the text, Chris.
Most people seem to prefer having someone vet the guests, topics, books, and opinions for them—rather than simply skipping an episode or listening to another show.
Please drop another Roma.
He says more about the slaughter of Palestinians in the Gaza Genocide than all the mainstream media combined.
Neocons (and most of Congress and the Senate for that matter) on both sides of the aisle are for the “Israel has the right to defend itself,” BS.
Kamala Harris was invited to Joe’s show and she refused to go. Her handlers would not allow her to come meet him and have a conversation.
He also interviewed Bernie Sanders.
Listening to Rogan, it's about one of the most entertaining things I get to consume, I do criticize his choice of guest, such as Mr Peterson, Musk and some o' those others "super humans and thinkers" come around his awesome hanger, I do glossed over the uneducated opinion, more than most time ill focus on "Americanism" and lack of, and/or wrongful view of the world, the real one.
Malcolm Gladwell's critique of Rogan is just him letting you know how good he is at asking the right thing and that's his job... Not Rogans.
I will continue to listen to both of them and the good Doctor, as I get to enjoy my duality in between the intellectual and childish fart jokes.
Does having a large audience come with a responsibility? Absolutely! Are you forced to give a fuck or make the responsible decisions? No! If you don't want to rise to the occasion (because being responsible is hhhhaaaarrrrddddd ;( ), you don't have to. That shit is not fun or easy and you get paid the same either way.
Certain people find that behavior okay and others find it off-putting. Which kind of company do you want around you?
Being criticized for your actions and declaring that that's unfair is also something you can do. One group of people will approve of that response, and another group won't. Once again, which people do you want to surround yourself with?
You don't have to wipe your ass, but it's silly to be indignant when someone says you smell like shit.
As a fan of shrimp parade I was very much interested in what you had to say about modern day Joe Rogan. For me it's a pretty simple equation based off of the Spider-Man motto: with great power comes great responsibility. Joe didn't have any power when he was just farting around with his buddies but now he does and he is shirking his responsibility by saying that he's just a dumb comedian shooting from the hip and nobody should take him seriously.