Felice told me Scott Galloway took his podcast down from Spotify, and he pointed to Roxane Gay's opinion piece in the "Times" as an explanation.
I'd proffer that most people defending Joe Rogan have no idea who these two people are. And that's fine, no one can know everything, but you don't want to live in an echo chamber.
I go to the Fox News site every day. I listen to the channel on SiriusXM. Do I agree with everything they have to say? No. But I want to know what they are thinking, I don't want to live in a bubble, I want to have context.
Furthermore, they sometimes say something, even Tucker Carlson, that makes me think, that stimulates me to do more research. Same with the Op-Ed pages of the "Wall Street Journal." But Carlson and his ilk have poisoned the water. Despite quoting from the "New York Times" ad infinitum, they denigrate it and constantly tell YOU not to read it, that it's untrustworthy hogwash. And that is possible, but you'd have to read the "Times" to form an opinion.
Just like all the people saying one has to listen to Joe Rogan. I certainly have, but this is not what we're talking about, the fact that even a high percentage of the show might not be inflammatory, that does not mean he gets a pass on the rest of it. Whoopi Goldberg mischaracterizes the Holocaust, and she's off the air for two weeks. Joe Rogan spreads misinformation and he escapes unscathed. And Joe reaches more people!
I point you to Rabbi Joshua M. Davidson's letter about Whoopi to the aforementioned "Times":
"According to a nationwide survey of millennials and Gen Z conducted in 2020 by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (https://bit.ly/3gnDvT8), more than 60 percent of respondents were unaware that six million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust and nearly half could not name a single Nazi death camp. And more than 10 percent believed that Jews actually caused the Holocaust."
https://nyti.ms/3sfdew8
If you're not horrified by this, you're an anti-Semite.
You think if you know something, everybody else does too. But the years keep passing, they're constantly making new people, it turns out we have to educate young people, which is why misinformation is such a huge problem. There are a ton of Holocaust-deniers. Should they be able to have a platform on Spotify?
So, what does writer Roxane Gay have to say?
1. We don't live in a vacuum. With a large audience comes a responsibility to the truth, things you might get away with saying amongst your friends don't pass muster if they're widely disseminated.
And Ms. Gay also makes the point that we DON'T live in a vacuum, we are all in it together and we have to behave accordingly.
But the heart of the matter is:
2. "I would never support censorship. And because I am a writer, I know that language matters. There's a difference between censorship and curation. When we are not free to express ourselves, when we can be thrown in jail or even lose our lives for speaking freely, that is censorship. When we say, as a society, that bigotry and misinformation are unacceptable, and that people who espouse those ideas don't deserve access to significant platforms, that's curation. We are expressing our taste and moral discernment, and saying what we find acceptable and what we do not."
BINGO!
Furthermore:
3. "Too many people believe that the right to free speech means the right to say whatever they want, wherever, whenever, on whatever platform they choose, without consequence. They want free speech to exist in a vacuum, free from context, free from criticism. That, like the idea that living in an off-the-grid yurt frees one from the demands, responsibilities and complicities of human society, is an illusion."
There's that nonexistent vacuum again.
And hammering the nail in:
4. "Spotify does not exist in a vacuum, and the decisions it makes about what content it hosts have consequences. To say that maybe Mr. Rogan should not be given unfettered access to Spotify's more than 400 million users is not censorship, as some have suggested. It is curation."
And this is why misinformation is so dangerous:
5. "Misinformation has contributed to tens of millions of people believing the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump. It contributed to the Jan. 6 insurrection. And misinformation has helped prolong the Covid-19 pandemic and encouraged people to do dangerous things such as injecting bleach or taking Ivermectin..."
Finally:
6. " The platforms allowing this misinformation to flourish and intensify consistently abdicate their responsibility to curate effectively. Instead, they offer tepid, ambiguous, and ineffective policies. They frame doing nothing as a principled stand to protect free speech, but really, they're protecting their bottom line."
https://nyti.ms/3slhslB
Instead of having a knee-jerk reaction based on what you've heard from your team, you'd be better off DOING YOUR OWN RESEARCH by hearing opposing ideas, which will help you formulate and solidify your thoughts.
Which is why I'm excerpting so many of Ms. Gay's words here. Because to get someone to click on a link can be nearly impossible, never mind get them to read what you've linked to, especially if it's in the "New York Times.
But none of the haters e-mailing me ever goes this deep. All they say is it's CENSORSHIP! We're all entitled to FREE SPEECH! And we don't know enough about Joe Rogan.
We've watched and listened to clips of Joe Rogan, is that not enough? Are we supposed to buy that 1/6 was "legitimate political discourse"? Are we supposed to deny what we saw and heard?
Ms. Gay has illustrated how it's not censorship, and it truly is not. Certainly not under the law. And she's taking Spotify to task for being hands-off, which it is, all in the name of profits and the tech wall, where nobody with a platform wants to give an inch, especially if it's gray, they can think in black and white, zeros and ones, but not concepts.
And I'm going to let you in on a dirty little secret. If you're running a billion dollar company you don't have TIME to read and explore every opinion. So, you RELY on direction and feedback to be in touch with what is going on at your company, the impact of its actions, the context.
I'll listen to your explanation why Rogan deserves a pass, I just haven't gotten a reasonable one yet. Just full throttle hatred saying it's censorship and he should be able to say and do whatever he wants, irrelevant of the consequences. But no one should believe this, NO ONE! No one is inviolate, some day they're going to come after you, and you want the same rights, the same protections. Hell, that's how we got into this mess, because white people were and still are afraid of losing power, their dominance. And the future always comes, and more often than not it's positive. What is inherently wrong with having a rainbow of colors in society? I think it actually ends up reducing hatred.
So read this Roxane Gay piece.
And I don't think Joe Rogan should be excised for all time from Spotify. But I do believe he should pay a price, just like Whoopi Goldberg. He needs to be told the truth, he has to reflect on the fact that his words have consequences. Just like Trump's. Trump said, with no verification whatsoever, that he won the election. And now tens of millions of people believe him, even though there's not a shred of information supporting this.
And don't tell me it's both sides. Democrats lost the governorship in Virginia, they didn't say there was a flaw in the system, that really their candidate won, THEY ACCEPTED IT!
No one wins all the time.
Unless you rig the game. And if you do, people lose faith in the game. Integrity is everything. Do you really want to support the sign stealing of the Houston Astros? I think not.
Which is just my point, to think. Roxane Gay has framed this issue in a way that anybody can understand it. Assuming you're open to new information, which sadly too many people are not.
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Friday, 4 February 2022
India.Arie And Joe Rogan
"India.Arie Shares Clips Of Joe Rogan Calling Black People 'Apes' And Using N-Word": https://bit.ly/3seXhWx
Morgan Wallen is caught drunk, surreptitiously, uttering the n-word and he becomes a cultural pariah. To the point where a year later, many people still believe he should continue to pay a price and be banned. Furthermore, Spotify removed his music from its playlists, they DE-EMPHASIZED IT! But Joe Rogan utters the n-word on camera, refers to black neighborhoods as PLANET OF THE APES, yet he's defended and gets a pass?
Well, 1/6 was legitimate political discourse.
HUH?
If India.Arie was Doja Cat, Joe Rogan would be paying a price. But since Arie is not at the top of the commercial game right now, her story gets no traction and is paid no attention.
But let's go back to Neil Young, et al. The Rogan supporters are laughing, seeing Neil as out on a limb, out of touch, they believe the joke is on him. But if they'd lived through the sixties, when Mr. Young's thoughts were formed, they'd see a quite different picture.
Most people were FOR the Vietnam War. We were the United States, we never lost. (Although now we've lost in both Vietnam and Afghanistan. Why were we in those wars again?) But there was a coterie of antiwar protesters in the EARLY sixties who spoke up. They too were derided and marginalized, but as time wore on and the war escalated, more and more Americans started to reevaluate their position. And the antiwar protests got traction. Nixon went to speak with protesters at the Jefferson Memorial. The national viewpoint on the war changed, it needed to end, which it ultimately did, however slowly. Hell, Nixon won in '72 by falsely claiming that PEACE IS AT HAND. Yeah, right.
Leaders. Pushing the envelope. That's what it's about.
But by the end of the sixties, all young people were questioning authority and beliefs. Not questioning science, (everybody believed in science, it put men on the moon and brought us LSD, never mind Tang), but mores.
I learned that term as a freshman in college, in anthropology. According to the Oxford dictionary, "mores" means:
"the essential or characteristic customs and conventions of a community"
But then we were all in it together. Hell, one of the biggest, most sustained hits of the era was the Youngbloods' "Get Together." Now we're all torn apart, and it's all about what's good for me, screw you. And we play to the dumb, not the educated, the educated are scorned. Meanwhile, most of the so-called educated are not, they take business courses, STEM, English and art majors are laughed at, but without a well-rounded background you're myopic, you can't see the forest for the trees, you can't make educated decisions, you question as opposed to running on instinct, or following the herd.
And now we've got a cultural division. And I feel for those on the wrong end of the stick, the uneducated poor. The truth is they were not looked out for in NAFTA and the computerization of America. But that does not make the educated elite dumb, that does not mean you should take all their opinions off the table.
And, unfortunately, the elite have had enough. When people tell you not to believe your eyes, there's always gonna be trouble. 1/6 was "legitimate political discourse." Yeah, right.
So the truth is Neil Young is on the bleeding edge, he's a beacon, it's just that the ignorant and uninformed don't know it. One person takes a stand, and then others learn the lesson and they do so in the future. One guy, Neil Young, brought this whole question into focus, which is multifarious to begin with. How do we fight misinformation? Is Spotify just a distributor or a publisher? What exactly are censorship and free speech in the online world? What responsibility do all these platforms have?
Yes, it's all up for grabs. And what do Spotify and the rest of the platforms have to say? TRUST US! We've got it HANDLED!
I ain't trusting Mark Zuckerberg, a myopic techie who can't get along with people. Just because you're powerful and rich that does not mean you are smart.
And Morgan Wallen is different from Joe Rogan. Morgan Wallen's "Dangerous" was just another record, no different from the rest of the millions of titles. But Joe Rogan has a direct relationship with Spotify, they paid him $100 million. And Spotify is MORE LENIENT with Rogan??
Every day people e-mail me that boomers are out of touch because they're too old. But the truth is, when you get older, you'll realize older people are wiser, because they've had more EXPERIENCE! Do we really want all our social issues decided by thirtysomething techies?
Once again, Morgan Wallen has the right to say whatever he wants, but we don't have to AMPLIFY IT! Why wasn't his excision from radio playlists seen as censorship of free speech? Oh, that's right, radio stations can do whatever they want, and they're regulated by the FCC!
False equivalencies, jammed down our throats. Everybody's opinion is equal. There are two sides to every story. No, most times that's not true, and certainly not with science.
Do I think Joe Rogan should be shut up permanently? No. Just like I think Morgan Wallen is entitled to get out of persecutory jail. But why does Wallen pay such a significant price while Rogan pays NONE, not even from the same company!
But Rogan says he's just an overworked comedian, he didn't mean it, he'll try harder. But Wallen is caught drunk and says one bad thing and he's blasted away?
Come on.
Bottom line, if you get Covid and you're not vaxxed the odds of hospitalization are double digit times higher. And in many places, Covid deaths now exceed what they were two years ago. And there's math involved, Omicron might not be as deadly as previous variants, but it's plenty dangerous. And if you get it... Hell, Karl Rove's sister died of Covid! You see Covid doesn't care if you're a Democrat or a Republican. Go unvaxxed at your peril.
But we've got Joe Rogan proffering falsehoods again and again, just saying he's trying to illuminate the other side. But sometimes, the other side should not be illuminated, it's bogus. One lying doctor says vaccines cause autism and the entire world changes. Do you see the power of misinformation? Hell, that's what the right is BUILT UPON!
Spotify has a responsibility. Joe Rogan needs to pay a penalty. Because they're letting him skate, and then everybody else is encouraged to do the same damn thing. Which is how we got into this mess. Politicians and business people lied on the stand and now the hoi polloi have no problem telling lies in court, none whatsoever, they BOAST ABOUT IT! Civic responsibility? WHAT'S THAT?
The truth always outs. Like with Zucker at CNN. It may take a while, but you can't hide it. The truth is Joe Rogan has a history of false and racist statements. Unlike too many in society, I think he can be rehabilitated, but just pledging to do better is NOT ENOUGH!
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Morgan Wallen is caught drunk, surreptitiously, uttering the n-word and he becomes a cultural pariah. To the point where a year later, many people still believe he should continue to pay a price and be banned. Furthermore, Spotify removed his music from its playlists, they DE-EMPHASIZED IT! But Joe Rogan utters the n-word on camera, refers to black neighborhoods as PLANET OF THE APES, yet he's defended and gets a pass?
Well, 1/6 was legitimate political discourse.
HUH?
If India.Arie was Doja Cat, Joe Rogan would be paying a price. But since Arie is not at the top of the commercial game right now, her story gets no traction and is paid no attention.
But let's go back to Neil Young, et al. The Rogan supporters are laughing, seeing Neil as out on a limb, out of touch, they believe the joke is on him. But if they'd lived through the sixties, when Mr. Young's thoughts were formed, they'd see a quite different picture.
Most people were FOR the Vietnam War. We were the United States, we never lost. (Although now we've lost in both Vietnam and Afghanistan. Why were we in those wars again?) But there was a coterie of antiwar protesters in the EARLY sixties who spoke up. They too were derided and marginalized, but as time wore on and the war escalated, more and more Americans started to reevaluate their position. And the antiwar protests got traction. Nixon went to speak with protesters at the Jefferson Memorial. The national viewpoint on the war changed, it needed to end, which it ultimately did, however slowly. Hell, Nixon won in '72 by falsely claiming that PEACE IS AT HAND. Yeah, right.
Leaders. Pushing the envelope. That's what it's about.
But by the end of the sixties, all young people were questioning authority and beliefs. Not questioning science, (everybody believed in science, it put men on the moon and brought us LSD, never mind Tang), but mores.
I learned that term as a freshman in college, in anthropology. According to the Oxford dictionary, "mores" means:
"the essential or characteristic customs and conventions of a community"
But then we were all in it together. Hell, one of the biggest, most sustained hits of the era was the Youngbloods' "Get Together." Now we're all torn apart, and it's all about what's good for me, screw you. And we play to the dumb, not the educated, the educated are scorned. Meanwhile, most of the so-called educated are not, they take business courses, STEM, English and art majors are laughed at, but without a well-rounded background you're myopic, you can't see the forest for the trees, you can't make educated decisions, you question as opposed to running on instinct, or following the herd.
And now we've got a cultural division. And I feel for those on the wrong end of the stick, the uneducated poor. The truth is they were not looked out for in NAFTA and the computerization of America. But that does not make the educated elite dumb, that does not mean you should take all their opinions off the table.
And, unfortunately, the elite have had enough. When people tell you not to believe your eyes, there's always gonna be trouble. 1/6 was "legitimate political discourse." Yeah, right.
So the truth is Neil Young is on the bleeding edge, he's a beacon, it's just that the ignorant and uninformed don't know it. One person takes a stand, and then others learn the lesson and they do so in the future. One guy, Neil Young, brought this whole question into focus, which is multifarious to begin with. How do we fight misinformation? Is Spotify just a distributor or a publisher? What exactly are censorship and free speech in the online world? What responsibility do all these platforms have?
Yes, it's all up for grabs. And what do Spotify and the rest of the platforms have to say? TRUST US! We've got it HANDLED!
I ain't trusting Mark Zuckerberg, a myopic techie who can't get along with people. Just because you're powerful and rich that does not mean you are smart.
And Morgan Wallen is different from Joe Rogan. Morgan Wallen's "Dangerous" was just another record, no different from the rest of the millions of titles. But Joe Rogan has a direct relationship with Spotify, they paid him $100 million. And Spotify is MORE LENIENT with Rogan??
Every day people e-mail me that boomers are out of touch because they're too old. But the truth is, when you get older, you'll realize older people are wiser, because they've had more EXPERIENCE! Do we really want all our social issues decided by thirtysomething techies?
Once again, Morgan Wallen has the right to say whatever he wants, but we don't have to AMPLIFY IT! Why wasn't his excision from radio playlists seen as censorship of free speech? Oh, that's right, radio stations can do whatever they want, and they're regulated by the FCC!
False equivalencies, jammed down our throats. Everybody's opinion is equal. There are two sides to every story. No, most times that's not true, and certainly not with science.
Do I think Joe Rogan should be shut up permanently? No. Just like I think Morgan Wallen is entitled to get out of persecutory jail. But why does Wallen pay such a significant price while Rogan pays NONE, not even from the same company!
But Rogan says he's just an overworked comedian, he didn't mean it, he'll try harder. But Wallen is caught drunk and says one bad thing and he's blasted away?
Come on.
Bottom line, if you get Covid and you're not vaxxed the odds of hospitalization are double digit times higher. And in many places, Covid deaths now exceed what they were two years ago. And there's math involved, Omicron might not be as deadly as previous variants, but it's plenty dangerous. And if you get it... Hell, Karl Rove's sister died of Covid! You see Covid doesn't care if you're a Democrat or a Republican. Go unvaxxed at your peril.
But we've got Joe Rogan proffering falsehoods again and again, just saying he's trying to illuminate the other side. But sometimes, the other side should not be illuminated, it's bogus. One lying doctor says vaccines cause autism and the entire world changes. Do you see the power of misinformation? Hell, that's what the right is BUILT UPON!
Spotify has a responsibility. Joe Rogan needs to pay a penalty. Because they're letting him skate, and then everybody else is encouraged to do the same damn thing. Which is how we got into this mess. Politicians and business people lied on the stand and now the hoi polloi have no problem telling lies in court, none whatsoever, they BOAST ABOUT IT! Civic responsibility? WHAT'S THAT?
The truth always outs. Like with Zucker at CNN. It may take a while, but you can't hide it. The truth is Joe Rogan has a history of false and racist statements. Unlike too many in society, I think he can be rehabilitated, but just pledging to do better is NOT ENOUGH!
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In My Skin
Trailer: https://bit.ly/3slXasx
It's on Hulu.
Unlike music, you can't get all visual content in a single place for one low price. Instead, you have to subscribe to umpteen services, which nobody does. In truth streaming is a better model than cable, because subscribers don't have to subsidize marginal channels with their money, and can pay just for what they want, but the end result has been Balkanization, to the detriment of creators and viewers.
That's right. Tell a TV producer they can be paid if they don't make the show and that is almost never satisfying, they want to see their project on the screen. But what if it's made and most people don't even have the opportunity to see it, never mind choose to.
Which is why things are so much better in music. It's all there, you can get the history of music for one low price, and what do the creators do...BITCH! They want a controlled system like the old one, based on overpriced CDs made by very few people. Now they've been let in the door and want to make the old money, even though in the new model it comes down to how many people are listening. And there's the thought that a million plays should be equal to x amount of money which makes no sense whatsoever, that's like judging the energy efficiency of an internal combustion engine by comparing it to the motor in an electric car. The paradigm has changed, it's impossible for a gasoline engine to have the efficiency/MPG of an electric one. Which is why the entire industry is moving to electric. You're screwed if your business model is based on the internal combustion engine. The public wants better mileage. Should Ford and GM be allowed to live in the past? So far, Tesla has been eating their lunch with a clean slate emphasizing software, you don't see traditional car companies complaining that we must go back to the old model.
Which is all to say most people will never watch "In My Skin," because most people don't have access to Hulu.
So a person needs access, and then there must be desire. With a cornucopia of programming, the individual must CHOOSE to watch "In My Skin." What are the odds this English program can compete with the ballyhooed "Mandalorian" or "Tiger King" or "Squid Game"? Very low.
It's even worse in indie film. Every week tons of new pictures arrive, and go unseen. You mean I have to troop out to the theatre and waste all that time and money to see ONE FILM? Indie film belongs on streaming services. Day and date. Then it could regain some impact, but the makers refuse to do this. ALSO, streaming platforms cannot digest all this material, unlike in streaming music, so certain indies will be left out completely, will go unseen, irrelevant of their merits, unless people are willing to overpay, even on on demand streaming. No, you must be on one of the big streaming platforms or you might as well not exist.
So "In My Skin" is a BBC program, consisting of two five episode seasons, released in 2018 and 2021. It's shot in Wales, so the accents can be hard to decipher, especially that of the main character, Bethan, so I advise keeping the subtitles on.
And "In My Skin" is not a theme park ride. Unless you consider everyday adolescent experience to be one.
You see Bethan's father is an alcoholic, her mother is mentally ill, and Bethan oftentimes has to act like the adult of the family, all while trying to navigate her regular school and friend life. For those of us who grew up in a stable two parent family it's quite an eye-opener, we read about this stuff but rarely experience it.
Not that "In My Skin" is a documentary, anything but. What you've got is a high school. How do you navigate high school? And what is the number one criterion of secondary school navigation? POPULARITY! Popularity trumps everything. Any smart kid will trade grades for popularity. And Bethan has friends, but they're outsiders, and live up to the image, they don't want to be part of the mainstream...but secretly Bethan does. And when she gets the chance... You've been there, you're PINCHING yourself. Smiling on the inside as you do your best not to screw up, savoring the moment, hoping it will last.
And what is your future path when your parents are out to lunch?
You're rooting for Bethan to go to college, but she's influenced by a friend, friends have so much power when you're a teenager.
And there's anger, and revenge. And issues of friendship, what do you owe your friends, does it trump your own desires?
"In My Skin" is not "The Sopranos," riveting from the very first moment, you're not always on the edge of your seat. But life is not like that either. Not that "In My Skin" is ever slow. Yet there are moments of gravitas that will bring tears to your eyes, and you will not feel manipulated.
Are you skinny enough? After popularity comes appearance. And Bethan isn't stick thin and internalizes this, even though she looks fine to most people. But the standards of high school are unforgiving.
Gabrielle Creevy as Bethan is a ten, you think she's really the character.
As for her mother...Jo Hartley is stupendous. In America, this is a plum role for a slumming Nicole Kidman or Charlize Theron, you know, beauties who are looking for serious roles to win awards and burnish their image. But Hartley is not a model, she's just normal. But she emerges to become three dimensional. You see people on screen and you think you want to be with them, but you've got no idea who they really are. And in truth beauty is one small factor in the overall mix, and becomes less important once you're in a relationship.
As for Di Botcher, the grandmother... That generation is always portrayed as warm and fuzzy, sans edges, but in reality they're just grown up people, and based on class and education they might be little more than adolescents. Botcher is warm, but her language is so base, so unfettered, that it's refreshing and revelatory, this is a real person!
"In My Skin" is a private experience. It's not a tentpole picture you want to see in a full theatre. It's personal. You watch it and get caught up, identify, it's like the best art, it reflects humanity, makes you feel more human yourself.
I heartily recommend it.
It's on Hulu.
Unlike music, you can't get all visual content in a single place for one low price. Instead, you have to subscribe to umpteen services, which nobody does. In truth streaming is a better model than cable, because subscribers don't have to subsidize marginal channels with their money, and can pay just for what they want, but the end result has been Balkanization, to the detriment of creators and viewers.
That's right. Tell a TV producer they can be paid if they don't make the show and that is almost never satisfying, they want to see their project on the screen. But what if it's made and most people don't even have the opportunity to see it, never mind choose to.
Which is why things are so much better in music. It's all there, you can get the history of music for one low price, and what do the creators do...BITCH! They want a controlled system like the old one, based on overpriced CDs made by very few people. Now they've been let in the door and want to make the old money, even though in the new model it comes down to how many people are listening. And there's the thought that a million plays should be equal to x amount of money which makes no sense whatsoever, that's like judging the energy efficiency of an internal combustion engine by comparing it to the motor in an electric car. The paradigm has changed, it's impossible for a gasoline engine to have the efficiency/MPG of an electric one. Which is why the entire industry is moving to electric. You're screwed if your business model is based on the internal combustion engine. The public wants better mileage. Should Ford and GM be allowed to live in the past? So far, Tesla has been eating their lunch with a clean slate emphasizing software, you don't see traditional car companies complaining that we must go back to the old model.
Which is all to say most people will never watch "In My Skin," because most people don't have access to Hulu.
So a person needs access, and then there must be desire. With a cornucopia of programming, the individual must CHOOSE to watch "In My Skin." What are the odds this English program can compete with the ballyhooed "Mandalorian" or "Tiger King" or "Squid Game"? Very low.
It's even worse in indie film. Every week tons of new pictures arrive, and go unseen. You mean I have to troop out to the theatre and waste all that time and money to see ONE FILM? Indie film belongs on streaming services. Day and date. Then it could regain some impact, but the makers refuse to do this. ALSO, streaming platforms cannot digest all this material, unlike in streaming music, so certain indies will be left out completely, will go unseen, irrelevant of their merits, unless people are willing to overpay, even on on demand streaming. No, you must be on one of the big streaming platforms or you might as well not exist.
