Secret Hollywood Rituals, Shane Gillis & Toxic Masculinity - Mark Normand

Black History Month Vs Women’s History Month (00:00:00)

• Mark Normand and Shane Gillis discuss the differences between Black History Month and Women's History Month.
• They note that there seems to be more "black-on-black" trash-talking during Black History Month.
• They mention recent controversies involving Cat Williams, Monique, and P. Diddy.
• They observe that black people have a distinct way of speaking, with different accents, references, cadences, and colloquial terms.
• They acknowledge that black people often come up with new terms and lingo, which white people adopt later on.
• They discuss the contributions of both black and white cultures to society, such as basketball and cars.
• They suggest creating new months to celebrate different topics, such as "Premature Parade" or "Sleeping In Month."
• They mention that comedians often have to travel on Fridays for shows.
• They propose the idea of an "Offended Month" or "Joke Amnesty" where people can say anything without getting in trouble.

Finding Mormon Loopholes in Utah (00:04:17)

• Smoking restrictions have become increasingly strict over time, from being allowed in restaurants to being banned entirely in some places.
• Progress can be good, but people often push boundaries too far.
• Google's Gemini AI chatbot is known for its humorous responses.

Google’s Painfully Woke AI Bot (00:09:40)

• Google's AI bot is under fire for its biased results.
• The bot inaccurately portrays historical figures, such as depicting Nazis as Asian and the founding fathers as black.
• The bot's creators are accused of pushing a woke agenda and sacrificing accuracy for diversity.
• The AI's errors have angered both the left and the right.

The Current State of New York (00:12:09)

• New York City is facing an influx of migrants, primarily housed in hotels, raising concerns among hotel owners.
• Migrants are receiving credit cards and other forms of assistance, prompting questions about the logistics and funding of their support.
• The transportation of migrants from the US-Mexico border to New York involves a challenging and lengthy bus journey.
• The responsibility for handling migrants is a subject of debate, with legal experts suggesting it is primarily a federal matter.
• The Bahamas has a different driving system from Miami, with cars driving on the left side of the road.
• The Bahamas prioritizes tourist safety, taking swift action against crimes committed against tourists to protect its tourism-dependent economy.
• There seems to be a shift in societal attitudes, where newcomers receive more favorable treatment than existing residents in terms of assistance and resources.
• Mark Normand criticizes New York City's bail reform, which allows individuals arrested for non-violent crimes to be released immediately, citing an incident where four migrants who assaulted a police officer were released the same day.
• Normand shares his personal experiences in New York City, including being mugged twice during his first year there, and acknowledges the city's decline while expressing his love for its energy and atmosphere.
• Normand contrasts New York City with Salt Lake City, highlighting the lack of energy and excitement in the latter.
• Normand arrived in New York during Hanukkah and found the city's strong focus on Christmas celebrations overwhelming and somewhat offensive as a Jewish person.

Is Hollywood Just a Propaganda Machine? (00:19:11)

• Cat Williams believes Hollywood is not there to entertain but rather to deliver propaganda through curated narratives.
• Black actors in Hollywood are allegedly required to go through a ritual of wearing a dress in order to get big roles.
• The mainstream media upholds certain narratives and messages, but people are not allowed to acknowledge or discuss them.
• Some comedy festivals prioritize representation over talent by booking black comedians who are not as funny as their white counterparts.
• Hollywood often prioritizes optics and stereotypes when casting for roles, rather than focusing on true representation.
• Mark Normand criticizes the concept of "toxic masculinity" and its prevalence in Hollywood, arguing that it is harmful to both men and women and that it needs to be challenged.

Shane Gillis’s SNL Appearance (00:24:40)

• Shane Gillis's controversial monologue on SNL sparked discussions about cancel culture and the unreliability of people who change their opinions.
• Despite firing Gillis five years ago, SNL invited him back, highlighting their inconsistent stance.
• Gillis's monologue was well-received by the audience, indicating society's evolving tolerance for certain language.
• Media outlets portrayed Gillis's performance as a "bomb," suggesting an agenda-driven narrative rather than objective reporting.
• Coordinated messaging among late-night shows revealed a lack of originality and diversity in comedy.
• John Stewart's revolutionary approach to comedy involved criticizing both political parties, but it also drew criticism.
• Biden's cognitive decline has been a topic of discussion, but no cognitive exam was performed during his recent physical exam.
• The media often has an agenda and selectively reports on stories to support it, as seen in the recent controversy surrounding Shane Gillis.
• People tend to discuss topics that make them appear empathetic and caring, even if they don't genuinely care about them.
• The constant focus on narratives and messages in the media can be draining and make people feel sadder.
• Most people in real life don't care about the same things that the media focuses on.

