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[@joerogan] Joe Rogan Experience #2390 - Jack Carr

· 8 min read
[@joerogan] Summarizer
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@joerogan - "Joe Rogan Experience #2390 - Jack Carr"

Link: https://youtu.be/mpVrOM66khc

Short Summary​

This Joe Rogan Experience podcast episode features a conversation with author Jack Carr, discussing his new book "Cry Havoc," a Vietnam-era espionage thriller, and his deep dive into that historical period. The conversation also explores the challenges of writing authentically about the past, the nature of war, cultural shifts, AI's impact on creativity, societal and political concerns, hunting, and his involvement in the production of the Terminal List TV series.

Key Quotes​

Here are 3 quotes from the Joe Rogan Experience podcast with Jack Carr:

  1. "So I feel like this that war in particular is uh it's like World War II was what we think America is. Vietnam is what America really is." - This quote encapsulates a strong opinion about the true nature of America, contrasting the idealized vision of WWII with the harsh reality of the Vietnam War.

  2. "The benefit of hindsight, it's certainly more um it it's more not relevant, but uh you you can you can draw that out for sure. The benefit of hindsight. And I'm trying to write this thing in 1968 from these guys. So they're having these conversations with only that information. So they don't yet know who's making a ton of money. They're not yet knowing about Bell helicopters and and all the rest of this stuff. They're not they don't really know yet about Gulf of Tonkan." - This reflects a meticulous approach to writing historical fiction, focusing on portraying the characters' perspectives without the knowledge of future events.

  3. "I think if you learn to if you learn to think for yourself, you think logically. If you read kids today, if they put that down that phone and just read, that is a superpower. they will get out there and crush." - This expresses Carr's belief in the power of reading and independent thought, contrasting it with reliance on technology and quick information sources.

Detailed Summary​

Okay, here is a detailed summary of the Joe Rogan Experience podcast featuring Jack Carr, broken down into bullet points, focusing on the key topics, arguments, and information:

I. Introduction and Book Promotion:

  • Jack Carr is on the podcast to discuss his new book, "1968 Vietnam" (Cry Havoc).
  • He mentions starting his book tour with David Morrell, the creator of Rambo.
  • He signed a baby's shirt at his book tour.
  • Carr acknowledges the delay in the book's release, attributing it to the extensive research required.

II. Authenticity in Writing and Historical Context:

  • Carr emphasizes his commitment to historical accuracy and writing through the lens of 1968, without the benefit of hindsight.
  • He explains he used a 1969 dictionary to understand the definitions of words back then to ensure accuracy.
  • Carr didn't want to use google to perform the research for the book.
  • The goal was to transport himself back in time for authenticity.

III. Vietnam War Discussion:

  • Rogan suggests that World War II represents what America thinks it is, while Vietnam reflects what America really is.
  • He argues that WWII was about fighting evil, while the Vietnam War was based on lies (Gulf of Tonkin incident).
  • Carr agrees, exploring the cultural revolution and disillusionment surrounding the war.
  • They discuss the high number of American deaths in 1968, the bloodiest year of the war.
  • They touch on the Domino Theory and how, with hindsight, it seems less relevant.
  • They mention the negative reception Vietnam veterans received upon returning home, contrasting it with the hero's welcome given to WWII veterans.

IV. Media Influence and the Tet Offensive:

  • The conversation shifts to the role of media in shaping public opinion during the Vietnam War.
  • Carr argues that the media realized its power to influence policy during this period.
  • He claims the Tet Offensive was a tactical win for the US, but became a strategic loss due to media distortion.
  • The media is accused of misreporting the success of the US in the Tet Offensive, contributing to growing anti-war sentiment.
  • Carr emphasizes the importance of fiction in fostering empathy and understanding of human experiences during war.

V. The Decline of Reading and the Rise of AI:

  • They discuss the concerning drop in reading rates, coinciding with the rise of smartphones and the internet.
  • Carr talks about entering the publishing and Hollywood industries during a challenging time, with AI and changing consumption habits.
  • He expresses concern about AI's potential to imitate writing styles and create content.
  • They discuss a story from Rick Rosenfield California Kitchen about someone creating AI versions of famous songs but being "One Album Behind."