So "In My Skin" is a BBC program, consisting of two five episode seasons, released in 2018 and 2021. It's shot in Wales, so the accents can be hard to decipher, especially that of the main character, Bethan, so I advise keeping the subtitles on.
And "In My Skin" is not a theme park ride. Unless you consider everyday adolescent experience to be one.
You see Bethan's father is an alcoholic, her mother is mentally ill, and Bethan oftentimes has to act like the adult of the family, all while trying to navigate her regular school and friend life. For those of us who grew up in a stable two parent family it's quite an eye-opener, we read about this stuff but rarely experience it.
Not that "In My Skin" is a documentary, anything but. What you've got is a high school. How do you navigate high school? And what is the number one criterion of secondary school navigation? POPULARITY! Popularity trumps everything. Any smart kid will trade grades for popularity. And Bethan has friends, but they're outsiders, and live up to the image, they don't want to be part of the mainstream...but secretly Bethan does. And when she gets the chance... You've been there, you're PINCHING yourself. Smiling on the inside as you do your best not to screw up, savoring the moment, hoping it will last.
And what is your future path when your parents are out to lunch?
You're rooting for Bethan to go to college, but she's influenced by a friend, friends have so much power when you're a teenager.
And there's anger, and revenge. And issues of friendship, what do you owe your friends, does it trump your own desires?
"In My Skin" is not "The Sopranos," riveting from the very first moment, you're not always on the edge of your seat. But life is not like that either. Not that "In My Skin" is ever slow. Yet there are moments of gravitas that will bring tears to your eyes, and you will not feel manipulated.
Are you skinny enough? After popularity comes appearance. And Bethan isn't stick thin and internalizes this, even though she looks fine to most people. But the standards of high school are unforgiving.
Gabrielle Creevy as Bethan is a ten, you think she's really the character.
As for her mother...Jo Hartley is stupendous. In America, this is a plum role for a slumming Nicole Kidman or Charlize Theron, you know, beauties who are looking for serious roles to win awards and burnish their image. But Hartley is not a model, she's just normal. But she emerges to become three dimensional. You see people on screen and you think you want to be with them, but you've got no idea who they really are. And in truth beauty is one small factor in the overall mix, and becomes less important once you're in a relationship.
As for Di Botcher, the grandmother... That generation is always portrayed as warm and fuzzy, sans edges, but in reality they're just grown up people, and based on class and education they might be little more than adolescents. Botcher is warm, but her language is so base, so unfettered, that it's refreshing and revelatory, this is a real person!
"In My Skin" is a private experience. It's not a tentpole picture you want to see in a full theatre. It's personal. You watch it and get caught up, identify, it's like the best art, it reflects humanity, makes you feel more human yourself.
I heartily recommend it.
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Thursday, 3 February 2022
Meta/Facebook Crash
Turns out buying your way into the future is a bad strategy.
The biggest story this week for me was Facebook (I refuse to call it "Meta," I'm on the fence with calling Google "Alphabet") dropping out of the crypto game.
Facebook wasn't first. Facebook had infrastructure. But when confronted with the concept of Facebook moving into the crypto sphere, seemingly everybody said NO WAY! This is what happens when you have a scorched earth policy towards competitors. When people have seen your trick and are now gun-shy.
We saw this with Apple and TV. The producers and distributors saw how Apple revolutionized the portable music player and smartphone markets and they decided to freeze Apple out. Just before he died Steve Jobs said he had TV figured out, could he have executed? One thing is for sure, Tim Cook could not. And trying to maintain its margins Apple has hobbled its market share. They're giving Rokus and Firesticks away. Which is why when competitors came on the market Jobs dropped prices on iPods dramatically. He wanted to own the market, and he did.
Until he destroyed the market with the iPhone. That's right, Steve Jobs disrupted HIMSELF! (Well, Apple.) This is exactly what Clayton Christensen preached, because if you don't, someone else eventually will. And then you're screwed.
This is what happened with Facebook.
Social media went to images, it purchased Instagram. Knowing the landscape of digital communication, Facebook also bought WhatsApp, which U.S. residents still don't know the power of, it RULES the rest of the world. Forget iMessage. There are a couple of territories where other platforms are dominant, but really, the footprint of WhatsApp is stupendous.
And then comes Musical.ly. It was seen as for kids. Thought was it was a fad with limited appeal. It didn't offer the smorgasbord of services that Facebook did. It was a sideshow. But then Musical.ly was sold to ByteDance and it became the MAIN SHOW!
Let's be clear, Mark Zuckerberg started Facebook when he was in college. He had his feet planted firmly on the ground, he knew the college vibe. Furthermore, the analog blueprint had been established, just move the print facebook online. The programming was the hard part.
And with help from savvy Silicon Valley players Zuckerberg dropped out of Harvard and built Facebook into a monolith, all while maintaining control.
Now you've seen Zuckerberg on TV. Smug and self-satisfied. But in truth he's no longer on the street, he didn't see young kids using Musical.ly, it was in plain sight, but he MISSED IT!
What did Zuckerberg actually start? He got the idea for Facebook from the Winklevosses... In reality, his rep as a seer is not too good. This is not Steve Jobs looking into a future no one else could see and pulling a rabbit out of a hat. And, in truth, a lot of Jobs's ideas were refinements of already existing products, but the makers of those didn't have the knowledge, money or savvy to blow them up into worldwide phenomena.
The tech trail is littered with broken down companies, either out of business or sold to others. Compaq, never mind Gateway, Sun...and too many social media platforms to mention here. They were one trick ponies, they couldn't navigate the future. In tech legacy is irrelevant, there is no catalog, you can't go on the road and play your greatest hits, no one is concerned with the past in tech, there's no demand.
That's right, Zuckerberg could have seen the potential of Musical.ly, but he didn't. The same way MySpace didn't see the key was to standardize the interface and get rid of anonymity.
And once something gains traction online, it can't be beat, unless the enterprise stumbles significantly. There's a first mover advantage in tech, keep stoking the fire and you continue to win.
And TikTok is a standalone product, but to compete Zuckerberg made Reels part of Instagram, a crappy integration and a messing of the mind of the user. What is Instagram? Pictures or short videos? At some point you can't cobble the past into the future, you need to start over. Which is akin to Steve Jobs getting rid of legacy ports. Maybe if Reels was a separate platform...
But ByteDance was savvy in other ways. It nurtured its creators, and made it so a nobody could become a somebody overnight. Zuckerberg is hands-off when it comes to his users, as for paying them? He's notably reluctant.
And then Facebook ran out of new customers.
Maturity, it's a bitch. Not that you can't see it coming. There's a limit to how many people on Earth will subscribe to a music streaming service. You can raise the cost, there will always be new subscribers, but not in healthy numbers. Apple and Amazon are protected, their music streaming services are a zit on the tush of these companies. Whereas Spotify...music is all it has got, that's why they went into podcasts. You either grow or you die, and if you're not moving forward, Wall Street goes thumbs-down and your stock crashes, like Facebook's today.
Not that the stock price accurately reflects the present value of the company. Wall Street, especially with most of these tech companies, is legalized gambling. The stock price frequently has nothing to do with the value of the company. Then again, how stupid were investors that they couldn't see that Zuck would hit a new user wall?
And then we've got Apple.
Why do people hate Facebook? The lack of privacy, you're the product. You post all your data and pay for the privilege. Without you and your content, there is no company.
But not at Apple. It's not an advertising model. It's a product model. And now Apple has also gone into services, but once again, the key driver is not data and ads.
So Apple allows iPhone owners to block tracking and it's...HEAVEN!
Zuckerberg decried this, Apple delayed its no-tracking introduction, and then launched and the inevitable happened, Facebook has a $10 billion loss because ads can no longer be targeted as specifically. Hallelujah for the consumer, rats for Facebook.
And the iPhone has 50% market share in the U.S., but much less in the rest of the world. It's an exotic item, the margins are huge. And in truth, the iPhone has many advantages, including its vetted app store, but it never competed on price, so how long until the iPhone fades away? It's gonna happen. It's VHS vs. Betamax all over again. Cost is a key factor, it frequently supersedes better.
And then there are companies that can't see the future, like RIM/BlackBerry. It could not foresee smartphones that used a hell of a lot more bandwidth and in some ways were not as secure. But Steve Jobs bet on offloading a lot of web surfing to Wi-Fi. And, every single year they improve the iPhone, otherwise it would become stagnant and die.'
As for Sony and its Betamax?
Sony threw the long ball and became a gaming company. The PlayStation revolutionized gaming, it's just that console gaming is now having a hard time competing with internet gaming. That's a battle that is still in the air, a victor has not been declared, it's the reason why Microsoft wants to buy Activision. But this time, the government has seen the trick, and they may not let it happen. These tech companies are a step ahead of Washington, D.C., maybe two or three, but the blueprint in many cases is now obvious, they all want to become monopolies. Which some administrations are concerned with and others are not, which is why Zuckerberg got so close to Trump, he wanted the government hands-off.
So, this saturation of customers shows that the go-go internet we've been privy to for twenty five years is now mature. And when a business is mature, prices go down. And you do your best to differentiate yourself from your competitors.
You need a different kind of CEO. We first learned this with Apple and John Sculley. These tech companies don't need managers, they need FUTURISTS! Tim Cook can run the supply chain better than anybody else in tech, but can he come up with new ideas and refine them and make them so desirable the public eats them up? Hasn't happened yet.
Also, the future is software, not hardware. How do you compete?
And how do you compete with the youngsters on the street.
Shawn Fanning, a teenager, disrupted the entire music business. Ditto with Daniel Ek. The established players wanted nothing to do with the future, and they thought they had enough power to make sure people went their way.
But they forgot about the customer. The customer will switch on a whim. Think about what the customer wants, because that is where the world is going. When Spotify launched most customers couldn't see they wanted streaming music. But then they experienced it and loved it!
Ditto with Netflix's streaming offerings. Although Netflix has got the same maturity problem as Facebook, they've run out of new people, at least in big numbers. The market is saturated.
But at least Netflix was there first, and continues to innovate and stick to its guns. Netflix drops all episodes of a show at once, BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT THE CONSUMER WANTS! HBO, Apple and Disney do not. They think they can control the customer. They use old models. Well, we drip it out week by week and we create water cooler moments and... Huh? People don't even go to the office anymore, never mind drink from a water cooler.
And the studios refined the movie business for profits and killed it in the process. Make fewer pictures, spend a lot to make a lot, tentpoles, with sequels... But most people didn't want those movies. So they stopped going to the movies all together. As for moving new pictures to streaming platforms during Covid, as HBO and Disney did...the creative community complained, they wanted what was good for THEM, they had no idea of the future.
I wouldn't bet on Meta owning the metaverse. Because the history of the internet tells us again and again that new ideas are hatched by nimble nobodies tapped into the zeitgeist, often delivering what most people had no idea they wanted. Zuckerberg keeps telling us he's going to rule the metaverse while he burns cash... Maybe the metaverse develops in a different way. Maybe through gaming first. Maybe it launches in a simple version with many fewer bells and whistles. Zuckerberg building for the metaverse is akin to Detroit pivoting to electric cars. It keeps saying it is and it continues to be much too slow. And Detroit think cars are all about hardware, whereas Tesla has proven the secret sauce is software. Did you read about that Tesla recall, for cars rolling through stop signs? THEY DELIVERED AN OVERNIGHT SOFTWARE UPDATE! Owners didn't have to bring their cars to the shop. And during the chip shortage, Tesla's engineers rewrote the software so they could use more generic and available chips. I don't think this is in Mary Barra's wheelhouse!
When you're in control of a lumbering giant, eager to protect margins, you're on your way to extinction. You must sacrifice now to even exist tomorrow. Like Adobe going from a sales to a subscription model. You get those free software updates over the air, your product was not immediately dated when you bought it, it's a win-win. Except for maybe those employing legacy software. But can you even open your programs on your new computer? Tech moves forward, you may be in love with your 3G phone, but momentarily it will become completely unusable.
So Mark Zuckerberg has proven he has feet of clay. At most he was a two trick pony. Facebook, and then buying WhatsApp and Instagram. And everybody hates him, so they're not playing nicely with him and they're rooting for him to lose. And he probably will.
We admire those who can do it more than once. Elon Musk with PayPal and Tesla and SpaceX. Anybody can get lucky once, but can you do it multiple times? Take multiple hit acts to the top of the chart? This is why Steve Jobs was revered, he did it over and over and over again.
Mark Zuckerberg is no Steve Jobs.
The biggest story this week for me was Facebook (I refuse to call it "Meta," I'm on the fence with calling Google "Alphabet") dropping out of the crypto game.
Facebook wasn't first. Facebook had infrastructure. But when confronted with the concept of Facebook moving into the crypto sphere, seemingly everybody said NO WAY! This is what happens when you have a scorched earth policy towards competitors. When people have seen your trick and are now gun-shy.
We saw this with Apple and TV. The producers and distributors saw how Apple revolutionized the portable music player and smartphone markets and they decided to freeze Apple out. Just before he died Steve Jobs said he had TV figured out, could he have executed? One thing is for sure, Tim Cook could not. And trying to maintain its margins Apple has hobbled its market share. They're giving Rokus and Firesticks away. Which is why when competitors came on the market Jobs dropped prices on iPods dramatically. He wanted to own the market, and he did.
Until he destroyed the market with the iPhone. That's right, Steve Jobs disrupted HIMSELF! (Well, Apple.) This is exactly what Clayton Christensen preached, because if you don't, someone else eventually will. And then you're screwed.
This is what happened with Facebook.
Social media went to images, it purchased Instagram. Knowing the landscape of digital communication, Facebook also bought WhatsApp, which U.S. residents still don't know the power of, it RULES the rest of the world. Forget iMessage. There are a couple of territories where other platforms are dominant, but really, the footprint of WhatsApp is stupendous.
And then comes Musical.ly. It was seen as for kids. Thought was it was a fad with limited appeal. It didn't offer the smorgasbord of services that Facebook did. It was a sideshow. But then Musical.ly was sold to ByteDance and it became the MAIN SHOW!
Let's be clear, Mark Zuckerberg started Facebook when he was in college. He had his feet planted firmly on the ground, he knew the college vibe. Furthermore, the analog blueprint had been established, just move the print facebook online. The programming was the hard part.
And with help from savvy Silicon Valley players Zuckerberg dropped out of Harvard and built Facebook into a monolith, all while maintaining control.
Now you've seen Zuckerberg on TV. Smug and self-satisfied. But in truth he's no longer on the street, he didn't see young kids using Musical.ly, it was in plain sight, but he MISSED IT!
What did Zuckerberg actually start? He got the idea for Facebook from the Winklevosses... In reality, his rep as a seer is not too good. This is not Steve Jobs looking into a future no one else could see and pulling a rabbit out of a hat. And, in truth, a lot of Jobs's ideas were refinements of already existing products, but the makers of those didn't have the knowledge, money or savvy to blow them up into worldwide phenomena.
The tech trail is littered with broken down companies, either out of business or sold to others. Compaq, never mind Gateway, Sun...and too many social media platforms to mention here. They were one trick ponies, they couldn't navigate the future. In tech legacy is irrelevant, there is no catalog, you can't go on the road and play your greatest hits, no one is concerned with the past in tech, there's no demand.
That's right, Zuckerberg could have seen the potential of Musical.ly, but he didn't. The same way MySpace didn't see the key was to standardize the interface and get rid of anonymity.
And once something gains traction online, it can't be beat, unless the enterprise stumbles significantly. There's a first mover advantage in tech, keep stoking the fire and you continue to win.
And TikTok is a standalone product, but to compete Zuckerberg made Reels part of Instagram, a crappy integration and a messing of the mind of the user. What is Instagram? Pictures or short videos? At some point you can't cobble the past into the future, you need to start over. Which is akin to Steve Jobs getting rid of legacy ports. Maybe if Reels was a separate platform...
But ByteDance was savvy in other ways. It nurtured its creators, and made it so a nobody could become a somebody overnight. Zuckerberg is hands-off when it comes to his users, as for paying them? He's notably reluctant.
And then Facebook ran out of new customers.
Maturity, it's a bitch. Not that you can't see it coming. There's a limit to how many people on Earth will subscribe to a music streaming service. You can raise the cost, there will always be new subscribers, but not in healthy numbers. Apple and Amazon are protected, their music streaming services are a zit on the tush of these companies. Whereas Spotify...music is all it has got, that's why they went into podcasts. You either grow or you die, and if you're not moving forward, Wall Street goes thumbs-down and your stock crashes, like Facebook's today.
Not that the stock price accurately reflects the present value of the company. Wall Street, especially with most of these tech companies, is legalized gambling. The stock price frequently has nothing to do with the value of the company. Then again, how stupid were investors that they couldn't see that Zuck would hit a new user wall?
And then we've got Apple.
Why do people hate Facebook? The lack of privacy, you're the product. You post all your data and pay for the privilege. Without you and your content, there is no company.
But not at Apple. It's not an advertising model. It's a product model. And now Apple has also gone into services, but once again, the key driver is not data and ads.
So Apple allows iPhone owners to block tracking and it's...HEAVEN!
Zuckerberg decried this, Apple delayed its no-tracking introduction, and then launched and the inevitable happened, Facebook has a $10 billion loss because ads can no longer be targeted as specifically. Hallelujah for the consumer, rats for Facebook.
And the iPhone has 50% market share in the U.S., but much less in the rest of the world. It's an exotic item, the margins are huge. And in truth, the iPhone has many advantages, including its vetted app store, but it never competed on price, so how long until the iPhone fades away? It's gonna happen. It's VHS vs. Betamax all over again. Cost is a key factor, it frequently supersedes better.
And then there are companies that can't see the future, like RIM/BlackBerry. It could not foresee smartphones that used a hell of a lot more bandwidth and in some ways were not as secure. But Steve Jobs bet on offloading a lot of web surfing to Wi-Fi. And, every single year they improve the iPhone, otherwise it would become stagnant and die.'
As for Sony and its Betamax?
Sony threw the long ball and became a gaming company. The PlayStation revolutionized gaming, it's just that console gaming is now having a hard time competing with internet gaming. That's a battle that is still in the air, a victor has not been declared, it's the reason why Microsoft wants to buy Activision. But this time, the government has seen the trick, and they may not let it happen. These tech companies are a step ahead of Washington, D.C., maybe two or three, but the blueprint in many cases is now obvious, they all want to become monopolies. Which some administrations are concerned with and others are not, which is why Zuckerberg got so close to Trump, he wanted the government hands-off.
So, this saturation of customers shows that the go-go internet we've been privy to for twenty five years is now mature. And when a business is mature, prices go down. And you do your best to differentiate yourself from your competitors.
You need a different kind of CEO. We first learned this with Apple and John Sculley. These tech companies don't need managers, they need FUTURISTS! Tim Cook can run the supply chain better than anybody else in tech, but can he come up with new ideas and refine them and make them so desirable the public eats them up? Hasn't happened yet.
Also, the future is software, not hardware. How do you compete?
And how do you compete with the youngsters on the street.
Shawn Fanning, a teenager, disrupted the entire music business. Ditto with Daniel Ek. The established players wanted nothing to do with the future, and they thought they had enough power to make sure people went their way.
But they forgot about the customer. The customer will switch on a whim. Think about what the customer wants, because that is where the world is going. When Spotify launched most customers couldn't see they wanted streaming music. But then they experienced it and loved it!
Ditto with Netflix's streaming offerings. Although Netflix has got the same maturity problem as Facebook, they've run out of new people, at least in big numbers. The market is saturated.
But at least Netflix was there first, and continues to innovate and stick to its guns. Netflix drops all episodes of a show at once, BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT THE CONSUMER WANTS! HBO, Apple and Disney do not. They think they can control the customer. They use old models. Well, we drip it out week by week and we create water cooler moments and... Huh? People don't even go to the office anymore, never mind drink from a water cooler.
And the studios refined the movie business for profits and killed it in the process. Make fewer pictures, spend a lot to make a lot, tentpoles, with sequels... But most people didn't want those movies. So they stopped going to the movies all together. As for moving new pictures to streaming platforms during Covid, as HBO and Disney did...the creative community complained, they wanted what was good for THEM, they had no idea of the future.
I wouldn't bet on Meta owning the metaverse. Because the history of the internet tells us again and again that new ideas are hatched by nimble nobodies tapped into the zeitgeist, often delivering what most people had no idea they wanted. Zuckerberg keeps telling us he's going to rule the metaverse while he burns cash... Maybe the metaverse develops in a different way. Maybe through gaming first. Maybe it launches in a simple version with many fewer bells and whistles. Zuckerberg building for the metaverse is akin to Detroit pivoting to electric cars. It keeps saying it is and it continues to be much too slow. And Detroit think cars are all about hardware, whereas Tesla has proven the secret sauce is software. Did you read about that Tesla recall, for cars rolling through stop signs? THEY DELIVERED AN OVERNIGHT SOFTWARE UPDATE! Owners didn't have to bring their cars to the shop. And during the chip shortage, Tesla's engineers rewrote the software so they could use more generic and available chips. I don't think this is in Mary Barra's wheelhouse!
When you're in control of a lumbering giant, eager to protect margins, you're on your way to extinction. You must sacrifice now to even exist tomorrow. Like Adobe going from a sales to a subscription model. You get those free software updates over the air, your product was not immediately dated when you bought it, it's a win-win. Except for maybe those employing legacy software. But can you even open your programs on your new computer? Tech moves forward, you may be in love with your 3G phone, but momentarily it will become completely unusable.
So Mark Zuckerberg has proven he has feet of clay. At most he was a two trick pony. Facebook, and then buying WhatsApp and Instagram. And everybody hates him, so they're not playing nicely with him and they're rooting for him to lose. And he probably will.
We admire those who can do it more than once. Elon Musk with PayPal and Tesla and SpaceX. Anybody can get lucky once, but can you do it multiple times? Take multiple hit acts to the top of the chart? This is why Steve Jobs was revered, he did it over and over and over again.
Mark Zuckerberg is no Steve Jobs.
--
Visit the archive: http://lefsetz.com/wordpress/
--
Listen to the podcast:
-iHeart: https://ihr.fm/2Gi5PFj
-Apple: https://apple.co/2ndmpvp
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Kevin Godley-This Week's Podcast
Kevin Godley was 1/4 of 10cc, then he and Lol Creme left the band to explore their musical invention the Gizmo and then after that the two became cutting edge video directors at the advent of MTV. Kevin and Lol directed the video for Duran Duran's "Girls On Film," the Police's "Every Breath You Take," Herbie Hancock's "Rockit" and many more. Since parting ways with Lol, Kevin has directed videos for U2, Phil Collins, Alabama 3, Paul McCartney...
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-the-bob-lefsetz-podcast-30806836/episode/kevin-godley-92423810/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kevin-godley/id1316200737?i=1000549882838
https://open.spotify.com/episode/05k23ONvxwWsDDTvKgXZPg?si=hJ-_4JDeQDeJmh-MHbdM2w
https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9ff4fb19-54d4-41ae-ae7a-8a6f8d3dafa8/episodes/d0e6face-203d-4eed-b658-63b3449e9c40/the-bob-lefsetz-podcast-kevin-godley
--
Visit the archive: http://lefsetz.com/wordpress/
--
Listen to the podcast:
-iHeart: https://ihr.fm/2Gi5PFj
-Apple: https://apple.co/2ndmpvp
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https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-the-bob-lefsetz-podcast-30806836/episode/kevin-godley-92423810/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kevin-godley/id1316200737?i=1000549882838
https://open.spotify.com/episode/05k23ONvxwWsDDTvKgXZPg?si=hJ-_4JDeQDeJmh-MHbdM2w
https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9ff4fb19-54d4-41ae-ae7a-8a6f8d3dafa8/episodes/d0e6face-203d-4eed-b658-63b3449e9c40/the-bob-lefsetz-podcast-kevin-godley
--
Visit the archive: http://lefsetz.com/wordpress/
--
Listen to the podcast:
-iHeart: https://ihr.fm/2Gi5PFj
-Apple: https://apple.co/2ndmpvp
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Wednesday, 2 February 2022
Mailbag-Rogan/Popovich/More
Subject: Re: Re-Rogan/Spotify
Your responses to your Spotify/ Neil Young/ Rogan coverage has been quite an eye opener for me.
