In this episode of The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast, Peterson and Dr. Mehmet Oz examine how the rise of new media platforms has disrupted traditional media institutions and changed public discourse. Their discussion explores institutional corruption, from scientific research and academic establishments to legacy media, with both speakers sharing personal experiences of facing pushback when challenging established narratives.
The conversation delves into America's current healthcare challenges, including the system's focus on treatment over prevention and the impact of chronic diseases on healthcare spending. Peterson and Oz discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic revealed systemic issues in healthcare institutions and explore emerging movements that question traditional medical and political structures, including the growing public demand for institutional transparency.
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In a discussion between Jordan Peterson and Mehmet Oz, Peterson compares the impact of YouTube and similar platforms to the Gutenberg printing press, noting how free, permanent video content has disrupted traditional media. Oz highlights this transformation by pointing out that even lengthy interviews can now reach millions of listeners, though Peterson warns that this hyper-connectivity might allow oversimplified ideas to spread faster than nuanced content.
The conversation turns to legacy media's corruption, with Oz noting a significant shift around 2012 in how traditional media covered controversial topics. He describes facing backlash when raising concerns about arsenic in apple juice, which later proved valid. Both speakers express concern about legacy media's dependence on pharmaceutical advertising revenue, which potentially compromises objective health reporting.
Peterson shares his personal experience of facing significant professional consequences after speaking out against the Canadian government in 2016. Oz points to systematic problems in scientific research, citing the example of Ancel Keys' flawed seven-country study that became dietary dogma despite contrary evidence.
Both speakers describe widespread corruption in academic and scientific institutions. Oz suggests that about half of current scientific publications may be suspect, while Peterson notes a concerning shift in psychology from relative independence to ideological corruption. They discuss how institutions frequently suppress dissent, even from respected experts, as evidenced by Oz's team threatening to resign over inviting Peterson to his show.
Oz emphasizes that chronic diseases consume 90% of America's healthcare budget, criticizing the healthcare system's focus on treatment over prevention. He describes his work with HealthCorps, an educational initiative helping young people make better health choices.
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed deeper systemic issues, with Peterson noting a substantial loss of public trust in health institutions. Oz expresses frustration about the reluctance to debate school closures openly during the pandemic, despite data suggesting they should remain open.
Oz and Peterson discuss emerging movements like "Make America Healthy Again" that challenge established medical and political systems. Oz links these movements to growing public frustration with institutional corruption and lack of transparency. He points to figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who, despite controversy, represent a broader pattern of questioning traditional healthcare narratives and established political structures.
1-Page Summary
Jordan Peterson and Mehmet Oz engage in a discussion that underlines the transformation of media as we shift from legacy to online platforms, changing the landscape of content consumption and production.
Jordan Peterson examines how the advent of YouTube and similar platforms offering free, permanent videos has vastly changed the traditional media landscape. The drop to nearly zero production and dissemination costs, compared to television, has posed a significant challenge for legacy media operations. He draws an analogy to the Gutenberg printing press, suggesting that new media platforms have had an analogous impact on communication by making video on demand both free and permanent.
Mehmet Oz points to the massive reach and impact of new media, noting that even an interview with a duration of two hours and 42 minutes could garner over 5 million listens. This showcases the public's appetite for in-depth content, which new media platforms can satisfy. Meanwhile, Peterson warns of the dangers posed by hyper-connectivity, which may allow oversimplified and potentially harmful ideas to spread more rapidly than more nuanced and well-considered content.
Mehmet Oz observed a shift around 2012 in how legacy media covered stories that could challenge the status quo, specifically in public health issues. For instance, he faced a strong backlash from the media when he tried to raise awareness about arsenic in appl ...
Transformation of Media From Legacy to New Media
Mehmet Oz and Jordan Peterson discuss the evolving problems of corruption within media, extending into the scientific and academic fronts.
Peterson recounts his personal struggle after speaking out against the Canadian government in 2016. Losing two of his three income sources, experiencing a decade-long battle with his regulatory agency, and facing significant financial and emotional stress, he paints a picture of the consequences of challenging authority.
Oz suggests that the intellectual elite often avoid challenging assumptions that lead to bad science, resulting in the fester of bad ideas within industries. He cites Ancel Keys' seven-country study promoting a low-fat diet—conducted during Lent and skewed as a result—as an example. This study became dogma with political backing, leading to contrary evidence like the Minnesota Heart Study being suppressed.
