Sam Harris: Debating conspiracy theorists, wokeness, Trump, collapse of Intellectual Dark Web

-- Sam Harris, neuroscientist, philosopher, New York Times bestselling author, and host of the Making Sense Podcast, joins David to discuss debating conspiracy theorists, the collapse of the Intellectual Dark Web, wokeness, Trumpism, and much more
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Broadcast on January 30, 2024
#davidpakmanshow #samharris #interview

[@geodude7116]

A conspiracy theorist is someone who's wrong 95 percent of the time but thinks they're a genius for the 5 percent they do get right.

[@theywouldnthavetocensormei9231]

Everyone believes at least one conspiracy theory, even if you don't believe any, that means you believe conspiracies don't exist.

[@geodude7116]

@@theywouldnthavetocensormei9231 “believing conspiracies don’t exist” is not the same as “not believing in any conspiracy theories”. I don’t believe in any, but I’m also still open to the idea that some could be true.

[@theywouldnthavetocensormei9231]

@@geodude7116 so what are your thoughts on Russiagate?

The term "conspiracy theory" was created to discredit people

[@elmo430o]

😂😂😂❤

[@AzimuthTao]

Sam warned about the dangers of Trump way before he was elected president. And everything he worried about came to pass and worse. I always enjoy hearing his clear-headed reasoning.

[@ErutS]

As a thinking person in europe, closely following Usain politics, and know a little about AI, I think this bs .."for the most... part" Untangle this logically😮😂

[@theJudge6990]

Sam has TDS

[@alexmajax]

He said that he was a tyrant in the making. True. That he was a malignant narcissist motivated by greed. True. He has no ideology, no beliefs and only cares about himself. True Those who think that he's a good pick are gambling with the future of our country. (His fans admit that they want trump to be a dictator, they want to torch the constitution and its democracy just to own the libs). True. He is a petty little man child who has no interest in anything but himself. True.

[@synchronium24]

@@theJudge6990 "TDS" is what people who deepthroat Trump 24/7 call anyone who dares criticize their beloved leader.

[@tschorsch]

​@@theJudge6990 The derangement of the Trump cult knows no bounds. The glorious youtube algos thank you for your absolutely stupendous triggering.

[@louislafontaine5984]

‘’The problem in this world is that idiots are sure of themselves while reasonable people full of doubts’’. Bertrand Russell

[@JohnnyTwoFingers]

Sam is rather confident in his beliefs I've noticed.

[@HyperMoon]

@@UsernameVincentEven so, this is objectively a fair observation. Being reasonable means to be open-minded, use critical thinking, and having the ability to weigh different viewpoints without relying on preconceived notions or biases. It means inviting in the possibility that you could be wrong. Truly stupid people don't entertain any of that and often assert their viewpoints with total certainty. By refusing to invite skepticism and reason against your views means you probably haven't thought them through well enough to be so sure of them in the first place.

[@John-PaulHunt-wy7lf]

i went gambling. free weill exists.

[@YoushouldNeilAnblomi]

@@HyperMoon kind of like what happened with the vaccines huh?

[@alexkhadr1039]

@@HyperMoon who’s an idiot is the subjective part however

[@novelknowledge]

Need Sam to talk some sense into Joe Rogan.

[@fredlang5997]

Joe Rogan is focused on the cents and the dollars!

[@FighterFlash]

Rogan is just at a “higher plane”

[@rosykatzCATS]

Not possible

[@rosykatzCATS]

​@@FighterFlasha plane of insanity

[@fredlang5997]

@@rosykatzCATS I think he wanted you to focus on the "higher" bit in that statement... 😉

[@mosshark]

Thanks David for having Sam on.

[@sstone1992]

He sucks and has been doing the bill maher anti Islam anti woke material for like a decade now let’s not bring him back again thanks

[@sotthapana]

It was definitely interesting, right up until he denied the reality of Israeli colonial occupation of Palestinian territory. Tribalist nonsense!

[@Shane-zl9ry]

👎@@sotthapana

[@sotthapana]

@@shrubsangry According to every human rights agency and the vast majority of UN members, Oct 7th is an inevitable and predictable result of 70+ years of colonial occupation. What do you know about clues? What part of your brain doesn't understand that people naturally want to break free from the largest prison in the world?

[@JustMeeZZ]

Thanks goes to Sam Harris for making time to come on the DPS.

[@LanceLegend]

Sam was the only IDWer who came out with his integrity intact.

[@Saintjackoftrades]

I never considered him in the IDW. He never claimed that group.

[@Galumpa22]

Kinda

[@kiraiskringe]

i knew he was the real deal ever since i heard him debunking free will on his podcast. he's always been a smart guy. not always right but it always bothered me how he was lumped in with other people who are clearly unserious.

[@jokersdemise]

​@Saintjackoftrades he def was in that group. He didn't mind correcting anyone of his affiliation with IDW, UNTIL he disagreed with it. Didn't he openly do a photoshoot with the IDW?

[@8eight104]

It's because he had actual academic rigor and discipline with his thinking. He's a total shitlib, but way less unhinged than the other IDW guys.

[@Teflon247]

I don't agree with Sam about everything but if nothing else, I really appreciate his clarity.