Sad to see these idiots defend misinformation – here's some sad facts that make me so want to move out of this country
"U.S. Has Far Higher Covid Death Rate Than Other Wealthy Countries" :https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/02/01/science/covid-deaths-united-states.html
Vince Bannon
_____________________________________
Subject: Re: Re-Rogan/Spotify
I think the most depressing thing in this entire feed is all these detractors hitting you with the "fake news" on Russia. First, it's got fuck all to do with the discussion, but that doesn't seem to matter. Second, Trump Campaign connections with Russian Intelligence are matters of public record, signed off on by a GOP-led Senate Intelligence Committee, but *that* doesn't seem to matter either. And that's the depressing part: the echo-chamber hearing impairment for the Party of 2+2=5 is apparently irreversible. So climate change isn't a problem even though it's an enormous problem, Biden didn't win even though there's a shitload of real-world evidence he did, Trump wasn't thick as thieves with the Russians, even though he was thick as thieves with the Russians, the vaccines don't work even though the vaccines do work…"You can't make me believe anything I don't want to believe" is a helluva thing to base the future of our country on.
Oh, by the way: the guy who linked an "actual medical doctor" who Rogan quotes? I opened the link. The guy's a fucking osteopath. Who's going to break it to his newest fan?
All the best,
Berton Averre
_____________________________________
From: Kenneth Williams
Subject: Re: Re-Meat/Pop/Covid
Without out going into too much detail. To date I've lost 5 close family members to Covid. A husband and wife actually died within hours of each other. They'd refused to get vaccinated. Florida living, Trump supporting, conspiracy believing black people who have left their adult children with their mouths open and too much grief to bear. Those were my wife's aunt and uncle. My children's Grandmother died in nursing home. A former girlfriend of mine died last week in hospital. Today a friend of mine Dad died today. Covid is no joke. Play stupid games, get stupid prizes.
_____________________________________
Subject: Re: Re-Rogan/Spotify
Free Speech?
The Supreme Court ruled yelling "Fire" in a crowded move theater is not protected speech. You can't go out spewing lies that harm people and the public good.
Vincent "Rocky" Rockland
_____________________________________
Subject: Re: Re-Rogan/Spotify
Well Bob, there's a lot of replies here from the walking potato crowd that will inevitably age poorly. These people who commented with such vitriol to your piece can't discern the difference between baby shit and buttermilk pancakes. The people here who linked YouTube videos as the empirical truth of quack cures couldn't be more on brand.
Emotional maturity has been in jeopardy in this country for years, maybe it plateaued, maybe we never had much to begin with…but the freedumb crowd displays the same maturity of a child's tantrum in a store when denied candy. They're ripe pickings for the grifter model...A Face In the Crowd bunch if ever there was.
The quack docs have a degree and their misleading statements have been debunked repeatedly. The efficacy of vaccines have been vetted through double blind peer reviews, the science gold standard. Every one of these people who attended public school since the late 50's have had multiple vaccines, and the shots now total into the billions with a B...the probabilities of a vaccine induced fatality falls somewhere between getting killed by an asteroid or discovering a unicorn.
AFA Rogan…he's a lampshader. He qualifies all his "just a regular guy and I don't know nothing" bullshit to preface his disinformation, it's the equivalent of "I was just kidding" while encouraging people to self immolate. If fragile white men weren't so terrified of their self imposed irrelevance, Rogan would be back hocking boxing gloves and we wouldn't be having this sorry excuse for discourse.
Trent Keeling
_____________________________________
From: John Brodey
Subject: Re: Re-Rogan/Spotify
Wow, you weren't kidding. I suppose you didn't even bother with some of the more vitriolic emails.
The ones that just name call and make no sense are not worth bothering with.
It's a fact that really smart people can be stupid at times and make serious mistakes. History is filled with examples.
What happens with those who are not so smart is that their inability to think critically makes them more susceptible to making errors in judgement. They're intellectually lazy. I'm not being dismissive just stating the obvious. How do you support a semi fake rich blowhard who has done nothing for the man on the street and yet you criticize the liberal leaders who created most of the legislation benefiting the average Joe over the last 100 years. In case nobody realized it, anybody with real power and position is very wealthy, on both sides.
I wonder how many of your critics are white and entitled. They want our generation to die off (funny, they're next) but that won't assuage their anger when they find out that it reduces them an ever shrinking ethnic minority.
As for mistrust of government? Conspiracies? How is a government that can screw up retreating from a military defeat suddenly capable of masterminding a cabal of dark forces to enslave the populace?
Science? People fear what they don't understand and fear leads to doubt. Another plot? Virology is a real thing and scientists are continually working on the evolution of variants. In the end a lot more people have survived the pandemic thanks to the vaccine than were 'cured' by Ivermectin. You hear someone say it worked and bingo, you shoot past the part where facts show that it is an anti-parasitic and viruses aren't parasites. What's next, using crazy glue to treat hemorrhoids?
Check out the Power of the Placebo. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mental-health/the-power-of-the-placebo-effect
Despite the battle lines being drawn, one thing we can all agree on is that this house is going to burn to the ground and nothing can stop it.
_____________________________________
From: Dan Navarro
Subject: Re: Re-Neil Young/Spotify
I am jumping on the Neil Young bandwagon, I admit it, I'm following here. The saturation on your mailbag brought it home for me. Will Spotify care? Of course not.
I mean, like Spotify, it's easy, great interface. but I hate how they pay, hate that they fought the rate increase a couple of years ago, while Apple Music agreed to it. Hate that Daniel Eck is a multi billionaire and my community is being called crybabies for to get paid. I hate Apple's interface, and just found out Amazon Unlimited is way cheaper for Prime members. So Imma give it a shot.
An old friend, a great working studio guitar player, is at death's door from Covid, and is anti-vax, anti-mask, "you're all sheep", that shit. And he's dying. Me? I've vaxxed and been exposed twice in the past month, have had eleven negative tests since Jan 5 and no symptoms. And I'm on the road around strangers almost every day. Go figure.
So, yeah, I'm the sheep, following Neil into the meaningless protest. But I'll wave to those other fuckers from the finish line. Oh, wait, maybe I won't. They'll be dead.
_____________________________________
Subject: Re: Censorship
Bob,
I'm in Paris right now. I'd say 90% of people are wearing masks outside, regardless of social distancing, and you have to show your proof of vaccination, and booster if you have it, to do anything, masks indoors and on all public transport are obligitaire.
No one is rioting and protesting their freedom here (as far as my limited French tells me). Sure, am sure there are people who are opposed, but what the general sentiment seems to be is that the sooner we get vaxxed the sooner a version of real life can return. Seems sensible, non?
I still cannot get my head around how basic this all is and yet the conservative right holds firm due to bad facts (and the left rolls their eyes at them). Everyone's an expert on Covid now because they read an article on Facebook from the Daily Sceptic.
The mind simply boggles.
Lindsay Faller
Amsterdam, NL
_____________________________________
Subject: Re: Re-Rogan/Spotify
40 years ago, while a senior in high school, I got a great job driving a taxi in Rochester Minn. Drove many late shifts and ferried 100s of medical professionals and/or families visiting loved ones at Mayo and its sister hospital, St Mary's. About 10% of this segment of my fares wore cloth masks, after work or after patient visits, on their way home or to their hotel. At some point in time, curiosity got the best of me so I got into a conversation with one of these mask wearers and was informed "I'm trying to protect others I encounter because I'm around infectious patients"
There was no mandate, no policy, no orders, and no consequences to not wearing a mask.
I've always viewed that time in life and those interactions as the height of societal respect demonstrated by caring people who went out of their way to exercise caution.
That's why I wear a mask during these times and while my described experience may have been rather unique, the societal respect part is timeless.
All the political posturing over masks is intriguing - in the end, wearing a mask around others is neither hard to do nor is it a sign we're giving up our rights.
It's a matter of common respect for others.
Dennis Pelowski
_____________________________________
From: Gary Lang
Subject: RE: More Spotify/Young/Rogan
I was a VP at Amazon. Amazon's entire existence is based on customer obsession first, then the businesses we got into after. We would never pay Joe Rogan to disseminate misinformation to our customers. Never.
Spotify is a business, but is Ek obsessed by his customers if he's willing to put out information that results in the death of them?
Sorry, but saying it's a business is not a pass for bad behavior that harms customers and destroys the commonwealth. You won't see Amazon or Apple host an idiot going on and on about Ivermectin.
And you jumped the gun saying no one will follow. Give it more than a day.
I'm into HD anyway, so good riddance.
_____________________________________
From: david ferris
Subject: Re: Re-Meat/Pop/Covid
Hey, sir. A note on the legendary Pop. I'm D.X. Ferris, a writer from Pittsburgh, who's been in Ohio a couple decades now. You gave me a quote about Donnie Iris once.
Circa 2005, I wrote a music news column for the Cleveland weekly paper. I had a chance to call Mr. Popovich for something. I left a nervous voice mail, because he's a legend. He returned my call almost immediately — he quickly explained he did so because he recognized my Southwest Pennsylvania accent. We were from the same neck of the woods.
I'm sure he had better stuff to do than take my calls, but he was always generous with his time. And not just with big, accomplished people and cool industry types. That's the kind of guy he was.
Love the show and newsletter. Thank you!
— df
_____________________________________
From: Johnny Palazzotto
Subject: Re: Re-Meat/Pop/Covid
Bob, Don't know why i missed your Steve Popovich story. He was
instrumental in dozens of success stories involving CBS artists.
My stories with Steve are from the first and second Loggins and Messina LP's and tours. Every city on our first tours were covered by a CBS promotion person. Sal Ingeme in Boston was a favorite. Martin Mooney in Cleveland. My best story was day before Carnegie Hall. Steve invited me up to his office in Black Bart. Also there that evening Al Gallico, the music publisher out of Nasville. Steve knew my involvement in pitching songs and asked if I had any suggestions for Al who was looking for songs with Steve for Lynn Anderson. I suggested "Listen to a Country Song by Jimmy Messina and Al Garth. I think it was a big hit for Lynn and another prime example of the impotance of Steve Popovich to the music industry. I MISS STEVE POPOVICH. Johnny Palazzotto
_____________________________________
From: John Brodey
Subject: Re: Re-Meat/Pop/Covid
There was nobody quite like Pop. He had the air of a man possessed while being impossible to dislike. He was relentless. When I was MD at BCN, we (I) had held off adding the album to our library. I didn't mind theatrical aspect but it just didn't have the right vibe for the station. Pop would call every week and ask; how about now? In the end, we were the only reporting FM station left who had not added the record. It got a bit awkward.
Finally Meatloaf was coming to town and Pop called and said he was coming to town and planned to kidnap me and take me to the show at the Paradise. I relented and said okay. The show was tour de force and totally different. Karla D. was fantastic. He knew what he had and sprang the trap. He got his add which closed out the record. I actually apologized to him and like his usual self he said; it's all good.
Soon thereafter I was shocked to get a platinum plaque, so I called and said Steve I don't even deserve a thank you on the Meatloaf success. He said; no man you made it special. Who is that forgiving and passionate? One of the best of that era.
_____________________________________
From: Wendy Waldman
Subject: Spotify
Complicated issue. My music partner and co manager whom you've published before, Mark Nubar, made this very clear observation:
"My biggest issue with all of it is window space. Independent artists finally have a place with Spotify where people are shopping at the mall. Now Neil Young wants to blow the mall up. It's actually infuriating. Indie artists live on islands. With our own records and our own artists and our own record labels. Bridges and boats and planes connect people to our islands. Spotify is a much needed bridge, boat, and plane. It is very difficult to attract audiences without at least some kind of an infrastructure that a place like Spotify provides. "
Bob, this is my dilemma too, and the dilemma of all the artists I work with as I am an independent record producer. I have some name recognition but nowhere near the platform Neil has- I don't necessarily have the luxury to pick and choose-as the labels no longer service my kind of music nor that of my artists, yet the audience continues to want it. So without Spotify, there's no platform and we are once again set back by years.
I like Neil and Joni very much but it's been a long time since they've been down here in the street with the indie artists— some quite famous in fact but nonetheless none of them breathing that rarefied air that becoming a millionaire rock star in the 70s afforded them. I'm a lifelong musician as you know, and I've been at the majors, have had some hits etc but there is no doubt whatsoever that I am an independent artist and producer and have been ever since I left Nashville. So, I agree with Mark- we need these bridges. Even the prominent indies need them as none are a match for the millions a few dudes have from the classic era.
Dilemma indeed.
Wendy Waldman
_____________________________________
From: Steve Popovich
Subject: Meat
Bob,
I hope this email finds you well. Thank you as always for the kind words in regards to my father as you have always been a supporter of his. I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Meat. He moved here to Nashville a couple years ago. It was right after I reactivated Cleveland Int'l he reached out and wanted to meet in person. He came over my house and we sat down and talked about what I was doing with the label and he mentioned he had one album left in him and he wanted to put it out on Cleveland international. You can imagine how excited I was to have that opportunity as for me it was like everything was coming back around full circle. Unfortunately shortly after our meeting Meat was in Dallas, had a horrible accident where he fell off a stage, went through months of recovery, then COVID hit etc. and sadly we never did get it done. All it is now is a great story that I have. Since his passing, I have seen and read from people claiming to take credit for his early success. Barry Gordy once said, if the lion don't take credit for the hunt the hunter will, and thank God my father saved everything pertaining to his legacy. The making of Bat has been documented over the years some good, some not the case where my father was totally left out. I am happy to inform you that we have begun work on my father's documentary and I have some incredible interviews not to mention the story directly taken from my father and am pleased his story will finally be told once and for all. His legacy is far more incredible as to how he championed Meat Loaf but also the incredible signings he had while vice president of A&R while at Epic records not to mention his earlier career while he was the first ever Vice President of promotion under Clive Davis. As Clive said in Pops documentary, "Steve knew how to take Columbia Records from #3 to #1!" He was a man of honesty and integrity and who championed the creative community. He was not a "suit" and that is a huge part as to why people loved him so much. To anyone contesting his belief and being the one responsible for Meat Loaf in the beginning can kiss my ass. Long live Meat may he forever RIP and God bless his family and fans.
"Be stubbornly passionate about your beliefs"
-Steve Popovich Sr.
_____________________________________
From: Stan Goman
Subject: Re: The New Music Dilemma
Bob
I agree with your letter except I would point out that Tower Records paid all vendors big and small on time. All stores took records on consignment from local acts and always paid within 30 days.
I am very proud of this and the support we gave to the indies.
Stan Goman
_____________________________________
Subject: Re: The Joe Rogan Video
Hi from Sydney, Bob
Our airports are open again - time for another tour?
There is something darkly appropriate about Rogan not even being able to fact-check Joni Mitchell v Rickie Lee Jones.
I guess all white chicks with berets look the same?
We live in a post-empirical era.
Sure, there are cultural warriors on the left who push undergrad post- modernism to the point where you are now expected to describe women as "people who menstruate" (and JK Rowling gets a bus- load of strife for calling B/S on that), but its Rupert Murdoch who has elevated the culture wars to the point where every public health issue gets reduced to some purile argument about "freedom" . Its as though Americans are still running around in Tricorn hats, waiting for the next attack from the British, thinking that small-pox is simply God's will.
The difference between the left and right- wing war on facts is one of scale and impact.
Citizen Murdoch has made billions of dollars monetising social disadvantage, resentment and downwards envy. He pushes a particularly Australian form of anti- intellectualism, described best by the Australian historian Donald Horne in his 1964 book "The Lucky Country".
He now pushes that anti-intellectualism through Fox News and even his high brow outlets like the WSJ - with skepticism about climate science and doubt about medical expertise. Even to the point where it now threatens democratic institutions.
You can blame Facebook for sure, but new media relies on old media to generate the content -hence the morbid spectacle of Tucker Carlson acting like he knows more about epidemiology than Tony Fauci, or Sean Hannity thinking he knows more about climate science than NASA.
But be warned - we Australians have had a good 30 years of prior exposure to Murdoch, and another 40 years of his mean old Dad, before Rupert handed in his Australian passport to advance his US business interests.
Murdoch's business model, since the late 70s, has been to pit middle- class voters against workers/unions, workers against the unemployed, and all of the above against migrants.
He converts downwards envy and resentment against academic or scientific "elites" into advertising revenue. Murdoch himself describes his TV personalities as "entertainers" not journalists because that's what they are - a 21st -century version of George Orwell's "two minutes of hate".
It's a delicious irony that the Republicans losing their shit in your email box, wishing you would just stick to class rock, seem happy to be lectured on patriotism by an Australian Billionaire who sold his passport to make a few more bucks.
Bryce Wilson
Sydney
Your responses to your Spotify/ Neil Young/ Rogan coverage has been quite an eye opener for me.
Sad to see these idiots defend misinformation – here's some sad facts that make me so want to move out of this country
"U.S. Has Far Higher Covid Death Rate Than Other Wealthy Countries" :https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/02/01/science/covid-deaths-united-states.html
Vince Bannon
_____________________________________
Subject: Re: Re-Rogan/Spotify
I think the most depressing thing in this entire feed is all these detractors hitting you with the "fake news" on Russia. First, it's got fuck all to do with the discussion, but that doesn't seem to matter. Second, Trump Campaign connections with Russian Intelligence are matters of public record, signed off on by a GOP-led Senate Intelligence Committee, but *that* doesn't seem to matter either. And that's the depressing part: the echo-chamber hearing impairment for the Party of 2+2=5 is apparently irreversible. So climate change isn't a problem even though it's an enormous problem, Biden didn't win even though there's a shitload of real-world evidence he did, Trump wasn't thick as thieves with the Russians, even though he was thick as thieves with the Russians, the vaccines don't work even though the vaccines do work…"You can't make me believe anything I don't want to believe" is a helluva thing to base the future of our country on.
Oh, by the way: the guy who linked an "actual medical doctor" who Rogan quotes? I opened the link. The guy's a fucking osteopath. Who's going to break it to his newest fan?
All the best,
Berton Averre
_____________________________________
From: Kenneth Williams
Subject: Re: Re-Meat/Pop/Covid
Without out going into too much detail. To date I've lost 5 close family members to Covid. A husband and wife actually died within hours of each other. They'd refused to get vaccinated. Florida living, Trump supporting, conspiracy believing black people who have left their adult children with their mouths open and too much grief to bear. Those were my wife's aunt and uncle. My children's Grandmother died in nursing home. A former girlfriend of mine died last week in hospital. Today a friend of mine Dad died today. Covid is no joke. Play stupid games, get stupid prizes.
_____________________________________
Subject: Re: Re-Rogan/Spotify
Free Speech?
The Supreme Court ruled yelling "Fire" in a crowded move theater is not protected speech. You can't go out spewing lies that harm people and the public good.
Vincent "Rocky" Rockland
_____________________________________
Subject: Re: Re-Rogan/Spotify
Well Bob, there's a lot of replies here from the walking potato crowd that will inevitably age poorly. These people who commented with such vitriol to your piece can't discern the difference between baby shit and buttermilk pancakes. The people here who linked YouTube videos as the empirical truth of quack cures couldn't be more on brand.
Emotional maturity has been in jeopardy in this country for years, maybe it plateaued, maybe we never had much to begin with…but the freedumb crowd displays the same maturity of a child's tantrum in a store when denied candy. They're ripe pickings for the grifter model...A Face In the Crowd bunch if ever there was.
The quack docs have a degree and their misleading statements have been debunked repeatedly. The efficacy of vaccines have been vetted through double blind peer reviews, the science gold standard. Every one of these people who attended public school since the late 50's have had multiple vaccines, and the shots now total into the billions with a B...the probabilities of a vaccine induced fatality falls somewhere between getting killed by an asteroid or discovering a unicorn.
AFA Rogan…he's a lampshader. He qualifies all his "just a regular guy and I don't know nothing" bullshit to preface his disinformation, it's the equivalent of "I was just kidding" while encouraging people to self immolate. If fragile white men weren't so terrified of their self imposed irrelevance, Rogan would be back hocking boxing gloves and we wouldn't be having this sorry excuse for discourse.
Trent Keeling
_____________________________________
From: John Brodey
Subject: Re: Re-Rogan/Spotify
Wow, you weren't kidding. I suppose you didn't even bother with some of the more vitriolic emails.
The ones that just name call and make no sense are not worth bothering with.
It's a fact that really smart people can be stupid at times and make serious mistakes. History is filled with examples.
What happens with those who are not so smart is that their inability to think critically makes them more susceptible to making errors in judgement. They're intellectually lazy. I'm not being dismissive just stating the obvious. How do you support a semi fake rich blowhard who has done nothing for the man on the street and yet you criticize the liberal leaders who created most of the legislation benefiting the average Joe over the last 100 years. In case nobody realized it, anybody with real power and position is very wealthy, on both sides.
I wonder how many of your critics are white and entitled. They want our generation to die off (funny, they're next) but that won't assuage their anger when they find out that it reduces them an ever shrinking ethnic minority.
As for mistrust of government? Conspiracies? How is a government that can screw up retreating from a military defeat suddenly capable of masterminding a cabal of dark forces to enslave the populace?
Science? People fear what they don't understand and fear leads to doubt. Another plot? Virology is a real thing and scientists are continually working on the evolution of variants. In the end a lot more people have survived the pandemic thanks to the vaccine than were 'cured' by Ivermectin. You hear someone say it worked and bingo, you shoot past the part where facts show that it is an anti-parasitic and viruses aren't parasites. What's next, using crazy glue to treat hemorrhoids?
Check out the Power of the Placebo. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mental-health/the-power-of-the-placebo-effect
Despite the battle lines being drawn, one thing we can all agree on is that this house is going to burn to the ground and nothing can stop it.
_____________________________________
From: Dan Navarro
Subject: Re: Re-Neil Young/Spotify
I am jumping on the Neil Young bandwagon, I admit it, I'm following here. The saturation on your mailbag brought it home for me. Will Spotify care? Of course not.
I mean, like Spotify, it's easy, great interface. but I hate how they pay, hate that they fought the rate increase a couple of years ago, while Apple Music agreed to it. Hate that Daniel Eck is a multi billionaire and my community is being called crybabies for to get paid. I hate Apple's interface, and just found out Amazon Unlimited is way cheaper for Prime members. So Imma give it a shot.
An old friend, a great working studio guitar player, is at death's door from Covid, and is anti-vax, anti-mask, "you're all sheep", that shit. And he's dying. Me? I've vaxxed and been exposed twice in the past month, have had eleven negative tests since Jan 5 and no symptoms. And I'm on the road around strangers almost every day. Go figure.
So, yeah, I'm the sheep, following Neil into the meaningless protest. But I'll wave to those other fuckers from the finish line. Oh, wait, maybe I won't. They'll be dead.
_____________________________________
Subject: Re: Censorship
Bob,
I'm in Paris right now. I'd say 90% of people are wearing masks outside, regardless of social distancing, and you have to show your proof of vaccination, and booster if you have it, to do anything, masks indoors and on all public transport are obligitaire.
No one is rioting and protesting their freedom here (as far as my limited French tells me). Sure, am sure there are people who are opposed, but what the general sentiment seems to be is that the sooner we get vaxxed the sooner a version of real life can return. Seems sensible, non?
I still cannot get my head around how basic this all is and yet the conservative right holds firm due to bad facts (and the left rolls their eyes at them). Everyone's an expert on Covid now because they read an article on Facebook from the Daily Sceptic.
The mind simply boggles.
Lindsay Faller
Amsterdam, NL
_____________________________________
Subject: Re: Re-Rogan/Spotify
40 years ago, while a senior in high school, I got a great job driving a taxi in Rochester Minn. Drove many late shifts and ferried 100s of medical professionals and/or families visiting loved ones at Mayo and its sister hospital, St Mary's. About 10% of this segment of my fares wore cloth masks, after work or after patient visits, on their way home or to their hotel. At some point in time, curiosity got the best of me so I got into a conversation with one of these mask wearers and was informed "I'm trying to protect others I encounter because I'm around infectious patients"
There was no mandate, no policy, no orders, and no consequences to not wearing a mask.
I've always viewed that time in life and those interactions as the height of societal respect demonstrated by caring people who went out of their way to exercise caution.
That's why I wear a mask during these times and while my described experience may have been rather unique, the societal respect part is timeless.
All the political posturing over masks is intriguing - in the end, wearing a mask around others is neither hard to do nor is it a sign we're giving up our rights.
It's a matter of common respect for others.
Dennis Pelowski
_____________________________________
From: Gary Lang
Subject: RE: More Spotify/Young/Rogan
I was a VP at Amazon. Amazon's entire existence is based on customer obsession first, then the businesses we got into after. We would never pay Joe Rogan to disseminate misinformation to our customers. Never.
Spotify is a business, but is Ek obsessed by his customers if he's willing to put out information that results in the death of them?
Sorry, but saying it's a business is not a pass for bad behavior that harms customers and destroys the commonwealth. You won't see Amazon or Apple host an idiot going on and on about Ivermectin.
And you jumped the gun saying no one will follow. Give it more than a day.
I'm into HD anyway, so good riddance.
_____________________________________
From: david ferris
Subject: Re: Re-Meat/Pop/Covid
Hey, sir. A note on the legendary Pop. I'm D.X. Ferris, a writer from Pittsburgh, who's been in Ohio a couple decades now. You gave me a quote about Donnie Iris once.