Peterson reflects on a shift in the field of psychology, which has gone from relatively free of careerism and corruption to now being ideologically corrupt. He criticizes the current research environment where careerism prevails, requiring ideological purity for grants, and emphasizes the rise in administrative power over faculty, which may indicate increased corruption.
Oz also criticizes the academic community for insincere concern over disadvantaged patients, alluding to hypocrisy and careerism over truth. He points out that about half of the scientific publications today may be suspect, suggesting that tenure, pride, and ego have surpassed the quest for truth.
Oz shares an episode from his show where his team threatened to resign over an invitation to Peterson, indicating suppression and unwillingness to entertain alternative viewpoints, even from reputable experts. He also shares his struggles to get government data on arsenic levels in apple juice and describes the personal attacks faced amid the GMO labeling debate instead of direct arguments over the issues.
Peterson delves into research ethics boards, describing them as corrupt and counterproductive. He mentions mainstream scientific publications losing reliability and trustworthiness due to ideological corruption.
The discussion touches on the suppression surrou ...
Corruption in Scientific, Medical, and Academic Establishments
The discussion covers America's public health issues, highlighting the pervasive chronic disease epidemic, the COVID-19 pandemic exposing flaws in the health system, and the need for individuals to take charge of their own health.
Mehmet Oz underscores the seriousness of America's chronic disease epidemic, emphasizing that such diseases consume 90% of the nation's healthcare budget.
Oz comments on the root cause of common chronic diseases, metabolic syndrome, which affects the body's ability to manage calories resulting in fat storage and a cycle of health problems. Industry influence has shifted towards treatment models rather than preventative measures. He criticizes this focus on cure over prevention, lamenting that dramatic surgeries make for popular television but overshadow the importance of preventive strategies. Oz implies that the federal government has only minimally supported the prevention side of healthcare.
Oz describes his involvement with HealthCorps, an educational initiative that has helped reduce soft drink consumption among youth. This program can instill self-worth and mental resilience, leading to a stronger belief in their ability to contribute to society. He advocates for delivering health messages in a way young people find appealing, framing the rejection of harmful substances as a form of counterculture.
The COVID-19 crisis has brought to the forefront the existing issues in America's healthcare structure.
Peterson identifies the pandemic as the catalyst for a substantial loss of faith in public health. Oz voices frustration about the hesitation to debate openly on keeping schools open during the pandemic, despite data suggesting they should not be closed.
Oz ...
America's Public Health Crisis and Solutions
Mehmet Oz and others discuss challenging established politics and medicine, revealing public frustration with institutional corruption and transparency issues, and aligning with new political movements like "Make America Healthy Again."
Mehmet Oz, linking to figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., focuses on issues like institutional corruption, lack of transparency, and the suppression of alternative viewpoints. Oz experienced backlash for his viewpoints, particularly on GMO labeling and treatment options during the COVID-19 pandemic, and his concerns for others without similar resources echo a broader pattern of retaliation that prevents speaking out.
Oz discusses the crisis in America, exacerbated by COVID, which he sees as an opportunity and a risk. He has engaged in controversies and challenges within the scientific, medical, and academic communities. On his show, Oz discussed vaccines with Bobby Kennedy, a conversation deemed controversial. Despite warnings of Kennedy being "anti-vax," Oz notes that Kennedy's book states he is not against vaccinations.
Similarly, Jordan Peterson points to the difficulty people face in accepting views from figures like RFK Jr., as it requires a significant reevaluation of beliefs. Peterson's remarks highlight public skepticism toward scientific and medical establishments, which are perceived to be driven by a political agenda or vested interests.
Oz is part of the "Make America Healthy Again" movement, suggesting a public desire for societal solutions that challenge traditional medicine and empower individuals. He argues for using medications only as crutches and stresses personal agency in health. He’s also focused on longevity and wellness through technologies and customized AI recommendations, moving away from established healthcare methodologies.
The developers of such movements are seen as paragons for change; for instance, Oz suggests that the questioning of expert advice in medical decisions heavily influenced the election in Pennsylvania. This represents a larger "tsunami" of change backed by people whose anger at perceived expert betrayal motivates them to vo ...
New Political Movements Challenging Status Quo
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