Making Sense with Sam Harris #325 — A Few Thoughts About RFK Jr.
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Jul 3, 2023 The discussion dives into Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s heightened media presence and the ethics of giving him a platform. It tackles the tricky balancing act journalists face when platforming controversial figures, especially concerning divisive topics like vaccines and climate change. The harmful spread of misinformation around vaccines, particularly the debunked claims linking the MMR vaccine to autism, is carefully examined, shedding light on the broader implications for public health and trust in institutions.
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Platforming Controversy
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s (RFK Jr.) appearances on podcasts raise concerns about platforming controversial figures.
- Sam Harris questions the responsibility of giving RFK Jr. a platform due to his history of spreading misinformation.
Free Speech Hypocrisy
- RFK Jr.'s stance on free speech is hypocritical, advocating for jailing those who spread climate change misinformation, yet spreading vaccine misinformation himself.
- He targets organizations like Exxon, Koch Industries, and various think tanks, demanding their destruction.
Unsubstantiated Claims
- RFK Jr. attributes mass shootings to SSRIs and brain cancer to cell phones, demonstrating a pattern of espousing unsubstantiated claims.
- He's also expressed skepticism about HIV causing AIDS and suggests pandemic restrictions were a CIA plot.