Joe Rogan Experience #708 - Steven Crowder

Episode Summary

Main Topics Discussed

• The episode's opening as the first-ever live broadcast of the Joe Rogan Experience, discussing early internet "monsters" and trolls.
• A humorous segment on nostalgia for old movies and shows (e.g., Altered States, Ninja Turtles, Wild Kratts) and how they don't always hold up upon rewatching as an adult.
• Fascinating and sometimes dangerous facts about the animal kingdom, including distinctions between alligators and crocodiles, invasive species like lampreys and Asian carp, and aggressive marine life (mako sharks, whales swamping kayakers).
• Steven Crowder's experiences with being blocked by celebrities (Lena Dunham, Amy Schumer, Marc Maron) and his past debate with Schumer over a column on celibacy.
• Crowder's unique approach to Christianity and celibacy before marriage, and how it surprisingly became a "final taboo" topic in his stand-up comedy.
• A critical discussion on "PC culture" in stand-up comedy and the perceived erosion of freedom of speech, particularly contrasting the US with Canada's legal protections.
• The Harrison Greenbaum "gay comic" controversy involving Norm Macdonald's critique of a Bible joke, and Crowder's take on the incident.
• Brief mention of Crowder's association with Alex Jones and the nature of their friendship despite differing views.
• Debate over alleged racism and nationalism in Brazil, sparked by discussions of MMA fighters and cultural class structures.
• A lighthearted (and somewhat controversial) segment on identifying gay individuals based on mannerisms and "homo vision."

Key Insights & Memorable Moments

• The initial technical glitches and discussions about YouTube comments highlighted the raw and unpredictable nature of early live streaming.
• Rogan and Crowder explore the idea of "feeding the monsters" (online trolls) by acknowledging their existence, drawing a parallel to the "Candyman" myth.
• Crowder's anecdote about his "raging erection for four years" bit being too explicit for a church audience perfectly illustrates his point about celibacy being the "final taboo" in comedy.
• The discussion on Canadian free speech laws, where a comedian was sued for heckling a woman and a pastor was banned from public speaking, provides a stark example of "PC culture's" potential overreach.
• The segment on children's educational shows like "Wild Kratts" reveals genuinely surprising scientific facts (e.g., crocodile gender determined by temperature), showing how kids can "school" adults.
• The shocking video of the whale breaching and swamping kayakers served as a powerful reminder of nature's unpredictable power.

Notable Quotes or Revelations

• "You're feeding those monsters by bringing up their actual name. Like saying all that stuff like you you're giving them the attention that they so desperately seek." – Joe Rogan, on internet trolls.
• "My 5-year-old just schooled me on crocodile uh the gendered assignment." – Joe Rogan, expressing surprise at a wildlife fact.
• "I didn't want to be a hypocrite. ...As someone who is a, you know, a Christian, I don't really talk about it a lot, but I was like, you know what? I don't want to be I don't want to be a target that easily as far as being a hypocrite, and I that's why I did it." – Steven Crowder, on his choice to be celibate before marriage.
• "It's the final taboo. Like I can go up and be as profane as possible... but then I go up and talk about not having sex and everyone gets so uncomfortable." – Steven Crowder, explaining the unexpected reaction to his celibacy comedy bit.
• "Freedom of speech doesn't really exist in Canada. It's not a legally protected right." – Steven Crowder, commenting on differences in legal protections for speech.

Overall Themes

• The Evolving Digital Landscape: The episode opens with the novelty of live streaming and delves into how the internet creates both communities and "monsters" (trolls), influencing comedy and public discourse.
• Challenging Perceptions and Taboos: From re-evaluating childhood entertainment to Crowder's controversial stand-up about celibacy, the conversation explores how personal beliefs and societal norms clash, especially in areas of religion and sexuality.
• Freedom of Speech vs. Political Correctness: A significant theme is the tension between the right to express oneself (particularly in comedy) and the increasing pressure of "PC culture," highlighting the different legal and social ramifications in various countries.
• Nature's Awe and Danger: Throughout the episode, a recurring, lighter thread emphasizes the fascinating, sometimes dangerous, and always awe-inspiring aspects of the natural world, from animal facts to powerful marine encounters.
• Identity and Authenticity: Discussions touch upon how individuals present themselves, whether online, in their art (comedy), or in their personal lives, and the challenges of being authentic in a critical public sphere.