Joe Rogan Experience #484 — Alexis Ohanian Transcript

Transcript

0:00 Joe Rogan Podcast, check it out! with no professionalism attached to it. Fuck all these silly people that can't say that. I'll tell you what I own. Oh, that's awesome. Yeah. We were in Lowell. Wow. Yeah, a really, really good guy. after his fighting days, It's been snoped. I know what you mean. You could probably check snoops for this, though. It fits it.

3:13 It's not the manliest, most manly bodybuilder ever. Thank goodness. cool. innovation, if anything is going down anywhere in the world at any time, we i mean it's it's amazing uh when steve steve hoffman my co-founder and i started this thing I'm in Medford. we worked our asses off it's crazy 100% They fled the genocide. So I'm half Armenian. Yeah. And, uh, and I feel like having, I mean, right there. Yeah. Certainly from the Armenian side, you know, they came out of survival. My mom actually came for love to marry my dad,

6:52 of being born here instead of over there. Good for him. And I was like, who is on a rock station talking about the Armenian genocide? It's crazy that we're having this conversation because just 17 hours ago, the U.S. Senate committee passed an Armenian genocide resolution. So I just shut it off. and hurling bows and arrows and the house passes And it's frustrating.

9:31 against SOPA PIPA to get through. I'd be talking about kids of today. makes me makes me jealous frankly it makes me very hopeful too have known this technology from jump oh right, we can go seek out this information. that the up-and-coming comic now has to learn from to look to share like yeah the amount of Yeah. Louis Black has a great I wouldn't have even known that Louis Black had it.

12:56 And think about it this way, right? in this instance, like comics who are connected, who are watching, who are seeing what someone is whether it's in that or blogs, the guy or the girl who's an actual writer, holy shit, like, I don't even know how to do this. oh, my God, with dog shit in the first place. but something like Reddit exposes that. Also not my quote.

15:41 Ah, well, I mean, really early internet. a next generation forum platform. And then what we realized that Dig and all the Dig clones didn't We're interested in like just football. or asking questions about science, The vote up, vote down system is such a brilliant system because you're always going to have noise. Yeah. I mean, there is no perfect system. We constantly fight against ring voting, all that stuff. But Steve built a really smart system with a really smart hotness algorithm. And by the way,

18:06 Yes. I don't recall if it was like an explicit, like, I guess they wouldn't call it a false flag thing in the memo, if this thing actually worked, it. What they effectively do is create a self post, which is now a feature in the site. But about shit. It's not even linking to other content on the internet. And we never could And you see this, right?

20:30 it's it seems to have weird it's it's got a combination of meanings it's like some people hacking being some sort of an adolescent prankster type behavior, Bill Niener earlier, like Steve Wozniak being an example. let's take things a little less seriously You know, well, now we know that someone can hack into your page. So the white hat hacker is the quintessential like, hey, I found out there's a problem with your website.

22:45 No, you can't. You know no you can't you know yeah it's interesting man it's it's the the amount of information that's and that's where it all pools together It's like these shots are being fired. It would be. These people that have been doing it in a sneaky, dirty, underhanded way since the jump. That's one of the reasons why they wanted to put term limits.

25:11 He's one of those long-term... you're looking at it all wrong. Little pieces of bullet in their bodies. bullet theory but that all came from our inspector that all came from that sort of old school politician. get into it for the right reasons and then be able to stay in it for the Like, it's just such a mess, a viper's nest that you're like, what?

27:00 he's a nice guy he drinks water he doesn't want to have anything to do with drugs. And he gets co-opted by the Matthew McConaughey character. Yeah, it does. and he was a maniac. I saw him in a bar he was a stockbroker. what did you make yeah you have 100 billion dollars you don't have any money there's no like a lot of these politicians who probably do go into it with good intentions,

29:46 And then you get in there and you're like, oh, fuck. Yeah. Right. 12, but I feel like the software is going to keep getting better and better with crowdfunding and wait a minute, well, okay. What are we doing here? The war against drugs is a crazy idea. It's a crazy term. It my goodness the war against drugs is such a farce crazy idea it's it's It's ridiculous.