VI. AI and Art:

  • Rogan plays AI-generated clips of interviews with Muhammad Ali and Michael Jackson.
  • They discuss the potential for AI to create music and art indistinguishable from human creations.
  • They ponder the ethical implications and the need for labeling AI-generated content.
  • Rogan makes the point that real art has "a piece of a person in it."
  • They wonder if younger generations will care about the authenticity of art created by humans versus AI.

VII. Adapting Books to Film and Television:

  • Carr acknowledges the challenges of adapting books into movies versus TV series, citing the limited time in movies.
  • He values being involved in the creative process and maintaining the integrity of his vision.
  • He discusses the creative freedom Amazon has given him on "The Terminal List" and "Darkwolf" series.
  • Carr acknowledges that because the first series was a success, he had more freedom in the second series.
  • He touches on the creative risks Amazon took with "True Believer," allowing the character to undergo a journey of violent redemption.

VIII. The Stunt Work in "True Believer":

  • Carr talks about filming in Morocco and the underwater sequences in "True Believer."
  • He praises Chris Pratt's dedication and the work of stunt performers.
  • He emphasizes the commitment to realistic fight scenes, avoiding the John Wick style.
  • He shares an anecdote about a stuntwoman being thrown into a refrigerator during a fight scene.
  • Carr will make a cameo in True Believer and play a person that gets stitched up and killed.

IX. Physical Fitness and Health:

  • Rogan mentions that Tom Cruise jumps off of roofs and doesn't use a stuntman.
  • Rogan talks about the benefits of hanging every day to decompress his back.
  • Carr discusses his past commitment to fitness and his current struggle to balance writing with health.
  • Rogan and Carr discuss taking neurotropics and supplements.
  • Carr says there has been a time when he hasn't been sleeping enough because of writing the books.

X. Research for "1968 Vietnam":

  • Carr details his immersive research process, listening to 1968 music, watching Vietnam documentaries, and reading historical materials.
  • He wanted to transport himself back in time when he sat down to write.

XI. Modern Vehicles and Tech:

  • Carr talks about his brief ownership of an INEOS Grenadier and his aversion to modern car technology.
  • He preferred the classic feel and experience of his Land Cruisers.
  • They discuss the appeal of older vehicles with manual features and a more engaged driving experience.

XII. Gear and Storytelling:

  • Carr explains how personal items, like watches and gear, are used to tell stories about characters.
  • He acquired vintage watches, like a 1968 Rolex Submariner, to immerse himself in the era.
  • The Rolex and Tutor are discussed and are now looked at as luxury.
  • James Bond's Williams watch and the old ads for Rolex with hunting big game.

XIII. The Surreal Experience of Seeing Your Work Visualized:

  • Carr describes the surreal and grateful feeling of walking onto the set and seeing his books come to life.
  • He praises Chris Pratt's dedication and the positive environment on set.

XIV. Political Commentary and Social Issues:

  • They discuss the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the disturbing reactions online.
  • They describe the feeling of evil emanating from certain reactions.
  • Carr talks about his experience seeing people and hearing people celebrate Charlie Kirk's assassination in public.
  • Rogan and Carr express concern about the state of social discourse and the ease with which people celebrate violence and political divisions.
  • They touch upon mass immigration into England and the efforts to take away freedoms.
  • Rogan criticizes those who pretend there isn't anything wrong with mass immigration, criminals, and cartel members, just flooding through.
  • Carr remembers seeing Hillary Clinton during her 2016 run talking about more Maga than Maga.
  • Carr brings up Tulsi and how they had her put on a terrorist watch list.
  • Harris's book and the statement about why she didn't choose Buddha judge and the comment about "not a mandate."
  • They discuss Kamala Harris's election claims and the state of California politics.

XV. Media Failure:

  • They comment about being at the inauguration and how strange it all is.
  • Carr comments how the mainstream media failed and how that caused the popularity of the podcast.

XVI. The Future:

  • They discuss the upcoming meta-verse and cyborg future.
  • Shark cages and Bear Grizzy were talked about.
  • They touched upon the Orka's sinking boats.

This summary covers the major talking points of the podcast. It prioritizes the topics with the most discussion time and depth.