Ben Burgis

Date: 2022-02-24 | Duration: 2h 52m

Episode Overview

Ben Burgis joins Joe Rogan for a wide-ranging conversation centered on democratic socialism, media dynamics, and the challenges of political discourse in contemporary America. Burgis critiques the failures of mainstream media, emphasizing how outrage-driven content undermines meaningful dialogue and distorts public understanding. He advocates for stronger social services and worker empowerment, highlighting the need for fair wages and democratic control in workplaces, such as through cooperatives where employees have a say in pay scales. Burgis also reflects on the pitfalls of privatization and the importance of publicly accountable institutions like the postal service. The discussion shifts to the culture of censorship and corporate control over information, with Burgis warning against the dangers of private companies wielding unchecked power to silence dissenting voices. He draws on examples from recent political controversies and social media bans to illustrate how these practices threaten free speech and democratic engagement. Additionally, Burgis touches on the complexities of identity politics and debates around fairness in sports, urging open conversation rather than suppression of differing viewpoints. Throughout, he stresses the importance of nuanced thinking and coalition-building among those who share progressive goals but may disagree on specifics, advocating for a more inclusive and thoughtful left-wing movement.

About Ben Burgis

Ben Burgis is a dynamic columnist for Jacobin Magazine and an adjunct philosophy professor at Morehouse College, where he engages students in critical thought and debate. As the host of the popular podcast and YouTube show “Give Them An Argument,” he explores contemporary issues through a philosophical lens, making complex ideas accessible to a broad audience. Burgis is the author of several thought-provoking books, including “Christopher Hitchens: What He Got Right, How He Went Wrong, and Why He Still Matters,” and “Canceling Comedians While the World Burns: A Critique of the Contemporary Left,” both of which challenge prevailing narratives in today’s cultural landscape. Known for his incisive commentary and willingness to tackle contentious topics, Burgis brings a unique perspective to discussions on politics, philosophy, and comedy.

Key Moments

– Democratic Socialism
– Worker Cooperatives
– Corporate Censorship
– Social Services
– Media Polarization
– Union Organizing
– Political Echo Chambers
– Social Media Impact
– Healthcare Access
– Economic Inequality
– Fascism Definition
– Free Speech
– Sports and Gender
– Political Violence
– Journalism Ethics
– Climate of Outrage
– Capitalism Critique
– Mental Health and Suicide
– COVID-19 Misinformation
– Political Rhetoric
0:01:25 – Discussion of Ben Burgis's book and its themes
0:06:31 – Healthcare and emergency services as public goods
0:08:16 – Comparison of teacher pay to other professions
0:11:43 – Advocacy for well-paid social services
0:15:26 – Concerns about institutions lacking democratic control
0:16:39 – Post office providing basic banking services
0:19:10 – Long-term goals for economic reform and firm failure
0:21:45 – Employee voting on pay scales in cooperatives
0:22:26 – Jeff Bezos's public persona and wealth critique
0:24:35 – Socialism's relevance to various communities
0:27:55 – Need for a more diverse ruling class
0:30:14 – Media strategies targeting political bases
0:34:01 – Religious structures and moral obligations
0:37:32 – Defending democratic socialism
0:41:09 – Voter turnout and political participation
0:50:31 – Consequences of social media bans and censorship
1:02:21 – Union organizing challenges at Starbucks
1:03:39 – COVID-19 misinformation and evolving facts
1:08:10 – Social media's role in political mobilization
1:10:18 – Private companies controlling information flow
1:14:24 – Polarization into left and right categories
1:20:42 – Motivation behind writing the book
1:23:26 – Libertarian views on war and foreign policy
1:25:53 – Debate over transgender athletes in sports
1:34:11 – Learning from transgender athletes' experiences
1:37:02 – Discussion on choice and gender identity
1:40:52 – Avoiding ideological purity and writing people off
1:46:46 – Defining fascism and its absence in the US
1:49:14 – Far-right groups and political violence
1:54:30 – What constitutes journalism and ethics
2:00:00 – Physical assault and political disagreement
2:01:56 – Social media's impact on human communication
2:04:25 – Personal anecdotes on health insurance industry
2:07:07 – Arab Spring and social media's role
2:13:11 – Misery causes for working people in the US
2:15:12 – 2020 protests and riots after George Floyd's murder
2:20:56 – Political backlash to Jacobin articles
2:31:18 – Comedian's refusal to comply with social expectations
2:46:19 – US role in global conflicts and Ukraine

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 the Joe Rogan experience Starting point is 00:00:27 Oh, yeah. Starting point is 00:01:03 Nice. Starting point is 00:01:25 So your book speaks to my heart. Starting point is 00:01:45 and how it hasn't changed. Starting point is 00:02:01 where during weeks that the United States and Russia have been Starting point is 00:02:30 And unfortunately, outrage is what sells. Starting point is 00:02:53 like posting up the brought to you by Pfizer videos Starting point is 00:03:23 and they're trying to get as many views as possible. And they're trying to escape what is this undeniable demise of modern mainstream Starting point is 00:04:18 And people don't, you know, and one thing that really disturbs me about this, I mean, like the book is about all of the things that people who I basically agree with are getting wrong, right? Starting point is 00:05:01 multi-party elections. And so I certainly don't want to associate myself with that but look i mean short term i care very much about you know having Starting point is 00:05:50 and watch netflix and you know person b you know one that wants to work uh for for more hours than Starting point is 00:06:31 Imagine if you had to have money to get your fire put out. We don't think that. If your house burns Starting point is 00:06:59 And you also shouldn't have to do anything special to get treatment if you're sick, to go to college in the first place. Starting point is 00:07:24 Like should they be paid more doing what they're doing or should they go back to school? Starting point is 00:07:51 You sleep there. Starting point is 00:08:16 How come that's not the same thing with teachers? Starting point is 00:08:49 It's so stupid. Starting point is 00:09:15 right, as an ordinary person, if like somebody who has a job like that is paid less. Starting point is 00:09:59 they are here. But so many people think the solution is to you know is to privatize things or you know is is Starting point is 00:10:48 and pursue the...

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Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #1783?

Ben Burgis was the guest on JRE #1783. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #1783?

On Joe Rogan Experience #1783 with Ben Burgis, topics include Democratic Socialism, Worker Cooperatives, Corporate Censorship, and Social Services.

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The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #1783 with Ben Burgis is available on this page, along with key topics and timestamps.