Douglas Murray Meltdown After Joe Rogan Mockery Goes Viral
Can you believe it? Our simple coverage of the ongoing fallout from the Douglas Murray and Dave Smith debate on the Joe Rogan Experience has somehow become part of the story itself! It seems that even weeks after the debate concluded, the drama surrounding it refuses to die down, particularly after Joe Rogan’s lighthearted impression of Douglas Murray’s now infamous “have you been there?” line.
We’ve been watching with a mix of amusement and concern as this seemingly innocuous jab has ignited a firestorm online, dominating trending topics on X (formerly Twitter). To us, it feels almost manufactured, like something inorganic being continually pushed into the spotlight.
Let’s be clear: while we watched the original debate and acknowledge that both Douglas Murray and Dave Smith made valid points (and likely missed some too), it’s Murray’s subsequent behavior that has really caught our attention. His tendency to moralize, engage in tone policing, and, most notably, attempt to dictate who Joe Rogan should and shouldn’t platform is frankly baffling.
The idea that one must have personally experienced something to be able to discuss it is, quite frankly, absurd. Murray himself has discussed countless topics and regions he’s never set foot in. This brings us to the crux of the issue highlighted in our recent video: the notion of “war tourism”.
Is it truly possible to gain a comprehensive understanding of a complex conflict like the one in Ukraine or Israel after a brief, likely guided, visit? We raised the valid point: if someone travels to a war zone with a firmly established public opinion and returns without it being challenged in the slightest, shouldn’t we be a little suspicious?. As we discussed, it’s highly probable that individuals providing protection and access to reporters in war zones will curate what they see. This isn’t to accuse anyone of outright lying, but rather to question the depth and impartiality of insights gained from such controlled environments.
The irony isn’t lost on us that Douglas Murray, after making the “have you been there?” argument, then appeared on platforms like Bill Maher’s show to essentially complain about Joe Rogan’s guest choices. For someone who seemingly believes direct experience is paramount, Murray seems remarkably comfortable telling others who they should listen to, regardless of their own experiences or perspectives.
As we pointed out in our video, Joe Rogan is an entertainer. Is it his responsibility to fact-check every guest, especially when comedians are telling jokes that may not be factual?. This seems like a ridiculous expectation, often pushed by those who disagree with the viewpoints being presented.
Ultimately, for us, this boils down to a fundamental principle: free speech. We firmly believe in the importance of allowing a wide range of voices and opinions to be heard. When someone like Douglas Murray seems to prioritize “standards” – essentially curating who gets a platform – over the open exchange of ideas, it raises serious concerns. Dave Smith stood his ground during the Rogan debate, and while we may not agree with everything either individual says, the attempt to silence or deplatform dissenting voices is a dangerous path.
We stand by our belief in the importance of open discourse and the freedom to question narratives, regardless of whether someone has personally “been there” or not. And while all this drama unfolds, we’d like to remind you to check out our coffee company on Amazon! Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and our gift boxes, along with our K-Cups, ground, and whole bean coffee, are available now with potential free overnight shipping. Your support helps us continue to provide our perspective on these important issues.