[@PresidentKang90]

“Uncharitable framings of the border crossings” - there is no clarity in a man that can downplay or even call the border crisis a conspiracy.

[@JRDavis-hj4si]

He caught the mind virus.

[@mrloop1530]

I don't agree about everything with anyone.

[@waedjradi]

Imagine someone, walking around, agreeing with every thing someone says haha.

[@patryk6769]

If nothing else, 20 years Sam spent meditating in a cave really gave him the clarity.

[@doyle6000]

I'm a big fan of Sam! Thanks for having him on!

[@pgaquigz1125]

How could u donate to this misinformation machine?

[@doyle6000]

@@pgaquigz1125 Obviously different people think different things are misinformation (I don't think this is)

[@allisons6910]

@@pgaquigz1125 How's Russia? Heard you have great loafs. Nice touch with the "u" btw. Bet you're glad you got assigned social influencing over the front lines eh? ❄🤧

[@bigollameo]

You're a fan because because you're a racist social outcast.

[@GymRat7274]

I have 100% respect for Sam Harris. David, thanks for having him on your show.

[@legitdragon6202]

When you're a conspiracy theorist you're never wrong, there's just another explanation/conspiracy 😎

[@Ifoughtpiranhas]

They're masters of moving the goalposts.

[@Sampsonoff]

Any evidence that confirms the conspiracy is valid. All evidence to the contrary is made up to deceive you. You can never lose 😎

[@misterdemocracy3335]

The alternative facts that all the sheeple are not privy to, of course.

[@Excelcior58]

Well said

[@Sampsonoff]

It’s amusing to see conspiracy theorists reference government workers who say anything that confirms their narrative but simultaneously discount anything government employees say out of hand that doesn’t confirm.

[@yogiperogy]

One of your best David! Sam Harris is the kind of guest I would certainly love to see on your show again. Amazing,impressive genius!

[@bryankinney1]

Just more brilliance from Sam.

[@MADDcartman]

Pakman’s community is pretty rare in its support of Harris, and I’m here for it. Childhood hero of mine that continues to provide clarity in my life.

[@pathologicaldoubt]

Well said, likewise

[@binmcbin1890]

shame he now spends his days downplaying and justifying G3n0c1de

[@1984isnotamanual]

Because he refuses to radicalize he is despicable by both the left and the right it seems

The people online that are not fans are typically bad faith and have to strawman his positions to explain why.

[@TheColdrush22]

I was thinking the exact same thing, and I couldn't be happier about it.

[@mysterious_monolith_]

Epistemology should be mandatory in schools. In the US, civics should also be mandatory. With AI developing so quickly, the methods to debunk falsehood need to also be taken seriously or there will be no hope for democracy in the future.

[@fredgarvinMP]

We just need a ministry of truth to determine what are falsehoods, right?

[@dankdude92]

Dude most people can't even spell.....

[@jj4791]

AI will fix everything.

[@joediesen1]

⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠@@fredgarvinMP No. How did you read a post that suggested we emphasize epistemology in schools and conclude that means we need a ministry of truth. Teaching epistemology is the opposite of having a ministry of truth.

[@JohnnyTwoFingers]

Sam himself would benefit from studying epistemology.

[@Socrataclysm]

Sam Harris has changed my life more than once. Love this man. Thanks for a great interview David.

[@TCASAnalytics]

I feel the same way about The Insane Clown Posse's Shaggy Two Dope and Violent Jay. Love those guys. David, what the hell, why haven't you had a rap battle with these guys?

[@jamesdalton7234]

Did you make love to David??❤

[@therainman7777]

@@TCASAnalytics😂😂😂

[@TCASAnalytics]

@@therainman7777 Thank you for validating my immature and/or obnoxious comment. Your willingness to acknowledge the humor underlying my comment is what drives my passion to keep improving my obnoxiousness moving forward. Please accept this virtual high-five as a small token of my appreciation for taking the time to respond to my comment by tapping that laughing emoji not just once or twice, but alas thrice!

[@therainman7777]

@@TCASAnalytics Dude if there’s one thing I love and respect in this life, it’s _good_ trolling. Not the BS that most people consider trolling, but the good stuff. Which is like an art form, and always funny. And your comment was very good, and very funny. High five back at you ✋

[@CARambolagen]

I call "audience capture" "milking the mob"...

[@LowenKM]

Yeah, you're right, the whole 'populist' thang, both Right and Left, seems to have an 'addictive' quality about it, like it satisfies some 'need'.

[@timbuckll]

Being captured by the audience or capturing an audience is, on the surface, only linguistically different.

[@CARambolagen]

@@timbuckll Tell that to the fish that is being caught 🤣

[@wasdwasdedsf]

@@LowenKM whats wrong with the thing? a politician trying to do what the people want, as he is a representative for thep eople? why dont we just continue this charade thats been goign so well, with stagnant wage growth for half a century despite massive technological progress?

[@henryjumbohead5391]

I always appreciate Sam’s point of view.

[@JockoJonson17]

Sam is good folks. 👍

[@kevinvieths3604]

I may not always agree, but I always appreciate.

