Has America Completely Lost Its Mind? - Ben Shapiro (4K)

Donald Trump and the 2020 Election

• The speaker states their support for Donald Trump in the current election, while acknowledging their initial lack of support in 2016 due to uncertainty about his policies and disapproval of some of his statements. (10s)
• The speaker's support for Trump grew in the 2020 election due to approval of his policies, such as Supreme Court Justice appointments, Middle Eastern policy, and tax cuts. (2m51s)

The 2016 and 2020 Presidential Elections

• In 2016, Hillary Clinton lost the presidential election and Donald Trump won unexpectedly. Democrats concluded that this was illegitimate, while Republicans concluded that Trump was extraordinary. (9m27s)
• In 2020, Joe Biden won the presidential election. Democrats concluded that this was due to the strength of the Obama coalition, while Republicans concluded that Trump was still extraordinary and must have been cheated. (10m25s)

The 2012 Presidential Election and American Politics

• The speaker believes the 2012 presidential election, where Barack Obama won by appealing to his base rather than independents, was a turning point in American politics. (7m47s)

Ron DeSantis and the 2024 Republican Primary

• If Trump loses the Republican primary, he will likely claim that he did not lose. (13m3s)
• DeSantis faces a dilemma where he risks alienating Trump's supporters if he acknowledges Trump's 2020 election loss, but lacks justification for his candidacy if he doesn't. (13m56s)

The Deterioration of the Social Fabric

• The social fabric of the United States has deteriorated to the point where people celebrate the suffering of those with opposing political views, a phenomenon not observed within local communities or families. (14m38s)

The Subsidiarity Model and Federal Intervention

• While acknowledging the historical divisions, particularly on racial issues, the speaker argues that the "subsidiarity model" of limited federal power broke down as people demanded federal intervention to address injustices like Jim Crow laws, but this intervention has expanded to areas where national consensus isn't necessary or desirable. (17m31s)
• Disagreements between people from different parts of the country with different values are exacerbated when broad national models are applied to local circumstances. (18m14s)

Function Health and Lab Tests

• Function Health provides lab tests covering a wide range of health metrics, including hormones, nutrients, and cancer detection, for a cost of $500. (18m41s)

The "Rules-Based International Order" and Donald Trump

• The speaker expresses skepticism about vague claims of a "rules-based international order" preventing Donald Trump from becoming president, preferring specific evidence and identifiable actors. (21m32s)

Voting Rules and Election Integrity

• Changes to voting rules, such as those in Pennsylvania, are specific issues that can be addressed through Congressional hearings and legislative action. (22m52s)
• The assertion that the election was rigged due to mass voter fraud, such as coordinated ballot box stuffing, lacks evidence, making it difficult to assess or address. (23m17s)

Social Media and the Spread of Misinformation

• Social media's demand for immediate answers often leads to the acceptance of incorrect information, especially when it confirms pre-existing beliefs, as opposed to waiting for evidence-based explanations. (24m29s)

Data, Opinions, and Policy Changes

• When data changes, opinions on policies should change as well. No successful business would continue investing in something that is not working. (27m44s)

Heated Political Rhetoric

• The increase in heated political rhetoric is not one-sided and comes from both Donald Trump and the left. (29m5s)

Human Nature and Flaws

• When it comes to human nature, humans are inherently flawed, capable of both good and bad, and often make mistakes. (30m31s)

Assassination Attempts on Donald Trump

• There are two possible explanations for the assassination attempts on Donald Trump: either the Secret Service is incompetent, or they were part of a conspiracy. (31m3s)
• The idea that the Secret Service was involved in a conspiracy to assassinate Trump requires assuming both extreme competence in planning the attempt and extreme incompetence in carrying it out. (32m41s)

Broad Claims and Specific Definitions

• Broad claims, such as those of systemic racism or deep state conspiracies, need to be specifically defined in order to be evaluated. (33m16s)

Problem-Solvers vs. Opponent-Attackers

• There is a contrast between politicians focused on solving problems and those focused on attacking opponents. (35m15s)
• While some commentators are effective at identifying problems, they often fail to offer real solutions, resorting instead to blaming opponents. (35m36s)

