Joe Rogan Experience #2532 - Tim Robbins

Shawshank Redemption and Stephen King's Work [0:00]

• Jamie, a producer, was excited about meeting Tim Robbins because "Shawshank Redemption" is his favorite movie.
• Robbins acknowledges the profound impact of the film and how people connect with it deeply.
• He notes the surprising fact that "Shawshank Redemption" and "Stand by Me" are both based on Stephen King's novellas.
• The discussion touches on Stephen King's prolific nature and his use of a pseudonym, Richard Bachman, due to high output.

  "If you didn't like that movie, there's something, you should go to a doctor, you need medication, there's something wrong with you."

Stephen King's Creative Process and "The Shining" [3:30]

• King's early days were marked by heavy substance abuse, with some of his best work written while he was "off the rails."
• "Cujo" and "Carrie" were almost discarded by King, with his wife rescuing them from the garbage.
• Robbins found "The Shining" inspiring during a transitional period in his life, opening possibilities in writing.
• King reportedly disliked the film adaptation of "The Shining" because Jack Nicholson's character became insane too quickly.

  "He writes stuff. His stuff varies so much. He had to do, like, a pseudonym at one point in time."

The Underground City of Derinkuyu and "Silo" [10:00]

• Robbins' new show "Silo" made him think of Derinkuyu, a massive underground city discovered in Turkey.
• Derinkuyu could potentially hold 20,000 people and was found accidentally when a man followed a lost chicken through a hole.
• The city's origin, purpose, and construction date are unknown, with carbon dating providing only estimates.
• It was rediscovered in 1963, and only 10% is accessible to tourists, highlighting its immense scale.

  "And Derinkuyu is this underground city that's massive. I think it, I think it could, I think it could hold 20,000 people."

"Silo" as a Metaphor and Career Choices [18:00]

• Robbins relates "Silo" to a controlled society with censored information and necessary compliance, a metaphor that resonated with him during lockdown.
• He discusses the importance of saying "no" at crucial times, citing his decision to turn down a role in "Folks" for Robert Altman's "The Player."
• This choice significantly shifted his career trajectory.
• Robbins also mentions being repeatedly offered roles as the head of the CIA, which he declined due to personal reservations.

  "So yeah, it's a matter of following that voice in your head, the instinct, the one that's telling you this is the right way to go."

Oligarchical Cinema and Media Criticism [25:00]

• Robbins identifies a trend of "oligarchical cinema" where powerful entities produce movies to portray themselves favorably.
• He recalls being offered roles as the head of FIFA and the head of a mining company involved in a disaster, both of which seemed like propaganda.
• He criticizes the media's role in promoting narratives, citing the Iraq War and the lack of accountability for those who got it wrong.
• The rise of independent media is seen as a positive development in exposing connections between media, intelligence agencies, and government organizations.

  "So I realized that, that the oligarchs are starting to make movie about themselves. It's got oligarchical cinema."

Opposition to the Iraq War and Free Speech [35:00]

• Robbins was one of the few famous individuals who publicly opposed the Iraq War in 2003.
• He faced backlash, including the cancellation of an appearance at the Baseball Hall of Fame, and was labeled a traitor.
• The publicist hired to manage the situation helped get his perspective out, with sports writers defending his freedom of speech.
• He notes that the narrative created by the media was intended to intimidate others into silence, not reflect genuine public anger.

  "They were basically ambushed, trying to, you know, to call me a traitor and all this stuff."

COVID-19, Disinformation, and Mass Formation Psychosis [45:00]

• Robbins draws parallels between the Iraq War propaganda and the disinformation surrounding COVID-19, particularly regarding ivermectin.
• He criticizes the media's portrayal of ivermectin as "horse paste" and the fake news stories, like the one in Rolling Stone.
• The concept of "mass formation psychosis" is discussed as a way to describe how people became fearful and enforced mandates.
• He expresses compassion for those who fell into the fear-based behavior, recognizing that many were simply seeking a solution.

  "And just orchestrated propaganda, orchestrated, organized, with big money behind it, wild, wild to watch."

The Value of Dialogue and Challenging Experts [55:00]

• Robbins questions the concept of "virtuous experts" and distrusts those who consider themselves experts, believing they stop learning.
• He emphasizes the importance of dialogue with people one disagrees with and the idea that there are many sides to a story.
• The statement "when you are criticizing Anthony Fauci you're criticizing science" is highlighted as a problematic example of science becoming dogma.
• He argues that science should be fluid, open to questioning, and constantly evolving with new data and hypotheses.

  "Science is supposed to be data it's supposed to be measuring data and it's supposed to never be settled and it's always supposed to have a bunch of people from various various positions of viewing down on this thing."