[@henryjumbohead5391]

@@kevinvieths3604 agreed. Same with most public intellectuals and political talking heads. I agree with many but not about everything. I like and respect the ones whose line of reasoning is easily followed so I know specifically where my disagreement with them lies.

[@roddyboethius1722]

He is dry and dull. He has no sense of humor.

[@henryjumbohead5391]

@@roddyboethius1722 we I certainly won’t disagree with you on that point. lol

[@kevinbeck8836]

There are a handful of things I disagree with Sam on but agree with him 98% of the time. Glad you had him on

[@Hubadadubada]

Same here. who in the world do we agree with all the time anyway

[@andrewdesrosiers5658]

@@Hubadadubadathat’s fair, but it’s really hard for some reason when it comes to politics and our world view. The Israel/Hamas part for example. No one likes Hamas. It’s the concern around the situation the civilians Palestinians are in that is my concern on the matter. He takes the position of Israel vs Hamas alone which isn’t anyones real argument I’ve heard. All in all great conversation they had though.

[@theboss4359]

Did you like the part where he characterized all of the world’s 2 billion Muslims as being culturally inferior and prone to violence?

[@westcoastramen]

Same. I'm a lefty and I occasionally have my quibbles with Sam, but he honestly attempts to elucidate the issues of our time and I respect him for that.

[@kevinbeck8836]

@theboss4359 I dont, and thats because while I do think Islam is violent compared to contemporary religions, I dont think 2 billion Muslims ARE violent. I respect Sam's point about how its easier to get violent rhetoric out of the Quran but think he could be more charitable to Muslims. most are not jihadists thats my view

[@knigggit7672]

Since the unfortunate demise of Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris is now the preeminent public intellectual in the world.

[@freshfalcon3996]

Sam has unimpeachable intellectual integrity. He's part of an ever-shrinking club.

[@michaelbeaster2921]

Sam Harris has been one of the most sane voices on important topics for a long time.

[@wgo523]

Yep And a shockingly poor one on others

[@paskowitz]

He is very hit and miss. More hit though.

[@michaelbeaster2921]

@@paskowitz what would you consider him to be a miss on?

[@kevinbeck8836]

@michaelbeaster2921 his stance towards Muslim isn't very charitable. He's willing to attribute violent behavior commited by Muslims to Islam and not the geopolitics. I tend to think that most of the violent jihadists are actually motivated by the geopolitics but they justify and rationalize their views through religious language and thinking. This is where I think Sam could be more charitable to Muslims at large. To be fair to Sam though, I do agree that religions help people justify bad behavior, and Islam is more accepting of violence than perhaps any other contemporary religion. Edit: changed "on Islam" to "toward Muslims" in first sentence

[@bipslone8880]

I think he misses the mark on Israel. The whole time he was talking I was picturing the Native Americans when Europeans arrived. I also think of the quote, "The bride is beautiful, but she is married to another man" which is a phrase used to refer to a fundamental problem confronting Zionist ambitions to found a Jewish homeland in Palestine. This is not about Muslims vs Jewish people, this is about stolen land an unjust treatment by a right wing government.

[@Timzart7]

For me, Sam is still the most articulate, sensible and consistently intelligible intellectual in the English-speaking world, who also has a grasp on a wide range of religious, philosophical, historical and scientific topics. So, when AGI does take off, becomes super human, in addition to talking with it myself, I look forward to Sam interviewing it.

[@briandbeaudin9166]

They should have Sam train it!.

[@chris4973]

Ever heard of Noam Chomsky?

[@chris4973]

Ever heard of Noam Chomsky?

[@ryansiekert877]

I feel Sam has fallen off a bit, primarily because he didn't take on people like Joe Rogan directly about COVID. What a huge opportunity such an intellectual had that was missed.

[@Untamedshrew83]

@@ryansiekert877he explains in this video why he hasn’t debated those people.

[@kellysanchez1000]

Great Conversation David - Really happy you got Sam to come back on. Sam is such a profound thinker and we need more of this type of content.

[@Anarcho-Communist895]

He sounded so prejudiced and right wing-ish in the past I didn't stick around to discover his profoundness. I'll give him another chance.

[@EmilySalter-xd8uy]

@@Anarcho-Communist895 He is still a bigot and he is not profound.

[@envispojke]

​@@EmilySalter-xd8uyYou see some one with the nickname 'anarchocommunist' (something I also called myself in my youth, btw) write "hey, maybe Sam isn't so evil, I'll *give him a chance*" and you're like "fuck, I gotta write words and call names so this guy falls back in line, before it's too late" 😂 Just because accusing people without evidence or arguments works on you, doesn't mean it works on everyone.

[@EmilySalter-xd8uy]

@@envispojke o wow, are you Sam Harris? Sam Harris promotes Jewish supremacy while feigning atheism. Islamic terrorism is a propaganda project of Netanyahu to dehumanize Muslims. Kind of like your empty hasbara post. Who is doing the genocide in the Middle East? Which nation has rap music about killing babies and is doing it by the thousands? It’s not Iran. It’s not Yemen. It’s not Iraq. It’s the depraved nation of Herzl. Stern Gang in the house!!!

[@EmilySalter-xd8uy]

@@envispojke you reported my comment! You propagandist chicken. Anarcho-comm on liberal Zionism is big joke!

