The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast – 380. A Resurgence of Vision | Vivek Ramaswamy

Intro

In this episode of “The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast,” Jordan Peterson interviews Vivek Ramaswamy, an author, entrepreneur, and 2024 presidential candidate. They discuss the current state of politics, the role of political consultants, the hunger for depth in political discussion, and the need for genuine connections with the public.

Main Takeaways

Vision for Political Discussion

• Vivek Ramaswamy believes there is a growing hunger in the general population for depth in political discussion.
• He chooses to ignore the advice of political consultants to “dumb it down” and distill his ideas into bullet points.
• Fragmented attention, a hangover from the television era, is not true online or in podcasts.
• Legacy media has systematically lied to the public, creating a deep sense of skepticism and curiosity.
• People are asking intelligent questions about central bank digital currencies and the relationship between the US and the UN.

The Role of Political Consultants

• Political consultants are like money managers, and if they knew anything about politics, they would be running themselves.
• They dumb down advice, showing what they think of people.
• Falling off course happens when people lack confidence in their own ability and hire political consultants.
• Dumbing down content is a lie and mendacious.
• Politicians speaking like political consultants has a dumbing down effect, but people at grassroots events are intellectually curious and skeptical.

The Power of Long-Form Conversations

• Long-form podcasts and unscripted conversations are successful because they are genuine and unfiltered.
• Podcasts have an advantage over books because it’s difficult to craft lies in spontaneous conversation.
• People are tired of being manipulated by large corporations and government and want to hear the real thing.
• Unscripted long-form conversations and in-person events are the best ways to speak truth and connect with people.
• New media has disintermediated television, giving people access to the truth and the ability to tell when they’re being lied to.

The Need for Reform and Revolution

• The current political climate is a unique moment where people are questioning not only their government but their media and political class.
• The choice in this election is between reform and revolution, with Vivek Ramaswamy standing on the side of revolution.
• Large donors in the Republican Party constrain the revolutionary impulse.
• Andrew Yang, an independent candidate, is not beholden to the existing system and has a unique combination of outsider status and independent knowledge.
• The next US president needs to be a successful marketer for values such as faith, family, patriotism, and hard work.

Summary

Vivek Ramaswamy’s Vision for Political Discussion

Vivek Ramaswamy believes that there is a growing hunger among the general population for depth in political discussion. Despite the advice of political consultants to “dumb it down,” he chooses to maintain the complexity of his ideas. He emphasizes that fragmented attention, a remnant of the television era, is not true online or in podcasts. Legacy media’s systematic lies have created skepticism and curiosity among the public, leading to intelligent questions about central bank digital currencies and the US-UN relationship.

The Role of Political Consultants

Vivek Ramaswamy criticizes political consultants, comparing them to money managers who lack actual political knowledge. He believes that their advice is often dumbed down, revealing their low opinion of the public’s intelligence. He argues that falling off course happens when individuals lack confidence in their own abilities and rely on political consultants. He sees the act of dumbing down content as a lie and mendacious. While politicians may speak like political consultants, grassroots events attract intellectually curious and skeptical individuals.

The Power of Long-Form Conversations

Vivek Ramaswamy emphasizes the success of long-form podcasts and unscripted conversations. These platforms thrive because they offer genuine and unfiltered discussions. Unlike books, spontaneous conversations are difficult to manipulate with lies. People are tired of being manipulated by large corporations and governments, and they seek authenticity. Unscripted long-form conversations and in-person events are considered the best ways to speak truth and connect with people. New media has disintermediated television, providing access to the truth and enabling individuals to detect lies.

The Need for Reform and Revolution

Vivek Ramaswamy believes that the current moment is akin to the American Revolution, as people question their government, media, and political class. He sees the upcoming election as a choice between reform and revolution, positioning himself on the side of revolution. However, he acknowledges that large donors in the Republican Party often constrain the revolutionary impulse. As an independent candidate, Andrew Yang offers a unique combination of outsider status and independent knowledge. The next US president needs to effectively market values such as faith, family, patriotism, and hard work.

Conclusion

Vivek Ramaswamy’s conversation with Jordan Peterson highlights the hunger for depth in political discussion and the importance of genuine connections with the public. He challenges the advice of political consultants and emphasizes the power of long-form conversations. Vivek Ramaswamy positions himself as a candidate for revolution and advocates for values such as faith, family, patriotism, and hard work. This episode offers insights into the current political climate and the need for reform and authenticity in politics.