It was once George Carlin testing the limits, provoking authority, challenging conformity, and playing to audiences on college campuses. But something inverted, and now college campuses are factories of orthodoxy where boundary-pushing comedy gets escorted off stage.
It was once George Carlin testing the limits, provoking authority, challenging conformity, and playing to audiences on college campuses. But something inverted, and now college campuses are factories of orthodoxy where boundary-pushing comedy gets escorted off stage.
I don’t personally find Joe Rogan all that funny, but I’m glad that he’s out there keeping some space open for folks to keep testing the limits.
It's not as much a left vs. right thing as a freedom vs. authoritarianism thing. There is still a counterculture left out there, and they are as averse to the DNC as the libertarian right.
I also don't find him particularly funny, but I listen to his podcast on a pretty regular basis because of his guests. It's how I heard of Bari Weiss/FP!
Counterculture is “left” almost by definition. The original left referred to the commoners in the French legislature, as compared to the aristocracy on the right side of the chamber.
Our current aristocracy might be framed as left within some American media, but it hardly represents the little guy struggling against some privileged elite. Quite the opposite.
The words do have meanings, they just aren’t used. One could be a right-wing progressive (like Peter Thiel) or a left-wing conservative (many Trump voters). One can be an economic progressive but also authoritarian (many European countries could be described this way) and thus definitely not liberal. The conceit that the Democratic party is simultaneously “left”, “liberal”, and “progressive” is relatively new, likewise for the Republican party being “right” or “conservative”. And it’s not accurate.
We may need new words, but let’s not misuse the old ones.
It's true, there are funnier comics. But nobody is more committed to comedy than Joe. And to free speech in general. I don't think there's a podcast host in the world whose guests are more eclectic than his. The show works because Joe is very bright and intellectually curious. He can talk to anybody. Not for nothing does his show attract ten million listeners on a regular basis. During that stupid minute when Neil Young, arbiter of truth, was attempting to get Joe kicked off Spotify, he acquired two million new subscribers. The masses spoke, and what they wanted was to laugh, listen, think, learn, and decide for themselves what's interesting and what's funny,
If the court jesters are silenced we're living in communist China and North Korea. I prefer the First Amendment. What's my alternative? Saturday Night Live? Please.
Saturday Night Live gave up humor when they decided that woke politics deserved to get a pass. God forbid anyone should comically critique Barack Obama.
It is not so much Austin as it is Texas that has the juice. Austin has many smoke addled old hippies controlling the city council but they ---so far--- haven't degraded things to a point that you can't live 20 mins away and enjoy the awesomeness. From 2010-2020, 862, 000 people moved to this area. Probably another 250,000 since. It is getting a little congested on the roads but please come on down,----to visit ; )
I am pretty put out about Austin but this is the first positive thing in years. I thought I was witnessing the death of comedy and am all for a revival. Part of me really believes laughter is the best medicine. And there is nothing like howling laughter over a subject that makes your jaw clench.
Other people live in Austin. I’m taking about having a place for them. And also bringing in outsiders who feel differently. Both of those things can help change a towns culture.
I live in Portland Oregon and hear people saying we’re all crazy leftists here. Not true. We could use a place like this here to bring the sane together.
To OP Matthew - I fart in the general direction of saying "How did the Right become the counterculture" in reference to Joe f'ing Rogan. He's not "the Right!" The question is how did only a small portion of the left not get brainwashed?
I take your point, and your fart. Joe isn’t really in any political camp, his views are all over the place. I meant it more broadly, a number of the comedians named in the piece are overtly on the right
Notice it's a lot of us old school lib Gen Xers who are speaking up. Bret Weinstein & Heather Heying, Matt Taibbi, Glenn Greenwald. Gen X is going to get us out of this, that's my hope.
Rogan isn’t particularly funny but he also is now so successful and has enough intelligence to appreciate that he doesn’t have to kowtow to anyone on any topic. He’s really gotten into a groove in the past few years of not only bringing in voices outside the mainstream accepted narratives but also finding really informed voices.