[@BrianPex]

24:57 lmao! Great description of Trump!

[@RoadRunner217]

Thank you David for having Sam on. You don't have to agree with Sam on anything, but you have to admit and admire that he's been walking the walk for so long and is one of the few people who commit to absolute zero audience capture. He is extremely nuanced on every single issue.

[@jacksonrauch9429]

To the contrary, Harris and s a charlatan. The fact that he fools anyone is sad.

[@dmitryspivak4586]

Absolutely

[@JRDavis-hj4si]

Admire that instead of admit he’s been sooooo wrong on sooooo many topics, he just doubles down? Sam has given up on logic, reasoning, and the scientific method. He’s a very good talker. And he has a lot of people brain washed. That is his talent.

[@bingbong2179]

@@JRDavis-hj4siExamples please

[@dmitryspivak4586]

@@JRDavis-hj4si lol Good of you to not give a single example. Otherwise we might start suspecting that you're a fool...

[@stanh24]

David, thanks for having Sam on your program. Both of you are among my favorite KZbinrs! 👏👏👏

[@mrtambourineman6107]

Same

[@myselftik]

Both are on the wrong side of history in the ongoing conflict. Very disappointing.

[@mrtambourineman6107]

@myselftik yeah mate and Trump is Jesus.

[@therainman7777]

@@myselftik😂😂😂

[@SohelBahjat]

I have enjoyed watching every minute of this nice interview!

[@samdg1234]

Let's not forget the hero of Christopher Hitchens, “Some ideas are so stupid that only intellectuals believe them.” - George Orwell

[@draxxthemsclounts2478]

Christopher Hitchens was great in ways but politically insane.

[@samdg1234]

@@draxxthemsclounts2478 I no longer recall what it was in this video that inspired my comment here. However, I did like Hitch, his sophistic tendencies notwithstanding. Harris takes sophism to a new level, though. He is reluctant to show that there was any daylight between his views and those of Hitchens, but I'd suspect Hitch would have seen the gaping flaws in Harris's reasoning. *"Christopher Hitchens was great in ways but politically insane."* I'm not sure to what you are referring. Politics is messy business. There is seemingly no such thing as a party or a candidate that is correct on all fronts and about all questions. Harris and Hitch were both articulate and aligned on some political issues. Here is a memorable quote from Harris, with which I'm sure Hitch would have agreed totally. "Recall how Bill Clinton’s cantatas of indignation were abruptly silenced the moment he learned that a semen-stained dress was en route to the lab. The mere threat of DNA analysis produced what no grand jury ever could - instantaneous communication with the great man’s conscience, which appeared to be in another galaxy." -Sam Harris (The Moral Landscape) Cheers, Sam

[@evillemike2009]

"... radicalized by their own audience." That's a pretty scary thing.

[@roddyboethius1722]

​@@angelobalbiit goes back thousands of years. Christianity is a perfect example of fake victimhood and denial of reality

[@JungleScene]

great interview david, thanks for bringing Sam on... hes one of the few sober minds left in public intelligencia. Voices like this are going to be invaluable if we are to keep our societies and democracies tied together.

[@hazelpage1803]

Love this guy! Finally, someone besides yourself, speaking sense!

[@ittositto6494]

Yeah… it’s not new. When I was 12 on Y2K-eve my family had us standing on a deserted footy oval waiting for the end of the world. Spent all evening giving out sausages in bread to the people at the actual party in a building nearby… but they had to come to us. Mum now hand-waves it off as: “Oh that, that was just a computer virus thing” Fortunately they weren’t into actually ‘drinking the cool-aid’ The whole family are still into every conspiracy, but I cannot say the same about the cool-aid. Just tired of the anti-vax bs.

[@cgsec2275]

Are you saying we don't need to worry about AI because the Y2K thing turned out to be nothing?

[@garrymcfadden4105]

It’s just these vaxxes

[@peterfazio9306]

Sausages in bread? You mean, hotdogs? And what's a "footy oval"?

[@ittositto6494]

@@peterfazio9306 I'm Australian. Hotdogs are a very different thing. A 'Sausage sizzle' is the correct name for a basic sausage 'Snag' in bread with optional serving of onion and sauce, and canned drinks (soda's) for sale also. Typically on weekends, outside big events or big stores, charities would sell them to the public for a couple dollars each, from a small portable picnic shelter in the carpark (parking lot). Footy Oval, is a large oval shaped sporting ground for Australian Rules football or 'footy', the field is about twice the length (or larger) than an American football stadium. I forget the lengths. Think American Football, with no scrum, no body armour and no cheerleaders. Just burly, speedy guys in close fitting clothing, punting (kicking with style) a slightly skinny football equally the length of a American field into goal posts at each end of the field. or... just pummeling each other in pretty spectacular tackles, It's a good watch, and good exercise to play yourself

[@envispojke]

I'm sorry for your loss

[@BooksForever]

Sam is a rare gem among the most rational and articulate minds in the world today… practically a unicorn. Great interview.

[@knguyen4c]

wish Christopher Hitchens was still around

[@Aristotelezz]

I've discovered Sam Harris when youtube came to light. Learned a lot from him about philosophic issues.

