JRE 1415 · January 21, 2020

Bari Weiss

politicsphilosophyhistorypsychology

Who is Bari Weiss?

Bari Weiss is an American opinion writer and editor. In 2017, Weiss joined The New York Times as a staff editor in the opinion section. Her new book "How to Fight Anti-Semitism" is now available. https://amzn.to/2Gh7WIL

Topics and Timestamps

01Bari Weiss discusses her role at The New York Times and the challenges of writing opinion pieces in a polarized media landscape
02The conversation explores the rise of anti-Semitism and what's driving increased hostility toward Jewish people globally
03Weiss explains the premise of her book 'How to Fight Anti-Semitism' and practical approaches to combating prejudice
04Joe and Bari discuss cancel culture, free speech, and the difficulty of having nuanced conversations in modern discourse
05The episode touches on identity politics and how tribal thinking has become more extreme across the political spectrum
06Weiss shares insights about her experiences as a public figure and opinion writer dealing with online criticism and harassment
▶Bari discusses her journey to The New York Times and role as opinion editor0:05:30
▶The conversation turns to anti-Semitism and why it's experiencing a resurgence0:22:15
▶Weiss explains the core thesis of her book 'How to Fight Anti-Semitism'0:38:45
▶Joe and Bari explore cancel culture and its impact on discourse0:55:20
▶Discussion about tribal thinking and how it prevents meaningful dialogue1:12:00

The Show

In JRE 1415, Joe Rogan sits down with Bari Weiss, a prominent opinion writer and editor who joined The New York Times in 2017. The conversation spans the current state of media, the rise of anti-Semitism, and practical strategies for fighting prejudice in an increasingly polarized world.

Weiss brings a sharp perspective to the table about the challenges facing opinion journalism today. She discusses how the media landscape has fractured, making it harder for nuanced voices to cut through the noise. The conversation naturally flows into her book 'How to Fight Anti-Semitism,' where she tackles a subject that's become increasingly relevant and urgent. She explains that anti-Semitism isn't just a Jewish problem but a broader societal issue that reveals cracks in our civic foundation.

One of the core themes Joe and Bari explore is how tribal thinking has infiltrated discourse across the political spectrum. Rather than engaging with opposing viewpoints, people increasingly retreat into their ideological corners, which only strengthens prejudice and misinformation. Weiss points out that fighting anti-Semitism, or any form of bigotry, requires more than just pointing out bad actors. It requires understanding the underlying conditions that allow hatred to flourish.

The episode also touches on cancel culture and its relationship to free speech. Weiss doesn't shy away from discussing the complexities here. She acknowledges that while marginalized groups have historically lacked platforms, the current approach to accountability can sometimes prevent meaningful dialogue. Joe and Bari dig into how certain conversations have become radioactive, making it nearly impossible for people to ask genuine questions or change their minds without fear of social destruction.

Throughout the conversation, Weiss comes across as thoughtful and pragmatic rather than preachy. She's not interested in dunking on bad people from the safety of her platform. Instead, she focuses on structural solutions and cultural shifts that could actually move the needle. The discussion reflects the kind of long-form conversation that JRE excels at, where complexity doesn't get flattened into soundbites.