Circa 2005, I wrote a music news column for the Cleveland weekly paper. I had a chance to call Mr. Popovich for something. I left a nervous voice mail, because he's a legend. He returned my call almost immediately — he quickly explained he did so because he recognized my Southwest Pennsylvania accent. We were from the same neck of the woods.
I'm sure he had better stuff to do than take my calls, but he was always generous with his time. And not just with big, accomplished people and cool industry types. That's the kind of guy he was.
Love the show and newsletter. Thank you!
— df
_____________________________________
From: Johnny Palazzotto
Subject: Re: Re-Meat/Pop/Covid
Bob, Don't know why i missed your Steve Popovich story. He was
instrumental in dozens of success stories involving CBS artists.
My stories with Steve are from the first and second Loggins and Messina LP's and tours. Every city on our first tours were covered by a CBS promotion person. Sal Ingeme in Boston was a favorite. Martin Mooney in Cleveland. My best story was day before Carnegie Hall. Steve invited me up to his office in Black Bart. Also there that evening Al Gallico, the music publisher out of Nasville. Steve knew my involvement in pitching songs and asked if I had any suggestions for Al who was looking for songs with Steve for Lynn Anderson. I suggested "Listen to a Country Song by Jimmy Messina and Al Garth. I think it was a big hit for Lynn and another prime example of the impotance of Steve Popovich to the music industry. I MISS STEVE POPOVICH. Johnny Palazzotto
_____________________________________
From: John Brodey
Subject: Re: Re-Meat/Pop/Covid
There was nobody quite like Pop. He had the air of a man possessed while being impossible to dislike. He was relentless. When I was MD at BCN, we (I) had held off adding the album to our library. I didn't mind theatrical aspect but it just didn't have the right vibe for the station. Pop would call every week and ask; how about now? In the end, we were the only reporting FM station left who had not added the record. It got a bit awkward.
Finally Meatloaf was coming to town and Pop called and said he was coming to town and planned to kidnap me and take me to the show at the Paradise. I relented and said okay. The show was tour de force and totally different. Karla D. was fantastic. He knew what he had and sprang the trap. He got his add which closed out the record. I actually apologized to him and like his usual self he said; it's all good.
Soon thereafter I was shocked to get a platinum plaque, so I called and said Steve I don't even deserve a thank you on the Meatloaf success. He said; no man you made it special. Who is that forgiving and passionate? One of the best of that era.
_____________________________________
From: Wendy Waldman
Subject: Spotify
Complicated issue. My music partner and co manager whom you've published before, Mark Nubar, made this very clear observation:
"My biggest issue with all of it is window space. Independent artists finally have a place with Spotify where people are shopping at the mall. Now Neil Young wants to blow the mall up. It's actually infuriating. Indie artists live on islands. With our own records and our own artists and our own record labels. Bridges and boats and planes connect people to our islands. Spotify is a much needed bridge, boat, and plane. It is very difficult to attract audiences without at least some kind of an infrastructure that a place like Spotify provides. "
Bob, this is my dilemma too, and the dilemma of all the artists I work with as I am an independent record producer. I have some name recognition but nowhere near the platform Neil has- I don't necessarily have the luxury to pick and choose-as the labels no longer service my kind of music nor that of my artists, yet the audience continues to want it. So without Spotify, there's no platform and we are once again set back by years.
I like Neil and Joni very much but it's been a long time since they've been down here in the street with the indie artists— some quite famous in fact but nonetheless none of them breathing that rarefied air that becoming a millionaire rock star in the 70s afforded them. I'm a lifelong musician as you know, and I've been at the majors, have had some hits etc but there is no doubt whatsoever that I am an independent artist and producer and have been ever since I left Nashville. So, I agree with Mark- we need these bridges. Even the prominent indies need them as none are a match for the millions a few dudes have from the classic era.
Dilemma indeed.
Wendy Waldman
_____________________________________
From: Steve Popovich
Subject: Meat
Bob,
I hope this email finds you well. Thank you as always for the kind words in regards to my father as you have always been a supporter of his. I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Meat. He moved here to Nashville a couple years ago. It was right after I reactivated Cleveland Int'l he reached out and wanted to meet in person. He came over my house and we sat down and talked about what I was doing with the label and he mentioned he had one album left in him and he wanted to put it out on Cleveland international. You can imagine how excited I was to have that opportunity as for me it was like everything was coming back around full circle. Unfortunately shortly after our meeting Meat was in Dallas, had a horrible accident where he fell off a stage, went through months of recovery, then COVID hit etc. and sadly we never did get it done. All it is now is a great story that I have. Since his passing, I have seen and read from people claiming to take credit for his early success. Barry Gordy once said, if the lion don't take credit for the hunt the hunter will, and thank God my father saved everything pertaining to his legacy. The making of Bat has been documented over the years some good, some not the case where my father was totally left out. I am happy to inform you that we have begun work on my father's documentary and I have some incredible interviews not to mention the story directly taken from my father and am pleased his story will finally be told once and for all. His legacy is far more incredible as to how he championed Meat Loaf but also the incredible signings he had while vice president of A&R while at Epic records not to mention his earlier career while he was the first ever Vice President of promotion under Clive Davis. As Clive said in Pops documentary, "Steve knew how to take Columbia Records from #3 to #1!" He was a man of honesty and integrity and who championed the creative community. He was not a "suit" and that is a huge part as to why people loved him so much. To anyone contesting his belief and being the one responsible for Meat Loaf in the beginning can kiss my ass. Long live Meat may he forever RIP and God bless his family and fans.
"Be stubbornly passionate about your beliefs"
-Steve Popovich Sr.
_____________________________________
From: Stan Goman
Subject: Re: The New Music Dilemma
Bob
I agree with your letter except I would point out that Tower Records paid all vendors big and small on time. All stores took records on consignment from local acts and always paid within 30 days.
I am very proud of this and the support we gave to the indies.
Stan Goman
_____________________________________
Subject: Re: The Joe Rogan Video
Hi from Sydney, Bob
Our airports are open again - time for another tour?
There is something darkly appropriate about Rogan not even being able to fact-check Joni Mitchell v Rickie Lee Jones.
I guess all white chicks with berets look the same?
We live in a post-empirical era.
Sure, there are cultural warriors on the left who push undergrad post- modernism to the point where you are now expected to describe women as "people who menstruate" (and JK Rowling gets a bus- load of strife for calling B/S on that), but its Rupert Murdoch who has elevated the culture wars to the point where every public health issue gets reduced to some purile argument about "freedom" . Its as though Americans are still running around in Tricorn hats, waiting for the next attack from the British, thinking that small-pox is simply God's will.
The difference between the left and right- wing war on facts is one of scale and impact.
Citizen Murdoch has made billions of dollars monetising social disadvantage, resentment and downwards envy. He pushes a particularly Australian form of anti- intellectualism, described best by the Australian historian Donald Horne in his 1964 book "The Lucky Country".
He now pushes that anti-intellectualism through Fox News and even his high brow outlets like the WSJ - with skepticism about climate science and doubt about medical expertise. Even to the point where it now threatens democratic institutions.
You can blame Facebook for sure, but new media relies on old media to generate the content -hence the morbid spectacle of Tucker Carlson acting like he knows more about epidemiology than Tony Fauci, or Sean Hannity thinking he knows more about climate science than NASA.
But be warned - we Australians have had a good 30 years of prior exposure to Murdoch, and another 40 years of his mean old Dad, before Rupert handed in his Australian passport to advance his US business interests.
Murdoch's business model, since the late 70s, has been to pit middle- class voters against workers/unions, workers against the unemployed, and all of the above against migrants.
He converts downwards envy and resentment against academic or scientific "elites" into advertising revenue. Murdoch himself describes his TV personalities as "entertainers" not journalists because that's what they are - a 21st -century version of George Orwell's "two minutes of hate".
It's a delicious irony that the Republicans losing their shit in your email box, wishing you would just stick to class rock, seem happy to be lectured on patriotism by an Australian Billionaire who sold his passport to make a few more bucks.
Bryce Wilson
Sydney
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Tuesday, 1 February 2022
Album Closers Playlist
https://spoti.fi/3uhvasm
Note: I couldn't include Neil Young's "Last Trip to Tulsa" and "Cowgirl in the Sand" and Joni Mitchell's "Last Time I Saw Richard" because they are no longer on Spotify.
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Note: I couldn't include Neil Young's "Last Trip to Tulsa" and "Cowgirl in the Sand" and Joni Mitchell's "Last Time I Saw Richard" because they are no longer on Spotify.
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Re-Rogan/Spotify
Damn right Bob!
And their argument is that it's stopping "free speech".
They assume that if debated enough the truth will eventually come out. That if enough people presented different opinions then that makes the truth more accurate. What they don't seem to want to admit is that, there's a lot of privilege and inequality that goes on behind the scenes that allow the loudest person to make the most noise. What's accountability? If you're talking the loudest and seem super self assured, then you must be right, right ?!
It's just another form of oppression and marginalised communities yet again are the ones being harmed the most.
I appreciate you and others speaking up about this. Thanks.
From a POC artist. Feiloka.
__________________________________
Towards the end of his video Rogan says he loves Joni Mitchell too(in addition to Neil Young) 'I love her music , Chuck E's in Love is a great song'.
Tells you all you need to know. Doesn't know the difference between Joni Mitchell and Rickie Lee Jones.
Thanks.
Andrew Butcher
__________________________________
Pathetic that other artists are not stepping up to support Neil and Joni.
Is their pocketbook speaking to them or their integrity?
Alyse M. Kobin
__________________________________
I used to think that 1960s hippies were against "the man". But this whole Covid thing just confirms what they (Archie Bunker) used to say/ you're a bunch of commies. ?????
Will Maze
__________________________________
'You have no idea how dumb people are. They can't spell, and they can't understand the facts and they can't analyze..."
When did Liberals become so gross and condescending? Anybody and everybody who doesn't vote for their political hack or buy into their narrative is ill-educated and stupid.
Keep believing that Bob.
Talk about an echo chamber.
And you guys wonder why everyday working class citizens despise Limousine Liberals and the media class.
Btw... I subscribe to the NY Times. Physical paper. They get shit wrong. When they deign to run a correction it's buried in small print in the back.
Chad Anderson
__________________________________
Most of what you are saying re Rogan is true. There is a little generic stuff going on out there that doesn't apply to him quite as simply as the usual nonsense being flung about. He did double down inappropriately when ran some stuff up the flagpole. The cloth masks worked against the OG version of omicron. It works against most airborne transmission. How many people do you know that even had a cold in the last two years while wearing any form of mask and social distancing? It wasn't until omicron came along where if you basically wink at someone they get covid where they said n95 or 3-ply surgical mask or bust.
So for Joe to say that people were saying cloth masks were useless during the first phase and now they aren't, so therefor they were right, it doesn't work that way. Also, there WAS a window where the vaccines seemed to have prevented any kind of infection with regards to the og version of the virus. Which was never the point. Then it turned out you could get sick but you wouldn't go to the hospital, which was always the point.
As with him misinforming his audience, the main issue, not just with his audience, but people in general these days is that people hear something once, and because media is so splintered these days, people never hear the corrections. They just move on. Although in his case, since he has a pretty devoted return audience he can probably support this better than most. If he were to start subsequent podcasts with something like "first off, thanks for tuning in. And thanks to so and so for joining us last week, just a couple of clarifications from last week's podcast", etc,
He and really anyone can't expect his audience to hear something as food for thought and then go learn more about it, especially with the mess that is internet news these days. And don't double down on the dubious claims of your guests. It's not a very high bar that one needs to clear.
Joe isn't Alex Jones, not even remotely close, and he's not a journalist, but there are still standards you have the same way you wouldn't say some stuff to your friends if you weren't sure of the veracity of it.
Jeff Gorlechen
__________________________________
And he can't even get the spelling of Rickie Lee Jones or Chuck E's in Love correct!
Peter Wark
__________________________________
Rogan will equivocate. Because he's a punk, a self-important shit-disturber.
That's the role for all of those like him - Trump, Josh Hawley, Alex Jones, all of them. Puffed up with their platforms. Full of themselves. They like disturbing, hurting, damaging people's lives. They get a power rush from it. And, they make money from it.
That kind never change their stories. They double down when called out. Doubling down attracts a crowd, the kind who like to watch someone get beaten up, maybe a woman or a child, symbolically. The cruelty excites them.
My sense is that Rogan enjoys that kind of power. That he can hurt people with misinformation, that it draws a crowd…
Am I wrong?
John Parikhal
__________________________________
Imagine that, the party of thoughts and prayers perpetuates lies and myths to prop up their existence. And killing their base while doing so. Hell of a plan.
Jeff Sackman
__________________________________
Thank you for this! Have you seen the singer songwriter Joseph Arthur and his anti-VAX lunacy that's lost him tons of fans, shows and a manager? Yes he's a Rogan fan. And, he was trying to sue the Los Angeles Times for an article that called him an anti-vaxer.
So tired, Katherine Turman
__________________________________
You are correct sir!!
Joe Rogan is a dope and a dangerous con artist .
No more, no less.
And Spotify is absolutely without shame for not shit canning him immediately.
I cancelled my subscription immediately and am waiting for more artists to join Neil
and Joni and do the right thing.
This is a no brainer for the most outspoken and influential of classic rockers.
Where are Bruce, Little Steven, Don Henley,James Taylor, Graham Nash, Sheryl Crow, John Fogerty, Bono, Elton, Jackson Browne and Eddie Vedder, just for starters?
Stephen Dessau
__________________________________
You are asking a lot of the former host of Fear Factor. I get all of my medical advice from Brian Dunkleman, so I am safe.
Dan Fullick
__________________________________
No! No! And No!!!
Don Hyde
__________________________________
So Joe Rogan is a man of the people... let me finish it for you, and the people suck
George Drakoulias
__________________________________
everything you said is spot on…
PLUS…he thinks Joni Mitchell is Rickie Lee Jones?!?!
(did you watch the entire video? - he says, "I love Joni Mitchell..."Chuck E's In Love" is a great song.").
Terry Anzaldo
__________________________________
Watching the left eat itself is so very funny yet sad at the same time. You obviously have never actually listened to his podcasts. Much like your ridiculous hot takes on Dave months back before actually watching his latest. Go back to writing about the music industry because those were informative and interesting reads. I was a fan. Now you just bitch about politics like every other leftest on Team Blue. Falling right in line with every narrative you are fed while not realizing you do more damage then good to causes and people you think you champion. Hope to read some insightful things on related to the music biz from you in the near future.
GJ Koehler
__________________________________
He can choose his science and he has and your hero Daniel Ek is paying him beaucoup bucks to be a douche. Not just playing his podcast. He's paying him to spread this nonsense.
Harold Love
__________________________________
If you listen to the Sanjay Gupta interview, you see how subtle and deliberate Rogan can be. He casts doubt on what Gupta says, but with a quiet seemingly reasonable voice instead of a scream or overwrought rhetoric. That's way more sinister in my book. He wasn't just having a conversation. He was working against his guest because he does in fact have a point of view.
Tim Redman
__________________________________
I agree. However, this nonsense is going to continue to grow, fester, simmer and boil over if we don't somehow call a timeout. I suggest a 2 step reboot.
1. Make Fox remove the word NEWS from broadcasts that only offer opinion. They are not news but people see it on the screen, tacitly elevating opinion and entertainment into News. When "Opinion" is being broadcast, on all news outlets, add yet another bit of screen real estate to scroll/flash "OPINION" on the video feed.
2. Actual consequences. Where are they? Not just 1/6 but we can trace that back to the Mortgage Crisis and further if you try. How does that saying from our youth go... No Justice, No Peace. Shame that had to be brought back, but incomprehensible that it's just as relevant today, perhaps more.
These 2 steps will not make everything ok. But if truth, justice and the American Way are only a bit of dialog George Reeves uttered as Superman we may not ever have a chance to start narrowing the divide.
Mike Marrone
__________________________________
Bravo sir!
Steve Baker
__________________________________
You know the minute I lost it all for Aaron Rodgers? When he told Pat McAfee he had talked to
Joe Rogan…even McAfee had to look away…I mean WTF?
Tom Clark
__________________________________
Can't wait until your entire backwards fuckin drugged up generation dies off. Or at least the ones that think they are on the side of truth because they lick boot and toe the company line. Rock and Roll is dead because the creators turned into fuckin pansies. Hip hop is dead for the same fuckin reason. Whats a 5 percenter? a BLACK ACTIVIST that doesn't believe in the government. 'There's pork in jello'. Activism is dead. YOU GUYS KILLED IT. SUCKER. ASS. BITCHES.
Youre on the WRONG side of history and your reputation will pay dearly. Good thing the only people that pay attention to you are on their fuckin deathbeds. Gene therapy mandates (It isn't a vaccine if it dont STOP THE SPREAD). Get off your high horse you limp dick fuck. The next generation's moment is now and don't give 2 shits about you dinosaurs who are attempting to ruin our culture from your perch. You're gonna fall and we're gonna laugh.
You think it's Rogan. Youre so fucking wrong. We're sick of being lied to. IM A DEMOCRAT HES A DEMOCRAT YOU IGNORANT BASTARD. The reason the Dems wont hold office anytime soon is IDIOTS like you and SWISHER and the rest of you assholes I used to respect. No more. Draw the line and stand on the side of censorship. Idiot.
Reputation death Bob. You might as well start a book club and kick back on your rocker and eat your applesauce. Loser
Josh Berman
__________________________________
I know how dumb people are, I read your reviews and your politics. You are dumber than most - or duped and easily so. I don't know anyone else spreading as much misinformation than you. Im guessing you are a short man with a short penis because I know few people that are still as in awe of trump than you - man, you must barely sleep at night!! Trump loves vaccines as much as you so maybe see a therapist.
Marjorie Weir
__________________________________
how can you demand #1 and also #4?
"Hi I'm Joe and I know nothing about this topic so I hope to have an objective conversation and learn. But before we begin I would like everyone to know that I've done my research and all these experts with differing opinions are WRONG! Its misinformation!"
you're not making sense Bob
you're becoming part of the problem
Adam Lyons
__________________________________
You going to write one of these on "The View"? You think they're telling it straight? You think they don't have millions doing things against their own interests on account of what they say?
Man…where will this stop? Do you really think you can stamp out wrong stuff everywhere it exists? And do you think the stamping isn't political? There's wrong shit everywhere and no one seems to care until it rubs a democrat the wrong way.
Let's try this, everyone…educate yourself, get a wide exposure to conversations, make up your mind. Caveat Emptor. Trust none of it until it vets out.
Or do you really think the censors can just keep thinking for everyone?
Thanks,
Bob Sheehan
__________________________________
As Marv says…..YES!
Corey Bearak
__________________________________
You can lead a human to knowledge but you can't make it think ~
Rock Singer
__________________________________
Based on my knee jerk response to this story, you sure put me in my place!
Points well taken.
Joel Hirsch
__________________________________
how can these idiots admit to anything when all it would do is open the door to a million wrongful death suits?
Chris Spector
__________________________________
Great read, thanks
Toby Mamis
__________________________________
I agree completely Bob.
But what is Apple doing? They've got Dr. Robert Malone on Steve Bannon's show a week or two before he was on Rogan. Same message. Where is the outrage? Where is the response from Apple? I don't see any warnings
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-1-436-the-virus-and-the-turkey-w-dr-peter/id1485351658?i=1000542981502
If we're going to hold the middle men accountable, and I think we should, then let's hold them all accountable. Spotify is not alone in serving up this type of content. And Apple and YouTube/Google helped facilitate Joe Rogan's rise to popularity. This is way bigger than Spotify. It's way bigger than podcasting. As you say, it's about truth and, sadly, we are living in a post-truth era.
Thanks for doing your part to set the record straight.
-Will Phalen
__________________________________
Have you found the Russian collusion yet the left told me about for 3 years ? When you do let me know and you will have credibility , until then you are a cranky old man out of touch .
Joseph A Ondris
__________________________________
Jesus Christ- are you stupid, Bob. Fucking hell.
nickwegener2
__________________________________
I couldn't take anything he said in the video seriously after he said he loves Joni Mitchell, that Chuckie's In Love is a great song. Sure we all misspeak from time to time, but in his Instagram edit he admits he thought Joni did that song. Just a perfect example of how he thinks he knows something, so he says it out loud, but is wrong. Except with Covid when he's wrong there's real world consequences. (At least he didn't say "I love Neil Young, A Horse With No Name is a great song".)
Nikki Vinci
__________________________________
Did you hear Joe's lame Instagram post defending himself. He goes on to say what a fan he is of Neil Young and then goes on to say how much he loves Joni Mitchell- especially her song "Chuck E's in Love"
You can't make this stuff up. Obviously this guy does not believe in fact checking and feels he has the right to spew misinformation. Sorry- there has to be some accountability and responsibility that comes with having that many followers .
Tracy Gershon
__________________________________
Damn straight Bob. Damn straight.
I pulled my self released material off of Spotify. It's not enough to cheer Neil and Joni from the sidelines. Need to stand with them.
I'm still trying to get the label that released some of my music to pull them down but they are resisting.
Bobbo
__________________________________
The question in my mind is why should the liberal agenda care? Less Covid 19 vaccinations mean fewer conservative thorns in your side...or DOES it?
Gerald Murphy
__________________________________
YESSSSSSS!!!!!!
Young Hutchison
__________________________________
Bob - oy, check your own work for misinformation. I don't think Rogan has ever told people to take ivermectin. From what I heard him say is that he reported that he took it based on the guidance of his doctor and that people should consult with their doctor about this stuff.
Do you even listen to his podcast?
Been reading you for over a decade. You miss the mark when it comes to this topic.
- Dylan Diewold
__________________________________
Having more people discussing the pros and cons of covid vaccines is like discussing whether the Earth is flat or round. It's a waste of time, except in the issue of vaccines, it's deathly dangerous. I wonder how many people have died because of Joe Rogan?
Bruce Gordon
__________________________________
Thank you Bob. Keep it up.
Tod Mesirow
__________________________________
?What this whole exercise teaches me is that voices that command respect need to make themselves heard. Neil Young is listened to not just because of what he does but because of who he has been for his entire life.
When those voices speak out change happens. As you point out, the solutions are not complicated. For people like Rogan who speak to millions, with great power comes greater responsibility to take the time to get it right.
He says he wants to do better. Spotify says it wants to do better. We need to hold them to that and to keep the pressure on by continuing to demand accountability.
George Laugelli
__________________________________
Utter bullshit. Ivermectin works by the way. That's why Joe took it. Something worked he did.
You know what kills me the most is you and these old rockers not wanting to have any conversation about your beloved pharmaceutical companies and governments being wrong. Just do what they tell you and follow the narrative your government says is right. Huh???? Aren't we SUPPOSED to question what the authorities tell us? Isn't that the essence of rock and roll? Ohhh… I get it… now it's if the Cdc, Phizer and Merck say it's fine then shut up and say it's fine. If not we'll protest you and take you off the air, burn your books and boycott your free speech. I don't get it.
Truth doesn't care if it's questioned, only lies and liars do. Do you really think Phizer has your best interest at heart? DO YOU?
It's so beyond dumb to think so and anyone that dares share contrary info, like say, a scientist who helped create the MRNA technology, is deemed a quack! Seriously??
Neil Young is upset because Joe Rohan's guest said something false…. Bullshit. Everybody knows he's trying to drum up some listens for his new Sirius/XM station.
tres sasser
__________________________________
Go drink some wine dude. You're unhinged.
Rick Jones
__________________________________
The guy's just a grifter. But he's a $200,000,000 grifter. That kind of dough is worth (somebody else) dying for. What we have here is literally a corporation killing for profit. For the grift. Do you seriously think that right and wrong have anything to do with it? It's just their nature. Spotify, Facebook, and Twitter are the scorpion stinging the frog. But they won't drown in the river. They're the deities of our time. They'll just float above the carnage.
Carl Seibert
__________________________________
8. Admit Rickie Lee Jones wrote "Chuck E's in Love".
Chris Cappeto
__________________________________
This is one of the best things you've written, Bob!
Russ Daggart
__________________________________
Its past the point of reason. It's not even that Google is too tough, but that Google is apparently "in on it". Now they say "You can't search using Google, you have to use DuckDuckGo."
Did you know that soccer players are dying from heart attacks since the Covid vaccine was mandated in order to be eligible to play? That the vaccine is actually gene therapy?
Neither things are true, a simple Google search proves that. But now Google is telling you what to think, directing you AWAY from the truth. I found the same results on DuckDuckGo, of course, but most people that believe this tripe are too far past convincing otherwise.
The last interesting thing Joe Rogan did was NewsRadio. Why do so many people view him as a critical thinker?