The Political Left and Shared Values

• The political left in the United States is accused of undermining shared values and portraying the right as an existential threat, exemplified by rhetoric surrounding Donald Trump. (37m57s)

TikTok and the Chinese Communist Party

• Republicans in Congress recently attempted to separate TikTok from its Chinese ownership to prevent the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from having access to user data or control over the platform's algorithm. (39m43s)

Success, Ability, and Effort

• The speaker's father advised him that success is a combination of inherent ability and effort, and that he would need to outwork others who may be more intelligent. (43m27s)

Trust in Experts

• The speaker believes that while there is a growing distrust of experts due to past failures, the solution is not to dismiss expertise but to seek out more competent and trustworthy experts. (44m5s)

Adversity and Personal Growth

• The speaker was physically bullied in school, including being hit with belts. (45m10s)
• The speaker believes that experiencing adversity, such as bullying or working a difficult job, can be beneficial for personal growth. (47m7s)

Pushing Oneself and Seeking Challenges

• The speaker believes that pushing oneself and seeking out challenges is essential for personal development. (47m58s)

Marriage, Family, and Support

• Getting married and starting a family creates a support structure and sense of love that can help individuals move on from past negative experiences, such as bullying. (48m51s)
• Prolonged singlehood can lead to individuals getting stuck in a cycle of trying to dominate others to avoid being bullied, rather than focusing on building a family and protecting them. (49m38s)

Protective Mechanisms and Bullying

• A stern outer edge and self-effacing sense of humor can be protective mechanisms developed as a result of negative experiences like bullying. (50m56s)

Individuality and Not Fitting In

• It can be good to not fit in as it allows you to develop your individuality. (52m48s)

Friends People vs. Family People

• People can be categorized as either friends people or family people. (54m23s)

Business vs. Raising Children

• Running a business is not as difficult as raising four children. (56m20s)

Happiness and Family Life

• A person's happiness is greatly amplified, both positively and negatively, when married and further amplified when they have children. (57m12s)

Twitter and Family Life

• Twitter can negatively impact family life, leading some individuals to limit their usage or remove the app from their phones. (59m20s)

Twitter and Ego

• Twitter can be an "ego machine," with the "replies button" being the worst offender, as it constantly feeds the desire for attention and validation. (1h0m33s)

Spouse and Children as Reality Checks

• A spouse and children can provide a reality check and help dissolve ego. (1h1m2s)
• A spouse's lack of interest in one's fame can also serve as a grounding factor. (1h1m44s)

Acts of Service and Fulfillment

• Engaging in acts of service, such as caring for children or pursuing virtuous endeavors, can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment. (1h3m2s)

The Violinist Analogy

• A person who studied to be a violinist in high school, shares an anecdote about not receiving the same level of praise and attention as other students who played simpler instruments. (1h5m20s)

The "Rest Ethic"

• The speaker discusses the concept of "rest ethic," emphasizing the importance of taking breaks and recharging, particularly in demanding professions like politics. (1h7m45s)

Diminishing Returns of Excessive Work

• The speaker highlights the diminishing returns of excessive work, noting that while initial effort yields significant results, there comes a point where overworking leads to unhappiness, frustration, and negative consequences. (1h8m11s)

Modern Society and the Questioning of Rules and Traditions

• Modern society has shifted away from formal rules and traditions, leading to a questioning of their relevance, such as the acceptance of euthanasia over the principle of the doctrine of double effect. (1h9m42s)

Finding a Life Partner

• Finding a life partner is not difficult if individuals prioritize shared values and compatibility over superficial factors like physical attractiveness. (1h11m11s)

Open Communication and Shared Values in Relationships

• Open communication and a focus on shared values are crucial for a successful relationship, as exemplified by a three-and-a-half-hour first date that included discussions about family, religion, and philosophy. (1h11m38s)

Ben Shapiro's Marriage and Views on Relationships

• Ben Shapiro married his wife after knowing her for three months. He proposed after approximately two months. (1h13m2s)
• Ben Shapiro believes people with shared values should marry. He used examples of people of the same religions marrying and the value of raising children. (1h14m0s)
• Ben Shapiro believes marriage is for raising children. He also stated that the family structure is important to building a society. (1h14m18s)