How to Emotionally Detach From Current Affairs (00:32:11)

• To maintain a positive outlook, acknowledge negative news but approach it with humor and lightheartedness.
• News and public interest are transient, so avoid becoming overly consumed by them.
• Public convictions are often fleeting, and people quickly move on to the next trend.
• Social media activism frequently follows trends rather than genuine commitment.
• Fashionable opinions are subject to rapid change, making it challenging to keep up.
• The perception of something can change drastically over time, as exemplified by Playboy.
• Empowering and exploitative labels are subjective and depend on the individual's perspective.
• The speaker criticizes the notion that encouraging women to sell nude photos online at a low price is empowering.
• Feminism should focus on ensuring women have equal opportunities and rights to men, not on women adopting traditionally masculine behaviors.

Who is Paying on Dates in Today’s Society? (00:37:03)

• A study found that young men paid for all or most of the dates around 90% of the time, while women paid only 2% and they split the check around about 8%.
• On subsequent dates, splitting the check was more common, but men still paid a majority of the time, while women rarely did.
• Nearly 80% of men expected that they would pay on the first date, while just over half of women expected men to pay.
• Views on gender norms didn't make much of a difference, as both men and women in the sample expected the man to pay, regardless of their views on gender roles.
• Hypocrisy is a perfect issue for the internet because people's past statements and actions are easily accessible and can be compared to their current ones.
• People don't like having their hypocrisies pointed out, as it reveals the less gracious parts of them.
• Comedy often involves pointing out hypocrisies and blowing them up for humorous effect.

How Effective is Deplatforming? (00:41:06)

• Comedian Mark Normand discusses the recent controversy surrounding Lucas David's George Floyd joke and the concept of deplatforming.
• Normand criticizes the hypocrisy of people who advocate for compassion but dismiss the lasting emotional impact on individuals subjected to hurtful言论.
• He emphasizes the importance of recognizing personal growth and effort in overcoming difficult situations, rather than assuming individuals are unaffected because they appear "fine."
• Deplatforming influencers on social media can effectively reduce their online attention but may also have negative consequences for those deplatformed.
• Comedians like Shane Gillis and Dave Chappelle have a certain level of protection from deplatforming because they can claim that their controversial statements are simply jokes.
• Deplatforming can be seen as a form of censorship and can lead to a society where people are afraid to express their opinions.
• The speaker criticizes the hypocrisy of people who advocate for certain causes but engage in contradictory behaviors, such as having a "defund the police" sign in their yard while also having a private security sticker in their window.

The Irony of Luxury Beliefs (00:55:22)

• Luxury beliefs, such as defunding the police and lowering test standards for black children, held by the upper classes can have negative consequences for the lower classes.
• Harvard professor Roland Fryer's study challenged the popular narrative by suggesting that police violence against black individuals may be lower than perceived.
• Carol Hooven, another Harvard professor, believes in biological differences between men and women.
• A University of Texas at Austin professor is facing backlash and potential job loss due to her involvement in a controversial bill.
• Comedian Shane Gillis, who was fired from Saturday Night Live for past controversial tweets, seems to be handling the situation better than the professor, who has been deeply affected.
• The discussion highlights the tendency to focus on negative aspects and cancel individuals based on past actions or statements, rather than considering their overall contributions.
• Shane Gillis' sketch illustrates this point by showing a firefighter being confronted about old tweets after saving a burning building.
• The conversation raises questions about whether too much attention is given to controversies and suggests that people should be given more grace and their overall contributions should be considered.
• The discussion also touches on the idea that women are attracted to men who embrace their masculinity.

Rise of the Male ‘Baby Girl’ Trend (01:02:54)

• The "baby girl" trend involves men embracing traditionally feminine aspects, such as carrying purses, wearing shorts and sequins, and being in touch with their feminine side. This trend is gaining popularity among heterosexual women and signals a departure from the Uber masculine sex symbols of previous generations.
• Masculinity is being redefined as being honest, respectful, protective, and emotionally expressive, rather than being a tough guy.
• Androgynous styles and behaviors have been present throughout history, with examples like Mick Jagger and David Bowie in the 1960s.
• The concept of "novelty attraction" suggests that people are drawn to what appears new and different.
• Crocs are considered the most sexually arousing type of footwear.

The Modern American Sports Landscape (01:08:00)

• The "Be Mile" or "Chunder Mile" is a prestigious running event where participants drink a pint of beer at the beginning of each lap and aim to complete four laps (1.6 kilometers) without vomiting.
• Pickleball is a popular sport that is more enjoyable to play than to watch, while Padel is a similar sport popular among wealthy individuals.
• Gentrification can be observed through the presence of pickleball courts, Starbucks, and Chipotle in a neighborhood.
• Skateboarding has become more widespread and diverse, but a skate park built next to a basketball court in New Orleans was burned down due to racial tensions.
• Element is a science-backed electrolyte supplement that helps curb cravings, regulate appetite, and improve brain function.
• Mark Normand discusses his experience with wake surfing and how it differs from wakeboarding. He mentions his friend Alex Okona, a philosopher and theologian, who is surprisingly skilled at wake surfing due to his background in skateboarding.
• Normand suggests that people who engage in balance sports like skateboarding, surfing, or snowboarding may have a natural aptitude for certain physical activities.
• He draws a comparison between snowboarding and skiing, highlighting the different preferences people have for sideways or straightforward movements in sports.
• Tesla offers car insurance, and the premiums are determined based on driving metrics and diagnostics collected from the car, such as proximity to other vehicles and acceleration/braking patterns.