Best wishes,
Adrian Day
__________________________________
Spot on, Bob.
Early Joe fan from his stand-up comedy club days in the late 90s. Remembering him introducing me to Joey Diaz & Tom Segura; stopped going when he was doing larger venues.
When he started his podcast it was hilarious because everyone got stoned. It was like hanging w/a bunch of buds.
Joe was very curious about where guests heads were at— whether he agreed or not. Listened to lots of comics podcasts back then: Marc Maron & Kevin Pollak's, stand out in my memory.
Thought it was funny, Joe thought it was funny, when the show began to take off. But stoner culture, still illegal back then, had a definite following & Joe tapped into it eg. Seth Rogan, Jim Breuer, shades of 70's Cheech & Chong.
But his podcast has been the most listened to for like a decade. Huge for a long time, no longer some niche comic, & his stand-up in major cities are in venues holding thousands. His calling out of another popular comic's stealing of material, definitely padded his public resume. And his regular hosting of MMA fights has to pay well & raised this visibility, post Fear Factor. He's made serious bank off advertising/sponsorship as he should.
But with the fame & the wealth over an extended period of fame becomes the insulated "yes bubble" . Even in the ruthless world of comedy, because of of his power & influence—remember millions of listeners on the regular—who is gonna call him out on his social / civic responsibility? He's just a lucky fucker who gets stoned & asks what many are curious about—but you & I don't have millions hanging on every word.
Like you've pointed out, Bob, reading the papers & staying in THAT conversation is a point of age & privilege: hours in the day + economics. Most folks are busting their asses keeping a roof over their heads & food on the table. So his podcast is like the Facebook/Feta & other social media, the only input on any topic A LOT of folks are getting.
Winston Churchill put it best when he said, "The price of greatness is responsibility."
Also, combating disinformation is not censorship.
—Joel Messerrer in SF
__________________________________
Bob,
Don't you think it's a little disingenuous
to rant about Fox while ignoring the last four years of the fake Russian collusion
story in The NY Times and the mainstream media, C'mon Bob a little consistency
Stuart Wax
Midnight Music Management
__________________________________
You read it how you want to Bob... feels like I am watching you become
more and more single-minded, closed-minded.
Joe Rogan admits that he get's things wrong sometimes... that was
clear, but you read something else.
Does mainstream media ever admit the like?
He says that he allows people from both sides on his show... does
mainstream media do that? Not a chance... they say what they want (or
what their sponsors, Pfizer, want them to - you do know that, right?),
and never apologise for the misinformation and lies.
what he is not going to apologise for, and I would lose respect for
him if he did, is searching for the truth... not just going blindly,
closed-mindedly, single-mindedly (as you appear to be), along with
what our leaders (the Fauci's - caught for lying, Biden - 'I will
never mandate the vax', and countless other lies and misinformation,
and the WHO, funded by Gates (conspiracy FACT), who keeps flip
flopping.
So continue following the lies Bob, getting angry when people seek the
truth, getting angry when people don't agree with YOUR understanding
of the truth.
I have stuck with you a long time, because I really enjoy your
insights in to music and technology... but where it comes to people's
lives, the power hungry leadership who have failed us, and you STILL
go along with everything they say... believing that these jabs are
helping, that the masks are helping, that lockdowns are helping...
while the poor get poorer and the rich get richer, and all our
freedoms are taken away bit by bit.
You lost me today, Bob.
I wish you all the best, and hope that with your large following, you
see the light soon.
Cheers
Shaun Booysen
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Harvest Moonie seems to have forgotten how important self determination is for the demographic his music speaks to.
jb
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What responsibility?
Neil Young has spewed his ideology for years with solid evidence
He is pro abortion, which dangerous even if you are pro choice. It is dangerous procedure
He spews his climate agenda without any sound scientific baking. Dangerous
He is pro drug use. Again dangerous
It is not his place to demand how a business runs its service.
He is just looking for attention
William
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So anything on www.mercola.com relating to the vaccine is wrong too?????????? Mercola unlike Rogan is a medical doctor. He sites sources that seem valid.
David
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Yes Bob! yes!
Dennis van Leeuwen
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Hey Bob , did you hear Joe say he loved Joni Mitchell and the song Chuck E's in love is a great song ...
John Kieselhorst
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Your problem is that you think people are stupid and can't tell lies from truth.
Well, maybe you're the stupid one.
Ever thought of that?
Thor House
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100% this
Robin Hill
A brilliant summation of the issues (misinformation and erasure of standards of truth and science) that are either going to see blowback correction or will be the basis for the rise of Trump/Hitler/Nero authoritarianism such that history will repeat itself with the fall of another great modern global power- The United States of America….
Best,
Zannman
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Do you realize that Joe Rogan is not a Republican? He doesn't outright claim to be a Democrat, but said on his podcast just a few months ago that he has never voted Republican. In the 2020 primaries he was supporting Bernie Sanders.
I am a longtime subscriber to your letters as well as a longtime listener of the Joe Rogan Experience. Just like all of us, Joe is human and makes mistakes, but for the most part he gets it right. The guy is very smart, a critical thinker, and has an incredible capacity to retain knowledge. His podcasts are 3+ hours of diving deep into various subjects. In the myocarditis snippet it looks like he was corrected by an expert and didn't want to accept it based on an article or articles he had read. But that's the world we live in, Bob. The truth is hard to find. There is an article or study to back everyone's point of view or agenda. The truth is no longer black and white and we are caught in the middle of it all. Nobody knows what to believe.
In his Instagram video addressing the matter he brings up the ever-shifting "truth" surrounding Covid. He mentions that just a few months ago denying the effectiveness of cloth masks, believing the lab leak theory, or saying that people who are vaccinated can still catch or spread Covid would get you banned from social media. Now these things are widely accepted. He is absolutely right about that.
Daniel Clower
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I'm not a massive fan of Rogan's but I really don't get why are some people so upset with him. Rachel Maddow spent four years lying through her teeth about Trump being a Russian spy (and Sean Hannity before her that Obama was a Kenyan socialist -- if only that one were true!) and that's fine apparently. And even on the narrow subject of Rogan, CNN lied because they must know Ivermectin (whose efficacy with Covid I make no claim) is one of the WHO's essential medicines, not "horse paste" -- but they kept repeating it. Rogan has some clowns on the show but compared to the mainstream media this guy is an oracle of truth. When Rachel Maddow gets stuff wrong (usually on purpose, I know she's not stupid), she doesn't tweet out the report that contradicted her stance like Rogan did last month.
CHARLES KENNEDY
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?
If you actually listened to the podcasts with Dr. McCullough and Dr. Robert Malone, you'd realize they both pose very compelling questions around the official narrative.
Dr. McCullough is a highly-published, board-certified physician who testified before CONGRESS, while Dr. Malone was one of the main contributors to the invention of mRNA vaccines.
Have you considered you being the one misinformed? Realize that calling for censorship makes you a bigot. You are the problem buddy. Shame on you.
Cheers,
Martin Z
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Thank you for writing about TRUTH, about RESPONSIBILITY. And thank you for not being afraid to say that people are stupid. We have the same problem in the UK _ Boris Johnson apologises for some people being upset by what's happened, but he never takes responsibility and apologises for the fact that it happened.
Spotify should dump Rogan, but not just him, they should dump ALL podcasts. If they're not prepared to accept the responsibility of being publishers, they should just be content with being the best music distribution company in the world.
Mike Donovan
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Bob, lol. You are in entertainment and media. You certainly know how to rile up a reader.
If you are so cock sure about your Covid facts, then please post them for your readers.
Send a mail with your irrefutable Covid facts and vax stats and let your audience be the jury.
You generalise about Joe Rogan and 'misinforming' people, well firstly it's their choice to research it, but more importantly you don't exactly put the facts down either.
I live between England and South Africa and I am hearing more and more stories about young women who's menstrual cycles are out of sync let alone pregnant women losing babies of the vax. And the sportsman complaining about heart problems, footballers dropping on the pitch?
You are losing credibility for a waning audience.
T Weakley
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"Spotify is a publisher." 100% right. Spotify crossed the threshold into publishing when they combined licensing existing content (music from it's owners) to paying for content to be created for them. Most publishers have editorial guidelines to ensure their creators (journalists in the case of the NY Times) is of a standard which is deemed suitable of the publisher; whether paper, digital, broadcast, audio or otherwise. It's a form of quality control so creators/journalists don't go rogue… regardless of what "rogue" is.
I worked for the Financial Times during the financial crisis. The FT's journalists had a responsibility to their audience to ensure they cited the facts and removed emotion from their reporting as they didn't want to insight panic, fear monger or cause a run on the banks. There were points during the crisis where some of the journalists were genuinely scared of the possibilities of what could happen or disagreed with the fiscal measures being instigated. The FT had (and has) a robust set of editorial guidelines journalists have to follow.
There are initially 100 million reasons why Joe Rogan is going to be a problem for Spotify. However, as Spotify continue down this route and try to expand their share of the audio publisher market Joe Rogan will not be the last creator that causes problems of this nature for them. This is not social media or user generated content. Spotify are publishing and distributing audio content they are paying for.
Mark Jennings
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Re: Joe Rogan / Neil Young and "Misinformation"
Joe says: "I love Joni Mitchell too, I love her music… Chuck E's In Love is a great song"
More misinformation!
Kenny Jacob
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First, I guess if anyone should know about the efficacy of drugs, legal or not, it's musicians from the 60's. They have certainly indulged in just about everything you can get your hands on over the years. I think it would really help if we had Keith Richards talk to the population about the efficacy of drugs. He has to be the living expert.
Second, many of the things science has claimed to be true about the pandemic, are now accepted and known to be false by the same scientists. Here are just a few examples: a.) Cloth and surgical masks work to protect others, now only N95 masks work. b.) The vaccine will eradicate the virus. c.) Masks should be worn to protect others, and now it is to protect yourself. d.) If you test positive, you need to quarantine for 10 days, and now you only need to quarantine for 5. e.) If you are a healthcare worker who tests positive you need to be quarantined for 10 days, now if you are a healthcare worker who tests positive, but is asymptomatic you should come to work.
I could go on and on, but your hatred of anyone's opinion that questions your position does not allow you to consider my thoughts. Just keep on following good old Neil Young, who everyone knows is nowhere.
Dennis Paulik
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You are wrong on this one.
Michael Brunnock
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you're right on the money here.
I recently found out what research means.
I just finished my first novel which will be out in Germany in March. It's based on the story of a German guy called Oskar Speck who in the 1930's paddled from Ulm, Germany, all the way to Australia in a folding boat over the course of seven years. Only to be incarcerated upon arrival and put in an internment camp because WWII had started.
You can pretty much find the story on the internet where … they don't even have the day of his death right (they gave him two more years than he had). Now my book is a novel, but I wanted to include as many facts as possible. I had my first version after a year and then had the chance to go to Australia and sit in a museum and read everything from his estate, letters, articles, diary, you name it. I spoke to his friends, his gardener, slept in his house, built a 30's folding boat and took a trip in Sydney harbor… and visited his grave. That's how I know when he died.
After twelve years of writing and rewriting the novel is now finished and for the first time in good shape. :)
Of course: no-one can do all this research, but that's why we have experts and you gotta trust them, no matter which field they are in.
But instead we have badly educated people googling while they speak before they think.
Thanks for your missives, I enjoy them every time.
Tobias Friedrich
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It's always amazing to me to see how progressives demand such equal obedience and zeal for their opinions.
Todd Fernandez
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GOD I love you!!!!!
J A Etchison
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Very well done.
Gary Witt
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Actually it's you I'm going to stop supporting!
I'm shocked that you've become this old blow hard who doesn't know who/what he's talking about.
It's obvious you've never watched/heard his long form show.
Thanks, but we viewers aren't as ignorant or feeble as you think and we are capable of discerning truth in a discussion.
Which is what Joe was doing.
He's not an antivaxer and his taking the vaccine was delayed because he got Covid. And any therapies he tried were directed by HIS DOCTOR! Damn.
He is NOT a news show — this ain't NBC or for that matter The View — do you see/hear how many times Whoopie Goldberg gives misinformation! She was 3x vaccinated and STIll got Covid while saying "you can't get it if your vaccinated!" Stupid.
You and your hysterical minions are why the democrats will lose the next presidential election.
You're on a tangent and can't even see how crazy this is! With COVID restrictions coming down around the world, you seem to think that this draconian dragging of Joe Rogan is going to make it all right again in your world!
Ha! While I'm fully vaccinated, I'm appalled at this group think mentality that's got "artists" fighting to displace one entity for the other corporate entity: the Government! That's right the Government is a corporate entity too. Pharma $ runs that joint like they run everything else.
So what's next? Who else are you going to demand speak and believe the "national" line? When someone forces you to use a pronoun you're unfamiliar with will they be replaced? If someone says the flu shot is not for them - what are you going to do? Kick them off TV (try the girls on The View, they declined that shot for hilarious unfounded reasons, but hey, that's not a campaign you're promoting so they get a pass at being "misinformed".
How about getting rid of the folks who say "get over January 6" like Condoleeza did on The View! Is that not misinformation?
You're so concerned about COVID - you're ready to throw out all the free speech bath water.
Cool. Do that. I'll be done with you too.
Rogan's responsibility because he's POPULAR?!
You all sound like haters. Because he outnumbers everyone - daily!
Okay, tell that to the next rapper with an audience of millions that raps about the joy of molly, lean Adderal and Percocet …don't they have a responsibility because so many MILLIONS listen to them too?
This is a free country and I realize freedom is scary to some but,
Fear is taking over your thinking…and Fear thinking is why Dems will lose.
Jacqueline Rhinehart
P.S. Ira Glasser (former head of ACLU) was right:
"Everybody believes in free speech — if it's theirs!"
How many times has Fauci been wrong or misinformation? He said the cloths masks were good when he knew they weren't and he wanted to avoid a run on n95 masks…then there was the "vaccinated can go without masks"…or the vaccinated won't spread the virus"!… should I go on??
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There's so much wrong with this, and I don't have the time to educate you on everything. But here's the big points
Joe does prepare for all his guests and challenges everyone he has on
He very often says he knows nothing and to not take medical advice from him
He has repeatedly said that if you're older or in an at-risk category you should take the vaccine
Spotify is a content aggregator. They're not a publisher.
Joe and Aaron Rodgers and Dana White all got over Covid within a few days by following joes treatment advice which he himself says relied more on monoclonal antibodies than ivermectin
The whole point of what he does is to explore alternative views. If no one ever questions the mainstream narrative then those in power will do whatever they want. We need media to question those in power and prod and test the narrative they're pushing.
If people take medical advice from a comedian's podcast isn't that on them? Where does personal responsibility fit into this for you, Bob?
John Paterson
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Your whole post has only one sentence that mattered. "This is what four years of Trump has wrought"
U damn right it started with Trump. He blew the lid off this whole bullshit system Neo.
Wake up Bob. Your old ass grandpa Biden is confirming what Trump already exposed. The US is done. Rome is falling. You and Neil and whoever else tries to defend this crap is all going to be wrapped up and sent packing.
Rogan is here to stay and there are many more behind him. Try in vain but the digital Revolution is going to sweep u aside. Bye Karen.
Jack Lynady
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Joe Rogan will never admit to anything, he got a slap on the wrist for that. Spotify has a huge problem with that guy. It's only gonna get worse.
Tep No
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…….great piece, bob…….….human nature: ain't it a bitch………
Tommy Allen
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OK Bob, Dry your tears for chrissake...This is why people hate the left...Outside of you over the hill losers the majority of us would rather protect free speech...Fuck Neil Young. Why don't you spend your time writing about Joe Biden's wonderful first year? Or Maybe Hunter's Laptop? You and your band of Hollywood clowns are losing and it's gonna get worse...Enjoy the midterms. Tom Ryan
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Good way to stop the spreading mis- information Bob… by spreading it yourself with complete fallacy.
Funktion808
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Your ignorance of the way new discoveries occur and scientific knowledge advances is a real handicap when you veer so sharply out of your lane. You sound like an uneducated nincompoop. ;)
Ask Walter Isaacson where Einstein's "Theory of Relativity" would be today, if standards like those you espouse for podcasts prevailed. His hypotheses on the nature of light were considered so outrageous to the "experts" of his day, so "out of the mainstream", that he was literally cancelled by the academic community of the time. He couldn't even get a job teaching math… Albert Einstein. Imagine!
Today those theories are the Bible… but that doesn't stop people (real scientists) from taking a skeptical approach to every aspect, as they continue to challenge, prove and re-prove it. And Einstein would have liked it that way.
I think probably you're just getting old. After all, a closed mind is often a product of experience. ("I used to be wrong, but then I learned, and now I'm right". ;) Truth is, younger people don't mind having their thoughts stretched every which way by opposing views. Sometimes it's even refreshing to think deeply about the absurd. It's just exercise, and they understand exercise. They haven't reached the point where everything must be taken so seriously. And they're just not worried about dying. As a once-young ski bum, you should be able to relate. ;)
Unfortunately, there is a new contingent of youngsters - those who feel "threatened" or "unsafe" by new or controversial ideas.That is where the real danger lies.
Mark Terry
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Right on, Bob. Thank you.
David Pearl
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Talk about misinformation? He said Joni Mitchell recorded Chuck E's In Love"! That was the final straw. What an ass.
Fred Vigdor
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Best newsletter post ever. It sums up exactly what is happening just not here but in the World. Trump's actions has created an environment of acceptability to lie, give misinformation and negate the truth. Will we ever see a reverse in this kind of thinking? I hope so, but not so sure.
Hosh Gureli
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Hahaha. I love how much this is triggering you Bobby.
rynnxn
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"You have no idea how dumb people are. They can't spell, and they can't understand the facts and they can't analyze."
Wow, are you including Biden voters in that Bob? Yikes if so.
Cheers!
Michael Lang
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There is currently a "Flat Earth Society". There are also anti-vaxxers, and many loony Evangelicals who believe that using miracle drugs to save a child's life from Leukemia is somehow usurping god's authority. Rogan is a moron, and like other media pundits of his ilk, he is only marginally more knowledgeable than the idiots who listen to him. Today's right could tell these people "Godzilla is coming" and they would believe it, so manipulating them into paranoid delusions using the same marketable bullsh*t as everyone on Fox News and the right wing disinformation echo chamber about Ivermectin and other irrational and unscientific clap trap is just par for the course. It's just a modern day stylistic spin on what stupid people have been doing since the dawn of time. There is however a new and frightening pathology to these modern day zombies. Like Lemmings they run happily toward the cliff. Those who lack the brains to know that the former first lady of the country isn't running a whorehouse in a pizza parlor, probably also lack the brains to prevent them from jumping.
Today's right is incompatible with a democratic republic and a giant step toward the de-evoution of mankind. They sure as hell aint helping the gene pool.
Larry Brown (guitar)
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Yes. Exactly. I never paid for Spotify and I never paid attention to Rogan but the painful irony that he gets a $100 million contract while the artists get paid in pennies was not lost on me.
Sometimes, a relatively minor detail brings home the bigger story. In the video you wrote about, Joe Rogan says: "I love Joni Mitchell, 'Chuckie's (sic) in Love' is a great song." Misspelled title, wrong artist, WTF? How much can you love Joni Mitchell if you associate her with "Chuck E's In Love" by Rickie Lee Jones? Somebody fed that dickhead this line - he hasn't a clue.
(We know about the misspelling because Rogan tweeted a correction after this stupid mistake and even then, he miss-wrote "Check E's" as "Chuckie's")
The points you make are much more important but this detail is the kicker for me.
Mark McLaughlin
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" I love Neil Young, Love Joni Mitchell, Chuck E. in Love is one of my favorite songs"
what an idiot, he sez that at the end…
Marc Brickman
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Just like TV news isn't in the news business, they are in the advertising business. Joe Rogan isn't in the science business, he is in the "hype" business.
Perhaps that is the disclaimer that should be used.
Steve Bruns
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Bob, the problem is that he either doesn't know what/which is 'right', or thinks he is right. This is analogous to those on the right who think they are 'saving democracy' by storming the capitol and supporting a coup to overturn an election. We are in the topsy turvy. I have watched Rogan (guessing you have as well?) yet I am vaccinated and wouldn't take ivermectin if I got covid any more than I'd take a stool softener. I wish I knew how we get out of this mess. The ignorance has always been there - but our digital media magnifies, intensifies and turbo boosts its ability to spread.
Mark Meyerson
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Not addressing misinformation is our road to hell, paved with indifference. The average American doesn't understand supply side economics, macro global economics, or any culture outside of their vastly small bubble. Realize 60% of Americans live within 75 miles of their birthplace. The dance that Fox is playing with regimes like Hungary or watching Tucker hard sell the benefits of Russian authoritarianism is such a late stage democratic death siren because of a total misappropriation of the First Amendment. The judiciary branch is compromised, the legislative branch is awash with co-conspirators who are willing to cash out on democracy, assuming they themselves will be above the fray and still entitled post democracy…and we watch and wait hoping AG Garland is going to come to the rescue before the clocks all strike 13.
Craziest part? We collectively have the ability to stop it if there were a cohesive source of media that could combat the Murdochs, and focus any messaging from Democrats that didn't seem like they feared being impolite. Allow the defamation suits and award damages, none of these outlets care about anything but their bottom line. The Dems have decided they will pet the rabid dog until it behaves...instead of put it down as the only viable option.
Apply for your dual citizenship to Canada now...it's a process but you will have a place to flee to if they start building more prisons to hold the people who will insist on democratic rule..I wish this were all hyperbole.
Trent Keeling
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Look what happened! Joe Rogan say's (summarized) he can do better and will! Daniel Ek's response is a typical corporate response but at least he's acknowledges he/Spotify can do better and is planning a few initiatives.
Look what Neal did! WOW!
Quick note to tell you that I switched from Spotify to Tidal (HiFi Pro). Now that I've been using it for a few days, I wanted to let you know that it's easy to use and sounds great. They provide an app that goes into your Spotify account and auto transfers your Spotify playlists into Tidal. It works great. I've had very little disruption to my music listening since transferring.
Note: I do not work for Tidal nor have any affiliation with anyone or anything associated with the company.
Love and appreciate your work!
Sarra Jarvis-Gallagher
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Thank you
Brian Jonas
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Big fan, thanks for taking the various stands you take, especially on politics and Covid. I have a thought about the Joe Rogan/Spotify situation. When Covid was brand new and nobody knew anything about it, Joe had Michael Osterholm from the U of Minnesota on to explain things. It was fabulous and Joe was very much on team sanity at that time. If you haven't listened to it, I highly recommend it. Mr. Osterholm has unquestionable credibility on this issue.
My thought: You have a platform with some reach and influence. If you challenged Joe to bring Michael Osterholm back on his program for an interview, maybe it would cause some pressure on Joe to invite him. My speculation would be that it will be very hard for Joe to maintain his current positions on the science of the vaccination. (He may very well hold his position on the issue of government vaccination requirements, but that is a different issue).
Anyway, please continue to be the voice you are. You are doing good work and I believe it matters.
Cheers
Ken Goldfine
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I wouldn't worry about Joe too much Bob. Even though Joni and Neil attempted to assert how righteousness and self-important they are by pulling their songs and protesting Rogan interviewing someone with an alternate take on what's happening, Joe stated in his recent video, "I like Joni Mitchell. "Chuck E's in Love" is a great song. (Poor guy's just not trackin')
Rich Nisbet
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'Straight forward, everyday manner'? C'mon it was CYA protect the 100M deal was all that it was!
Jimmy
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I agree wholeheartedly.
Misinformation has consequences.
Now it is time that people who spread misinformation should face the consequences, too. Not just the regular folk but the influential folk in the media.
Andy Jones
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This is one of your best ever Bob. And you are so very right about this most basic precept: nature follows rules. It has no opinions. It simply is, and we have to try to understand it in order to survive it. Science is understanding the rules of nature. If course there are differing views and always have been. Those have led to progress and even greater understanding in many cases, but once established they are fixed and we operate according to them.
What we have now is social football with every player on the field exercising their right to play by the rules as they wish to interpret them. If it was a game, it would end in chaos and fights everywhere on the field.
But it's not a game but our entire state of being that's at stake. And instead of pulling together according to the laws of nature and society, there are fights breaking out everywhere on the field.
You're right. People are ill-informed and under-educated. Very few people I know have an even basic understanding of history. If they did, they'd see that we are living in the 1850's now in this country. And we should all know what happened not long after that.
What we need is to corral the Joe Rogans and confront them with the truth in a public forum. We need to debunk them publicly and in a way that even they cannot deny.
So why not have him on YOUR podcast? Take him on, armed with fact - maybe with a scientist or two at the table as well - and get him to either prove his knucklehead positions or disown them…publicly.
While you're at it, please also sit down with MJT and a history book. I would love to listen to that!
