AUSTIN, TEXAS: UFC commentator and podcaster Joe Rogan discussed a dystopian future while claiming earbud-like devices read "brainwaves" during his podcast, 'The Joe Rogan Experience'. He was having a conversation with Country music artist Zach Bryan on the latest episode of his podcast.
Both of them began their conversation by slamming cancel culture. Then they went on to discuss 'Black Mirror', a Netflix show that features dystopian events caused by modern technology.
'It's so close to real'
That chat reminded Rogan of a film he saw from the World Economic Forum, an organization that has an annual summit attended by many important world leaders. It speculated on a possible future in which earbud-like gadgets may be used to read people's brain waves. Rogan claimed, "It's so close to real."
People would be able to examine their own brain waves to better understand themselves, according to the animated clip, but bosses and law enforcement officials would not. "The brainwaves are going to tell whether or not you're being productive," Rogan said, adding, "You get bonuses for thinking in a certain way." The podcaster also discussed how investigators discovered a man's illegal plot after analyzing his brain wave data. "How do you smoke pot and watch stuff like that?" Bryan inquired. "I love it," Rogan exclaimed.
The singer pointed out that most Americans currently carried around devices that constantly collected their data. He said, "I feel like the world right now with all of our phones is the same way. Your phone knows everything about you." Bryan and Rogan also spoke about how common earphones have become in recent years.
The artist stated that he went shopping at Walmart the day before the event. He approached one of the young staffers for assistance, and she responded without removing one of her headphones. Rogan stated that his children did the same. "They're like, 'I have one ear open,'" said the podcaster.
'Everybody's decided that Bud Light is the enemy'
Rogan sipped from a can of Bud Light while condemning the ongoing "culture war" over the beer brand on the same episode. Following a deal with trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney, a number of conservative activists launched a boycott of Bud Light, with singers Kid Rock, Travis Tritt and John Rich joining the chorus of critics. Meanwhile, numerous LGBTQIA+ individuals lambasted the company for failing to defend its links to Mulvaney.
"And we're drinking Bud Lights, ladies and gentlemen," Rogan said while sipping on the beer, adding, "Sorry. There's nothing wrong with it. People are so silly. We were just talking about silliness. One person made a really stupid decision, and now everybody's decided that Bud Light is the enemy. But that's like this thing that people do in America, where they just decide, 'Now I hate these people. These people are the enemy.'"
Bryan discussed the ongoing controversy surrounding Bud Light, claiming he was targeted by haters for speaking out in favor of a family member. He defended his sister's spouse on Twitter, causing anger. Bryan also discussed an exchange with Country star Travis Tritt, who opposed Bud Light's collaboration with Mulvaney.