[@henryjumbohead5391]

Yeah. He’s a unique guy. He’s capable of in depth conversations about a variety of topics unrelated to politics.

[@FelizTheLifeguardMinion3]

Yeah I’ve been following him since 2009ish 😂 one of the best podcasts ever ❤

[@l000tube]

I did too, since the beginning, but i lost track of him over the years as his stream got paywalled. I also got a bit fed up with his caricature of 'the left', i am of the left, but i did not recognise the label he was bashnig. It was almost like he was attacking a strawman of 'the left'. Anyway, I agreed with most of what he said and glad he recognises the assymetry of danger level between a social justice warrior type person and the hard right MAGA crowd, which is rightly so - insane.

[@tallmikeholley]

I don't agree with David on most of his ideas, but I love his willingness to have conversations and debate. Good job David!

[@deepzepp4176]

These two deserve each other.

[@PiccolaMonalisa]

Critical Thinking and common sense in one conversation

[@chinkasuyaro8983]

Sam demonstrates uncommon sense.

[@Progger11]

Aside from the transphobia and fear mongering against Muslims, sure.

[@slime8177]

Good to see Sam talking to David, two great voices

[@richevangelista3069]

This just made my day! Thanks David and Sam.

[@bastiaanvanbeek]

The world needs more rational people and emotionally driven people with the right ethical compass. I am getting sick of superficial influencers, religious extremism, conspiracy theorists, money makers, corruption, endless economic expansion, people like Tucker Carlson and Vladimir Putin, etc. We live in 2024 for God's sake! Not in 2004, 1974 or 1014. PS I am not religious.

[@moja6380]

Sam Harris is a fraud

[@DebateCentrals]

So glad you are having Sam on again!

[@jackp584]

Cannot overstate how great it is to listen to these guy's conversation. Love both of their podcasts

[@frankmaa884]

Incredible to hear a good faith conversation between two guys whose ability to articulate a precise and interesting dialogue and perspectives on the most important and complex cultural and political topics facing us are almost unparalleled.

[@CM3Dave]

Excellent interview. Always a pleasure listening to Sam Harris!

[@LiveWireVodou]

Thank you both! Great to see you in conversation together 👍

[@MamaJanella]

The biggest problem is that there are people who WANT to be lied to. Those people are going to believe whatever they want to. Right or left.

[@littlejerryseinfeld4168]

yep. i stopped trying to reason with those people, they take too much energy for very little return on time investment. idealist young lefties and batshit right wingers of all ages, i just let them spout off now, theyre energy vampires

[@mph650]

Alot of lies coming from science and Fauci

[@Anarcho-Communist895]

Mama - So true. It's the biggest problem in the US right now; people unwilling to face reality.

[@frankmarsh1159]

Nobody wants to be lied to. But some people are attracted to liars. The people who watch Fox news and support Trump are attracted to snarky, cynical men and women who wear too much makeup and brush their hair 20 times a day. For some strange reason they believe those people would never lie to them...These are the same people who watch TV preachers and professional wrestling.They don't know they are being lied to.

[@ecyranot]

I saw a perfect example of this earlier today. A MAGA man said he was sure the George Floyd story was made up. He said the policeman didn't have his knee on his neck. The interviewer asked what he thought of the video evidence. The man said he hadn't seen a video!! I think it was Yeats who saw the downfall of the world in his poem "Second Coming" in which, to paraphrase, the ignorant are the most passionate in their opinions.

[@robertgaines7507]

Sam Harris, as is Richard Dawkins and was the late Christopher Hitchens, is a candle in the darkness of our societies apparent attempt to return an ignorant barbaric epoch of human evolution. Thank you Mr Packman for giving this brilliant man air time on your podcast.

[@heynow_4982]

With respect, I gotta say to you that Sam is a total fraud. ‘Stop the Spread’ is just one issue that Sam used to propagate disinformation. You don’t have to be right, but you have to be honest - neither of these men are that. Own your mistakes instead of making a straw-man to double down on your position

[@bigollameo]

Hahaha! Calm down, dummy.

[@JGAvila90]

Great Interview David.

[@BrianBattles]

I wish this discussion went on for a couple more hours

[@alleycat150]

Thank you for bringing Sam Harris into the conversation. This is one of the best interviews that you conducted.

[@freshfalcon3996]

Dave is very good at asking questions. They're thoughtful, delivered one at a time. SO many "interviewers" can't seem to do that.

[@EducatedGuessGutFeeling]

Fantastic interview. I wish more people would take a rational approach like you guys.

[@brandonwilliams957]

"Waking Up" is awesome. Much love to Sam Harris.

[@conservatismisadisease6130]

Theres a meditation app by harris too

[@marcomoreno6748]

Sam has maintained his integrity and intellectual honesty through the shit show that was 2015-2022. He is now reaping his rewards.

[@Gulfstreams]

I could do without the Murray interviews, v*le man.

[@fishbone2921]

Thank you for this interview. Fascinating.

[@WHATISTRUTHTV]

Lol two people dead wrong over covid .... 😂😅

[@frankmossa6445]

Great sit-down David, we can never go wrong, having aware and conscious people discussing the truths of society..