Bob Ezrin
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Perfectly stated, Bob.
I've said it for years: Joe Rogan is the moron's smart person.
Deplatforming Rogan won't make stupid people any smarter and in any case they'd just follow him to whichever Newsmax-equivalent podcast network snatches him up.
What underpins the whole problem here is that the pseudo-libertarianism that Rogan encourages his audience to practice is deeply antisocial at its core. There's no need to take responsibility for your actions because you're responsible only to your self and by extension no one else should be allowed to judge or limit how stupid you behave or how wrong your beliefs are. There is no sense of responsibility to your neighbors, to your subscribers or to the society writ large.
Up here in Canada we've got the same attitude on display in Ottawa with our very own *sigh * "freedom convoy" #flukluxclan. Undereducated pseudo libertarians whining about the public health orders that are in place to protect us all and which stands in stark relief to the exhaustion and emotional wreckage suffered by doctors and public health workers everywhere.
When dumb people believe antisocial morons we all suffer. And at the shallow end of the IQ pool, not only is no one ready to apologize or make corrections but they are encouraged to continue their stupidity parade by the purveyors of nonsense and snake oil like Rogan and his ilk.
Unfortunately for us all, the real truth regarding every major catastrophe facing our time is if we continue to behave as though our actions have no consequences, the shit sandwich we're all going to have to eat keeps getting exponentially worse. And Rogan will keep unapologetically gaslighting. He's getting richer by the day, why stop now?
Jason Prack
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Right on, Bob.
Medea Isphording Bern
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As long as you think MSM is a credible source of facts/information, you will continue to be in the dark. I dare you to watch this 20 minute clip. If after you still buy into the bullshit that you can trust anything from MSM, such as the BCC, you will remain hopelessly in the dark, I guess forever.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bza1gAc8sOA
If you want to see the original clip by Dr. Campbell, it is this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UHvwWWcjYw
Kurt
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YES, YES, YES, give em hell Bob. thanks.
asegal
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Yessir! Please keep on.
dw davis
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"Joe Rogan Shares Incorrect Coronavirus Story Just 24 Hours After Apology | HuffPost Entertainment - Although the podcaster later deleted the tweet, he made no reference to the error."
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/joe-rogan-ivermectin-coronavirus_n_61f8d3bae4b0061af2634cfc
Bill
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You've made great points here. I think you should go on his podcast and have a frank discussion with him about all this stuff. I think he would do it. I don't know Joe personally but I MIGHT be able to get his booker's info from Adam Curry if you'd like me to try.
Tracy Lipp
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I enjoy your letter however your credibility took a hit when you wrote about Dave Chapelle without even watching his special. That was shocking actually. I realize you eventually did watch and took the opposite view point, that he should not be fired. I'm sure you won't switch viewpoints on this issue however have you even listened to any of these Joe Rogan interviews before writing this? Based on the Chapelle incident and the fact that you didn't reference any specific interviews, I'm pretty doubtful that you did. If you haven't, you should. Maybe his stance is more nuanced than you assume.
Regards,
John
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Relax Bob this isn't China
Jarek W. Semrau
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Right on!
Brad Merritt
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Thank you. So well said. Too bad neither Rogan or Elk will listen. Because greed "trumps" taking responsibility. Stay safe.
Michael Reinert
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Hello Bob, Keep the faith, storm the trenches, etc. and I mean it. I have paralyzed muscles around my eyes from a nasty run in with measles that got to my face. That was after a run in with polio that left me lying flat for months and stopped growth in the bones and muscles of my body. Those diseases were real in the fifties when there were no solutions but dark rooms, iron lungs and prayer. Joe Rogan and his ilk must be stopped. Freeze them out! Peace, Brother, rwhake.
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Rogan has interviews with people from all walks of life and they are very long ones too where some things are said that are false or dun dun dun misinformation. I think what you'll see now is he will have some more debates on the issues rather than just one sided prognosticating. Either way I think the way out especially for the dems/liberals/mainstream media to gain trust is to not put down working class people by calling them dumb. It's never worked, republicans made the same mistake in the 1980s when they went against workers rights and they still make the same mistake now blaming welfare queens, when corporations are the real welfare queens etc. a lot of left leaning people have decided to take this same strategy in calling anyone who opposes them dumb or purveyors of misinformation. Well as a great man once said every action has an equal and opposite reaction and that's what you're seeing now from this ironically dumb strategy.
Thanks for your insights love the newsletter
-Tom Quinn
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A curmudgeonly rockstar who dumps his wife of 36 years for a Hollywood actress 15 years younger should not be calling anyone or any company out for moral or ethical reasons. But since the guy who tried to foist his own sound system on the public has now unwittingly sucked music fans into his personal tiff with Joe Rogan, I guess I'll chime in on Neil Young as well.
Tl,dr: He's wrong.
Longer version: Even if I don't like Rogan – and I am boosted and wear N95 masks – I resent Neil Young making me choose between a music platform that fans worldwide overwhelmingly prefer or follow him to another platform. I don't want to use Amazon Music – I have thousands of songs and playlists that I would need to migrate. I already tried Apple Music and it is inferior. And don't get me started on Pandora, Band Camp or Soundcloud.
Here's a short list of other performers on Spotify with objectionable content: John Martyn (certified wife beater), Roger Waters (anti-Semite), John Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas (incest allegations) … hell Bill Cosby is on Spotify. Charles Manson is on Spotify!
So am I supposed to cancel any organization that does business with people I don't like? No: As an adult, I should make an informed, thoughtful choice and weigh the positives and the negatives. And Spotify's ease of use outweighs the content that I may find objectionable. Hell, if I followed Young's advice I wouldn't be driving a car. Or wearing shoes. Or clothes. Or live in a house.
Back in 1985 liberals and Democrats – no doubt Young included – howled when Tipper Gore got explicit lyrics labels placed on albums. Now these hypocrites are doing worse with Rogan and Spotify because they are too lazy and precious to just ignore what he is saying.
Needless to say I won't be following Neil Young to his next platform. Or Joni Mitchell. Or Failure, or any other artist that leaves Spotify in a huff.
Paul
Exnra
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Bob,
I don't expect you to really take the time to read this, but I decided to take some time to send it anyway.
I like receiving your e-mail, you have an interesting perspective on a side of the business that often goes under the radar, music biz, promotion etc, and I do find it interesting, but lately, I just wish you'd stop getting involved in what is going on re covid and this current controversy.
You are starting to sound a little crazy.
Some of your condemnation of unvaccinated is getting a bit too close to nazi persecution for my liking, and in this latest e-mail, you are sounding quite deranged.
You mention Rogan's research, have you ever took the time to watch the podcast yourself??
He has young Jamie on hand to pull up any fact that needs clarifying, and I'd suggest you take some time to watch episode 1768 with Dr Robert Epstein for some home truths about your beloved Google, if you are truly interested in the political quagmire you find yourself in.
I'll also recommend episode 1718 with Dr Sanjay Gupta, CNNs doctor, who has to reluctantly agree that his employer, CNN, openly lied about Rogans covid experience.
In the same episode, Gupta actually LIES again about the procedure known as Aspiration, which has been implicated in some of the instances of myocarditis we are seeing in young men, do your own research on this subject to understand the consequences of this, and why Gupa's lies about it have some deep implications.
I think you need to stop spreading your own mis information really, I have seen you being quoted by The Guardian over here, in one of the hit pieces they have published on Rogan, you can see how it spreads, and this is something that Rogan has brought up numerous times, truths and facts ARE being suppressed right now, you simply cannot rely on the established mainstream media these days, they are lying openly and getting away with it.
Here are a few other episodes that you might find enlightening, as further examples of what Rogan actually does,
Episode 1717, Alex Berenson, who is currently banned from twitter for simply interpreting statistics, and highlighting the cover ups that are going on re-vacinnes and covid statistics.
You have obviously already watched episodes 1747 with Dr Peter McCullagh, and episode 1757 with Dr Robert Malone, as you have pointed out the 'mis information' that is being spread by these 2 EXPERTS, but it might refresh your memory on the subject.
There are so many examples of what makes Rogans show special, the Amanda Knox episode, which highlights what can happen when the mainstream media gets it wrong, and the Jewel episode, which was just amazing.
Despite all this, you just want to label him as a right winger spreading mis information, if he has a responsibility, then so do you, to actually do some research on the subject you are spouting off on.
RE- Neil Young, a bit of a hypocritical dinosaur really, when you take into account the recent revelations of who he sold 50% of the rights of his catalogue to, for something like 50 mil, I wouldn't be surprised if the co owners of his music are currently taking action to sue him for some form of breach of contract, there is a bit of history of aggressive legal action from these people.
Keep on rocking in the free world, right Neil.
Bob, stop hopping on the controversy, you are starting to sound a bit stupid, deranged at times, and time will tell, but will you be able to correct your own mistakes??
A concerned reader,
Andy Kirkwood
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You have fallen victim to your own criticism. I am actually stunned. What do you know about Ivermectin exactly? Did you know that it's been around over four decades (FDA approved) and won a Nobel prize for being a "wonder drug". Did you know that it has one of the lowest recorded side effects or adverse events of any drug you care to name? Did you know that in the province of Utter Pradesh in India (population 240,000,000) it brought down covid cases by 99%? You talk a lot about truth, but the real truth is you do not actually want the truth. All those things I mentioned are facts, but to you they are 'misinformation'.
And yet you are your own Joe Rogan. You take no responsibility either. You are also not a doctor. Joe Rogan's guest is a rock star in the world of cardiology. He has published over 660 peer reviewed papers, more than any other physician. He is literally at the top of his game. Of course we should be listening to what he says, not just because of his credentials but because he has zero conflict of interest.
"Just imagine if the New York Times got something wrong". Are you actually serious? You are literally not paying attention are you?
You haven't heard Joe Rogan saying his guests are wrong. Actually what he has done, is he's invited any doctor, scientist, virologist, epidemiologist, onto his show to debate them. Nobody ever does. That's because he choses guests who know their s**t. A debate would literally kill the narrative forever, and they know this all too well. So instead they use those bogus fact-checking websites that you fall for every single time.
You could learn a thing or two from Joe Rogan by having an open mind. I literally cannot belief the links you chose, the "12 people are behind..." stuff. Do you even know how the media works these days. I think you have finally reached that day when you are horribly out of touch.
I am sorry but if your view is anything close to the mainstream view in America then you have a huge awakening coming your way.
Reece Gilmore
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...or.....why 'liberals' aren't honestly liberal anymore:
Don't people do their own research at all or does everyone with a 'device' simply parrot the Narrative's Kool-Aid squawking out of it, for expediency - falling like dominoes to the most overt and widespread social engineering effort on Earth, ever - mindlessly nodding in sync with ubiquitous and incessantly repeated talking points without questioning a goddamn thing! Has everyone completely lost the ability to tell the difference between sincerity, deceit, and especially the plethora of misinformation about honest information ("Just 12 people..." - such an easily verifiable steaming dogpile!) - masses running away from it with eyes closed because they've been admonished to not even look at it - by their 'Masters' - who have successfully brainwashed them with bullshit into believing it's for the 'greater good' - programmed like robots - soooo WEAK!!
I was alive when the Kennedys and MLK were killed. They warned us about this - and now, between the MAGA mob and head-in-sand sanctimonious liberals, the land of the free and home of the brave has never looked so hopelessly long gone as in these 2020s! Even worse is that there is no place in the world to escape from this psychotic dystopian design. So disheartening to witness how much of humanity has completely lost any real prowess at basic logic, reading with comprehension (if at all!), fundamental critical thinking skills, and integrity in general. Technology has us devolving and drowning instead of evolving.
Indeed:
"Constitutional illiteracy to the side, the 'hate speech' framework for justifying censorship is now insufficient because liberals are eager to silence a much broader range of voices than those they can credibly accuse of being hateful. That is why the newest, and now most popular, censorship framework is to claim that their targets are guilty of spreading "misinformation" or "disinformation." These terms, by design, have no clear or concise meaning. Like the term "terrorism," it is their elasticity that makes them so useful.
It is not possible to disagree with liberals or see the world differently than they see it. The only two choices are unthinking submission to their dogma or acting as an agent of "disinformation." Dissent does not exist to them; any deviation from their worldview is inherently dangerous — to the point that it cannot be heard."
- The Pressure Campaign on Spotify to Remove Joe Rogan: https://greenwald.substack.com/p/the-pressure-campaign-on-spotify?token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjo2Njk1MjMyLCJwb3N0X2lkIjo0NzkwODUxMiwiXyI6Ijg2R3ZPIiwiaWF0IjoxNjQzNTAxNDc0LCJleHAiOjE2NDM1MDUwNzQsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0xMjg2NjIiLCJzdWIiOiJwb3N0LXJlYWN0aW9uIn0.nDk3GaJM5h3HH0S1jjgot58qTuSYaGkRk6hV_hGgQ6c
Beau
Lone Wolf Evolutionary
(and lifelong progressive)
when ya gonna wake up, Bob??
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Bob, with all due respect (& let me preface this by saying I was vaccinated)..
CNN, MSDNC & FauxNews take NO responsibility for the mis & disinfo they spread on an HOURLY basis.
And they never apologize or make corrections the next day the way publications like the NY Times do.
But Rogan needs to be cancelled merely because he questions the corporate owned mainstream narrative?..ok Bob, really??
You're asking Rogan to follow a list of demands the major networks would NEVER adhere to (& they will NEVER be cancelled for).
Have you noticed how many Big Pharma ads now dominate all the major networks lately? Ever since Bush Jr. passed that bill in the early 2000s allowing the direct advertising of pharmaceuticals to consumers?
And we're the only country on the planet that does that (except New Zealand, where it's heavily regulated apparently)
I'm sorry, but since when it is it MY responsibility to ask my doctor which drugs they should know they need to prescribe ME??
And again for the record, I was vaccinated, 3 shots from Moderna. I believe in the vaccines. But why should they be the ONLY option. Says whom??
Where did this "manufactured consent" come from, exactly??..(exactly).
But I question how much of this has really been in our best interest, & how much of it has been a major windfall for Big Pharma & their shareholders.
I would also argue Big Pharma is now a more powerful lobby in the 21st century, than Big Oil was in the 20th.
As for Neil Young & Joni Mitchell, this goes way deeper than 2 aging rock stars who just, all of a sudden, decided to become "woke"? Right out of the blue, & into the black..?
This rabbit hole runs deeper than you or I may realize Bob..& it goes far beyond 2 aging rock stars who haven't been outspoken about much of anything outside of their music & songwriting since the Vietnam war.
Saagar Enjeti (w/Krystal Ball on Breaking Points): How Neil Young, Amazon, & Hedge Funds Are Trying To CANCEL Joe Rogan:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-AEmqvyikM
Rick Marino
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Bob, I agree with everything you said. But, to no effect. Joe Rogan uses a variation of the Jon Stewart "just a comedian" defense: "I'm just a weed-smoking fighting commentator, but also I bring on world-renowned guests and create the impression of important discussion with an audience that dwarfs all broadcast and streaming news programs in America." Rogan wants to produce the Charlie Rose-level current events influence without the fact-checking that Rose, or Russert, etc. brought in real-time. The Joe Rogan Podcast is hardly BBC Hard Talk.
For most of the show's history, it was a shoot-the-shit, zero-prep program where the host was bringing on guests he befriended or was curious about. He'd read a book apart from the podcast, and then have the author on. There were a lot of medical and health-related guests with questionable content, but it wasn't poisoning the democracy level fare. As many commenters to the YouTube clips point out, Rogan kind of went off the deep end of right-leaning political contrarianism during COVID. As a loyal watcher, it seemed to me that normal liberals and progressives stopped getting booked, and "liberal, but can't vote for Democrats" contrarians were welcomed.
The booking of his show was never newsroom-level rigorous, but it's become a constant stream of similarly minded political and intellectual figures. There's never been an effort to "hear all sides" of any debate. He's never booked dieticians that argue intermittent fasting is just re-branded eating disorders He's never intentionally hosted shows with skeptics of modern wellness businesses like his ONNIT enterprise. Can you imagine him inviting a fat activist to discuss the importance of inclusive fashion modeling? What about him talking with medical researchers that have literature proving that "diet and exercise" actually don't provide a long-term fix to obesity? He did have Sanjay Gupta on, but I think Gupta's effort missed the point of the show: it's not a rigorous discussion of things. It's barely researched chit-chat on important topics and then comedy or sports topical shows a dime a dozen in each genre.
I'm most disappointed that the inspiring and life-changing guests are much fewer on Rogan these days. And Spotify's video podcast layout is terrible.
Gordon Chaffin
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"I mean look you know the guy said all Jews should be exterminated I don't necessarily agree I just like having conversations with all different kinds of people…"
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I've got no skin in the game about this one as I've never listened to Joe's show, but reading your message made me think of one thing and one thing only - The Narcissist's Prayer:
That didn't happen.
And if it did, it wasn't that bad.
And if it was, that's not a big deal.
And if it is, that's not my fault.
And if it was, I didn't mean it.
And if I did...
You deserved it.
Keep on keeping on,
Joel Beeson
And their argument is that it's stopping "free speech".
They assume that if debated enough the truth will eventually come out. That if enough people presented different opinions then that makes the truth more accurate. What they don't seem to want to admit is that, there's a lot of privilege and inequality that goes on behind the scenes that allow the loudest person to make the most noise. What's accountability? If you're talking the loudest and seem super self assured, then you must be right, right ?!
It's just another form of oppression and marginalised communities yet again are the ones being harmed the most.
I appreciate you and others speaking up about this. Thanks.
From a POC artist. Feiloka.
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Towards the end of his video Rogan says he loves Joni Mitchell too(in addition to Neil Young) 'I love her music , Chuck E's in Love is a great song'.
Tells you all you need to know. Doesn't know the difference between Joni Mitchell and Rickie Lee Jones.
Thanks.
Andrew Butcher
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Pathetic that other artists are not stepping up to support Neil and Joni.
Is their pocketbook speaking to them or their integrity?
Alyse M. Kobin
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I used to think that 1960s hippies were against "the man". But this whole Covid thing just confirms what they (Archie Bunker) used to say/ you're a bunch of commies. ?????
Will Maze
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'You have no idea how dumb people are. They can't spell, and they can't understand the facts and they can't analyze..."
When did Liberals become so gross and condescending? Anybody and everybody who doesn't vote for their political hack or buy into their narrative is ill-educated and stupid.
Keep believing that Bob.
Talk about an echo chamber.
And you guys wonder why everyday working class citizens despise Limousine Liberals and the media class.
Btw... I subscribe to the NY Times. Physical paper. They get shit wrong. When they deign to run a correction it's buried in small print in the back.
Chad Anderson
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Most of what you are saying re Rogan is true. There is a little generic stuff going on out there that doesn't apply to him quite as simply as the usual nonsense being flung about. He did double down inappropriately when ran some stuff up the flagpole. The cloth masks worked against the OG version of omicron. It works against most airborne transmission. How many people do you know that even had a cold in the last two years while wearing any form of mask and social distancing? It wasn't until omicron came along where if you basically wink at someone they get covid where they said n95 or 3-ply surgical mask or bust.
So for Joe to say that people were saying cloth masks were useless during the first phase and now they aren't, so therefor they were right, it doesn't work that way. Also, there WAS a window where the vaccines seemed to have prevented any kind of infection with regards to the og version of the virus. Which was never the point. Then it turned out you could get sick but you wouldn't go to the hospital, which was always the point.
As with him misinforming his audience, the main issue, not just with his audience, but people in general these days is that people hear something once, and because media is so splintered these days, people never hear the corrections. They just move on. Although in his case, since he has a pretty devoted return audience he can probably support this better than most. If he were to start subsequent podcasts with something like "first off, thanks for tuning in. And thanks to so and so for joining us last week, just a couple of clarifications from last week's podcast", etc,
He and really anyone can't expect his audience to hear something as food for thought and then go learn more about it, especially with the mess that is internet news these days. And don't double down on the dubious claims of your guests. It's not a very high bar that one needs to clear.
Joe isn't Alex Jones, not even remotely close, and he's not a journalist, but there are still standards you have the same way you wouldn't say some stuff to your friends if you weren't sure of the veracity of it.
Jeff Gorlechen
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And he can't even get the spelling of Rickie Lee Jones or Chuck E's in Love correct!
Peter Wark
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Rogan will equivocate. Because he's a punk, a self-important shit-disturber.
That's the role for all of those like him - Trump, Josh Hawley, Alex Jones, all of them. Puffed up with their platforms. Full of themselves. They like disturbing, hurting, damaging people's lives. They get a power rush from it. And, they make money from it.
That kind never change their stories. They double down when called out. Doubling down attracts a crowd, the kind who like to watch someone get beaten up, maybe a woman or a child, symbolically. The cruelty excites them.
My sense is that Rogan enjoys that kind of power. That he can hurt people with misinformation, that it draws a crowd…
Am I wrong?
John Parikhal
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Imagine that, the party of thoughts and prayers perpetuates lies and myths to prop up their existence. And killing their base while doing so. Hell of a plan.
Jeff Sackman
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Thank you for this! Have you seen the singer songwriter Joseph Arthur and his anti-VAX lunacy that's lost him tons of fans, shows and a manager? Yes he's a Rogan fan. And, he was trying to sue the Los Angeles Times for an article that called him an anti-vaxer.
So tired, Katherine Turman
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You are correct sir!!
Joe Rogan is a dope and a dangerous con artist .
No more, no less.
And Spotify is absolutely without shame for not shit canning him immediately.
I cancelled my subscription immediately and am waiting for more artists to join Neil
and Joni and do the right thing.
This is a no brainer for the most outspoken and influential of classic rockers.
Where are Bruce, Little Steven, Don Henley,James Taylor, Graham Nash, Sheryl Crow, John Fogerty, Bono, Elton, Jackson Browne and Eddie Vedder, just for starters?
Stephen Dessau
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You are asking a lot of the former host of Fear Factor. I get all of my medical advice from Brian Dunkleman, so I am safe.
Dan Fullick
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No! No! And No!!!
Don Hyde
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So Joe Rogan is a man of the people... let me finish it for you, and the people suck
George Drakoulias
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everything you said is spot on…
PLUS…he thinks Joni Mitchell is Rickie Lee Jones?!?!
(did you watch the entire video? - he says, "I love Joni Mitchell..."Chuck E's In Love" is a great song.").
Terry Anzaldo
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Watching the left eat itself is so very funny yet sad at the same time. You obviously have never actually listened to his podcasts. Much like your ridiculous hot takes on Dave months back before actually watching his latest. Go back to writing about the music industry because those were informative and interesting reads. I was a fan. Now you just bitch about politics like every other leftest on Team Blue. Falling right in line with every narrative you are fed while not realizing you do more damage then good to causes and people you think you champion. Hope to read some insightful things on related to the music biz from you in the near future.
GJ Koehler
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He can choose his science and he has and your hero Daniel Ek is paying him beaucoup bucks to be a douche. Not just playing his podcast. He's paying him to spread this nonsense.
Harold Love
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If you listen to the Sanjay Gupta interview, you see how subtle and deliberate Rogan can be. He casts doubt on what Gupta says, but with a quiet seemingly reasonable voice instead of a scream or overwrought rhetoric. That's way more sinister in my book. He wasn't just having a conversation. He was working against his guest because he does in fact have a point of view.
Tim Redman
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I agree. However, this nonsense is going to continue to grow, fester, simmer and boil over if we don't somehow call a timeout. I suggest a 2 step reboot.
1. Make Fox remove the word NEWS from broadcasts that only offer opinion. They are not news but people see it on the screen, tacitly elevating opinion and entertainment into News. When "Opinion" is being broadcast, on all news outlets, add yet another bit of screen real estate to scroll/flash "OPINION" on the video feed.
2. Actual consequences. Where are they? Not just 1/6 but we can trace that back to the Mortgage Crisis and further if you try. How does that saying from our youth go... No Justice, No Peace. Shame that had to be brought back, but incomprehensible that it's just as relevant today, perhaps more.
These 2 steps will not make everything ok. But if truth, justice and the American Way are only a bit of dialog George Reeves uttered as Superman we may not ever have a chance to start narrowing the divide.
Mike Marrone
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Bravo sir!
Steve Baker
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You know the minute I lost it all for Aaron Rodgers? When he told Pat McAfee he had talked to
Joe Rogan…even McAfee had to look away…I mean WTF?
Tom Clark
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Can't wait until your entire backwards fuckin drugged up generation dies off. Or at least the ones that think they are on the side of truth because they lick boot and toe the company line. Rock and Roll is dead because the creators turned into fuckin pansies. Hip hop is dead for the same fuckin reason. Whats a 5 percenter? a BLACK ACTIVIST that doesn't believe in the government. 'There's pork in jello'. Activism is dead. YOU GUYS KILLED IT. SUCKER. ASS. BITCHES.
