Joe Rogan Says There's A 'Bizarre Connection' Between The Government And The People. It's No Longer 'Just For The People, By The People'

Joe Rogan is raising alarms about the growing influence of artificial intelligence and the evolving role of government in people's lives. In a recent conversation with Josh Waitzkin on “The Joe Rogan Experience,” he explored what the future could look like as AI begins to reshape society, work and identity.

AI Could Change What It Means To Be Human

Waitzkin, a former chess prodigy and martial artist, argued that humanity is facing an unprecedented challenge. As AI becomes more powerful, people will need to adapt rapidly or risk being left behind. “We need to create the ability to reinvent ourselves, to be creative, to adapt,” he said. He compared our current position to a beginner in jiu-jitsu, completely outmatched by a skilled opponent.

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Rogan agreed and warned of a future where people become overly reliant on technology and government, losing the drive to create or push themselves. He believes we're drifting away from the democratic ideal where government is an extension of the people's will. "The government is now your provider. It's not just for the people, by the people. It's not representative of the people. It is now your provider," he said. "That's a very strange relationship to have."

He explained that this shift could result in a society where citizens no longer see themselves as active participants in shaping their future, but as passive recipients of state-controlled resources. That, Rogan argues, poses a deep psychological risk. If your rent, food, and healthcare are all provided by the state, and you never have to earn it or contribute meaningfully to your community, where does your sense of purpose come from?

Rogan emphasized that this isn't just a political concern, but a human one. It messes with identity. People need struggle, they need purpose and they need to build things. “If that's gone and now all of a sudden they just have a check, who are they?”

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A ‘Psychological Famine’ Is Coming

The two discussed the impact of universal basic income if widespread job loss becomes a reality. Rogan worries that many people, stripped of work and purpose, won't know how to find meaning. "What do you do to give yourself meaning if you're not the type of person that seeks out difficult things?" he asked.

He described a potential scenario where millions become dependent on government checks, addicted to dopamine hits from social media, and stuck in lives lacking direction. "Throughout history, the times have been very cruel to people who weren’t prepared. I worry about it almost like an intellectual famine, you know, like a psychological famine that people will be deprived of the thing that they have rested their hat upon, like their identity," Rogan said.

Waitzkin emphasized the importance of embracing change with a “beginner’s mind.” He said the pace of change will only accelerate, and people must train themselves to shift with it. “We want to be strapped to the front of the freight train as reality is unfolding and adapting to the new realities,” he said.

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Older Fears Resurface: AI As Government?

In a November episode with the “Triggernometry” podcast hosts Francis Foster and Konstantin Kisin, Rogan revisited one of his recurring concerns: the idea of AI running governments. He floated a scenario where an objective AI makes decisions without bias, ego or emotion. "Why don't we use AI for government and have a really objective government that doesn't have greed, lust, desire or the need for power?" he asked.

But he cautioned that such objectivity could go too far. A purely rational AI might decide the biggest problem is humanity itself. That, he said, is the risk of letting a machine run things without a moral compass.

Rogan and Waitzkin believe the future will be filled with breakthroughs and disruption. AI might improve lives, but only if humans prepare themselves mentally and emotionally. Waitzkin summed it up: the ability to constantly reinvent yourself might be the most valuable skill of the 21st century.

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