Societal Interest in Relationships

• Societal interest in relationships stems from the traditional model of man, woman, and children, as this structure contributes to societal stability and procreation. (1h17m48s)

Marriage as a Commitment to the Institution

• Marriage is a commitment to the institution itself, acknowledging that individuals and circumstances change over time. (1h19m2s)

Maintaining a Successful Long-Term Relationship

• Maintaining a successful long-term relationship involves managing expectations, putting in effort, and dedicating time to connect with your partner without distractions. (1h19m47s)

Clarity and Communication in Relationships

• Clarity and communication are important in a relationship, and it is not always healthy to suppress feelings or issues. (1h21m19s)

Type A Individuals and Workload Capacity

• Many type A individuals possess a high workload capacity and may take on more than is sustainable, which can be detrimental to relationships. (1h22m3s)

True Masculinity

• Masculinity is often misconstrued as prioritizing physical strength, material possessions, and casual sexual encounters, but true masculinity lies in utilizing these things to support and care for loved ones. (1h22m42s)

Traditional Femininity

• Traditional femininity is viewed as a positive attribute that does not restrict women from pursuing careers. (1h25m11s)

Defining Masculinity

• Masculinity is defined as utilizing inherent male drive for constructive purposes, such as building and providing, rather than solely destructive actions. (1h26m0s)

Jordan Peterson's Evolution

• Jordan Peterson's exploration of broader societal issues, including politics and religion, represents a departure from his earlier focus on personal development, which some find less relatable. (1h27m50s)

Personal Impact and Life Advice

• Jordan Peterson frequently discusses how to personally impact others, leading to the speaker incorporating more life advice into their content and slightly less political commentary. (1h29m51s)

Jordan Peterson's Influence on Young Men

• The speaker believes that Jordan Peterson positively influences young men and their values. (1h30m16s)

Online Persona vs. Private Self

• The speaker acknowledges that their online persona, particularly on Twitter, differs from their private self, attributing this to the platform's tendency to emphasize negativity. (1h31m20s)

The Speaker's Knowledge of the Bible

• The speaker enjoys discussing the Bible and is knowledgeable about it, even reading in the original Hebrew. However, the speaker recognizes that this type of content may not be what their audience wants. (1h34m19s)

Content Ideas and Historical Roundtables

• The speaker is interested in creating content such as a roundtable discussion with historians like Niall Ferguson, John Keegan, and Victor Davis Hanson about topics like the history of World War II. (1h36m41s)

The Speaker's Book The Right Side of History

• The speaker is proud of their book The Right Side of History, which reviews Western philosophy. (1h37m33s)

Books vs. Video Content

• The speaker believes that video content is often transitory, while books have more permanence and can stand the test of time. (1h37m51s)

Feedback Loops and Criticism

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of having a reliable feedback loop, specifically mentioning Jeremy and family members, who provide honest criticism. (1h40m0s)

Avoiding "Criticism Capture"

• Seth Goden's decision to remove comments from his blog is cited as an example of avoiding "criticism capture," where content becomes overly focused on addressing potential criticisms. (1h41m44s)

Changing Views and Confirmation Bias

• People who receive frequent criticism for their views tend to either change their views or believe their views are correct. (1h42m16s)

Anti-Semitism and the Speaker's Experiences

• The speaker experienced a significant increase in anti-Semitism directed at them around the years 2015-2016 and again after October 7th. (1h43m42s)

Scientific American's Endorsement of Joe Biden

• The speaker believes that the editors of Scientific American endorsing a candidate will not influence many voters but will negatively impact the credibility of the publication. (1h46m34s)

The Politicization of Science

• There is a concern that there is an attempt to use science to support specific political agendas, citing the example of claims about the benefits of transgender surgery and the public health advice given during the Black Lives Matter protests. (1h46m46s)
• The politicization of science has led to a decline in trust in scientific institutions and experts. (1h47m34s)

The Impact of Scientific Journal Endorsements

• A 2020 study published in Nature found that the journal's endorsement of Joe Biden in the US presidential election did not change people's political views but did decrease confidence in the journal and scientists in general. (1h48m17s)