Youre on the WRONG side of history and your reputation will pay dearly. Good thing the only people that pay attention to you are on their fuckin deathbeds. Gene therapy mandates (It isn't a vaccine if it dont STOP THE SPREAD). Get off your high horse you limp dick fuck. The next generation's moment is now and don't give 2 shits about you dinosaurs who are attempting to ruin our culture from your perch. You're gonna fall and we're gonna laugh.
You think it's Rogan. Youre so fucking wrong. We're sick of being lied to. IM A DEMOCRAT HES A DEMOCRAT YOU IGNORANT BASTARD. The reason the Dems wont hold office anytime soon is IDIOTS like you and SWISHER and the rest of you assholes I used to respect. No more. Draw the line and stand on the side of censorship. Idiot.
Reputation death Bob. You might as well start a book club and kick back on your rocker and eat your applesauce. Loser
Josh Berman
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I know how dumb people are, I read your reviews and your politics. You are dumber than most - or duped and easily so. I don't know anyone else spreading as much misinformation than you. Im guessing you are a short man with a short penis because I know few people that are still as in awe of trump than you - man, you must barely sleep at night!! Trump loves vaccines as much as you so maybe see a therapist.
Marjorie Weir
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how can you demand #1 and also #4?
"Hi I'm Joe and I know nothing about this topic so I hope to have an objective conversation and learn. But before we begin I would like everyone to know that I've done my research and all these experts with differing opinions are WRONG! Its misinformation!"
you're not making sense Bob
you're becoming part of the problem
Adam Lyons
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You going to write one of these on "The View"? You think they're telling it straight? You think they don't have millions doing things against their own interests on account of what they say?
Man…where will this stop? Do you really think you can stamp out wrong stuff everywhere it exists? And do you think the stamping isn't political? There's wrong shit everywhere and no one seems to care until it rubs a democrat the wrong way.
Let's try this, everyone…educate yourself, get a wide exposure to conversations, make up your mind. Caveat Emptor. Trust none of it until it vets out.
Or do you really think the censors can just keep thinking for everyone?
Thanks,
Bob Sheehan
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As Marv says…..YES!
Corey Bearak
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You can lead a human to knowledge but you can't make it think ~
Rock Singer
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Based on my knee jerk response to this story, you sure put me in my place!
Points well taken.
Joel Hirsch
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how can these idiots admit to anything when all it would do is open the door to a million wrongful death suits?
Chris Spector
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Great read, thanks
Toby Mamis
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I agree completely Bob.
But what is Apple doing? They've got Dr. Robert Malone on Steve Bannon's show a week or two before he was on Rogan. Same message. Where is the outrage? Where is the response from Apple? I don't see any warnings
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-1-436-the-virus-and-the-turkey-w-dr-peter/id1485351658?i=1000542981502
If we're going to hold the middle men accountable, and I think we should, then let's hold them all accountable. Spotify is not alone in serving up this type of content. And Apple and YouTube/Google helped facilitate Joe Rogan's rise to popularity. This is way bigger than Spotify. It's way bigger than podcasting. As you say, it's about truth and, sadly, we are living in a post-truth era.
Thanks for doing your part to set the record straight.
-Will Phalen
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Have you found the Russian collusion yet the left told me about for 3 years ? When you do let me know and you will have credibility , until then you are a cranky old man out of touch .
Joseph A Ondris
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Jesus Christ- are you stupid, Bob. Fucking hell.
nickwegener2
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I couldn't take anything he said in the video seriously after he said he loves Joni Mitchell, that Chuckie's In Love is a great song. Sure we all misspeak from time to time, but in his Instagram edit he admits he thought Joni did that song. Just a perfect example of how he thinks he knows something, so he says it out loud, but is wrong. Except with Covid when he's wrong there's real world consequences. (At least he didn't say "I love Neil Young, A Horse With No Name is a great song".)
Nikki Vinci
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Did you hear Joe's lame Instagram post defending himself. He goes on to say what a fan he is of Neil Young and then goes on to say how much he loves Joni Mitchell- especially her song "Chuck E's in Love"
You can't make this stuff up. Obviously this guy does not believe in fact checking and feels he has the right to spew misinformation. Sorry- there has to be some accountability and responsibility that comes with having that many followers .
Tracy Gershon
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Damn straight Bob. Damn straight.
I pulled my self released material off of Spotify. It's not enough to cheer Neil and Joni from the sidelines. Need to stand with them.
I'm still trying to get the label that released some of my music to pull them down but they are resisting.
Bobbo
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The question in my mind is why should the liberal agenda care? Less Covid 19 vaccinations mean fewer conservative thorns in your side...or DOES it?
Gerald Murphy
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YESSSSSSS!!!!!!
Young Hutchison
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Bob - oy, check your own work for misinformation. I don't think Rogan has ever told people to take ivermectin. From what I heard him say is that he reported that he took it based on the guidance of his doctor and that people should consult with their doctor about this stuff.
Do you even listen to his podcast?
Been reading you for over a decade. You miss the mark when it comes to this topic.
- Dylan Diewold
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Having more people discussing the pros and cons of covid vaccines is like discussing whether the Earth is flat or round. It's a waste of time, except in the issue of vaccines, it's deathly dangerous. I wonder how many people have died because of Joe Rogan?
Bruce Gordon
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Thank you Bob. Keep it up.
Tod Mesirow
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?What this whole exercise teaches me is that voices that command respect need to make themselves heard. Neil Young is listened to not just because of what he does but because of who he has been for his entire life.
When those voices speak out change happens. As you point out, the solutions are not complicated. For people like Rogan who speak to millions, with great power comes greater responsibility to take the time to get it right.
He says he wants to do better. Spotify says it wants to do better. We need to hold them to that and to keep the pressure on by continuing to demand accountability.
George Laugelli
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Utter bullshit. Ivermectin works by the way. That's why Joe took it. Something worked he did.
You know what kills me the most is you and these old rockers not wanting to have any conversation about your beloved pharmaceutical companies and governments being wrong. Just do what they tell you and follow the narrative your government says is right. Huh???? Aren't we SUPPOSED to question what the authorities tell us? Isn't that the essence of rock and roll? Ohhh… I get it… now it's if the Cdc, Phizer and Merck say it's fine then shut up and say it's fine. If not we'll protest you and take you off the air, burn your books and boycott your free speech. I don't get it.
Truth doesn't care if it's questioned, only lies and liars do. Do you really think Phizer has your best interest at heart? DO YOU?
It's so beyond dumb to think so and anyone that dares share contrary info, like say, a scientist who helped create the MRNA technology, is deemed a quack! Seriously??
Neil Young is upset because Joe Rohan's guest said something false…. Bullshit. Everybody knows he's trying to drum up some listens for his new Sirius/XM station.
tres sasser
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Go drink some wine dude. You're unhinged.
Rick Jones
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The guy's just a grifter. But he's a $200,000,000 grifter. That kind of dough is worth (somebody else) dying for. What we have here is literally a corporation killing for profit. For the grift. Do you seriously think that right and wrong have anything to do with it? It's just their nature. Spotify, Facebook, and Twitter are the scorpion stinging the frog. But they won't drown in the river. They're the deities of our time. They'll just float above the carnage.
Carl Seibert
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8. Admit Rickie Lee Jones wrote "Chuck E's in Love".
Chris Cappeto
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This is one of the best things you've written, Bob!
Russ Daggart
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Its past the point of reason. It's not even that Google is too tough, but that Google is apparently "in on it". Now they say "You can't search using Google, you have to use DuckDuckGo."
Did you know that soccer players are dying from heart attacks since the Covid vaccine was mandated in order to be eligible to play? That the vaccine is actually gene therapy?
Neither things are true, a simple Google search proves that. But now Google is telling you what to think, directing you AWAY from the truth. I found the same results on DuckDuckGo, of course, but most people that believe this tripe are too far past convincing otherwise.
The last interesting thing Joe Rogan did was NewsRadio. Why do so many people view him as a critical thinker?
Best wishes,
Adrian Day
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Spot on, Bob.
Early Joe fan from his stand-up comedy club days in the late 90s. Remembering him introducing me to Joey Diaz & Tom Segura; stopped going when he was doing larger venues.
When he started his podcast it was hilarious because everyone got stoned. It was like hanging w/a bunch of buds.
Joe was very curious about where guests heads were at— whether he agreed or not. Listened to lots of comics podcasts back then: Marc Maron & Kevin Pollak's, stand out in my memory.
Thought it was funny, Joe thought it was funny, when the show began to take off. But stoner culture, still illegal back then, had a definite following & Joe tapped into it eg. Seth Rogan, Jim Breuer, shades of 70's Cheech & Chong.
But his podcast has been the most listened to for like a decade. Huge for a long time, no longer some niche comic, & his stand-up in major cities are in venues holding thousands. His calling out of another popular comic's stealing of material, definitely padded his public resume. And his regular hosting of MMA fights has to pay well & raised this visibility, post Fear Factor. He's made serious bank off advertising/sponsorship as he should.
But with the fame & the wealth over an extended period of fame becomes the insulated "yes bubble" . Even in the ruthless world of comedy, because of of his power & influence—remember millions of listeners on the regular—who is gonna call him out on his social / civic responsibility? He's just a lucky fucker who gets stoned & asks what many are curious about—but you & I don't have millions hanging on every word.
Like you've pointed out, Bob, reading the papers & staying in THAT conversation is a point of age & privilege: hours in the day + economics. Most folks are busting their asses keeping a roof over their heads & food on the table. So his podcast is like the Facebook/Feta & other social media, the only input on any topic A LOT of folks are getting.
Winston Churchill put it best when he said, "The price of greatness is responsibility."
Also, combating disinformation is not censorship.
—Joel Messerrer in SF
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Bob,
Don't you think it's a little disingenuous
to rant about Fox while ignoring the last four years of the fake Russian collusion
story in The NY Times and the mainstream media, C'mon Bob a little consistency
Stuart Wax
Midnight Music Management
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You read it how you want to Bob... feels like I am watching you become
more and more single-minded, closed-minded.
Joe Rogan admits that he get's things wrong sometimes... that was
clear, but you read something else.
Does mainstream media ever admit the like?
He says that he allows people from both sides on his show... does
mainstream media do that? Not a chance... they say what they want (or
what their sponsors, Pfizer, want them to - you do know that, right?),
and never apologise for the misinformation and lies.
what he is not going to apologise for, and I would lose respect for
him if he did, is searching for the truth... not just going blindly,
closed-mindedly, single-mindedly (as you appear to be), along with
what our leaders (the Fauci's - caught for lying, Biden - 'I will
never mandate the vax', and countless other lies and misinformation,
and the WHO, funded by Gates (conspiracy FACT), who keeps flip
flopping.
So continue following the lies Bob, getting angry when people seek the
truth, getting angry when people don't agree with YOUR understanding
of the truth.
I have stuck with you a long time, because I really enjoy your
insights in to music and technology... but where it comes to people's
lives, the power hungry leadership who have failed us, and you STILL
go along with everything they say... believing that these jabs are
helping, that the masks are helping, that lockdowns are helping...
while the poor get poorer and the rich get richer, and all our
freedoms are taken away bit by bit.
You lost me today, Bob.
I wish you all the best, and hope that with your large following, you
see the light soon.
Cheers
Shaun Booysen
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Harvest Moonie seems to have forgotten how important self determination is for the demographic his music speaks to.
jb
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What responsibility?
Neil Young has spewed his ideology for years with solid evidence
He is pro abortion, which dangerous even if you are pro choice. It is dangerous procedure
He spews his climate agenda without any sound scientific baking. Dangerous
He is pro drug use. Again dangerous
It is not his place to demand how a business runs its service.
He is just looking for attention
William
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So anything on www.mercola.com relating to the vaccine is wrong too?????????? Mercola unlike Rogan is a medical doctor. He sites sources that seem valid.
David
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Yes Bob! yes!
Dennis van Leeuwen
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Hey Bob , did you hear Joe say he loved Joni Mitchell and the song Chuck E's in love is a great song ...
John Kieselhorst
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Your problem is that you think people are stupid and can't tell lies from truth.
Well, maybe you're the stupid one.
Ever thought of that?
Thor House
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100% this
Robin Hill
A brilliant summation of the issues (misinformation and erasure of standards of truth and science) that are either going to see blowback correction or will be the basis for the rise of Trump/Hitler/Nero authoritarianism such that history will repeat itself with the fall of another great modern global power- The United States of America….
Best,
Zannman
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Do you realize that Joe Rogan is not a Republican? He doesn't outright claim to be a Democrat, but said on his podcast just a few months ago that he has never voted Republican. In the 2020 primaries he was supporting Bernie Sanders.
I am a longtime subscriber to your letters as well as a longtime listener of the Joe Rogan Experience. Just like all of us, Joe is human and makes mistakes, but for the most part he gets it right. The guy is very smart, a critical thinker, and has an incredible capacity to retain knowledge. His podcasts are 3+ hours of diving deep into various subjects. In the myocarditis snippet it looks like he was corrected by an expert and didn't want to accept it based on an article or articles he had read. But that's the world we live in, Bob. The truth is hard to find. There is an article or study to back everyone's point of view or agenda. The truth is no longer black and white and we are caught in the middle of it all. Nobody knows what to believe.
In his Instagram video addressing the matter he brings up the ever-shifting "truth" surrounding Covid. He mentions that just a few months ago denying the effectiveness of cloth masks, believing the lab leak theory, or saying that people who are vaccinated can still catch or spread Covid would get you banned from social media. Now these things are widely accepted. He is absolutely right about that.
Daniel Clower
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I'm not a massive fan of Rogan's but I really don't get why are some people so upset with him. Rachel Maddow spent four years lying through her teeth about Trump being a Russian spy (and Sean Hannity before her that Obama was a Kenyan socialist -- if only that one were true!) and that's fine apparently. And even on the narrow subject of Rogan, CNN lied because they must know Ivermectin (whose efficacy with Covid I make no claim) is one of the WHO's essential medicines, not "horse paste" -- but they kept repeating it. Rogan has some clowns on the show but compared to the mainstream media this guy is an oracle of truth. When Rachel Maddow gets stuff wrong (usually on purpose, I know she's not stupid), she doesn't tweet out the report that contradicted her stance like Rogan did last month.
CHARLES KENNEDY
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?
If you actually listened to the podcasts with Dr. McCullough and Dr. Robert Malone, you'd realize they both pose very compelling questions around the official narrative.
Dr. McCullough is a highly-published, board-certified physician who testified before CONGRESS, while Dr. Malone was one of the main contributors to the invention of mRNA vaccines.
Have you considered you being the one misinformed? Realize that calling for censorship makes you a bigot. You are the problem buddy. Shame on you.
Cheers,
Martin Z
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Thank you for writing about TRUTH, about RESPONSIBILITY. And thank you for not being afraid to say that people are stupid. We have the same problem in the UK _ Boris Johnson apologises for some people being upset by what's happened, but he never takes responsibility and apologises for the fact that it happened.
Spotify should dump Rogan, but not just him, they should dump ALL podcasts. If they're not prepared to accept the responsibility of being publishers, they should just be content with being the best music distribution company in the world.
Mike Donovan
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Bob, lol. You are in entertainment and media. You certainly know how to rile up a reader.
If you are so cock sure about your Covid facts, then please post them for your readers.
Send a mail with your irrefutable Covid facts and vax stats and let your audience be the jury.
You generalise about Joe Rogan and 'misinforming' people, well firstly it's their choice to research it, but more importantly you don't exactly put the facts down either.
I live between England and South Africa and I am hearing more and more stories about young women who's menstrual cycles are out of sync let alone pregnant women losing babies of the vax. And the sportsman complaining about heart problems, footballers dropping on the pitch?
You are losing credibility for a waning audience.
T Weakley
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"Spotify is a publisher." 100% right. Spotify crossed the threshold into publishing when they combined licensing existing content (music from it's owners) to paying for content to be created for them. Most publishers have editorial guidelines to ensure their creators (journalists in the case of the NY Times) is of a standard which is deemed suitable of the publisher; whether paper, digital, broadcast, audio or otherwise. It's a form of quality control so creators/journalists don't go rogue… regardless of what "rogue" is.
I worked for the Financial Times during the financial crisis. The FT's journalists had a responsibility to their audience to ensure they cited the facts and removed emotion from their reporting as they didn't want to insight panic, fear monger or cause a run on the banks. There were points during the crisis where some of the journalists were genuinely scared of the possibilities of what could happen or disagreed with the fiscal measures being instigated. The FT had (and has) a robust set of editorial guidelines journalists have to follow.
There are initially 100 million reasons why Joe Rogan is going to be a problem for Spotify. However, as Spotify continue down this route and try to expand their share of the audio publisher market Joe Rogan will not be the last creator that causes problems of this nature for them. This is not social media or user generated content. Spotify are publishing and distributing audio content they are paying for.
Mark Jennings
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Re: Joe Rogan / Neil Young and "Misinformation"
Joe says: "I love Joni Mitchell too, I love her music… Chuck E's In Love is a great song"
More misinformation!
Kenny Jacob
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First, I guess if anyone should know about the efficacy of drugs, legal or not, it's musicians from the 60's. They have certainly indulged in just about everything you can get your hands on over the years. I think it would really help if we had Keith Richards talk to the population about the efficacy of drugs. He has to be the living expert.
Second, many of the things science has claimed to be true about the pandemic, are now accepted and known to be false by the same scientists. Here are just a few examples: a.) Cloth and surgical masks work to protect others, now only N95 masks work. b.) The vaccine will eradicate the virus. c.) Masks should be worn to protect others, and now it is to protect yourself. d.) If you test positive, you need to quarantine for 10 days, and now you only need to quarantine for 5. e.) If you are a healthcare worker who tests positive you need to be quarantined for 10 days, now if you are a healthcare worker who tests positive, but is asymptomatic you should come to work.
I could go on and on, but your hatred of anyone's opinion that questions your position does not allow you to consider my thoughts. Just keep on following good old Neil Young, who everyone knows is nowhere.
Dennis Paulik
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You are wrong on this one.
Michael Brunnock
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you're right on the money here.
I recently found out what research means.
I just finished my first novel which will be out in Germany in March. It's based on the story of a German guy called Oskar Speck who in the 1930's paddled from Ulm, Germany, all the way to Australia in a folding boat over the course of seven years. Only to be incarcerated upon arrival and put in an internment camp because WWII had started.
You can pretty much find the story on the internet where … they don't even have the day of his death right (they gave him two more years than he had). Now my book is a novel, but I wanted to include as many facts as possible. I had my first version after a year and then had the chance to go to Australia and sit in a museum and read everything from his estate, letters, articles, diary, you name it. I spoke to his friends, his gardener, slept in his house, built a 30's folding boat and took a trip in Sydney harbor… and visited his grave. That's how I know when he died.
After twelve years of writing and rewriting the novel is now finished and for the first time in good shape. :)
Of course: no-one can do all this research, but that's why we have experts and you gotta trust them, no matter which field they are in.
But instead we have badly educated people googling while they speak before they think.
Thanks for your missives, I enjoy them every time.
Tobias Friedrich
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It's always amazing to me to see how progressives demand such equal obedience and zeal for their opinions.
Todd Fernandez
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GOD I love you!!!!!
J A Etchison
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Very well done.
Gary Witt
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Actually it's you I'm going to stop supporting!
I'm shocked that you've become this old blow hard who doesn't know who/what he's talking about.
It's obvious you've never watched/heard his long form show.
Thanks, but we viewers aren't as ignorant or feeble as you think and we are capable of discerning truth in a discussion.
Which is what Joe was doing.
He's not an antivaxer and his taking the vaccine was delayed because he got Covid. And any therapies he tried were directed by HIS DOCTOR! Damn.
He is NOT a news show — this ain't NBC or for that matter The View — do you see/hear how many times Whoopie Goldberg gives misinformation! She was 3x vaccinated and STIll got Covid while saying "you can't get it if your vaccinated!" Stupid.
You and your hysterical minions are why the democrats will lose the next presidential election.
You're on a tangent and can't even see how crazy this is! With COVID restrictions coming down around the world, you seem to think that this draconian dragging of Joe Rogan is going to make it all right again in your world!
Ha! While I'm fully vaccinated, I'm appalled at this group think mentality that's got "artists" fighting to displace one entity for the other corporate entity: the Government! That's right the Government is a corporate entity too. Pharma $ runs that joint like they run everything else.
So what's next? Who else are you going to demand speak and believe the "national" line? When someone forces you to use a pronoun you're unfamiliar with will they be replaced? If someone says the flu shot is not for them - what are you going to do? Kick them off TV (try the girls on The View, they declined that shot for hilarious unfounded reasons, but hey, that's not a campaign you're promoting so they get a pass at being "misinformed".
How about getting rid of the folks who say "get over January 6" like Condoleeza did on The View! Is that not misinformation?
You're so concerned about COVID - you're ready to throw out all the free speech bath water.
Cool. Do that. I'll be done with you too.
Rogan's responsibility because he's POPULAR?!
You all sound like haters. Because he outnumbers everyone - daily!
Okay, tell that to the next rapper with an audience of millions that raps about the joy of molly, lean Adderal and Percocet …don't they have a responsibility because so many MILLIONS listen to them too?
This is a free country and I realize freedom is scary to some but,
Fear is taking over your thinking…and Fear thinking is why Dems will lose.
Jacqueline Rhinehart
P.S. Ira Glasser (former head of ACLU) was right:
"Everybody believes in free speech — if it's theirs!"
How many times has Fauci been wrong or misinformation? He said the cloths masks were good when he knew they weren't and he wanted to avoid a run on n95 masks…then there was the "vaccinated can go without masks"…or the vaccinated won't spread the virus"!… should I go on??
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There's so much wrong with this, and I don't have the time to educate you on everything. But here's the big points
Joe does prepare for all his guests and challenges everyone he has on
He very often says he knows nothing and to not take medical advice from him
He has repeatedly said that if you're older or in an at-risk category you should take the vaccine
Spotify is a content aggregator. They're not a publisher.
Joe and Aaron Rodgers and Dana White all got over Covid within a few days by following joes treatment advice which he himself says relied more on monoclonal antibodies than ivermectin
The whole point of what he does is to explore alternative views. If no one ever questions the mainstream narrative then those in power will do whatever they want. We need media to question those in power and prod and test the narrative they're pushing.
If people take medical advice from a comedian's podcast isn't that on them? Where does personal responsibility fit into this for you, Bob?
John Paterson
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Your whole post has only one sentence that mattered. "This is what four years of Trump has wrought"
U damn right it started with Trump. He blew the lid off this whole bullshit system Neo.
Wake up Bob. Your old ass grandpa Biden is confirming what Trump already exposed. The US is done. Rome is falling. You and Neil and whoever else tries to defend this crap is all going to be wrapped up and sent packing.
Rogan is here to stay and there are many more behind him. Try in vain but the digital Revolution is going to sweep u aside. Bye Karen.
Jack Lynady
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Joe Rogan will never admit to anything, he got a slap on the wrist for that. Spotify has a huge problem with that guy. It's only gonna get worse.
Tep No
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…….great piece, bob…….….human nature: ain't it a bitch………
Tommy Allen
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OK Bob, Dry your tears for chrissake...This is why people hate the left...Outside of you over the hill losers the majority of us would rather protect free speech...Fuck Neil Young. Why don't you spend your time writing about Joe Biden's wonderful first year? Or Maybe Hunter's Laptop? You and your band of Hollywood clowns are losing and it's gonna get worse...Enjoy the midterms. Tom Ryan
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Good way to stop the spreading mis- information Bob… by spreading it yourself with complete fallacy.
Funktion808
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Your ignorance of the way new discoveries occur and scientific knowledge advances is a real handicap when you veer so sharply out of your lane. You sound like an uneducated nincompoop. ;)
Ask Walter Isaacson where Einstein's "Theory of Relativity" would be today, if standards like those you espouse for podcasts prevailed. His hypotheses on the nature of light were considered so outrageous to the "experts" of his day, so "out of the mainstream", that he was literally cancelled by the academic community of the time. He couldn't even get a job teaching math… Albert Einstein. Imagine!
Today those theories are the Bible… but that doesn't stop people (real scientists) from taking a skeptical approach to every aspect, as they continue to challenge, prove and re-prove it. And Einstein would have liked it that way.
I think probably you're just getting old. After all, a closed mind is often a product of experience. ("I used to be wrong, but then I learned, and now I'm right". ;) Truth is, younger people don't mind having their thoughts stretched every which way by opposing views. Sometimes it's even refreshing to think deeply about the absurd. It's just exercise, and they understand exercise. They haven't reached the point where everything must be taken so seriously. And they're just not worried about dying. As a once-young ski bum, you should be able to relate. ;)
Unfortunately, there is a new contingent of youngsters - those who feel "threatened" or "unsafe" by new or controversial ideas.That is where the real danger lies.