33:00 And I mean, what happens if we get legal weed But if you're not having feds knocking down doors in the District of Columbia, I think say it i'm like this bitch is trolling she's trolling obviously she's too good at it obvious That's where it all began, isn't it? literally millions of people can see i mean it gets a little weird when you see like rick astley

35:17 and spreads across, I mean, or an organism, Yes. you didn't make that. Shoulders of giants, man. Good for you. Wow, bad things, man. um that i'm more interested in the stuff that you know calms me down yes chills me out chills me out or film, Reefer Madness. But there's a lot of people anyone exactly those are the same people that would drink cough syrup they would drink fucking

39:06 thing that's naturally occurring, could you imagine a culture in which information is sent instantaneously all over the globe it makes you sleep easier, it removes anxiety, Yeah. slavery was abolished and the cotton gin was what was really, what shut down marijuana is the We can do all the right steps, but we can't do getting hemp protein powder, there's zero THC

41:34 Related to the plant. Poppy seed bagel. What if your business is prison guards? It's a horrible vampire system. There's young fellas that are very smart and unconventional I'm saying, Like I have no fucking clue what I'm doing. But, like, every one of us is a fallible human. And, and for, you know, I remember I was a freshman at UVA when 9-11 millennials look at that very skeptically because we're like, all right, you know what?

45:03 I know. Because I think there's a divisiveness or there's a separation that comes when you start Generation X, Generation Y. And you're Generation Y. I'm in the background going, don't. No he was just shopping for hats And he gives advice to comedians. But his ideas are terrible. somewhere who actually because it's sort of the girl feels bad. some comedians that

47:34 Oh yeah keep dancing Well I mean I don't know I don't know exactly His moves are good. Mitzi did it also with Carlos Mince. Fuck yeah. Yeah, Mitzi made him. Yeah, well, I don't hate the guy. Did Mitzi ever give you any advice that you either took or didn't take? It was sick. and then everybody's like, oh, she's stealing his money. everybody laughing they're fucking idiots.

49:36 She just didn't like, it wasn't her style of comedy. Like, if I know that Stan Hope is in the room, I'll probably ramp something up. Comics do that. Yeah. he goes, If you got it down you understand yourself better so you're not as insecure, And once you do that, it's fairly easy. how to do comedy. That happens after a I listen to every, I tape every single one of my things.

52:20 that I shouldn't do anymore or write down shit that's the front end is clunky and it As far as memory, that's the best way. because I still, for whatever reason, I haven't let go of the nipple. and i was like i noticed you have the pebble have you tried the yes the gears or whatever the watches from it doesn't play with iOS, It looks interesting. What about Google Glass?

55:20 Yeah, those are all my joke notes. Like, because I feel like if you want to stay on the top of your game, this is the stuff you have to do. It backs up automatically. I'll dig you up and then you can suck it. they're going to make you gay. No. Does it send text I think the long play, and I don't have to be that guy Oh, they won't let you... I can't get

57:49 You have to use a different program, like, what's it called? Whoa, and then you get the black bars. Okay. Just do a smaller one. I think even if they go, I mean, they've got designers now designing glasses. So, like, they're working with doctors at Beth Israel who can use them to help check in folks, get their records, because they need both their hands free, right?

59:49 Oh, God, yes. They're really dope. The streets around it. It's called smart car tipping. I guess from time to time. You've done it, right? Was it like a calf? Cow tipping's huge in Ohio. Did you really go cow tipping, Brian? I want it to be one of those night vision videos of the cow. Okay. It's like really aggressive. Find something real. We never left the house, man.

1:02:53 Like, let's Snopes. All right. we feel confident in saying that this and you can go right up to them and tip them right over. All right. Wow. No, break into the fence. but that's what we used to do And if they're down, they're hurt. Sounds like cow rolling. They're just lying down cows. completely standing up, maybe. I heard other people were doing it, and I'm like,

1:06:54 Cow rolling? We need to. While cows may doze off for a few minutes at a time while standing up, Because what everybody says is that cows are sleeping and you go up and push them. Well, that shit gets wrestling style. Now whenever I drive What's going on? How many times did you do it? And it was just like everyone would go to this bridge in the middle of nowhere.

1:09:10 in all the fields You didn't have cell phones Exhilarating. diet to kill the mushrooms because so many kids are harvesting meanwhile probably makes the kids It's really cool. I shouldn't have told you guys about it. they call it when they went out on that Because I was like Dude, you were one of those kids Berries that tastes good, actually, is dandelions.

1:12:12 And I was like, that's dandelions? You can make tea? Dandelion business. Yeah. It starts here. It's easy to do, I bet, though. I wouldn't want to be in anything in a top speed. You see that thing? Maybe you, bitch. They're small, man. Northern California yesterday. I am firmly in the self-driving car camp. That's a new meme, bro. And we're getting there.

1:15:43 when we were talking about it, going to miss. what's the justification for letting someone drive their own car And then at any point, you can just hit the brake There would be bits of that, the hope is, though, humans are resourceful. people taking lawnmowers on the highway fuck the robots tractors yeah while anything with Um, I think we're already at a point now where we can better understand, uh, human DNA.

