Making Sense with Sam Harris

#300 — A Tale of Cancellation

Oct 12, 2022

In this discussion, Meg Smaker, a documentary filmmaker and former firefighter, shares her insights on the backlash surrounding her film 'The Unredacted (Jihad Rehab).' She opens up about her unique experiences in Afghanistan and Yemen, emphasizing the need for understanding in conflict zones. Smaker also reflects on the emotional impacts of 9/11 on firefighters and the challenges of navigating cancel culture and public scrutiny in filmmaking. The conversation ultimately sheds light on the complexities of representing controversial subjects with integrity.

03:08:29

Creator website

Episode guests

Meg Smaker

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Firefighter, This Is About to Be a Teachable Moment

02:13

Firefighting in Yemen

02:08

You Don't Fuck With My People

02:03

Everyone in Guantanamo Is Completely Innocent

01:50

Intro

6min

Cultural Journeys Through Conflict

25min

Firefighters' Reflections on 9/11

10min

Insights from Jihad Rehab

26min

Backlash and Empathy in Filmmaking

14min

Navigating Integrity in Documentary Filmmaking

26min

Captivity and Complexity

11min

Controversies and Cultural Representation in Filmmaking

6min

Navigating Cancellation: A Filmmaker's Journey

27min

10.

The Undercurrents of Cancellation and Media Misrepresentation

4min

11.

Navigating Backlash: The Guantanamo Film Controversy

7min

12.

Navigating Film Distribution Challenges

16min

13.

Empowering Voices in Animation

4min

14.

The Consequences of Cancellation: A Documentary's Struggles

6min

15.

Navigating Controversy in Independent Film

3min

Sam Harris speaks with Meg Smaker about the controversy around her documentary, "The Unredacted (Jihad Rehab)." They discuss her background as a firefighter; the effect that 9/11 had on the firefighting community; her subsequent adventures in Afghanistan, Yemen, and Somalia; the deprogramming of jihadists; the organized campaign to silence her film; the capitulations Sundance, SXSW, and other festivals; and other topics.

If the Making Sense podcast logo in your player is BLACK, you can SUBSCRIBE to gain access to all full-length episodes at samharris.org/subscribe.

Learning how to train your mind is the single greatest investment you can make in life. That’s why Sam Harris created the Waking Up app. From rational mindfulness practice to lessons on some of life’s most important topics, join Sam as he demystifies the practice of meditation and explores the theory behind it.

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.