[@danielmeshel3809]

Can you possibly apply chapters to the videos in order to be able to skip to different topics?

[@margaretshepard9466]

I am on the far left as is the people I listen to, read, talk to and I take issue with Sam Harris that the left see racism as worse than it ever was. Do you know where I can get information for the veracity of that statement.

[@AdamTondowsky]

@@margaretshepard9466 I think Sam Harris just makes stuff up.

[@conservaliberal]

entitlement alert. cmon dude

[@SteveLastname715]

I know David can't follow-up on everything, but the notion of Trump-ism being this fringe issue when he was President and may soon be again is bizarre. I get that Academia affects him more directly, but he's still needlessly minimizing an obviously impactful cohort.

[@metapotamus]

I agree with you, but I also think you might’ve missed part of the point Sam was trying to make. His point is that the people and institutions who dictate most of American culture, that being Universities, Hollywood, and Big Tech companies, are mostly not part of the Trump Cult, and so there are separate issues to worry about outside of Trump. But he also stated beforehand that he views the radical right-wing threats as more dangerous than the radical left-wing threats, which I definitely agree with.

[@godisbollocks]

The tsunami of ludicrous accusations of "Trump derangement syndrome" that have been levelled at Sam Harris prove that he has never minimised the severity or political impact of Trump

[@sulljoh1]

Very true. It's not fringe. Trump was fking president!

[@drugmoney4996]

​@@metapotamusWhat right wing threats are you speaking of?

[@metapotamus]

@@drugmoney4996 Cutting social security, being anti-union, supporting a candidate who tried to undermine democracy (and getting caught acknowledging it behind closed doors), pushing for Christian-based policy in education and government even though the country is founded on religious freedom, removing the rights of women to get abortions, and more.

[@DavidRamos-nz4bh]

My two favorites together! WOW!

[@jgreen2015]

These two have kept me sane since 2015 The left has gone absolutely nuts in most areas. But these two remained staunchly sensible

[@eduardhenny1]

Agree, both class acts

[@GrumpyRobot75]

@@jgreen2015 Not as nuts as the right wing lunatics. But the far left have some issues too.

[@jgreen2015]

@@GrumpyRobot75 here's the thing though - it is the craziness of the left that created maga Maga is a reaction to the insanity of the left I predicted it... And I was right. And the number of people now alt right who used to be left wing and say shit like 'i didn't abandon the left it abandoned me' is insane. And I have managed to have more sane debates with maga loons than woke loons. And I achieved that by agreeing with their criticism of the loony left. Because by doing so it opens up them to be able to criticise their side. When all you do is attack them it puts their back up against the wall and dig their heels in. And the loony left have been attacking republicans since 2001 when after 9/11 it was just standard to call bush a nazi when he really wasn't lol but what happens when you just blindly call everyone on the right Nazis? It creates a breeding ground for Nazis to groom them. It makes it harder for them to recognise actual Nazis

[@jgreen2015]

@@GrumpyRobot75 here's the thing though - the insanity of the left is what created Trumpism. Maga is a reaction to the American left

[@TastelessOpinion]

"I wouldn't want to debate with a person who is more familiar, has more facts, is more experienced, because it might give the impression that i am not correct in my position, and he is." - Sam Harris 2024.

[@22niloc]

Arguments and reasoning made very compelling by the eloquent lucidity of Sam Harris.

[@adamsandler8885]

Let’s go, don’t hear enough of Sam these days

[@teejay3272]

Awesome interview. One of the best I've seen here. Probably because it captured my own thoughts on a few issues.

[@Not_Vladimir_Putin]

Sam makes a good point with the "faster to set many fires than to put them out" analogy. Before two people debate a topic, they should submit their evidence in advance (like discovery in court), to allow the opposition time to test the veracity of claims to be made. If you trust your evidence, you shouldn't fear it's scrutiny.

[@Anniducati]

I kind of like that idea.

[@SuperBluesify]

Just cause you have a PhD does not make you a scientist. I don't understand why people refer to Sam this way. He no longer does active research. He does not run a lab. He does not engage in a career that forces him to keep up with current literature going to conferences to discuss and learn more. He got his degree and stopped which is great to get one, but a scientist is a whole lifestyle, not just a degree.

[@yamishogun6501]

His PhD isn't in science, it is in neuroscience but at UCLA Harris could write his dissertation on psychology (The Moral Landscape) and mix it with pseudoscience of fMRI "emotion" images.

[@rorye-mail4920]

Sam is really good at dealing with conspiracy theorists, good topic to have him on for.

[@kathleenoconnor5527]

So happy to listen to this! Sam is a national treasure. ❤

[@asian432]

Im a fan of his works, David. Thanks for the video. 😊

[@YourCritic]

David, I have to thank you for having Sam on your show. The world needs more exposure to voices of sanity like Sam's in order to combat some of the issues discussed in your conversation.

[@AJ-hc5zo]

Like Sam, agree with some stuff and disagree with some. I'm glad he admitted that the IDW has a VERY shakey track record. The original crew is like 90% grifting lunatics at this point.

[@westcoastramen]

Yes. And it's patently obvious to anyone outside of their little cult.

