“What Even Is the ‘Intellectual Dark Web’ Today?” with Dr Jamie Roberts
Aug 5, 2024
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Dr. Jamie Roberts, a political philosopher and university lecturer, delves into the Intellectual Dark Web's evolution and impact. He examines the challenges of bias in academia, the contrast between traditional and contemporary journalism, and the complexities surrounding gender pay gaps and disparities in tech. Their conversation also touches on the sensitive nature of discussing intelligence across racial groups and the importance of fostering open dialogue on contentious topics. Join Jamie and Josh as they navigate the intricate landscape of modern discourse.
The Intellectual Dark Web emerged to challenge mainstream narratives on taboo topics but faces criticism for potential extremism among its members.
Dr. Jamie Roberts highlights the tension in academia between fostering honest discourse on controversial issues and the fear of backlash from peers and students.
The podcast discusses the complexity of societal issues like race and gender, urging for nuanced understanding rather than oversimplified, one-dimensional views.
Deep dives
The Rise and Controversy of the Intellectual Dark Web
The Intellectual Dark Web (IDW) is described as a decentralized movement that emerged around 2015, bringing together various voices discussing taboo subjects that often faced backlash in mainstream discourse. Spearheaded by figures like Joe Rogan and Jordan Peterson, it aimed to foster open dialogue about sensitive cultural issues, challenging prevailing academic and media narratives. However, this movement has faced criticism and scrutiny, particularly regarding how some of its members have become more extreme or one-sided over time. The discussion highlights concerns over the potential spiral into extremism and audience capture within the movement, emphasizing the need for moderation and open-mindedness.
Censorship and Academic Freedom
Dr. Jamie Roberts, an academic and author, shares his own experiences regarding the challenges of addressing controversial topics in the current academic environment. His discussions on subjects like masculinity, race, and cultural critiques often provoke backlash from students and faculty alike, creating a climate where academics face potential sanction for expressing dissenting opinions. The tension between pursuing truth and navigating institutional pressure underscores the difficulties inherent in modern academia, where certain views can be deemed unacceptable or dangerous. This situation calls into question the status of free speech in universities and the implications it has for genuine intellectual discourse.
Examining Cultural Taboos
The podcast delves into various cultural taboos, including discussions around race, police violence, and gender issues, which are often sidelined or oversimplified in public discourse. Roberts points out that while recognizing systemic racism is essential, it is equally important to explore other contributing factors, including cultural issues within specific communities. This nuanced approach encourages a broader understanding of complex societal problems rather than attributing them solely to discrimination. The ongoing struggle to engage with these sensitive topics exemplifies the challenges faced by individuals willing to address uncomfortable truths.
The Implications of Public Discussion on Gender and Race
An examination of the 2020 protests surrounding race and police violence reveals how quickly conversations can become polarized, leaving little room for productive dialogue. The IDW members, including voices like John McWhorter and Glenn Lowry, navigate the risks of discussing race, highlighting questions that are essential yet often contentious. The conversation explores the discomfort that many feel when attempting to address race and violence, as well as the tendency for individuals to retreat into ideological corners rather than seeking common ground. This reflects a broader societal issue where the complexities of race relations are lost amidst a binary understanding of the issues.
Evolving Perspectives on Equality and Identity
The discussion touches upon the ongoing debates surrounding gender equality in the workplace, especially the persistent narrative of the gender pay gap. While acknowledging that disparities exist, it emphasizes the importance of understanding the underlying causes, such as job choice and career interruptions due to family. The conversation also scrutinizes the tendency for social justice movements to assert that any inequality stems solely from discrimination, critiquing the oversimplification of rich, multifaceted societal issues. This nuanced analysis prompts reflection on the effectiveness of current equality-driven policies and the need for a balanced approach to address all aspects of these complex issues.
Vaccine mandates. Wokeness in Hollywood. The female pay gap. Race protests. Diversity programs. Covid lockdowns. #metoo. The so-called intellectual dark web tackled it all. A loose grouping of dissenting intellectuals and commentators, they sought to buck taboos and open minds.
What happened? Who went down the rabbit hole to crazy town, and who maintained thier heads? And where is the space for sane dissent today?
Dr Jamie Roberts is a political philosopher and university lecturer who has ruffled feathers by openly admiring some of what the IDW was trying to do -- and even teaching college classes on it. His new book is "The Way of the Intellectual Dark Web: What Joe Rogan and his associates can teach us about political dialogue". He and Josh perform a real-time post mortem on a still-metastasising movement.