1:18:49 And you imagine, okay, well, let's say that happens. Do you want a blue eye? technology and innovation. And it's a thing that human beings are thirsty for. I don't know if Radio Shack's a sponsor, guys, And I go, when is that? That's the thing. who was demoing video games. great because it got all of my public speaking fears out of the way uh because i spent two years

1:21:31 That seems like a really good idea there are some very good public speakers in tech, but the common stereotype is that they're not. because he was the first guy who gave me a shot. but it really is some weird life lesson. so much about entrepreneurship, right? Customer is not always right, if you can bridge that gap of like empathy, uh, and just, and, and dealing with it and solving problems with other humans. And if you can make, if you can bridge that gap of like empathy, man, I tell you that every single day as an entrepreneur, every single day.

1:23:33 I was just looking for like a labor gig for the summer. three hours i lasted like two weeks but i used to think about it forever i would think about want to be the next Zuck, or the next I'm not saying that we're not. Over-enunciating. try to keep that perspective as best I can, which is hard, but, um, it's the fact, and look, welders for carbon for all for all these people because we don't have a generation coming up now

1:27:01 They all work together on this. I can't remember what Mike Rowe's organization is called, Well, then. it would be a harrowing experience. when you see what's happened just in the short amount of time that Reddit's been around, That was my first moment. I had a 14.4. And then there was like dual line 56k, I mean, there's already they're right they're

1:29:29 Really? And replacement limb technology basically hasn't changed at all. and to see the improvements on feet This bionic eye thing is freaking me the fuck out. this area and meeting a bunch of you know fellow cyborgs all over the world talking about this. An artist is born literally colorblind, 31-year-old Nir Harbison. Maybe he thinks it's colors Dude it's just like an iPhone

1:32:33 It worked until you touched it In like 2005 2006 he can see and so just to get colors okay no wait there's there's an antenna but this is the artist Yeah. whole singularity push is they they are optimistic uh futurists there are definitely a lot of question like consciousness and humanity and all kinds of really big awesome things absolutely I've got a front row seat, and it's been fascinating.

1:36:04 how much they've created and how far they've come is so much further along. And so we are, And they can do highway driving in this Audi. And things like the Google Glass, Probably next week. They had that big-ass brick phone. It was a corded phone in a suitcase. Look at this fucking asshole with his fucking phone coming out of his suitcase. And I think no one who had one of those stupid brick phones ever saw that coming.

1:38:43 I had a cell phone in my car. Wait, like a car phone? Yeah. I had a cell phone in 1989. I had a cell phone in my car. was dating. I wound up breaking up so it was like she couldn't even drive the car so i was driving the car then i was There was a guy named Jackie Flynn. and it wouldn't work everywhere. It would like, you would drive down the street. It

1:40:30 And start making a call. I'm still learning about this whole LA thing. You know it's there. I was driving. And that's why self-driving cars will change everything. I've done it. It's not good. california where everybody's like we go from one box into another box and occasionally we see people No, not to. Yeah. If it fell into the ocean, you'd still stay alive.

1:43:34 But I just never, I don't know. Tinder is huge. Oh, maybe that's actually definitely what it is. I don't get it. Let me know. Nothing goes away anymore. That's what I was going to ask you. Like, they basically said, we're not going to. and they're like, from one forum, of our trees. It's pretty spectacular. don'ts. I mean, I'm sure, you know, as soon as Reddit became as, you know, 200, whatever million

1:47:07 you're dealing with the numbers of see through bullshit and that will post Reddit or I have a message board that's been or at least non-unanimous opinions which is pretty good. posting something about an ex-girlfriend or being rude about information or photos, So oftentimes those things will be on YouTube or Imgur, and that's, we're kind of like a traffic sign or like a map to it. Um, but we

1:49:52 floating up like that that wasn't adding any value. going through there's still anonymity and the anonymity is something that people cherish distributing all sorts of nasty evil shit and then what did you think about here's a good example of soapbox or a printing press or a hammer, right? Like any kind of tool. And so at the end of the every single thing that gets done in real time. Um, we make our best effort. And when on occasion,

1:53:20 Yes, they are definitely probably quote unquote cyber harassing, but that precedent the laws to be. but like there is this challenge that like there there is no, there is no easy answer for this because yeah um and that's the kind of phrase for it but uh but it's a matter of figuring that out and i'm they might do it and some people take and and i think there is in in one thing i should stress is that just having a real identity does

1:57:01 So having a real id will not stop people and someone takes a photo of it and then puts it on reddit boom shalak lock boom it's coming at you son yeah What would they exchange it for? I'm actually an investor in a couple of Bitcoin stocks. denmark tomorrow like right it's absurd and And so much of the financial system How's the Kardashian coin? It's part of what makes us fun.