Ernest Shackleton’s Job Advert (01:19:01)

• Ernest Shackleton, a British explorer, placed a job advert for his Antarctic expedition in 1912.
• The advert described the journey as hazardous, with low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness, and a doubtful safe return.
• Despite the challenging conditions, Shackleton received an overwhelming number of applicants.
• People in the past were more inclined to embrace adventure and discomfort compared to modern individuals.
• Today, there are numerous convenient and entertaining options available, leading to a preference for comfort and ease.
• This shift away from discomfort may have negative consequences for society.

The Greatest Spurious Correlations (01:22:16)

• There are surprising correlations between seemingly unrelated events, such as rainfall in San Francisco and printing press operators in Rhode Island.
• Men who kiss their wives before going to work have a lower risk of car accidents.
• Lack of sleep can lead to increased accidents and health issues like heart attacks and strokes.
• Uber's convenience has reduced DUI cases, resulting in cities losing revenue from legal fees and police work.
• Uber's Comfort feature allows users to customize their ride experience by selecting their preferred temperature and conversation level.
• Taxis in Spain use a green light to indicate vacancy and a red light to indicate occupancy.
• Syracuse, New York, has a unique stoplight where the green light is on top and the red light is on the bottom, a design implemented by Irish immigrants who objected to the British red being above the Irish green.

How Sleep Impacts Swearing & Humour (01:29:53)

• Poor sleep quality is associated with increased use of self-defeating humor and profanity, particularly the f-word, which has become prevalent in American culture, especially among Gen Z.
• Comedians often use profanity as a physiological mechanism to combat tiredness, while filler words like "um" and "uh" indicate a search for the right words or direction of thought.
• Repeating the f-word during an ice water experiment demonstrated improved pain tolerance, suggesting analgesic effects through autonomic arousal or distraction.
• The n-word holds a unique and powerful boundary due to its historical context, with white people inventing it and black people later adopting it.
• Comedian Mark Normand proposes an OnlyFans for racism, where people can pay a fee to use racial slurs against a black person.
• Shane Gillis discusses various topics, including women using their experiences of harassment to make money, the meaning behind the "ninja" emoji in comment sections, parasomnia overlap disorder (POD) and its effects on men in their late 20s and early 30s, sleepwalking and its strange occurrences, lucid dreaming and dream analysis, and the accuracy of dream analysis and its potential insights into one's psyche.

The Underwhelming VR Revolution (01:42:53)

• VR technology was promised to be revolutionary but has not yet seen mass adoption.
• Unlike the first iPhone, which was a useful and revolutionary device, VR headsets have been met with mixed reactions and many people have returned them.
• As technology advances, there may be a countercultural reaction where people seek out more authentic and simple experiences, such as agrarian lifestyles.
• Some people may find it difficult to adapt to a simpler life due to their predisposition for dopamine-driven experiences and the allure of success.

Revisiting the Will Smith/Chris Rock Slap (01:45:50)

• Comedians benefit when significant events or topics gain widespread attention, as it provides a common ground for their jokes and ensures the audience has sufficient background information to appreciate the humor.
• Global events like the COVID-19 pandemic and the Super Bowl create a shared experience and common talking points for people, making it easier for comedians to craft relatable jokes.
• The Super Bowl, combined with the presence of a famous entertainer like Taylor Swift, creates a massive audience and shared interest, making it an ideal subject for comedians to explore.
• In the UK, sports betting is widespread and has no age restrictions, except for mobile betting apps.
• Betting shops, such as Coral and Bet Fred, are common on the High Street and are purely for betting, not offering refreshments or entertainment.
• Unlike the US, where sports betting regulations vary state-by-state, the UK has a uniform approach to sports betting.

The Worst Addiction (01:51:17)

• Comedian Mark Normand discusses various addictions and compulsive behaviors, expressing gratitude for not having a gambling addiction like his friend Steve from the N-Boys.
• Normand mentions UFC President Dana White's gambling habits and describes Steve's compulsive state while gambling, emphasizing the difficulty in helping someone in that situation.
• He shares his own experience with gambling losses during bachelor parties in Las Vegas and expresses relief at not having a gambling problem.
• Normand identifies phone use as a compulsive behavior, comparing it to cigarette smoking and highlighting the psychological aspects of cravings and expected hits.
• A study on flight attendants' cigarette cravings during long flights suggests that cravings are influenced by the anticipation of the next hit rather than the time since the last one.
• Phones are particularly harmful and addictive because they are necessary for everyday tasks, unlike other drugs.
• Mark Normand's friend uses two phones: one for essential tasks like Uber and Audible, and another for social media and email, which he humorously refers to as the "cocaine phone" and the "kale phone."

Where to Find Mark (01:57:56)

• Mark Normand's upcoming comedy shows and tours can be found on his website, marknormandcomedy.com.
• He has a podcast called "We Might Be Drunk" with Big Jay Oakerson and Luis J. Gomez.
• He is active on social media and often posts controversial content.