At this point in time, we’ve all encountered COVID-19 misinformation on the internet to some extent. There’s the classic ongoing joke, or semi-belief, that if you place a magnet on the arm where the vaccine was, it’ll stick — because, well, microchips! And, of course, that the government is trying to brainwash us. I’ve also happened to hear, not voluntarily, that if you receive both Moderna and Pfizer doses and mix them like a cocktail, you’ll grow a second pair of eyes.
Obviously, these are clear examples of misinformation, but where do people get this from? Outrageous conspiracy theories of medical science are popularized through the media, with anti-vaccine radio hosts such as Dick Farrel referring to COVID-19 as a ‘scamdemic’ in the ears of hundreds of listeners. Farrel subsequently died from the virus after expressing his regrets of not taking the vaccine.
A few weeks ago, there were complaints for Spotify to remove The Joe Rogan Experience from their podcast services due to a spread in COVID-19 misinformation. To date, the podcast has released over 1,784 episodes with the first airing in 2009, supported by Spotify’s $100 million deal as the host shifted platforms to be alongside his collaborators.
So, what’s with the urging complaints? Joe Rogan isn’t a stranger to embracing every kind of guest that appears on his show. He’s there to ask questions and talk to people who have something to say. He’s gone from smoking blunts with Elon Musk to nodding in silence at Kanye West’s grand-master plan at running for U.S. president. Now, in the face of medical science and his 200 million estimated monthly listeners, he’s given a platform to Alex Jones, one of his guests on the show who, among other things, is an incredibly vocal right-wing anti-government conspiracy theorist. While that’s a mouthful of ridiculous buzzwords, Rogan gave his guest the opportunity to share damaging misinformation about the pandemic to his millions of viewers. Rogan, who for the most part embraces his guests with neutrality, interest, and genuine curiosity, is being flamed by critics for undeniably profiting from the exposure of harmful ideologies via ad revenue.
For someone with an entire Wikipedia page of conspiracy theories dedicated to his name, including “government-funded tornadoes” and “gay frogs” (yes, the name is what it implies), it’s definitely a head-tilt to hear that Jones has appeared as a guest on Rogan’s little gentleman’s club around three times now. After Spotify and The Joe Rogan Experience received immense backlash and calls to remove the show from their site, the company included new rules to combat COVID-19 misinformation. If there’s a podcast that includes any conversation of the pandemic, Spotify will redirect listeners to their new COVID-19 information hub. Here, listeners are essentially spoon-fed correct information regarding COVID-19 vaccines without the added effect of pseudoscience or unsubstantial medical ‘evidence’.
There are critics with pitchforks and torches in hand who claim — with all their free time — that deplatforming is a form of censorship that reduces critical thinking and free thought. If you can’t have people like Rogan who present a neutral, heavy-handed platform with people of all experiences to express their thoughts, then who is responsible for diversifying the roster of opinions? Who is going to help decide the masqueraded truth in a sea of lies?
With critical thinking, there’s another choice: is this unsound conspiracy theorist worth spending two to three hours of your day watching? If the answer is no, then of course you have the option to close that tab and embrace other mediums — preferably one’s more reputable.
Image: Brielle Quon
