Joe Rogan Experience #758 - Tom Papa

Episode Summary

Main Topics Discussed

• Studio Relocation & Lifestyle Choices: Joe Rogan discusses potential plans to move his studio to a downtown high-rise or build a secluded compound in Topanga Canyon, jokingly fearing he might "go wholehog Colonel Kurtz."
• Earthquake Preparedness & Risk Assessment: A conversation about the dangers of living in high-rises during earthquakes, Tom Papa's scary experience in Napa, and a New Yorker article detailing the "ticking time bomb" seismic and tsunami risk in the Pacific Northwest.
• Emergency Preparedness & Self-Sufficiency: Joe details his personal emergency kit, including freeze-dried food, water, high-end Yeti coolers (showcasing their long-term cooling capabilities with a ham brining example), a generator, and his move to solar power.
• Challenges of Solar Energy Adoption: The bureaucratic hurdles and resistance from utility companies in California for individuals attempting to go completely off-grid with solar power, citing Brian Callen's difficulties.
• Electric & Autonomous Vehicles: Tom Papa shares his experience renting a Tesla, noting its instant acceleration and quick battery drain, and marvels at its advanced autopilot features. Joe also discusses his Lexus SUV's adaptive cruise control.
• Future Impact of Autonomous Driving: The prediction that widespread autonomous vehicles could lead to an 85% decrease in car accidents, potentially collapsing the car insurance industry.
• Michael Hastings Conspiracy Theory: A deep dive into the suspicious death of journalist Michael Hastings, who wrote critically about General Stanley McChrystal and the CIA director. The theory suggests his car was remotely hacked, leading to his fatal crash.
• Joe Biden's Past Plagiarism Controversy: The revelation that Joe Biden had to withdraw from a presidential campaign in 1988 due to extensive plagiarism of John F. Kennedy's speeches, which led to a "Joe Biden Night" comedy club concept.
• Critique of Pharmaceutical Industry & Politics: Discussion on how the pharmaceutical industry's influence prevents politicians from addressing the root causes of drug epidemics, such as prescription drug abuse.
• Smoking Habits & Cultural Perceptions: Personal anecdotes about trying cigarettes, the varying social acceptance and perception of smells from cigarettes, cigars, and pipes, and the (alleged) acquisition of illegal Cuban cigars.
• Police Corruption & "The 75" Documentary: Discussion of Michael Dow, a former corrupt NYPD officer featured in "The 75" documentary, highlighting systemic corruption during the 70s and 80s crack epidemic, and Dow's post-prison life.
• Cuban Cigars & Market Opening: The impending legalization of Cuban cigars in the US and concerns about the limited supply of premium tobacco from specific regions in Cuba.

Key Insights & Memorable Moments

• Joe's humorous fear of becoming a "Colonel Kurtz" figure if he builds a secluded compound.
• Tom Papa's vivid description of a high-rise building swaying "like a rubber band" during an earthquake.
• The extreme efficiency of Yeti coolers, capable of keeping ice for six days, used by Joe for brining hams.
• The shocking revelation of the bureaucratic red tape and resistance faced when trying to go fully solar in California.
• Tom's disbelief and excitement over Tesla's autopilot system, which drove him an extended distance without any manual input.
• The statistic from insurance companies predicting an 85% decrease in accidents with autonomous vehicles.
• The chilling details surrounding Michael Hastings' death, including his prior warnings and the remote car hacking theory.
• The historical anecdote of Joe Biden's presidential campaign being derailed by plagiarism from JFK speeches.
• The critique that politicians avoid discussing prescription drugs as a precursor to wider drug problems due to pharmaceutical lobbying.
• The observation that cigarette smokers often find cigar smoke "disgusting," despite the strong odor of their own cigarettes, contrasting with the generally pleasant smell of pipe tobacco.
• The disturbing account from "The 75" documentary where new police recruits were introduced to corruption on their first day, including a warning about what happens to "rats."

Notable Quotes or Revelations

• Joe Rogan: "I'm afraid I'll go wholehog Colonel Curts and start a real compound once I have the actual land..."
• Tom Papa, marveling at Tesla Autopilot: "I didn't steer until I got off of... The 101. Shut the [expletive] up. I didn't touch the brake. I didn't touch the accelerator. I didn't steer."
• On the future of car insurance: "They say once everything's automated... it's going to be an 85% decrease in accidents."
• Revelation about Joe Biden: "Joe Biden was a plagiarist. Like Joe Biden, when I was in Boston at Stitches Comedy Club in 1988, which is back when he was running for president, but had to abandon his his campaign because they found his speeches were just in gigantic chunks of President Kennedy speeches. No. Yes. He stole from Kennedy."
• Michael Hastings' premonition: "He was telling people that if he dies, like you should understand that they killed me. I'm not going to kill myself. If I die, just know this. They killed me."
• On remote car hacking: "[they] could just pin that [expletive] accelerator down, lift off that g lift off that brake so the brake doesn't work at all and then disable disable the the bags and steer that [expletive] right into a tree."
• On political silence regarding prescription drugs: "Nobody not one person brought up prescription drugs. Yeah, of course. As the lead into that... It's the pharmaceutical companies have them bought and sold."

Overall Themes

• The Double-Edged Sword of Technology: The discussion consistently highlights how advancements like autonomous cars and solar power offer incredible benefits, but also present potential dangers, vulnerabilities, and avenues for misuse by those in power.
• Preparedness and Autonomy: A recurring theme is the desire for self-sufficiency and preparation in the face of natural disasters or societal breakdowns, from emergency kits to off-grid living, often battling against systemic obstacles.
• Skepticism of Power & Authority: The episode expresses a deep distrust of various institutions, including government bureaucracy, utility companies, political figures, the pharmaceutical industry, and even aspects of the military and law enforcement, often linking them to corruption, self-interest, or the suppression of truth.
• Vulnerability in a Connected World: The conversation touches on the increasing fragility of individuals in a technologically advanced and interconnected society, where even personal vehicles could potentially be controlled remotely.
• The Role of Information and Media: The impact of journalism, the challenges of uncovering truths, and the political manipulation of information are explored through examples like Michael Hastings' work and Joe Biden's plagiarism.