Instead of hoarding success he did something we all strive to do; he made the pie bigger, deeper and invited people to join him.
He took younger talents and gave them a platform. Everybody from Schulz & Dillion to the Breaking Points team. He mentored, pushed, promoted and genuinely enjoyed their success.
When they (not sure who was the initial source but they had coordinated talking points) came for Rogan, he handled it with grace & wisdom (and a decent amount of mushrooms 😉).
When we look back at the last decade, the person who had the most positive impact on culture will be Joe Rogan. His authentic curiosity, his willingness to engage with almost anybody, admit when he is wrong and build new things for other comedic talents is awe-inspiring.
Rogan does appear to have achieved something akin to escape velocity with his show. It’s size attracts the biggest names, which grow the show, which attract more star power, which grows the show...
Reminds me of the picture of the wolf cautiously approaching the warm fire with the caption “what’s the worst that can happen with the next picture a poodle all dressed up like a clown😎
How did the Right become the counterculture?
It was once George Carlin testing the limits, provoking authority, challenging conformity, and playing to audiences on college campuses. But something inverted, and now college campuses are factories of orthodoxy where boundary-pushing comedy gets escorted off stage.
I don’t personally find Joe Rogan all that funny, but I’m glad that he’s out there keeping some space open for folks to keep testing the limits.
It's not as much a left vs. right thing as a freedom vs. authoritarianism thing. There is still a counterculture left out there, and they are as averse to the DNC as the libertarian right.
I know. Things have swung so far they are backwards.
I also don't find him particularly funny, but I listen to his podcast on a pretty regular basis because of his guests. It's how I heard of Bari Weiss/FP!
Rogan is definitely not on the right. He supported Bernie. But he likes guns. Pretty independent
The counterculture is always comprised of whatever group does not have the power.
Counterculture is “left” almost by definition. The original left referred to the commoners in the French legislature, as compared to the aristocracy on the right side of the chamber.
Our current aristocracy might be framed as left within some American media, but it hardly represents the little guy struggling against some privileged elite. Quite the opposite.
The little guy struggling matters not except for a ballot. So not even 15 minutes of fame.
Interesting distinction, I wasn’t aware of the origins of the terms
It’s time for new ways to describe world view and political ideals. Left right liberal conservative don’t hold meaning anymore
The words do have meanings, they just aren’t used. One could be a right-wing progressive (like Peter Thiel) or a left-wing conservative (many Trump voters). One can be an economic progressive but also authoritarian (many European countries could be described this way) and thus definitely not liberal. The conceit that the Democratic party is simultaneously “left”, “liberal”, and “progressive” is relatively new, likewise for the Republican party being “right” or “conservative”. And it’s not accurate.
We may need new words, but let’s not misuse the old ones.
Right! It’s no longer Republican vs. Democrat or even liberal vs. conservative. It’s libertarian vs. authoritarian.
exactly - the drum I've been beating for the past 5 years.
It's true, there are funnier comics. But nobody is more committed to comedy than Joe. And to free speech in general. I don't think there's a podcast host in the world whose guests are more eclectic than his. The show works because Joe is very bright and intellectually curious. He can talk to anybody. Not for nothing does his show attract ten million listeners on a regular basis. During that stupid minute when Neil Young, arbiter of truth, was attempting to get Joe kicked off Spotify, he acquired two million new subscribers. The masses spoke, and what they wanted was to laugh, listen, think, learn, and decide for themselves what's interesting and what's funny,
If the court jesters are silenced we're living in communist China and North Korea. I prefer the First Amendment. What's my alternative? Saturday Night Live? Please.
Saturday Night Live is really puzzling and sad. In New York City, they can’t find better comedy writers?
They are 20 years overdue to go off the air.
It's crazy how different SNL used to be. I don't watch it at all, and anytime I see a clip I can't believe it is on TV. So lame.
SNL lost its edge years ago.
Saturday Night Live gave up humor when they decided that woke politics deserved to get a pass. God forbid anyone should comically critique Barack Obama.
