Ben Shapiro vs. University of Cambridge | The Ben Shapiro Show

Intro

In this episode of “The Ben Shapiro Show,” Ben Shapiro delivers a speech at the University of Cambridge, discussing the Middle East conflict and the erosion of Western values. He highlights the cancellation of a performance of Handel’s Saul by the university’s opera society, which he argues is an example of Western apologism. Ben Shapiro explores the impact of this apologism on prestigious institutions like Cambridge and the need for the West to defend its own principles. He also delves into various topics such as populism, gun control, abortion, gay marriage, climate change, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Main Takeaways

Western Apologism and Excuses for Terrorist Groups

• The cancellation of Handel’s Saul at the University of Cambridge’s opera society is an example of Western apologism.
• Western apologism promotes the idea that the West’s existence is inherently evil and must be corrected through self-destruction.
• Prestigious institutions like Cambridge have become part of a coalition of interests that make excuses for terrorist groups.

The West’s Loss of Direction and Defense of Principles

• The West lost its way after the fall of the Soviet Union and now faces the consequences.
• The West was unprepared to defend its own principles on their own merits.
• Major educational institutions were handed over to the anti-Western coalition in the name of tolerance and diversity.

Populism and Political Landscape

• Populism is an appeal based on conspiracy theories and promises of solving problems that the government may not be able to solve.
• Trump’s appeal to his supporters is not a policy solution but a symbol of cultural rebellion against elites.
• The “revolt of the middle” reflects a desire for competent leadership and a focus on basic governance.

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

• Israel is justified in attempting to destroy Hamas, a terrorist group responsible for civilian deaths.
• Hamas uses civilians as human shields, making them responsible for civilian deaths in the conflict.
• A two-state solution is the ideal outcome for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but it requires a willing partner on both sides.

Climate Change and Innovation

• Nuclear power is a potential solution to climate change and a litmus test for those willing to embrace innovation.
• Building seawalls in low-lying coastal areas can help mitigate the effects of climate change.
• Capitalism has lifted half of the world’s global poor in the last 50 years, but also contributed to ecological breakdown.

Gun Control and Self-Protection

• The right to bear arms is based on self-protection and varies depending on threat levels and societal fragmentation.
• Guns are deeply ingrained in American culture, and gun control laws have not significantly reduced gun violence rates.
• Cultural attitudes towards gun ownership differ based on location and upbringing.

Abortion and Comprehensive Sex Education

• The abortion debate centers around the value of unborn life versus a woman’s right to choose.
• Comprehensive sex education reduces rates of abortion and teen pregnancy.
• Comprehensive sex education raises moral concerns and goes beyond biology.

Marriage and LGBTQ+ Rights

• Orthodox Judaism opposes gay marriage, but secular reasons for opposing it exist as well.
• The purpose of marriage has shifted from procreation to love, but the state should incentivize familial relationships that produce children.
• Debates on gay marriage should focus on the benefits that accrue to the state rather than individual choices.

Internet, Polarization, and Political Discourse

• The internet has led to echo chambers and fragmentation of political discourse.
• Algorithmic siloing reinforces existing beliefs and hampers critical thinking.
• Long-form audio is gaining popularity for in-depth conversations compared to shorter formats like TikTok and Snapchat.

Devolution of Authority and Political Polarization

• Political polarization can be addressed by devolving authority to lower levels and embracing federalism.
• Extreme expressions of viewpoints on the internet can lead to violence, posing a danger to society.
• Rights and freedoms in society should not solely be based on utilitarian considerations.

Summary

Western Apologism and Defense of Western Values

Ben Shapiro discusses the cancellation of Handel’s Saul at the University of Cambridge, highlighting it as an example of Western apologism. He argues that this apologism promotes the idea that the West is inherently evil and must be destroyed. Shapiro emphasizes the need for prestigious institutions like Cambridge to stop making excuses for terrorist groups and defend Western values.

The West’s Loss of Direction and Defense of Principles

Shapiro explores how the West lost its way after the fall of the Soviet Union, leading to a lack of preparedness in defending its own principles. He criticizes the handover of major educational institutions to the anti-Western coalition in the name of tolerance and diversity. Shapiro urges the West to stop being ashamed of itself and defend its own values against those seeking its destruction.

Populism and Political Landscape

Shapiro delves into the rise of populism and its appeal based on conspiracy theories and promises of solving complex problems. He analyzes the reasons behind Trump’s appeal to his supporters and the desire for a return to basic governance. Shapiro emphasizes the need for competent leadership and a focus on addressing the concerns of the middle class.

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Shapiro discusses the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting the justifications for Israel’s actions against Hamas. He emphasizes that Hamas is responsible for civilian deaths by using them as human shields. Shapiro advocates for a two-state solution but acknowledges the need for a willing partner on both sides to achieve peace.

Climate Change and Innovation

Shapiro explores the role of nuclear power as a potential solution to climate change and a litmus test for those willing to embrace innovation. He discusses the importance of building seawalls in low-lying coastal areas to mitigate the effects of climate change. Shapiro also examines the balance between capitalism’s positive impact on lifting global poor and its contribution to ecological breakdown.

Gun Control and Self-Protection

Shapiro delves into the debate on gun control, emphasizing the right to bear arms for self-protection. He argues that cultural attitudes towards gun ownership vary and that gun control laws have not significantly reduced gun violence rates. Shapiro highlights the need for a nuanced understanding of the issue and the importance of addressing underlying societal factors.

Abortion and Comprehensive Sex Education

Shapiro discusses the abortion debate, focusing on the clash between the value of unborn life and a woman’s right to choose. He explores the effectiveness of comprehensive sex education in reducing abortion rates and teen pregnancies. Shapiro acknowledges the moral concerns raised by comprehensive sex education and the need for ongoing discourse on the topic.

Marriage and LGBTQ+ Rights

Shapiro examines the debate surrounding gay marriage, considering both religious and secular arguments. He argues that the purpose of marriage has shifted, but the state should incentivize familial relationships that produce children. Shapiro emphasizes the importance of focusing on the benefits that accrue to the state when discussing gay marriage.

Internet, Polarization, and Political Discourse

Shapiro explores the impact of the internet on political discourse, highlighting the dangers of echo chambers and algorithmic siloing. He discusses the popularity of long-form audio for in-depth conversations and the need for critical thinking in an era of fragmented political discourse.

Devolution of Authority and Political Polarization

Shapiro argues for the devolution of authority and increased federalism as a way to address political polarization. He highlights the dangers of extreme expressions of viewpoints on the internet and emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance between individual rights and societal cohesion.

Conclusion

Ben Shapiro’s speech at the University of Cambridge sheds light on the erosion of Western values, the rise of populism, and the challenges faced in resolving conflicts such as the Israeli-Palestinian issue. He advocates for the West to defend its own principles and engage in nuanced discussions on various topics such as climate change, gun control, abortion, and LGBTQ+ rights. Shapiro’s speech serves as a call to action for individuals to critically examine their beliefs and engage in constructive dialogue.