Keep on Talkin’ in the Free World
Currently, artists Joni Mitchell and Neil Young are attempting to lead a mass exodus from Spotify. They have both stated in one way or another that this is due to the fact that Joe Rogan’s podcast is “irresponsible for spreading misinformation”.
The first point I would like to mention is that Joe is a comedian, MMA fight commentator, and a hunting enthusiast. He is completely transparent about his opinions and nowhere does he claim to be an expert on anything. He isn’t afraid of candid conversations because he isn’t pushing any agenda. Most of the time he is a self-proclaimed ‘moron’. Which is actually not a true statement, but he feels the need to perpetually downplay his intelligence because he doesn’t want people to consider him an authority on anything outside of his wheelhouse.
While I’m not sure how they’ve concluded JRE is spreading misinformation, I can almost guarantee they’ve never listened to a full episode of the podcast. I can almost guarantee that if they had, they’d realize he talks to people that are interesting and passionate, and not even always people with whom he agrees. I find it interesting that these artists do consider themselves moral authorities over data analysis. Make no mistake, these huge announcement are an attempt to gain publicity so that their fans will also follow suit in leaving Spotify (without really having a choice if they are real fans). There is a clear underlying message that says “I’m doing this, and if you hold the same ethical viewpoint as me, you should too.” That is, in fact, the whole point of a boycott (which I also believe they have every right to do).
So many topics are covered on the show that almost anyone could find an episode worth watching. Everything from Daryl Davis, who was able to convert members of the KKK back into respectable non-members with his piano playing, to Megan Phelps-Roper who left the Westboro Baptist Church after learning about the outside world through Twitter exchanges. Joe is curious and interested in exploring the thought realm. The dangerous topics he chooses to consider are not his opinions, but they are opinions that exist in this world and therefore should be discussed. I listen to JRE for perspective and to glean what I find valuable and to leave the rest behind. Alternative viewpoints are dangerous to the powers they threaten, but not inherently dangerous themselves if they are not acted upon.
This attempt by certain folk rockstars to cancel the show is brought to you by a narcissistic belief that people will follow their lead blindly. They’ll say they aren’t trying to censor Joe but they just don’t want to have their music on a platform that perpetuates misinformation. I don’t hold Joe on a pedestal but his ability to encourage heterodox-thinking is vital given the complete mishandling of this pandemic. Without people like him, Bret Weinstein, and Heather Heying, we’d have been given one narrative (aka propaganda). We should not be looking to some moral authority to decide what we can discuss.
To give the benefit of the doubt, I do believe these artists think they are acting out of good faith. I just think they are deluded by their fame and completely out of touch with reality. Celebrities more often than not are talking with people that idolize them and trying to ignore their haters. Joe laughs in the face of those who talk shit about him and he’s also willing to give his undivided attention to those he interviews for 3 to 4 hours on a nearly daily basis. His perspective is influenced by thousands of people who deep-dive into whatever topics move them creatively.
When did it become dangerous to talk things out? When people began needing safe spaces in a world they can’t control. When people began memorizing talking points from cable news to regurgitate in an argument having conducted no investigation of their own. When people began consuming murder porn like Law & Order on a daily basis. Society is moving into a fear-based, scarcity mindset that discourages people from thinking for themselves. I will be happy to continue my Spotify Premium subscription, and I’ll still continue to listen to Neil Young and Joni Mitchell on other platforms.
Originally written in Collective Journaling at The Stoa
Opinions are my own and not a reflection of what my journaling peers believe (obviously but figured it needed to be stated considering the times….)
