Joe Rogan and Michael Jai White Discuss the State of American Men
Actor and martial arts expert Michael Jai White recently sparked a conversation on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, expressing his concerns about the perceived softening of American boys and the diminishing emphasis on traditional masculine traits. The discussion, which quickly gained traction online, delved into the societal shifts impacting the development of young men in the United States.
The Decline of ‘Making Men’
“That’s another thing that’s sad about the United States: We’re not making men anymore,” White stated during the podcast, referencing the robust “rites of passage” found in countries like Australia and New Zealand. Rogan largely agreed, noting that genuinely resilient and traditionally masculine American men “stand out” because they are becoming increasingly rare. This observation led to a broader discussion about the changing landscape of American masculinity.
Hollywood’s Shift in Casting
White further pointed out a trend in Hollywood, where non-American actors are frequently cast to portray the “American alpha male” archetype. “It’s very rarely an American,” he remarked, suggesting a perceived lack of suitable American actors embodying that role. This observation highlights a cultural perception that traditional American masculinity is waning.
The Demonization of Masculinity and the Participation Trophy Era
Rogan concurred, stating that American masculinity has been “demonized” over the past two decades. White traced the beginning of this trend back to his time as a schoolteacher, witnessing the rise of participation trophies and a focus on protecting children’s self-esteem at the expense of competition. “Everybody gets a trophy,” he recalled, criticizing the removal of competitive elements from childhood experiences. He believes this has resulted in a generation ill-equipped to handle failure, even suggesting a link between this lack of resilience and tragic events like school shootings. “They don’t know how to deal with losing anymore, and then they end up shooting a classroom,” he stated, a stark commentary on the potential consequences of shielding children from adversity.
The Value of Losing and the Pursuit of Efficiency
Rogan powerfully countered with the idea that “losing is the best medicine,” emphasizing the importance of overcoming setbacks for personal growth. The conversation then shifted to White’s own athletic journey, revealing how a chance opportunity on the high school track team transformed his approach to martial arts. He discovered that the discipline of track – specifically, the pursuit of shaving off fractions of a second – translated directly into increased efficiency and effectiveness in his fighting style. “As far as efficiency of motion, all the things I had to do with track, I started applying in fighting,” he explained. He credits this cross-training with providing him with “cheat codes” to improve his martial arts skills.
The Pitfalls of Natural Talent and the Importance of Grit
Interestingly, White also admitted that his natural athleticism initially hindered his progress in martial arts. He found it easier to succeed without pushing himself as hard as others. He realized that true mastery came not from innate talent, but from relentless effort and pushing beyond one’s comfort zone. He illustrated this with a hypothetical scenario: a fighter who pushes through fatigue to deliver 120 kicks is ultimately a better martial artist than someone who easily executes 1,001 kicks without facing the same level of struggle. This realization led him to focus on self-improvement rather than comparing himself to others. “That really taught me something as far as, like, again, why I put myself through these things and the benefit of it by really like what the martial arts really teaches,” he concluded.
The conversation between Joe Rogan and Michael Jai White offers a thought-provoking perspective on the evolving definition of masculinity and the challenges facing young men in contemporary society. It underscores the importance of resilience, competition, and the pursuit of self-improvement, even in the face of adversity. You can find more insights from Joe Rogan on his official podcast website.
