What is the end result of holding people accountable for their actions? According to Joe Rogan, it'd be the silencing of straight White men over their privilege.
On an episode of his podcast, which is the most listened to show on most podcasting platforms, Rogan claimed "you can never be woke enough" and eventually things would get to the point where "straight White men are not allowed to talk."
This obviously left many online incredulous at his claim.
Rogan, who last year signed a $100 million contract with Spotify that ensures his podcast will be on the air and heard for years, lamented cancel culture silencing people like him.
He said:
"You can never be woke enough that's the problem, it keeps going. It keeps going further and further down the line and if you get to the point where you capitulate and you agree to all these demands it'll eventually get to where straight white men are not allowed to talk because it's your privilege to express yourself when other people of color have been silenced throughout history."
And just to hammer the point home that he wasn't joking, he said:
"I'm not joking. It really will get there."
The idea of "cancel culture" as some boogieman coming to end people's careers has been an ongoing discussion for some time. While some might see it as an imminent threat coming for your ability to speak, others see it as the logical consequence of a person's actions.
If so, is there another reason Rogan might have for frothing the fear in people over being canceled?
Internet commenters say yes.
Rogan is no stranger to controversy, and one might even say he thrives on it. Just recently, he came under fire for suggesting a healthy 21-year-old shouldn't bother getting the vaccine for the current pandemic.
After being criticized, Rogan walked back his comments, saying he agrees with the argument young, healthy people should get the vaccine to prevent the spread to other people, "but that's a different argument."
He continued by stressing he is not a doctor and shouldn't be listened to for scientific advice.
The idea a man who got $100 million for his podcast, and can platform pretty much anyone at any time he chooses would complain about being silenced became a huge joke.
The irony was apparently lost on Rogan.
Rogan's controversy extends past himself and to his guests, which have included such controversial figures as Gavin McInnes, the founder of the Proud Boys, and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.
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