1:59:48 It would be ridiculous. they provide that extra that just makes Wow, the symphony of life. You should. He is the Jesus Not really. Does that make sense? Where did this person just immediately come? and I don't like it. Yeah, sure. For a short overview, the Tor browser bundle. You're going to be selling books. But Real Talk. it's been like it is it it really is one of those pure forms of, so it's open source software, right?

2:03:37 And not a business. I know they responded by saying, if he did create Bitcoin, You can't do that. The guy came up with some sort of an algorithm to make an alternative currency. God damn, it's awkward. Fucking, it's scary shit, man. I know, but that freaks me out. that want it to work. So like Overstock made headlines. Tiger Direct doing it. Meaning, like, I was thinking about doing it, but then I was like, wait.

2:07:34 Yeah. And then from there, it becomes one of the biggest Bitcoin exchanges on the Internet. I'm not allowed to tell you guys. I mean, it would really make it all the more tangible I think the general consensus online was it was some kind of an inside job the, and, It may be another cryptocurrency. And I mean, it's, and ultimately, it may not be Bitcoin. It may be another cryptocurrency.

2:09:35 bobsled team to the Olympics Yeah, the original. how hilarious it was. Really? So like forever and a day, people have pitched micro tips. these tip bots so that if you say something cool on Reddit, you just type in a comment with this I like the idea behind it. Shebna. It's a huge deal. Nice dog. He's a sweetie. He little guy. Bull Sheeb? I don't recall him. Nice dog.

2:12:41 That's not going to get you. Oh, that'll get you a few upvotes. does it kind of freak you out that you're a part of that? Reddit's up to 40. You got a certain look about you. startup called hit monk a travel search website and and then the sopa pippa thing happened and screwed things up. and like meeting with senators and representatives it was amazing. I'd never been a part of something like that. That was so successful. Those bills

2:16:11 indebted, but it's partly because I just want better stuff. I want better music and I want Sorry, Tom Freeman, but the World Wide Web is. We are now in a position where cable companies, So it would be like trying to start your own cable company. the federal courts recently ruled it pretty much much cable companies can have their way now. the same open flat internet, no matter what. And, and we're at an interesting time because there was a time in america when you know kids in new york were playing by radios with electricity and kids in the south

2:19:10 And it's anti-innovation. is frankly having representatives in office who understand and will fight for our internet rights Like we actually did the thing democracy was supposed to do, which is let a bunch of informed citizens take action, phone calls, petitions, letters, all that stuff, and change I hope we feel entitled to more transparency That's absurd.

2:21:05 But yeah, seeing the bills that they're working on and what's going on at any given moment. We just need to be asking for it. Yeah, but not necessarily seeing their lunch. Yeah. They already read them. It's only fair. And Paul Graham, who organized Y Combinator, was like, hey, Steve, Alexis, you guys need more developers. Why don't you work with Aaron?

2:22:39 Like he, the entire thing, he broke into a storeroom in MIT, downloaded using MIT's credentials, a bunch of these documents, research papers, JSTOR. They wanted to make an example of him. This is, I don't know enough about the legal stuff of it. No. that you have to pay a subscription for. He argued that, you know what, I mean, I think I'm not certain, but i'm sure that's what the argument is so um and then

2:25:17 Store but I guess okay and one of these not even like a random outside guy like he had access to those files We don't want you to press charges. getting a case and wanting to close it and make an example there's pressure on you to close that And law as it is and things, these really rigid ideas of what's legal and illegal, what the punishment can and can't be.

2:27:30 I understand it's information, Yeah. and he finds this to be a toxic flaw in it's shocking. I don't know where it got in the house. Well, what's incredibly ironic is the solution is Reddit. You got a mallet? Subreddits. Karma point. students? No. just because of the wrong reason, and the guy had, you know, I am not proposing we throw out our justice system in favor of Reddit.

2:30:58 Not only that, preclude them from having any sort of position of power Let me pull it up. Yeah, you want to watch it. But one of the interesting things about it was but whoever the guy is that's the narrator, vote up vote down solving problems i think we are dude we're solving good about it i feel good Sweet. No, I mean, but what if it was just an option,

2:33:24 You're dealing with all this other stuff. I mean, it's a content distribution network. We'd made websites, Did you originally buy the domain? Oh, I was in the library, And then I tried different ways was like, I'll go with the two Ds, idiot. to spread cool shit, Your book is, without their permission, is it available in audio? That's beautiful. It doesn't matter what you think of my Bane impression.

2:36:01 It's fucking hilarious. Okay, so without their permission, E-book, Dead Trees, everything. Fuck the haters. It's been an honor. dot com. Use the code and April 20th, 420 show at the we'll be at the Ice House. Tonight. Nick Yusuf. ladies and gentlemen. I got a lot of stuff happening. Wait a minute. Big kisses and hugs all around.