The Dangers of Taboo Topics

2min Snip

00:00

Play full episode

Summary

Transcript

Episode notes

I'm fascinated by taboo topics in general because a taboo topic is things that culturally we've been programmed not to like think about. The question is why are they dangerous? That's really important to know why things are dangerous. Like comedians, for example, are the equivalent of the canaries in the coal mine for exploring to be ideas. Comedians aren't just about humor. They also are the only ones who have the ability to like safely explore, um, you know, taboo ideas. Because they make jokes about it, there's plausible deniability about whether they're saying it or not say it. And so, um, it's like safe for them to like point things out that

What's the best way to learn? Why is learning how to learn "the most important skill"? When should we explore, and when should we exploit? What are the merits and demerits of various models of governance? How should we think about the problems around free speech?

Named "King of Viral Media" by Forbes, Emerson Spartz is one of the world's leading experts on internet virality and has been featured in major media including CBS, CNBC, CNN, and hundreds more. Spartz was named to both Forbes' and Inc Magazine's "30 Under 30" lists. Spartz is the founder of Dose, a top digital media company with $35 million in funding. Dose's videos generate billions of video views, and the company's broadcast TV show, Morning Dose, airs on CW stations nationwide. Previously, Spartz created 20+ of the world's largest viral content sites, including OMG Facts, attracting 50 million visitors monthly. At age 12, Spartz founded Mugglenet, the #1 Harry Potter site and one of the internet's largest communities. By the age of 19, Spartz became a New York Times bestselling author after publishing his first book. Find out more about Emerson at his website: emersonspartz.com

Staff