The Impact of Lockdowns on Children and Society [1:05:00]

• The long-term ramifications of lockdown on children's socialization and education are discussed, with observations of de-socialized and traumatized youth.
• The fear and anxiety experienced by children, including the impact of mask-wearing on development, are highlighted.
• Robbins expresses compassion for those who fell into fear-based behavior, attributing it to a sophisticated propaganda machine.
• He believes the pandemic was a case study in societal manipulation and a lesson to avoid repeating such events.

  "And we're dealing with the the the after effects of that and uh gratefully uh the kind of work we do brings them out again."

The Power of Art and Human Connection in Rehabilitation [1:15:00]

• Robbins discusses his non-profit work in prison rehabilitation programs, using theater to help inmates express suppressed emotions.
• The program teaches inmates that they don't have to respond to anger with anger, fostering emotional regulation.
• It creates bonds across gang lines and racial divides by sharing emotions, such as a shared experience of grief.
• This work is seen as more impactful than attending fundraisers, providing a hands-on approach to creating change.

  "And in doing so uh unlocking uh emotions that have been suppressed for many many years."

Stand-up Comedy as Modern Philosophy [1:25:00]

• The conversation touches on comedians like George Carlin and Bill Hicks as modern-day philosophers who challenge worldviews.
• They use humor and provocative statements to make audiences think differently.
• The idea that great stand-up comedians are the philosophers of our generation is explored.
• The ability to shatter a worldview and make people rethink is seen as a core function of both philosophers and comedians.

  "He said that's that's what the current philosophers of our generation are the better stand-up comedians."

The Evolution of Media and Storytelling [1:35:00]

• The discussion covers the transition from traditional media like video stores and record stores to algorithmic recommendations.
• The loss of personal connection and curated recommendations from passionate individuals is lamented.
• The rise of streaming has enabled long-form storytelling, allowing for more complex narratives.
• Robbins notes that while convenient, the ease of access to entertainment might diminish its specialness.

  "The personal was lost same thing with record stores you could go in and like what's what's new and hear what's playing and you know talk to the guy and get what his opinion was."

The Challenges of Filmmaking and Distribution [1:45:00]

• Robbins discusses the difficulty of getting films made and distributed today, with a focus on risk aversion in Hollywood.
• The economic model often requires foreign sales to be secured before production, minimizing risk for investors.
• He contrasts this with a past era where filmmakers like Robert Altman could take risks and make distinctive films.
• The current environment is described as a "shitty environment to create something" due to the lack of gambles and reliance on formulas.

  "So you have to have foreign sales in place whoa uh foreign sales yeah like uh i think basically the the economic model right now is those the investors want to be paid."

The Impact of AI on Creativity and the Future of Art [1:55:00]

• The conversation addresses the fear surrounding AI replacing human creators in writing and acting.
• AI's ability to generate scripts quickly based on existing works is seen as a threat to writers.
• Robbins expresses concern about the lack of protection offered by guilds and unions against AI.
• He believes talented individuals will find ways to remain individual and distinct from AI-generated content.

  "And for writers it's terrifying yeah and who do you sue i mean you can't sue ai."

The Importance of Human-Made Art and Originality [2:05:00]

• The idea of an "AI-free" seal on projects is proposed as a way to distinguish human-created art.
• Robbins praises original and creepy films like "Obsession" that come from unexpected places and aren't formulaic.
• He laments the current Hollywood system that prioritizes established stars and formulas over new, original ideas.
• The thrill of gambling on a new idea and having it pay off is contrasted with the predictability of formulaic productions.

  "We're craving that yes yes we don't want the formula right we never have what wanted the formula and it's so maddening to try to set a movie up right now in hollywood."

Personal Growth, Spirituality, and Ayahuasca [2:15:00]

• Robbins shares a profound experience with DMT (similar to ayahuasca) where he felt his mother's presence and received guidance.
• He discusses the intention to release anger about societal divisions and the relief he felt after the experience.
• The conversation touches on the tangible impact of such experiences, regardless of whether they are considered hallucinations or spiritual encounters.
• He emphasizes the importance of openness to different ways of being and the potential for healing and connection.

  "And my mom showed up wow yeah and uh she's i it's not like you actually hear a voice but you hear a voice right."

The Power of the Heart and Human Connection [2:25:00]

• The discussion explores the electromagnetic energy of the heart and its potential for communication and well-being.
• The isolation of solitary confinement is highlighted as a cruel punishment due to the human need for connection.
• Robbins advocates for a less cynical approach to life experiences, emphasizing the magic and miracle of existence.
• He believes that focusing on positive energy, love, friendship, and community can lead to a better life and positively impact others.

  "It's it's why the you know it's why that lockdown is cruel you know that we you know the just the scope of that loneliness was is just immense."