392. This Podcast Will Polarize You – And It Should | Matt Taibbi | The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast

Intro

In this episode of “The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast,” Jordan Peterson sits down with journalist Matt Taibbi to discuss a wide range of topics, including Taibbi’s early career in journalism and professional basketball, his experiences in the USSR, the state of the world today, and the upcoming presidential election. They also delve into Taibbi’s love for Russian literature, his co-founding of a satirical newspaper in Moscow, and the current state of American journalism. The conversation covers everything from geopolitics to media landscape changes, providing listeners with thought-provoking insights.

Main Takeaways

Matt Taibi’s Early Career and Experiences in the USSR

• Matt Taibi’s early career in journalism and professional basketball.
• His time in the USSR, learning Russian and publishing a successful newspaper.
• Taibi’s unexpected and crazy experiences playing for the Uzbek national baseball team and the Mongolian basketball association.

Examining the State of the World Today

• Examining the state of the world today with Russia and the US military-industrial complex.
• The upcoming presidential election and the dire necessity for alternative news sources.
• The Russia-Ukraine conflict and the long backstory behind it.

The Current State of American Journalism

• The decline of narratively interesting journalists in American journalism.
• The mediocrity of legacy media and the loss of reliable purveyors of information and culture.
• Noam Chomsky’s perspective on the New York Times and the need to fight biases.

The Financial Crisis, Trump’s Campaign, and Police Brutality

• Taibi’s coverage of the 2008 financial crisis and his books on the topic.
• An analysis of Trump’s campaign and his appeal to the American working class.
• The complexities of police brutality and the implementation of programs like Broken Windows.

The Changing Media Landscape and Free Speech

• The impact of the internet on the media industry and the fracture it has caused.
• The rise of woke capitalism and the need for honest capitalists to hold dishonest crooks accountable.
• The dangers of high-level collusion to suppress free speech.

Summary

Matt Taibi’s Early Career and Experiences in the USSR

Matt Taibi’s early career in journalism and professional basketball set the stage for his diverse experiences. From playing for the Uzbek national baseball team to co-founding a satirical newspaper called The Exile in Moscow, Taibi’s journey has been filled with unexpected twists and turns. His time in the USSR, learning Russian and publishing a successful newspaper, allowed him to immerse himself in Russian culture and literature.

Examining the State of the World Today

Taibi and Peterson delve into the complex relationship between Russia and the US military-industrial complex. They discuss the Russia-Ukraine conflict, highlighting the long backstory and the nervousness of Russians about NATO. They also emphasize the dire necessity for alternative news sources, especially in the upcoming presidential election.

The Current State of American Journalism

The decline of narratively interesting journalists in American journalism is a cause for concern. Legacy media has become pathologically uninteresting and mediocre, leading to a loss of reliable purveyors of information and culture. Noam Chomsky’s perspective on the New York Times sparks a discussion on the biases that need to be fought through in mainstream media.

The Financial Crisis, Trump’s Campaign, and Police Brutality

Taibi’s coverage of the 2008 financial crisis and his books shed light on the complexities of the event and its impact on society. The conversation then shifts to Trump’s campaign, analyzing his appeal to the American working class and the reasons behind his success. They also touch upon the issue of police brutality, exploring the implementation of programs like Broken Windows and its consequences.

The Changing Media Landscape and Free Speech

The internet has significantly changed the media landscape, leading to a fracture in the industry and a rise in culture war divisions. Taibi and Peterson discuss the challenges faced by legacy media and the need for honest capitalists to hold dishonest crooks accountable. They also highlight the dangers of high-level collusion to suppress free speech and the importance of maintaining a free culture.

Conclusion

This episode of “The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast” with Matt Taibi covers a wide range of topics, from Taibi’s early career and experiences in the USSR to the current state of American journalism and the changing media landscape. The conversation provides valuable insights into geopolitics, the upcoming presidential election, and the complexities of issues such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict and police brutality. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of these topics and be encouraged to think critically about the state of the world today.