The entire Joe Rogan controversy is an example of the kids being left in charge and the adults refusing to teach them any better.
I’m not a regular consumer of podcasts. There are a couple I listen to from time to time, but nothing on a regular basis. While I’ve caught a few minutes of the Joe Rogan Experience on YouTube, I’ve never listened to his podcast. One of the primary reasons for that is that you have to subscribe to Spotify to do so, and I prefer Qobuz, Tidal, or even Amazon Music. Rogan is behind Spotify’s paywall and that’s that.
But the nature of the fight is about more than who does or does not listen to Rogan. This fight goes to the very nature of the First Amendment and the fundamental concept of the United States. And yes, I understand that cuts both ways. What’s his name and Joni Mitchell are free to yank their creations from Spotify, no ifs, ands, or buts. I’m not denying their right, I’m questioning their reasons.
Rogan talks to people. He does so largely unfiltered. He talks to anyone about anything. It is what he does and it is bizarre that so many people have an issue with this. That’s why I say the kids are in charge. It’s the absolutism of it all. You are either good or bad, and if you are bad you are evil, and if you are evil you must be destroyed.
The kids now believe the government in all things (well, at least when a Democrat is in office; this will change the moment a Republican is elected). Their favorite polka band, Great Grandpa Joe and the CDCs, have sung various viral tunes about viruses and these are the only tunes allowed. Dissenting opinions are simply not allowed. Artists who cut their teeth on counter-culture and opposing The Man now bow and say we must always listen to The Man. They have sold their souls for the illusion of safety. Just a couple of years ago they would have embraced Benjamin Franklin’s statement: "Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
They would do well to look to another Franklin quote:
"Freedom of speech is a principal pillar of a free government; when this support is taken away, the constitution of a free society is dissolved, and tyranny is erected on its ruins. Republics…derive their strength and vigor from a popular examination into the action of the magistrates."
“Popular examination” is the nature of the conversations Rogan has. I’m not saying he’s essential to the liberty of the nation, but the basic nature of what he does is. What’s his name and Mitchell are acting the opposite. While free to do so, they are undermining the most fundamental right Americans have, that of free speech, a core facet of liberty. I applaud their freedom to do so; I am appalled that they are doing so, especially given their histories.
Beyond them, there’s the entire smear campaign, yet more evidence that children are running amuck. Mitchell, etc., are exercising control over their intellectual property. The other kids are exercising their habit of smash and burn. They are a classic reason why I’m fond of saying, “You will not enjoy this world you are creating.” Because what they are doing is the nature of cancel culture, and that conduct inevitably turns around and consumes its practitioners.
This is why so many advise Rogan to stop apologizing. It’s never enough because children are never satisfied. Give an inch, they want a lightyear. Their idea of an argument is “Shut up!” They claim to want a dialogue, what Rogan engages in; they really want is a monologue, with Their Side being the only proper speakers. Of course, Their Side is always changing its mind about who the “proper” speaker is, or even what speech is allowed. This is how and why they always end up eating their own.
Freedom is scary. A basic framework for freedom must encompass free speech. I’m a bit of an absolutist on this point and while sometimes I find that uncomfortable, I find it much worse to clamp down on anyone’s ability to say anything. A step down that path will inevitably lead to ruin. And so I embrace Thomas Jefferson’s vow:
“I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.”
Which is why the adults need to step up. I believe that the majority of both Democrats and Republicans are appalled at what a minority within each of their parties is doing, yet they remain silent. It’s time for them to prove that they are, indeed, adults, and that for centuries the norm within this country was for people to have civil discourse over a variety of ideas and issues. Any time this was not the case is looked upon with horror.
Which is exactly our fate, or worse, if we don’t start acting like adults again.
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