Mark Terry
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Right on, Bob. Thank you.
David Pearl
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Talk about misinformation? He said Joni Mitchell recorded Chuck E's In Love"! That was the final straw. What an ass.
Fred Vigdor
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Best newsletter post ever. It sums up exactly what is happening just not here but in the World. Trump's actions has created an environment of acceptability to lie, give misinformation and negate the truth. Will we ever see a reverse in this kind of thinking? I hope so, but not so sure.
Hosh Gureli
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Hahaha. I love how much this is triggering you Bobby.
rynnxn
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"You have no idea how dumb people are. They can't spell, and they can't understand the facts and they can't analyze."
Wow, are you including Biden voters in that Bob? Yikes if so.
Cheers!
Michael Lang
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There is currently a "Flat Earth Society". There are also anti-vaxxers, and many loony Evangelicals who believe that using miracle drugs to save a child's life from Leukemia is somehow usurping god's authority. Rogan is a moron, and like other media pundits of his ilk, he is only marginally more knowledgeable than the idiots who listen to him. Today's right could tell these people "Godzilla is coming" and they would believe it, so manipulating them into paranoid delusions using the same marketable bullsh*t as everyone on Fox News and the right wing disinformation echo chamber about Ivermectin and other irrational and unscientific clap trap is just par for the course. It's just a modern day stylistic spin on what stupid people have been doing since the dawn of time. There is however a new and frightening pathology to these modern day zombies. Like Lemmings they run happily toward the cliff. Those who lack the brains to know that the former first lady of the country isn't running a whorehouse in a pizza parlor, probably also lack the brains to prevent them from jumping.
Today's right is incompatible with a democratic republic and a giant step toward the de-evoution of mankind. They sure as hell aint helping the gene pool.
Larry Brown (guitar)
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Yes. Exactly. I never paid for Spotify and I never paid attention to Rogan but the painful irony that he gets a $100 million contract while the artists get paid in pennies was not lost on me.
Sometimes, a relatively minor detail brings home the bigger story. In the video you wrote about, Joe Rogan says: "I love Joni Mitchell, 'Chuckie's (sic) in Love' is a great song." Misspelled title, wrong artist, WTF? How much can you love Joni Mitchell if you associate her with "Chuck E's In Love" by Rickie Lee Jones? Somebody fed that dickhead this line - he hasn't a clue.
(We know about the misspelling because Rogan tweeted a correction after this stupid mistake and even then, he miss-wrote "Check E's" as "Chuckie's")
The points you make are much more important but this detail is the kicker for me.
Mark McLaughlin
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" I love Neil Young, Love Joni Mitchell, Chuck E. in Love is one of my favorite songs"
what an idiot, he sez that at the end…
Marc Brickman
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Just like TV news isn't in the news business, they are in the advertising business. Joe Rogan isn't in the science business, he is in the "hype" business.
Perhaps that is the disclaimer that should be used.
Steve Bruns
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Bob, the problem is that he either doesn't know what/which is 'right', or thinks he is right. This is analogous to those on the right who think they are 'saving democracy' by storming the capitol and supporting a coup to overturn an election. We are in the topsy turvy. I have watched Rogan (guessing you have as well?) yet I am vaccinated and wouldn't take ivermectin if I got covid any more than I'd take a stool softener. I wish I knew how we get out of this mess. The ignorance has always been there - but our digital media magnifies, intensifies and turbo boosts its ability to spread.
Mark Meyerson
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Not addressing misinformation is our road to hell, paved with indifference. The average American doesn't understand supply side economics, macro global economics, or any culture outside of their vastly small bubble. Realize 60% of Americans live within 75 miles of their birthplace. The dance that Fox is playing with regimes like Hungary or watching Tucker hard sell the benefits of Russian authoritarianism is such a late stage democratic death siren because of a total misappropriation of the First Amendment. The judiciary branch is compromised, the legislative branch is awash with co-conspirators who are willing to cash out on democracy, assuming they themselves will be above the fray and still entitled post democracy…and we watch and wait hoping AG Garland is going to come to the rescue before the clocks all strike 13.
Craziest part? We collectively have the ability to stop it if there were a cohesive source of media that could combat the Murdochs, and focus any messaging from Democrats that didn't seem like they feared being impolite. Allow the defamation suits and award damages, none of these outlets care about anything but their bottom line. The Dems have decided they will pet the rabid dog until it behaves...instead of put it down as the only viable option.
Apply for your dual citizenship to Canada now...it's a process but you will have a place to flee to if they start building more prisons to hold the people who will insist on democratic rule..I wish this were all hyperbole.
Trent Keeling
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Look what happened! Joe Rogan say's (summarized) he can do better and will! Daniel Ek's response is a typical corporate response but at least he's acknowledges he/Spotify can do better and is planning a few initiatives.
Look what Neal did! WOW!
Quick note to tell you that I switched from Spotify to Tidal (HiFi Pro). Now that I've been using it for a few days, I wanted to let you know that it's easy to use and sounds great. They provide an app that goes into your Spotify account and auto transfers your Spotify playlists into Tidal. It works great. I've had very little disruption to my music listening since transferring.
Note: I do not work for Tidal nor have any affiliation with anyone or anything associated with the company.
Love and appreciate your work!
Sarra Jarvis-Gallagher
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Thank you
Brian Jonas
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Big fan, thanks for taking the various stands you take, especially on politics and Covid. I have a thought about the Joe Rogan/Spotify situation. When Covid was brand new and nobody knew anything about it, Joe had Michael Osterholm from the U of Minnesota on to explain things. It was fabulous and Joe was very much on team sanity at that time. If you haven't listened to it, I highly recommend it. Mr. Osterholm has unquestionable credibility on this issue.
My thought: You have a platform with some reach and influence. If you challenged Joe to bring Michael Osterholm back on his program for an interview, maybe it would cause some pressure on Joe to invite him. My speculation would be that it will be very hard for Joe to maintain his current positions on the science of the vaccination. (He may very well hold his position on the issue of government vaccination requirements, but that is a different issue).
Anyway, please continue to be the voice you are. You are doing good work and I believe it matters.
Cheers
Ken Goldfine
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I wouldn't worry about Joe too much Bob. Even though Joni and Neil attempted to assert how righteousness and self-important they are by pulling their songs and protesting Rogan interviewing someone with an alternate take on what's happening, Joe stated in his recent video, "I like Joni Mitchell. "Chuck E's in Love" is a great song. (Poor guy's just not trackin')
Rich Nisbet
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'Straight forward, everyday manner'? C'mon it was CYA protect the 100M deal was all that it was!
Jimmy
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I agree wholeheartedly.
Misinformation has consequences.
Now it is time that people who spread misinformation should face the consequences, too. Not just the regular folk but the influential folk in the media.
Andy Jones
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This is one of your best ever Bob. And you are so very right about this most basic precept: nature follows rules. It has no opinions. It simply is, and we have to try to understand it in order to survive it. Science is understanding the rules of nature. If course there are differing views and always have been. Those have led to progress and even greater understanding in many cases, but once established they are fixed and we operate according to them.
What we have now is social football with every player on the field exercising their right to play by the rules as they wish to interpret them. If it was a game, it would end in chaos and fights everywhere on the field.
But it's not a game but our entire state of being that's at stake. And instead of pulling together according to the laws of nature and society, there are fights breaking out everywhere on the field.
You're right. People are ill-informed and under-educated. Very few people I know have an even basic understanding of history. If they did, they'd see that we are living in the 1850's now in this country. And we should all know what happened not long after that.
What we need is to corral the Joe Rogans and confront them with the truth in a public forum. We need to debunk them publicly and in a way that even they cannot deny.
So why not have him on YOUR podcast? Take him on, armed with fact - maybe with a scientist or two at the table as well - and get him to either prove his knucklehead positions or disown them…publicly.
While you're at it, please also sit down with MJT and a history book. I would love to listen to that!
Bob Ezrin
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Perfectly stated, Bob.
I've said it for years: Joe Rogan is the moron's smart person.
Deplatforming Rogan won't make stupid people any smarter and in any case they'd just follow him to whichever Newsmax-equivalent podcast network snatches him up.
What underpins the whole problem here is that the pseudo-libertarianism that Rogan encourages his audience to practice is deeply antisocial at its core. There's no need to take responsibility for your actions because you're responsible only to your self and by extension no one else should be allowed to judge or limit how stupid you behave or how wrong your beliefs are. There is no sense of responsibility to your neighbors, to your subscribers or to the society writ large.
Up here in Canada we've got the same attitude on display in Ottawa with our very own *sigh * "freedom convoy" #flukluxclan. Undereducated pseudo libertarians whining about the public health orders that are in place to protect us all and which stands in stark relief to the exhaustion and emotional wreckage suffered by doctors and public health workers everywhere.
When dumb people believe antisocial morons we all suffer. And at the shallow end of the IQ pool, not only is no one ready to apologize or make corrections but they are encouraged to continue their stupidity parade by the purveyors of nonsense and snake oil like Rogan and his ilk.
Unfortunately for us all, the real truth regarding every major catastrophe facing our time is if we continue to behave as though our actions have no consequences, the shit sandwich we're all going to have to eat keeps getting exponentially worse. And Rogan will keep unapologetically gaslighting. He's getting richer by the day, why stop now?
Jason Prack
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Right on, Bob.
Medea Isphording Bern
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As long as you think MSM is a credible source of facts/information, you will continue to be in the dark. I dare you to watch this 20 minute clip. If after you still buy into the bullshit that you can trust anything from MSM, such as the BCC, you will remain hopelessly in the dark, I guess forever.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bza1gAc8sOA
If you want to see the original clip by Dr. Campbell, it is this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UHvwWWcjYw
Kurt
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YES, YES, YES, give em hell Bob. thanks.
asegal
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Yessir! Please keep on.
dw davis
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"Joe Rogan Shares Incorrect Coronavirus Story Just 24 Hours After Apology | HuffPost Entertainment - Although the podcaster later deleted the tweet, he made no reference to the error."
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/joe-rogan-ivermectin-coronavirus_n_61f8d3bae4b0061af2634cfc
Bill
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You've made great points here. I think you should go on his podcast and have a frank discussion with him about all this stuff. I think he would do it. I don't know Joe personally but I MIGHT be able to get his booker's info from Adam Curry if you'd like me to try.
Tracy Lipp
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?
I enjoy your letter however your credibility took a hit when you wrote about Dave Chapelle without even watching his special. That was shocking actually. I realize you eventually did watch and took the opposite view point, that he should not be fired. I'm sure you won't switch viewpoints on this issue however have you even listened to any of these Joe Rogan interviews before writing this? Based on the Chapelle incident and the fact that you didn't reference any specific interviews, I'm pretty doubtful that you did. If you haven't, you should. Maybe his stance is more nuanced than you assume.
Regards,
John
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Relax Bob this isn't China
Jarek W. Semrau
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Right on!
Brad Merritt
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Thank you. So well said. Too bad neither Rogan or Elk will listen. Because greed "trumps" taking responsibility. Stay safe.
Michael Reinert
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Hello Bob, Keep the faith, storm the trenches, etc. and I mean it. I have paralyzed muscles around my eyes from a nasty run in with measles that got to my face. That was after a run in with polio that left me lying flat for months and stopped growth in the bones and muscles of my body. Those diseases were real in the fifties when there were no solutions but dark rooms, iron lungs and prayer. Joe Rogan and his ilk must be stopped. Freeze them out! Peace, Brother, rwhake.
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Rogan has interviews with people from all walks of life and they are very long ones too where some things are said that are false or dun dun dun misinformation. I think what you'll see now is he will have some more debates on the issues rather than just one sided prognosticating. Either way I think the way out especially for the dems/liberals/mainstream media to gain trust is to not put down working class people by calling them dumb. It's never worked, republicans made the same mistake in the 1980s when they went against workers rights and they still make the same mistake now blaming welfare queens, when corporations are the real welfare queens etc. a lot of left leaning people have decided to take this same strategy in calling anyone who opposes them dumb or purveyors of misinformation. Well as a great man once said every action has an equal and opposite reaction and that's what you're seeing now from this ironically dumb strategy.
Thanks for your insights love the newsletter
-Tom Quinn
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A curmudgeonly rockstar who dumps his wife of 36 years for a Hollywood actress 15 years younger should not be calling anyone or any company out for moral or ethical reasons. But since the guy who tried to foist his own sound system on the public has now unwittingly sucked music fans into his personal tiff with Joe Rogan, I guess I'll chime in on Neil Young as well.
Tl,dr: He's wrong.
Longer version: Even if I don't like Rogan – and I am boosted and wear N95 masks – I resent Neil Young making me choose between a music platform that fans worldwide overwhelmingly prefer or follow him to another platform. I don't want to use Amazon Music – I have thousands of songs and playlists that I would need to migrate. I already tried Apple Music and it is inferior. And don't get me started on Pandora, Band Camp or Soundcloud.
Here's a short list of other performers on Spotify with objectionable content: John Martyn (certified wife beater), Roger Waters (anti-Semite), John Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas (incest allegations) … hell Bill Cosby is on Spotify. Charles Manson is on Spotify!
So am I supposed to cancel any organization that does business with people I don't like? No: As an adult, I should make an informed, thoughtful choice and weigh the positives and the negatives. And Spotify's ease of use outweighs the content that I may find objectionable. Hell, if I followed Young's advice I wouldn't be driving a car. Or wearing shoes. Or clothes. Or live in a house.
Back in 1985 liberals and Democrats – no doubt Young included – howled when Tipper Gore got explicit lyrics labels placed on albums. Now these hypocrites are doing worse with Rogan and Spotify because they are too lazy and precious to just ignore what he is saying.
Needless to say I won't be following Neil Young to his next platform. Or Joni Mitchell. Or Failure, or any other artist that leaves Spotify in a huff.
Paul
Exnra
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Bob,
I don't expect you to really take the time to read this, but I decided to take some time to send it anyway.
I like receiving your e-mail, you have an interesting perspective on a side of the business that often goes under the radar, music biz, promotion etc, and I do find it interesting, but lately, I just wish you'd stop getting involved in what is going on re covid and this current controversy.
You are starting to sound a little crazy.
Some of your condemnation of unvaccinated is getting a bit too close to nazi persecution for my liking, and in this latest e-mail, you are sounding quite deranged.
You mention Rogan's research, have you ever took the time to watch the podcast yourself??
He has young Jamie on hand to pull up any fact that needs clarifying, and I'd suggest you take some time to watch episode 1768 with Dr Robert Epstein for some home truths about your beloved Google, if you are truly interested in the political quagmire you find yourself in.
I'll also recommend episode 1718 with Dr Sanjay Gupta, CNNs doctor, who has to reluctantly agree that his employer, CNN, openly lied about Rogans covid experience.
In the same episode, Gupta actually LIES again about the procedure known as Aspiration, which has been implicated in some of the instances of myocarditis we are seeing in young men, do your own research on this subject to understand the consequences of this, and why Gupa's lies about it have some deep implications.
I think you need to stop spreading your own mis information really, I have seen you being quoted by The Guardian over here, in one of the hit pieces they have published on Rogan, you can see how it spreads, and this is something that Rogan has brought up numerous times, truths and facts ARE being suppressed right now, you simply cannot rely on the established mainstream media these days, they are lying openly and getting away with it.
Here are a few other episodes that you might find enlightening, as further examples of what Rogan actually does,
Episode 1717, Alex Berenson, who is currently banned from twitter for simply interpreting statistics, and highlighting the cover ups that are going on re-vacinnes and covid statistics.
You have obviously already watched episodes 1747 with Dr Peter McCullagh, and episode 1757 with Dr Robert Malone, as you have pointed out the 'mis information' that is being spread by these 2 EXPERTS, but it might refresh your memory on the subject.
There are so many examples of what makes Rogans show special, the Amanda Knox episode, which highlights what can happen when the mainstream media gets it wrong, and the Jewel episode, which was just amazing.
Despite all this, you just want to label him as a right winger spreading mis information, if he has a responsibility, then so do you, to actually do some research on the subject you are spouting off on.
RE- Neil Young, a bit of a hypocritical dinosaur really, when you take into account the recent revelations of who he sold 50% of the rights of his catalogue to, for something like 50 mil, I wouldn't be surprised if the co owners of his music are currently taking action to sue him for some form of breach of contract, there is a bit of history of aggressive legal action from these people.
Keep on rocking in the free world, right Neil.
Bob, stop hopping on the controversy, you are starting to sound a bit stupid, deranged at times, and time will tell, but will you be able to correct your own mistakes??
A concerned reader,
Andy Kirkwood
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You have fallen victim to your own criticism. I am actually stunned. What do you know about Ivermectin exactly? Did you know that it's been around over four decades (FDA approved) and won a Nobel prize for being a "wonder drug". Did you know that it has one of the lowest recorded side effects or adverse events of any drug you care to name? Did you know that in the province of Utter Pradesh in India (population 240,000,000) it brought down covid cases by 99%? You talk a lot about truth, but the real truth is you do not actually want the truth. All those things I mentioned are facts, but to you they are 'misinformation'.
And yet you are your own Joe Rogan. You take no responsibility either. You are also not a doctor. Joe Rogan's guest is a rock star in the world of cardiology. He has published over 660 peer reviewed papers, more than any other physician. He is literally at the top of his game. Of course we should be listening to what he says, not just because of his credentials but because he has zero conflict of interest.
"Just imagine if the New York Times got something wrong". Are you actually serious? You are literally not paying attention are you?
You haven't heard Joe Rogan saying his guests are wrong. Actually what he has done, is he's invited any doctor, scientist, virologist, epidemiologist, onto his show to debate them. Nobody ever does. That's because he choses guests who know their s**t. A debate would literally kill the narrative forever, and they know this all too well. So instead they use those bogus fact-checking websites that you fall for every single time.
You could learn a thing or two from Joe Rogan by having an open mind. I literally cannot belief the links you chose, the "12 people are behind..." stuff. Do you even know how the media works these days. I think you have finally reached that day when you are horribly out of touch.
I am sorry but if your view is anything close to the mainstream view in America then you have a huge awakening coming your way.
Reece Gilmore
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...or.....why 'liberals' aren't honestly liberal anymore:
Don't people do their own research at all or does everyone with a 'device' simply parrot the Narrative's Kool-Aid squawking out of it, for expediency - falling like dominoes to the most overt and widespread social engineering effort on Earth, ever - mindlessly nodding in sync with ubiquitous and incessantly repeated talking points without questioning a goddamn thing! Has everyone completely lost the ability to tell the difference between sincerity, deceit, and especially the plethora of misinformation about honest information ("Just 12 people..." - such an easily verifiable steaming dogpile!) - masses running away from it with eyes closed because they've been admonished to not even look at it - by their 'Masters' - who have successfully brainwashed them with bullshit into believing it's for the 'greater good' - programmed like robots - soooo WEAK!!
I was alive when the Kennedys and MLK were killed. They warned us about this - and now, between the MAGA mob and head-in-sand sanctimonious liberals, the land of the free and home of the brave has never looked so hopelessly long gone as in these 2020s! Even worse is that there is no place in the world to escape from this psychotic dystopian design. So disheartening to witness how much of humanity has completely lost any real prowess at basic logic, reading with comprehension (if at all!), fundamental critical thinking skills, and integrity in general. Technology has us devolving and drowning instead of evolving.
Indeed:
"Constitutional illiteracy to the side, the 'hate speech' framework for justifying censorship is now insufficient because liberals are eager to silence a much broader range of voices than those they can credibly accuse of being hateful. That is why the newest, and now most popular, censorship framework is to claim that their targets are guilty of spreading "misinformation" or "disinformation." These terms, by design, have no clear or concise meaning. Like the term "terrorism," it is their elasticity that makes them so useful.
It is not possible to disagree with liberals or see the world differently than they see it. The only two choices are unthinking submission to their dogma or acting as an agent of "disinformation." Dissent does not exist to them; any deviation from their worldview is inherently dangerous — to the point that it cannot be heard."
- The Pressure Campaign on Spotify to Remove Joe Rogan: https://greenwald.substack.com/p/the-pressure-campaign-on-spotify?token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjo2Njk1MjMyLCJwb3N0X2lkIjo0NzkwODUxMiwiXyI6Ijg2R3ZPIiwiaWF0IjoxNjQzNTAxNDc0LCJleHAiOjE2NDM1MDUwNzQsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0xMjg2NjIiLCJzdWIiOiJwb3N0LXJlYWN0aW9uIn0.nDk3GaJM5h3HH0S1jjgot58qTuSYaGkRk6hV_hGgQ6c
Beau
Lone Wolf Evolutionary
(and lifelong progressive)
when ya gonna wake up, Bob??
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Bob, with all due respect (& let me preface this by saying I was vaccinated)..
CNN, MSDNC & FauxNews take NO responsibility for the mis & disinfo they spread on an HOURLY basis.
And they never apologize or make corrections the next day the way publications like the NY Times do.
But Rogan needs to be cancelled merely because he questions the corporate owned mainstream narrative?..ok Bob, really??
You're asking Rogan to follow a list of demands the major networks would NEVER adhere to (& they will NEVER be cancelled for).
Have you noticed how many Big Pharma ads now dominate all the major networks lately? Ever since Bush Jr. passed that bill in the early 2000s allowing the direct advertising of pharmaceuticals to consumers?
And we're the only country on the planet that does that (except New Zealand, where it's heavily regulated apparently)
I'm sorry, but since when it is it MY responsibility to ask my doctor which drugs they should know they need to prescribe ME??
And again for the record, I was vaccinated, 3 shots from Moderna. I believe in the vaccines. But why should they be the ONLY option. Says whom??
Where did this "manufactured consent" come from, exactly??..(exactly).
But I question how much of this has really been in our best interest, & how much of it has been a major windfall for Big Pharma & their shareholders.
I would also argue Big Pharma is now a more powerful lobby in the 21st century, than Big Oil was in the 20th.
As for Neil Young & Joni Mitchell, this goes way deeper than 2 aging rock stars who just, all of a sudden, decided to become "woke"? Right out of the blue, & into the black..?
This rabbit hole runs deeper than you or I may realize Bob..& it goes far beyond 2 aging rock stars who haven't been outspoken about much of anything outside of their music & songwriting since the Vietnam war.
Saagar Enjeti (w/Krystal Ball on Breaking Points): How Neil Young, Amazon, & Hedge Funds Are Trying To CANCEL Joe Rogan:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-AEmqvyikM
Rick Marino
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Bob, I agree with everything you said. But, to no effect. Joe Rogan uses a variation of the Jon Stewart "just a comedian" defense: "I'm just a weed-smoking fighting commentator, but also I bring on world-renowned guests and create the impression of important discussion with an audience that dwarfs all broadcast and streaming news programs in America." Rogan wants to produce the Charlie Rose-level current events influence without the fact-checking that Rose, or Russert, etc. brought in real-time. The Joe Rogan Podcast is hardly BBC Hard Talk.
For most of the show's history, it was a shoot-the-shit, zero-prep program where the host was bringing on guests he befriended or was curious about. He'd read a book apart from the podcast, and then have the author on. There were a lot of medical and health-related guests with questionable content, but it wasn't poisoning the democracy level fare. As many commenters to the YouTube clips point out, Rogan kind of went off the deep end of right-leaning political contrarianism during COVID. As a loyal watcher, it seemed to me that normal liberals and progressives stopped getting booked, and "liberal, but can't vote for Democrats" contrarians were welcomed.
The booking of his show was never newsroom-level rigorous, but it's become a constant stream of similarly minded political and intellectual figures. There's never been an effort to "hear all sides" of any debate. He's never booked dieticians that argue intermittent fasting is just re-branded eating disorders He's never intentionally hosted shows with skeptics of modern wellness businesses like his ONNIT enterprise. Can you imagine him inviting a fat activist to discuss the importance of inclusive fashion modeling? What about him talking with medical researchers that have literature proving that "diet and exercise" actually don't provide a long-term fix to obesity? He did have Sanjay Gupta on, but I think Gupta's effort missed the point of the show: it's not a rigorous discussion of things. It's barely researched chit-chat on important topics and then comedy or sports topical shows a dime a dozen in each genre.
I'm most disappointed that the inspiring and life-changing guests are much fewer on Rogan these days. And Spotify's video podcast layout is terrible.
Gordon Chaffin
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"I mean look you know the guy said all Jews should be exterminated I don't necessarily agree I just like having conversations with all different kinds of people…"
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I've got no skin in the game about this one as I've never listened to Joe's show, but reading your message made me think of one thing and one thing only - The Narcissist's Prayer:
That didn't happen.
And if it did, it wasn't that bad.
And if it was, that's not a big deal.
And if it is, that's not my fault.
And if it was, I didn't mean it.
And if I did...
You deserved it.
Keep on keeping on,
Joel Beeson
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