[@AJ-hc5zo]

@@westcoastramen Completely agree, however, it feels like internet media folks stick together normally even if they hugely disagree. I think it is a badge of honor to seem "balanced and fair" to be like "Jordan Peterson has some good points but..." where the reality is JP a televangelist that uses jargon that impresses people who don't know about the topics.

[@dustyeskie4956]

@@AJ-hc5zololz

[@Anarcho-Communist895]

@@AJ-hc5zo He's really been getting pushed down our throats, for crying out loud. I don't watch any of his stuff but he always appears in my recommended list or pops up unexpectedly in a video created by someone else.

[@codysterling3870]

I have never so strongly agreed with someone on certain topics and so strongly disagreed with that same person on other topics as I do with Sam. Either way his voice is very important in our public discourse.

[@CGW129]

His takes on “wokism” and obsession with Islam are ridiculous. I think that he represents most American centrist’s thoughts on those subjects though.

[@sharonmarx3911]

Enjoy this Mans mind, so amazing to have someone of his calibre available to us.

[@allisons6910]

Every time I ask this in a Sam Harris mind-praising YT comment thread, nobody provides a genuine answer, any answer at all.... Why is Sam Harris seen as a particularly enlightened mind or speaker? From my POV, he is verbose, unfocused/meandering (wrt the speaker's question), and in regards to complex concepts he is the opposite of someone like Feynman - Harris takes the concept and dances around, abstracts where not necessary, and ultimately drags it out til there's enough ideas spoken that the concept could be explained during the monologue, but he certainly never tries to find out if it was conveyed. This last phrase is not meant to be bad faith, he did this with Lex where it took 56 mins for him to answer a question Lex didn't ask. When he was done, he sat there, waiting for Lex to provide another opening for a monologue. See the "Free Will" part of the discussion. So, now that you know I am being honest with how I arrived at my evaluation, I would really like to know what is the appeal? How is he described as having "clarity" or as an "enlightened thinker"? Serious, non-combative replies only. Will block anything rude.

[@triedandchew]

We don't need an AI to generate mockumentaries...we already have Dinesh D'Souza for that.

[@robotsex111]

Thank you so much for having Sam on, David. I am a huge fan of both of you, so it's such a delight to see you two together. Of all the folks in the online realm, you two are amongst my most trusted. I believe you both are very moral people, as well as very honest people.

[@westcoastramen]

I think Sam's the only IDW guy who isn't a grift merchant at this point.

[@keithbertschin1213]

Joe Rogan’s scared to have Sam on now he’s gone down the right wing rabbit hole

[@roddyboethius1722]

Joe is an Alex Jones guy. He defends terrorists and lunatics

[@joethebassplayer]

I appreciate Sam Harris' mind and his positions on most things... even the things I may not agree with him completely, I still reconsider my positions when opposing his positions. His logic and pragmatism is quite sound and his communication skills and craft of articulation is most respectable... Great interview and great show as always... Thank you both!

[@moxiechacha1146]

We need to listen to Sam. Wake up America!

[@SpacemanSpiff9406]

Great questions. Great answers. Harris/Pakman 2024!!

[@aaronlogan_music]

Love that you got Sam on

[@gregruddock5662]

Class act interview here. Mr Pakman is asking INCREDIBLY qualified questions. Most interviewers lag behind Sam. Great work!!!

[@VaughanMcCue]

Sam is brilliant at expressing his ideas, and I wish I could be half as good.

[@wyomountainhippie]

I wonder what your guest would say about the risks of creating more “jihadists” through the oppression and war against of the Palestinian people. Unhappy and oppressed people (especially young men) are easy to radicalize in any fundamentalist religion, and they don’t always see the problems with that radicalization, because they just know they (and their families/communities) are suffering

[@talmeretz]

I believe I've heard him tackle that exact issue and has argued that if terrorism was based on material conditions then Palestinian Christians would also join terrorist groups in equal measure.

[@ghintz2156]

Yeah Sam's response was rambling nonsense. Thought I was listening to a Republican for a minute there. GENOCIDE IS GENOCIDE.

[@jordanbabcock]

@@ghintz2156i recommend listening to sam's latest Making Sense episode called 5 Myths About Israel and the War in Gaza

[@JamesSmith-sw3nk]

@@talmeretz That's b.s. No one in Appalachia has had half of their family killed by a drone strike. The most backward Red state is still much a LOT more free than many Islamic states. Not comparable.

[@talmeretz]

@@JamesSmith-sw3nk I'm talking about Palestinian Christians

[@vargonian]

Aside from Dave Rubin or maybe Tim Pool, it’s hard to find a better poster child for audience capture than Bret Weinstein.

[@skosh6359]

I would add Jimmy Dore and Russell Brand to that list,

[@reinforcedpenisstem]

True

[@Gabriel2oh6]

@@skosh6359Jimmy Dore’s audience capture is insane. I know Brett Weinstein drifted hard into pseudo intellectual lunatic land, but I didn’t know him so much before he broke out, and immediately when he broke out, he started things by going after the woke crowd so my impression of him was always right of center. Jimmy Dore however, I knew him as a radical progressive who spat in Alex Jones face and hated police officers. Jimmy Dore was too radical for me even, and now he pals around and talks to guys like Tucker Carlson and even the man he once spat on, Alex Jones. Nine years ago, I would have never expected Jimmy Dore to be buddies with the far extreme right but that’s what audience capture does to you. He started getting a ton of praise from MAGA-adjacent right wingers, and I think Jimmy got hooked on the adulation. He loved the whole “Wow, I’m a conservative but Jimmy Dore is the one left winger that I respect” stuff and got hooked on it.

