Jon Ronson

Date: 2017-08-08 | Duration: 2h 38m

Episode Overview

Jon Ronson returns to discuss the profound impact of technology on the adult entertainment industry, focusing on how the rise of free online porn reshaped the business and affected performers. He shares vivid stories from porn sets and explains how platforms like Pornhub disrupted traditional revenue models, leading to a collapse in production budgets and a shift toward niche, highly searchable content. Ronson also touches on the moral debates surrounding the industry and the often overlooked human consequences for those involved, including the stigma performers face after leaving porn. The conversation then shifts to Ronson’s exploration of radical honesty groups, where participants practice extreme transparency, revealing surprising insights about human behavior and social dynamics. He reflects on the cultural shifts in Silicon Valley and the broader tech world, highlighting how moral and ethical considerations often lag behind rapid innovation. Finally, Ronson delves into his encounters with conspiracy theorists and fringe beliefs, sharing anecdotes about remote viewing, military experiments, and the allure of conspiratorial thinking in powerful circles. Throughout, he balances skepticism with empathy, offering a nuanced look at the intersection of truth, belief, and modern society.

About Jon Ronson

Jon Ronson is a celebrated writer and documentary filmmaker known for his unique exploration of the absurdities of modern life. He gained widespread recognition with his best-selling book, *The Men Who Stare at Goats*, which delves into the bizarre world of military experimentation with psychic abilities. Ronson’s latest work, *So You've Been Publicly Shamed*, examines the dark side of social media and the impact of online shaming, showcasing his knack for blending humor with poignant insights. His engaging storytelling and thought-provoking subjects make him a compelling voice in contemporary literature and documentary filmmaking, capturing the complexities of human behavior and societal norms.

Key Moments

– Porn Industry
– Tech Industry
– Internet Piracy
– Radical Honesty
– Social Media Impact
– Conspiracy Theories
– Mixed Martial Arts
– Psychopathy
– Remote Viewing
– Military Tactics
– Sex Offender Registry
– Child Protection
– Media Manipulation
– Cultural Stigma
– Personal Responsibility
– Political Polarization
– Documentary Filmmaking
– Mental Health
– Internet Culture
– Entertainment Industry
0:00:00 – Introduction and welcome to Jon Ronson
0:02:22 – Discussion on porn stars and tech industry overlap
0:04:42 – Moral debates surrounding porn consumption
0:06:58 – Collapse of the porn industry and financial impacts
0:08:12 – Consequences of internet actions and piracy
0:13:49 – Searchability and categorization of porn films
0:23:32 – Introduction to radical honesty groups
0:26:10 – How children learn about sex today
0:29:10 – Emotional toll of working in the porn industry
0:33:10 – Experiences of being accused of wrongthink
0:36:18 – Recreational outrage and racial sensitivity in media
0:40:00 – Modern presidential behavior on social media
0:42:51 – Leaving extremist groups and personal transformation
0:47:22 – Women being bullied by men discussion
0:49:48 – Tech takeover of porn and its effects
0:54:20 – Jon Ronson's visit to the Republican National Convention
0:57:30 – Rituals and symbolism among American elites
1:02:39 – Origins of secret societies and rituals
1:05:08 – Jon Ronson's complex relationship with Alex Jones
1:15:00 – Violence and brutality in extremist groups
1:23:24 – No-protest zones and protest dynamics
1:28:23 – Shootings involving Randy and Vicky
1:31:20 – Jon Ronson's religious and cultural identity
1:34:36 – Visit to Infowars and observations
1:39:44 – Alex Jones' stress and public persona
1:43:00 – Military remote viewing and paranormal investigations
1:54:20 – Fake martial arts and death touch myths
2:00:08 – Real fights disproving death touch claims
2:05:44 – Discussion of the 'gay bomb' military concept
2:08:59 – Jihad and personal stories of radicalization
2:12:55 – Psychopathy checklist and grandiose self-worth
2:13:30 – Mixed martial arts as problem solving
2:15:24 – WWE's reaction to Jon Ronson's work
2:17:43 – Early exposure to perversion and its effects
2:20:48 – Parental responsibility in child protection
2:23:12 – Levels of depravity in modern porn
2:30:48 – Consequences of porn exposure on careers
2:33:05 – Discussion on racial terminology and urban language
2:34:13 – Closing remarks and how to find Jon Ronson's work

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 three two one John Ronson welcome back Joe it's good to be back good to see you again very good Starting point is 00:00:27 porn set Starting point is 00:00:37 which I'm Starting point is 00:00:44 tech nerd in Brussels. Starting point is 00:01:03 That was like in the 90s. Starting point is 00:02:06 where we are now in the valley, Starting point is 00:02:22 if you're a porn star Starting point is 00:02:56 accounts, that seems unlikely. I mean, I would believe that maybe mortgages, they would think Starting point is 00:03:21 Right. Starting point is 00:03:55 But because he wasn't ostensibly a porn person, he was a tech person who was deemed to be respectable. Starting point is 00:04:28 because Fabian was giving the world what they wanted, Starting point is 00:04:42 And there was a lot of like moral. It was a huge issue. And there was a lot of, like, moral debate. Starting point is 00:05:02 But, you know, porn consumers didn't care. Starting point is 00:05:37 baller character and then it all dried up it all dried up i mean all dried up. I mean, it dried up quick. Yeah. It all went into Fabian's pocket. Starting point is 00:05:58 So the ads? Starting point is 00:06:37 You know you're doing well when you get your own diver. Starting point is 00:06:58 And when the porn industry essentially, for the most part, collapsed, or at least there was a massive amount of loss. Starting point is 00:07:22 So you walk in. Starting point is 00:07:49 He'd call it progress. Starting point is 00:08:12 don't think about consequences on the internet that much. Starting point is 00:08:31 I have never uploaded pirated porn. Starting point is 00:09:10 i don't but that thing about not taking responsibility for your own actions i just Starting point is 00:10:00 watched, he's called Brandon. If you've ever watched Pornhub on your mobile, Starting point is 00:10:29 maybe it would have been good if more Pornhub people did set foot on porn sets because you Starting point is...

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Frequently asked about this episode

Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #995?

Jon Ronson was the guest on JRE #995. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #995?

On Joe Rogan Experience #995 with Jon Ronson, topics include Porn Industry, Tech Industry, Internet Piracy, and Radical Honesty.

Where can I read the transcript for JRE #995?

The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #995 with Jon Ronson is available on this page, along with key topics and timestamps.