It’s Time for Coward Joe Rogan to Face Earthling Ed
Anti-vegan disinformation on the world's biggest podcast
Joe Rogan, the most popular podcaster in the US and globally, is well known for spreading dangerous disinformation. He has recently drawn attention for his peculiar fixation and lies about veganism.
In a deeply irresponsible abuse of influence, he and his guests have leveraged his platform to broadcast a long list of unfounded claims about the plant-based lifestyle —only to have their statements swiftly debunked by experts (again and again and again and again and again and again).
Whether you’re vegan or not, this should concern you. Disinformation poses a grave and rapidly growing threat to our society, one that divides us and undermines a functioning marketplace of ideas.
What's happening with Joe Rogan isn't an isolated incident. We have to hold individuals with his level of influence accountable, demanding honesty and responsibility. Disinformation is an attack on the very fabric of our societal integrity and the foundations of public discourse. We can’t just watch and let this happen!
Earthling Ed, one of the most prominent figures in the vegan community, renowned for holding speeches and engaging in debates at universities worldwide, has challenged Rogan for his unsubstantiated statements on veganism — and said he would be prepared to have a face-to-face discussion with Rogan on his podcast.
Despite widespread support for such an episode and even a petition on Change.org urging Joe Rogan to face Earthling Ed on his podcast, Rogan has yet to engage in substantive dialogue and address the criticism levied against him.
This post does the following:
It asks “why?” — Why does Rogan shy away from having a direct conversation with Earthling Ed? Let’s examine three possible reasons.
It challenges Joe Rogan. — Rogan needs to face Earthling Ed and defend his claims about veganism, or publicly apologize for spreading harmful disinformation. Anything less would be cowardly and deeply irresponsible.
Why has Joe Rogan not taken up Earthling Ed’s offer?
If Rogan is as sure of his opinions as he pretends, why hasn’t he accepted Earthling Ed’s challenge to have a face-to-face discussion on veganism?
Is it because such a show would garner too little attention? Most certainly not. Such a debate would be highly anticipated on all sides and draw in additional viewers beyond his typical audience.
Given that Earthling Ed is arguably the most popular animal rights activist alive and his challenge to Rogan’s claims has gone viral, there is also no way Rogan’s team has simply missed it.
I see three plausible explanations, or perhaps a combination thereof, for Rogan's hesitance:
Theory 1:
Joe Rogan fears the humiliation of having his lies exposed
Rogan knows that he wouldn’t be able to defend his nonsensical claims against an actual domain expert. Those familiar with Earthling Ed know him to be a calm, fair, and brilliant rhetorician who possesses an extensive understanding of his subject matter.
Anyone who has delved even slightly into Joe Rogan’s completely baseless statements on veganism will know that a well-informed debater such as Earthling Ed would easily and utterly obliterate him.
Theory 2:
Joe Rogan is afraid of disappointing his core audience
Rogan fears that making concessions and correcting his lies on veganism could disappoint his right-leaning audience. His regular listeners are drawn to his ‘alpha male’ identity.
As Professors Matt Sienkiewicz and Nick Marx wrote, Rogan’s “feigned naiveté is all too often a cover to promote edgy, offensive and irresponsible theories that appeal to his audience.”
Rogan may reject any prospect of a fair debate with Earthling Ed to avoid disappointing his audience and disrupting his established identity as a strong, unyielding figure.
Admitting vulnerability or intellectual defeat clashes with the image he cultivates, potentially alienating his fanbase and undermining his carefully crafted persona.
Theory 3:
Joe Rogan is being influenced by the meat lobby
Against the backdrop of the increasingly sophisticated and influential lobbying apparatus of the corrupt meat industry and its growing tendency to fight “hard and dirty” and spread disinformation, we should not prematurely dismiss the possibility that this lobby could try to instrumentalize an influential figure like Joe Rogan for their cause.
Rogan’s reluctance to publicly confront his falsehoods on veganism could indicate a fear of losing financial or other benefits he may be receiving from the meat industry. Similar to the Fox News hosts who privately didn’t believe Trump’s election lies despite giving them airtime, it is theoretically plausible that Joe Rogan understands that he is spreading falsehoods on veganism — but does so out of business calculation.
Of course, this is purely speculative. But when scrutinizing influential figures for spreading blatant disinformation, it is always important to consider potential conflicts of interest.
In addition to his lies on veganism, Joe Rogan has recently done the meat industry a huge favor by advertising a “carnivore diet”, which is pseudoscientific, doesn’t provide any health benefits and entails serious health risks — not to mention the horrific impacts of excessive meat consumption on animals, climate, marginalized people, and the environment. But it has one “benefit”, of course: it increases the meat industry’s profits.
Bottom line
All three theories ultimately converge on a singular conclusion: Joe Rogan’s refusal to publicly defend his bogus claims on veganism isn’t merely cowardly; it is profoundly irresponsible and morally corrupt.
Refusing to acknowledge truth when confronted with evidence undermines the very essence of accountability.
Joe …
Joe, if your convictions are as steadfast as you assert, summon your courage now and engage in a fair debate with Earthling Ed!
Consider the legacy you want to leave behind:
Do you want to be remembered for perpetuating ignorance and contributing to the erosion of societal discourse? Or do you want to leverage your platform for meaningful exchange in a time where honesty and reliable information are more direly needed than ever?
The World Economic Forum has recognized disinformation as the most severe global risk over the next two years. This isn’t a partisan issue. It imperils us all!
Your immense reach, vastly exceeding even the largest cable news shows, comes with responsibilities.
Powerful figures like you should, in everyone’s interest, help fight disinformation — or, at the very least, not aggravate the situation by spreading disinformation themselves!
It may be tempting for you and your guests to simply ignore these critiques and refuse to reflect on your mistakes.
Ignorance has always been the favorite method of those on the wrong side of history.
As Emma Goldman aptly said:
“The most violent element in society is ignorance.”
A YouTube user has brilliantly summarized the anti-vegan nonsense on your podcast as follows:
And now?
Let’s be realistic: I'm new to the blogging world, and this post probably won't be read by many. Also, Joe Rogan likely won't dare to invite someone like Earthling Ed onto his show.
I mean, what can you expect from Joe Rogan, a man …
who isn’t only known for spreading dangerous disinformation on veganism and COVID-19 but also for making misogynistic, anti-feminist, fatphobic, homophobic, and transphobic statements,
who nonsensically calls vegan “a religion” but walks around with a “Meat Church” hat,
who got into trouble for using the n-word countless times on his podcast and for calling a predominantly Black neighbourhood in the U.S. “Africa” and “planet of the apes”,
who is recognized as a “purveyor of right-wing ideologies” with a huge following among white supremacists and has already hosted the lunatic alt-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, giving him a platform of around 30 million viewers.
If there is any place on Earth that can rightfully be called “planet of the apes”, it is Joe Rogan’s own podcast studio.
Help build pressure!
Rogan’s recent apologies for his racial slurs prove that he is able to show conscience and not impervious to pressure.
Collectively, let us hold him accountable for his lies!
This is difficult, of course, because he has so much more reach than us. But we can’t give up so easily. Precisely because of his immense influence, we have to make him feel that his words have consequences.
Again: this isn't about opinions; this is about demonstrably false statements that cause real harm.
Through his lies on veganism, Rogan supports animal agriculture, which causes horrific harm to rainforests, public health, the world’s climate, socially disadvantaged people, and exploited animals. Anyone spreading lies about an industry that inflicts so much damage on the world is acting deeply irresponsible — and must be held accountable.
If you want to help build public pressure, you can share this post:
I have just begun to fight.
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