[@interdimensionalsteve8172]

@@skosh6359 Ha, just posted the same before seeing this. Yes, these two are particular egregious because they draw in left-leaning folks, then proceed to rot their brains with same'ism, apathy and doomer'ism. Very dangerous those two.

[@MrGgabber]

It's just establishment vs anti. Many people are happy with the status quo

[@murlinevans3722]

“The perceived oppressed” - David Pakman’s definition of the Palestinian people.

[@livealoha50f]

2 of the top 10 most articulate English speaking dudes on the planet.

[@mattayoubi9829]

Who are the others?

[@NotJasperinthePhilippines]

You must not know a lot of people...

[@CrabtreeBob]

If you like people who use a lot of words to say little of substance.

[@DoomMomDot]

my problem with the hearings involving the university presidents is that the question was framed as if the majority of students were advocating genocide towards Israel, when I suspect most just wanted the slaughter of the Palestinians to stop.

[@Eon-Blue]

Exactly. Sam Harris knows better, it’s just easier for him to argue against a strawman than the actual issue.

[@joebonen353]

There is some truth to that I think. But I also think it was their job to clearly draw the line of what is tolerable and they failed because they were more worried about the optics. It shouldn't be hard to say that calling for the genocide of jews is hate speech.

[@binmcbin1890]

exactly. typical lib really lol

[@robr2346]

You are my two favorites. I like that you don't always agree with each other, not sure if you like each other, but you have important conversations, and that's what matters

[@SohelBahjat]

Thank you for bringing Sam!

[@jj-mcgreezies]

Damn, I'm so glad you guys did this, Sam is one of the greatest minds of our time

[@mariomario1462]

Cant wait to hear what Ben Stiller has to say

[@erniehudson1]

After seeing him on "There is something about Mary" I didn't expect him to give Ted-Talks!

[@littlejerryseinfeld4168]

lol. thats who he reminds me of, thank you for making me realize that. Never made the connection

[@Northman1963]

A strong dose of rational thought and critical thinking is offensive to many in the right wing, judging from some of the comments.

[@markhumke9349]

Great show ! Thank you !

[@alexobrien3890]

We cannot learn to be better if we don't constantly evaluate what and why we do things and how they impact others. Wokeness is how we change. BEING AWARE AND CONSCIOUS of our thoughts and actions. Sometimes in the attempt to learn and change there may be some overcorrection before we land on common good growth. The friction happens when one finds that their behavior is being targeted as racist, unjust, intolerant and THEY feel offended instead of reflective. One doesn't change easily ,if at all, if one doesn't self reflect and have a willingness to consider that their behavior or ideology might impact others negatively if not harmfully and dangerously and decide that they don't want to be that kind of a person.

[@jeanniep1003]

Bravo!

[@yajy4501]

Dang, David managed to get Ben Stiller on. 😂

[@bjarczyk]

This joke is like 15 years old lol.

[@cgaud1n69]

Sam brings a metric ton of credibility. I trust Sam's spiritual and moral compass above these pseudo Christian Nationalists. No comparison really.

[@Keenonhang]

Love Pakman and Harris. 2 people I enjoy listening to.

[@alexferreira4235]

The issue with Harris is his hard on for Islam makes him overlook how horrendous Israel's leadership is treating innocent Palestinians

[@countdebleauchamp]

I love Sam, but on that topic he is very one-sided.

[@binmcbin1890]

yeah, hes extremely bias. All religion is bad but islam is worse and ill ignore historical context is his whole shtick. sad so many in this comment section are idolising the bigot.

[@Wereskeleton]

@@binmcbin1890 Bigot is right. Unfortunately much of the western world has a blind spot for evils committed against Arabs and Muslims. Their quality of life and social environment do not excuse their relentless bombing by the U.S. and their allies in Israel and Saudi Arabia.

[@Morjensful]

No he is not, if you actually listen to what he says about that conflict you would know.

[@binmcbin1890]

@@Morjensful we do. That's the problem... Maybe you need to listen critically instead of just nodding along.

[@whitneymacdonald4396]

Great interview. I love that Harris has taken the time to think deeply about so many vital topics. If making sense could win the day, we'd be in good shape. Unforunately, there are a lot of people who vote but don't think deeply or listen to alternative views openly.

[@crestiferhuez5620]

This is what actual sanity looks like. Sadly we’ve seen so little of it and the comment section only reinforces this reality.

[@tbd407]

"what about that thing from Peru?" lol

[@Ritch98777]

His answer to the question at 7:46 was excellent. Called out the rest of the IDW and rogan essentially for only seeing the problems of the far left.

[@buckchile614]

Only using one hemisphere--the emotional one

[@SI-cd7xs]

The far left are the only ones in power.