Ep. 289 - When The Left Says Science, They Mean 'Shut Up'

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode is a conservative critique of progressive speech norms, Neil deGrasse Tyson’s climate alarmism, and left-wing claims to “science,” while also covering Trump-era politics, French elections, and media hypocrisy. Ben Shapiro argues that free speech is protected even for offensive views, that climate policy is being overstated politically, and that cultural institutions are redefining biology and morality for ideological ends.

Main Topics: Free speech and the myth of “hate speech” exceptions (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro argues that hate speech is protected by the First Amendment and warns that treating disliked political speech as unprotected is authoritarian. He uses Ann Coulter and Howard Dean as examples of how the left allegedly seeks to narrow speech rights. Neil deGrasse Tyson, science, and political ideology (Priority: 5/5): A long segment critiques Tyson’s viral video for conflating science with his preferred political conclusions, especially on climate change. Shapiro says Tyson is advocating a technocratic or scientific oligarchy rather than an informed democracy. Climate change as consensus vs policy dispute (Priority: 4/5): He accepts that the planet is warming and humans contribute, but argues the IPCC’s estimates suggest manageable costs and that policy prescriptions like heavy subsidies, tariffs, and broad regulation are uncertain and potentially damaging. Trump’s first 100 days and healthcare struggle (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro says Trump has made few major accomplishments beyond executive orders and Gorsuch, and that efforts to revive healthcare reform are politically messy. He criticizes Trump for revisionist rhetoric about never giving up on the bill. French election, terrorism, and immigration (Priority: 3/5): He discusses an ISIS attack in France and says it likely boosts Marine Le Pen by highlighting public concern about immigration and security. He frames Obama’s call to Macron and Trump’s anti-immigration rhetoric as a proxy political clash. Gender, biology, and corporate messaging (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro attacks a Dove ad featuring a transgender parent and argues advertisers are denying biological distinctions between men and women to appear enlightened. He extends this to broader left-wing claims about gender identity. Media, sports, and partisan double standards (Priority: 3/5): He criticizes ESPN and other commentators for politicizing the Patriots’ White House visit and mocking Trump while excusing similar behavior under Obama. He also attacks Stephen Colbert for satirizing conservatives through caricature.

Key Arguments: Hate speech is still protected speech under the First Amendment, and labeling political disagreement as hate speech is a form of tyranny of thought. The left selectively invokes science when it supports progressive conclusions, while ignoring or dismissing scientific controversy in areas like abortion and transgender issues. Neil deGrasse Tyson’s message is less about science literacy than about using scientific authority to justify a preferred political agenda. Climate change is real, but the policy debate over emissions, subsidies, fracking, and regulation is not settled by science alone. Trump’s healthcare push lacked execution and staffing, making early promises look hollow despite later claims of continuity. Gender identity marketing that treats men as mothers erases biological differences and insults women and mothers. Many cultural and media institutions apply partisan double standards when judging Trump, conservatives, and public trolling. The proper response to riots or violent unrest at universities is strong law enforcement and arrests, not tolerance. Some religious or philosophical skepticism about human beings is compatible with faith; religion does not require naïve optimism about people.

Data Points: Neil deGrasse Tyson Facebook video views: 17 million+ - The host cites the viral reach of Tyson’s video and says it is approaching 18 million views. Video length: About 4 minutes 30 seconds - Tyson’s viral clip is described as a short, high-impact message about science. IPCC projected warming by 2100: 3 to 4 degrees Celsius - Shapiro cites the UN climate panel’s estimate under no aggressive emissions reduction. IPCC projected warming by 2100: 5 to 7 degrees Fahrenheit - The Fahrenheit conversion of the IPCC estimate. IPCC sea-level rise by end of century: 0.6 meters - Shapiro cites an estimate of about 2 feet of sea-level rise. U.S. executive branch positions unfilled: 89% - Used to argue Trump had not staffed his administration adequately in the first 100 days. French presidential candidates described as running: 4 - Marine Le Pen, Macron, Mélenchon, and François Fillon are described as competitive. French candidates’ support: About 22% each - Shapiro says the French race was extremely tight around this level. Daily Wire annual subscription offer: $8/month - Promotion for the podcast and site subscription. Upside.com typical gift card value: $200 on U.S. trips - Sponsor read describing average travel reward. Upside.com typical gift card value: $300 to $500 on overseas trips - Sponsor read describing rewards for international travel. Daily Wire minimum gift card offer: At least $200 - Promotional offer for using the code Ben with a minimum purchase.

Pivotal Quotes: "Hate speech is not protected by the First Amendment." — Howard Dean: Introduces the segment on free speech and what Shapiro says is a dangerous misunderstanding of constitutional law. "There is no category of hate speech here for a simple reason. What you deem hate speech may be political speech you just don't like." — Ben Shapiro: Core rebuttal to Dean and broader defense of speech rights. "It is not something to say, I choose not to believe E equals MC squared. You don't have that option." — Neil deGrasse Tyson (quoted by Ben Shapiro): Used in the critique of Tyson’s framing of science as unquestionable authority.

Implications: Listeners are pushed to see speech, science, and identity politics as contested by ideology, not settled by authority. The episode encourages skepticism toward progressive institutions and emphasizes local control, free expression, and biological realism.