The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast – 354. Lockdown Horror: Targeting Children, Churches, and Your Freedom | David Zweig

Intro

In this episode of “The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast,” Jordan Peterson interviews David Zweig about the collusion between government officials and Twitter/media in crafting the COVID-19 narrative. They discuss the suppression of information, the effects of lockdown measures on children and churches, and the importance of preserving individual freedoms.

Main Takeaways

Government and Media Collusion

• The Twitter files revealed collusion between government officials and Twitter/media in crafting the COVID-19 narrative.
• Media collusion with the government is not justified, especially in an emergency situation.
• Critics need to abound in emergency situations to ensure an appropriate response.

Investigating COVID-19 and School Closures

• The speaker, David Zweig, was involved in the Twitter files at the request of Barry Weiss.
• They observed that cases began to drop precipitously in the middle of April and that children were at extraordinarily low risk.
• The speaker’s training as a fact checker and personal disposition of skepticism led them to investigate the topic of schools remaining closed during the pandemic.

Questioning Pandemic Models and Experts

• The speaker observed discrepancies in the models presented by Imperial College and IHME regarding the pandemic.
• The speaker questioned the accuracy of pandemic models and the inputs used in them.
• The speaker believes that journalism should be adversarial and question the information being presented, rather than simply amplifying it.

Censorship and Vaccine Mandates

• The speaker investigated accounts and tweets that had their content suppressed, including Martin Coldorf’s tweet about the Great Barrington Declaration.
• Some legitimate information is being labeled as misinformation.
• The financial gain for pharmaceutical companies made vaccine mandates for children concerning.

Violation of Natural Rights and Pandemic Policies

• Violating fundamental rights can lead to consequences such as public distrust and compromised supply chains, with potentially fatal consequences.
• The risk posed by COVID-19 in schools was no greater than the risk posed by driving, which is an acceptable level of risk.
• Society balances personal freedoms with risk to others, as seen in the example of driving speed limits.

Summary

Government and Media Collusion

The Twitter files revealed collusion between government officials and Twitter/media in crafting the COVID-19 narrative. This collusion is not justified, especially in an emergency situation where critics need to abound to ensure an appropriate response.

Investigating COVID-19 and School Closures

David Zweig, a fact checker and journalist, investigated the topic of schools remaining closed during the pandemic. They observed that children were at extraordinarily low risk and questioned the narrative surrounding school closures. Their investigation was met with skepticism and rejection from major publications.

Questioning Pandemic Models and Experts

The speaker, David Zweig, questioned the accuracy of pandemic models and the inputs used in them. They believe that journalism should be adversarial and question the information being presented, rather than simply amplifying it. They highlighted discrepancies in the models presented by Imperial College and IHME.

Censorship and Vaccine Mandates

The speaker investigated accounts and tweets that had their content suppressed, including legitimate information labeled as misinformation. They expressed concern over vaccine mandates for children, considering the financial gain for pharmaceutical companies. The issue of censorship and the labeling of information as misinformation is a problem.

Violation of Natural Rights and Pandemic Policies

Violating fundamental rights can lead to consequences such as public distrust and compromised supply chains. The risk posed by COVID-19 in schools was no greater than the risk posed by driving, which is considered an acceptable level of risk. Society must balance personal freedoms with the risk to others.

Conclusion

David Zweig’s investigation into the COVID-19 narrative, school closures, and the suppression of information highlights the importance of questioning experts and preserving individual freedoms. The pandemic response has revealed the complexities of society and the dangers of oversimplifying solutions. It is crucial to maintain an open and critical mindset to ensure a balanced and informed approach to emergency situations.