Dr. Bradley Garrett

Date: 2020-07-28 | Duration: 2h 46m

Episode Overview

Dr. Bradley Garrett dives into the world of urban exploration, prepping culture, and the hidden histories beneath our cities. He shares firsthand experiences of navigating abandoned tunnels, sewers, and disused infrastructure, revealing how these forgotten spaces tell stories of past societies and modern urban life. Garrett also discusses the subculture of preppers, people who prepare for societal collapse or disaster, highlighting how the COVID-19 pandemic shifted public perception of prepping from fringe paranoia to practical necessity. He recounts encounters with survivalists living in converted missile silos and underground bunkers, illustrating the lengths some go to secure safety in uncertain times. The conversation also touches on Garrett’s academic background in maritime archaeology and cultural geography, which informs his approach to uncovering and interpreting historical sites. He reflects on the ethical dilemmas of archaeology, especially regarding indigenous lands and artifacts, emphasizing respect for ancestral heritage. Additionally, Garrett explores themes of conspiracy, government secrecy, and the recent acknowledgment of UFO phenomena, connecting these to broader questions about trust, knowledge, and societal fears. Throughout, his stories blend adventure, scholarship, and cultural critique, offering a unique perspective on how humans interact with both the visible and hidden layers of the world around them.

About Dr. Bradley Garrett

Dr. Bradley Garrett is an acclaimed American social and cultural geographer at University College Dublin, renowned for his insightful exploration of urban spaces and human behavior. As a writer for The Guardian, he brings a unique perspective to contemporary issues, bridging academia and journalism. His notable work, "Bunker: Building for the End Times," delves into the psychology and architecture of survivalism, sparking conversations about societal fears and preparedness in an uncertain world. Garrett's interdisciplinary approach and thought-provoking insights make him a captivating voice in discussions surrounding culture, geography, and the future of cities.

Key Moments

– Urban Exploration
– Prepping
– Disaster Preparedness
– Pandemic Impact
– Archaeology
– Indigenous History
– Survivalism
– Nuclear Bunkers
– Conspiracy Theories
– UFO Phenomena
– Climate Change
– Cultural Geography
– Ancient Technology
– Environmental Collapse
– Social Division
– Government Surveillance
– Historical Erasure
– Sewer Systems
– Extinction Events
0:00:09 – Discussion on mustache and appearance
0:01:31 – Question about living before prepping obsession
0:07:58 – Experience during L.A. lockdown in Big Bear
0:09:45 – Trail run in Joshua Tree National Park
0:12:21 – Stigma and embarrassment around prepping
0:14:02 – Preppers' belief in imminent societal collapse
0:16:10 – Importance of water purification in disasters
0:18:17 – Economic impact on businesses during pandemic
0:21:39 – Virus impact on capitalist economies
0:24:26 – Potential asteroid impact as extinction event
0:27:29 – Controversy over eradication of invasive species
0:30:33 – Academic background in maritime archaeology and geography
0:33:19 – Ancient weapon-making techniques discussion
0:36:57 – Discovery of temple in Yucatan Peninsula
0:38:53 – Impact of colonization on indigenous ancestral sites
0:45:32 – Ancient Greek computer and ocean exploration tool
0:49:13 – Randall Carlson on meteor impacts
0:51:24 – Origins of flood stories and ancient events
0:56:44 – Academic criticism of prepping culture
1:00:31 – Preppers' use of religious materials for survival
1:05:22 – Survival Condo: missile silo converted to bunker
1:09:06 – Security concerns in survival bunkers
1:11:33 – Extinction-level event survival strategies
1:13:15 – Stories of reliance on FEMA during disasters
1:17:04 – Mormon culture and prepping
1:18:50 – Cold War civil defense shelters and supplies
1:20:33 – Experience inside survival condo with Larry Hall
1:27:51 – Impact of internet on distribution of bad news
1:29:40 – Cold War nuclear fears and mushroom cloud imagery
1:31:08 – Psychological preparedness for disasters
1:33:31 – Community tensions during riots and unrest
1:36:01 – Distrust of government among preppers
1:40:42 – Paris sewer system exploration
1:45:47 – Toby Ord's 'The Precipice' on existential risks
1:48:58 – Mining conditions in Africa for tech minerals
2:00:56 – Cannibalism in pre-colonial environments
2:04:10 – Indigenous hunting and survival techniques
2:08:52 – Off-grid communities and sniper posts
2:13:06 – Fighter pilot UFO encounter discussion
2:18:13 – Government admission of alien craft possession
2:22:16 – Human tendency to rationalize past events
2:29:43 – Mapping of London tube and lost stations
2:33:49 – Arrest and handcuffing at Heathrow airport
2:38:25 – Legal troubles and court outcomes
2:41:21 – Upcoming book 'London Rising' mentioned

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 And... Starting point is 00:00:09 The mustache, lower piece combo. Starting point is 00:00:20 Val Kilmer is Doc Holliday. Starting point is 00:00:34 Because you do have one of them Starting point is 00:00:51 preps, you know, you just try a little too hard Starting point is 00:01:11 But every once in a while, I'll see someone in a grocery store or whatever, and I'm like, okay. Starting point is 00:01:31 Did you live there before you got obsessed with prepping? Starting point is 00:02:07 Jamie's going to turn this towards you there. Starting point is 00:02:27 I spent a lot of time with them. Starting point is 00:02:47 So I send everyone messages. Starting point is 00:03:06 And so I didn't go, obviously. Starting point is 00:03:39 we can just enjoy it. But if we ever needed to all sort of leave together at the same time, we could go to the cabin. Starting point is 00:04:04 And every time I come back to California, I think, damn, this place is unique. Starting point is 00:04:16 That's not bad at all. Starting point is 00:04:32 So if you want to do mushrooms, it's a good spot to live. Starting point is 00:05:02 And cities just suck the money out of you. Starting point is 00:05:43 Bang. I'm wheeling her out of the hospital Starting point is 00:06:01 Yeah. Starting point is 00:06:31 You know what I mean? Starting point is 00:06:41 That's true. Starting point is 00:07:07 But I have to say, Starting point is 00:07:26 What would we do? Starting point is 00:07:58 But the thing about Big Bear, right, is that when we were in lockdown in L.A., in the early days of it, like, again, I'm speaking from a space of privilege here, you know, because my paychecks were still coming in and whatever. Starting point is 00:08:25 And when they shut down the beaches and the trails in Los Angeles and I couldn't get outside anymore, Starting point is 00:08:45 Yeah. Starting point is 00:09:09 that shows that it dies almost instantly it's in sunlight so when you're outsid...

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Frequently asked about this episode

Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #1515?

Dr. Bradley Garrett was the guest on JRE #1515. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #1515?

On Joe Rogan Experience #1515 with Dr. Bradley Garrett, topics include Urban Exploration, Prepping, Disaster Preparedness, and Pandemic Impact.

Where can I read the transcript for JRE #1515?

The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #1515 with Dr. Bradley Garrett is available on this page, along with key topics and timestamps.