What I Really Think About Trump and Media Bias (Episode #293)

In this episode of the podcast, Sam Harris responds to a controversy over a recent podcast appearance.

Released: August 25, 2022

[davecunningham]

I'm starting to get the idea that Sam doesn't like Donald Trump

[garylarcenaire]

Being intellectually honest is a lonely endeavor. Count me as a fan of your work.

[M.Linoge]

"I can only explain it to you. I can't understand it for you."

[Sun-Ra]

Loved it Sam ! Calm and soothing as always !

[JohnDoe-ttfm]

It still sounds like Sam is arguing that censoring the laptop story was necessary for the greater good. Should it not be up to each and every one of us to decide for ourselves if a story is true or false? Are the common people not to be trusted with information that could damage the current narrative?

[salahaldin]

Even if trump is more corrupt then Biden still you should let all the available information out and let the people decide who they wanna vote for.

Who are media to tell people what they should and shouldn't know.

[Voller]

I wish Sam was clearer on what he _doesn't_ believe is justified. After listening to him for 45 minutes, I still don't know whether he thinks it's ok for government to decide what is and isn't misinformation, e.g. in the realm of public health or politically sensitive information. Is it ok for big tech to pick a side and influence elections of their own volition? Is it ok for big tech to prevent competition from ever having a chance to materialise (remember Parler?) seeing as how Sam seems to think that competition will solve the problem to big tech having such influence. Is it appropriate for a president to declare significant portions of the populace as fascist? Is it ok for a government to decriminalise shoplifting or turn a blind eye to violent mobs setting shops on fire (summer of love) if they are on the "correct side"?

Interesting to me also that Sam considers Trump to be a symptom (I agree) and hates him because of that (I disagree). Shouldn't we fix the underlying issues instead of trying to suppress the symptoms? I also find it mindboggling that we live in a time where the likes of Biden and Trump are the only choice that people have. Unless the democrats own up for their mistakes and start regaining the trust of the people, this will not go away. Don't blame Trump for that.

[erine.]

I'm genuinely trusting Sams intentions, sometimes I agree with him sometimes I don't but I never got the sense of him being mischievous

[mra]

Sam 'the end justifies the means' Harris

[XJRSuper]

Interesting he doesn’t acknowledge the name of the podcast or the hosts at any point.

[pjflynn]

Thank you for speaking unabashedly about many subjects. You are intelligent and a thinker, a philosopher. It is only normal that so many do not understand you or choose to be offended by a phrase here or there, at their choice. Intelligence is rare, stupidity widespread.

[jesuschristsuperczar]

And Joe Biden isn’t as reprehensible as Trump?

Seriously?

[Luke-jmwr]

You have become religious without realizing it

[jamaicanmecrazy]

Am I guilty of schadenfreude? I take comfort in the the fact that EVEN Sam Harris is contorting himself, jumping through hoops
in this boring cultural apocalypse.

[marcussandzik]

“There’s nothing of real substance to clarify”😮. That’s where you lost me. Ego…. Come on Sam.

[marykurdys]

Hmmm. My overwhelming critique having listened to both the Triggernometry interview- yes, Mr. Harris, the entire thing- and your explanation is this:

Pot, meet Kettle.

It’s fascinating to me that as you so condescendingly gouge the log from your neighbor’s eye, you do not recognize the aspen in your own which has given you such an incredible blind spot.

[Cnhfcsh]

Long time fan here. I have two comments.
Yes you’ve built your brand on honesty. And I believe you were totally honest when you were speaking to the trigger people. And I believe you were totally honest when you did your explanation in this podcast, trying to clarify. And that’s what we’re all frightened about — we see that you are honestly for censorship. To say this is unAmerican would be the understatement of the century.
In the last paragraph of this podcast you say you wish everybody was in the position that you are in, wherein they cannot be canceled by opposing forces. No you don’t. You don’t wish that. You did not wish it for the New York post.

[glyndavies]

Thank you Sam, I appreciate your efforts.

[pjjmsn]

His evidence for how bad Trunp is is the level of hyperbole of his descriptions of Trunp. That alone should convince you.

[TMFDK]

How can you simultaneously be worried about institutional trust while cheer leading them being undermined?