It’s going to happen anytime soon he can’t be off limits in America forever.
Why did Joe pick Austin? Austin is so far left they make Californians look like NAZIs.
Maybe that is the reason he picked Austin, just to rub their noses in it. I hope those commie assholes in Austin choke on it.
It is not so much Austin as it is Texas that has the juice. Austin has many smoke addled old hippies controlling the city council but they ---so far--- haven't degraded things to a point that you can't live 20 mins away and enjoy the awesomeness. From 2010-2020, 862, 000 people moved to this area. Probably another 250,000 since. It is getting a little congested on the roads but please come on down,----to visit ; )
I am pretty put out about Austin but this is the first positive thing in years. I thought I was witnessing the death of comedy and am all for a revival. Part of me really believes laughter is the best medicine. And there is nothing like howling laughter over a subject that makes your jaw clench.
I think he did it on purpose. That town has a huge college so it has the added benefit to convert some young minds to free thinking.
I think more Will Smith them into some sensible thinking!
That’s true!
You could be right.
He picked Austin for that very reason...
There are just so many ripe targets presenting themselves there.
Maybe he can make a difference there
You are talking about left wing, drool on their chins fanatics. As unbelievable as this is, they make comprof look sane.
😂😂😂hell LP you gotta sign up at Joe’s club, they will be queuing around the block for you!
Other people live in Austin. I’m taking about having a place for them. And also bringing in outsiders who feel differently. Both of those things can help change a towns culture.
I live in Portland Oregon and hear people saying we’re all crazy leftists here. Not true. We could use a place like this here to bring the sane together.
I lived in Eugene for over a decade, while not quite PDX, also has its fair share of strange politics. The mothership might have done okay there.
Probably Joe picked Texas.
We did a family membership on Spotify exactly in response to the Neil Young explosion and marked it “in support of J.Ro”
Good on you! Nicely done.
To OP Matthew - I fart in the general direction of saying "How did the Right become the counterculture" in reference to Joe f'ing Rogan. He's not "the Right!" The question is how did only a small portion of the left not get brainwashed?
I take your point, and your fart. Joe isn’t really in any political camp, his views are all over the place. I meant it more broadly, a number of the comedians named in the piece are overtly on the right
Notice it's a lot of us old school lib Gen Xers who are speaking up. Bret Weinstein & Heather Heying, Matt Taibbi, Glenn Greenwald. Gen X is going to get us out of this, that's my hope.
You said US including me. My Python reference gave me away...
Neil Young is against GMO food but for forced injection of genetically modified vaccines. Not a terribly coherent point of view.
But entirely predictable.
Rogan isn’t particularly funny but he also is now so successful and has enough intelligence to appreciate that he doesn’t have to kowtow to anyone on any topic. He’s really gotten into a groove in the past few years of not only bringing in voices outside the mainstream accepted narratives but also finding really informed voices.
Irony isn't particularly funny, but it is the heart and soul of comedy.
Rogan is so damn admirable.
Instead of hoarding success he did something we all strive to do; he made the pie bigger, deeper and invited people to join him.
He took younger talents and gave them a platform. Everybody from Schulz & Dillion to the Breaking Points team. He mentored, pushed, promoted and genuinely enjoyed their success.
When they (not sure who was the initial source but they had coordinated talking points) came for Rogan, he handled it with grace & wisdom (and a decent amount of mushrooms 😉).
When we look back at the last decade, the person who had the most positive impact on culture will be Joe Rogan. His authentic curiosity, his willingness to engage with almost anybody, admit when he is wrong and build new things for other comedic talents is awe-inspiring.
Rogan does appear to have achieved something akin to escape velocity with his show. It’s size attracts the biggest names, which grow the show, which attract more star power, which grows the show...
Because the left has successfully taken over all the centers of power. The long March through the institutions.
Which began when we ceded academia to the left.
"What's the worst that can happen?
Now we're getting the picture.
Reminds me of the picture of the wolf cautiously approaching the warm fire with the caption “what’s the worst that can happen with the next picture a poodle all dressed up like a clown😎