Author: rickrosnerorg

Ask A Genius 1497: Netanyahu, Gaza War, and Declining U.S. Support for Israel

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Rick Rosner argues that U.S. public opinion on Israel is shifting because of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s far-right coalition and the ongoing Gaza war, which has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians. He links Netanyahu’s prolonging of the conflict to his corruption trial, suggesting political survival drives military escalation. Rosner condemns Israel’s deliberate targeting of journalists—186 killed since October 2023—as evidence of systemic brutality. While affirming support for Israel’s right to exist, he stresses that Netanyahu’s government acts corruptly and recklessly, undermining democratic values. This erosion of trust explains why Americans increasingly question Israel’s conduct and U.S. support.

Ask A Genius 1496: Rick Rosner on Trump, Polarized Comedy, and the Golden Age of TV

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Rick Rosner reflects on how Donald Trump reshaped American comedy, exhausting writers with endless scandals while deepening cultural divides. Unlike past celebrity meltdowns, Trump’s daily chaos fueled constant material but eroded shared humor, splitting audiences along political lines. Biden, by contrast, proved difficult to parody due to his low visibility. Rosner compares Trump to Hitler in comedy’s limits, yet notes historical satire thrived abroad. He critiques sitcom polarization—urban-liberal versus rural-traditional—and praises joke-dense shows like 30 Rock. Finally, he analyzes Netflix’s failed “moat” strategy, where overspending produced a golden age of streaming content without creating lasting competitive dominance.

Ask A Genius 1495: From Comedy Writer to ER Doctor and Hollywood Consultant: The Story of Jake

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Jake’s journey is extraordinary: once a comedy writer on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, he secretly prepared for medical school while working full time in television. He left comedy, completed med school and residency, and became an ER doctor. At the same time, he sold a screenplay that turned into a film starring John Cena and Alison Brie. Today, Jake balances medicine with consulting on The Resident, ensuring authenticity in medical scenes by teaching both technical accuracy and emotional nuance. His unique ability to merge creative storytelling with real-world expertise makes him one of the most remarkable behind-the-scenes figures in entertainment.

Ask A Genius 1494: Rick Rosner says, “Fuck Theology,”or More on Theology, Free Will, and the Politics of Religion

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In this candid interview with Scott Douglas Jacobsen, writer and television personality Rick Rosner delivers a sharp rejection of theology, arguing that religion in the United States has been hijacked by Christian nationalism and weaponized against humanist values. Rosner critiques theological defenses of free will, ultimate purpose, and divine creation, instead emphasizing science, informed will, and the causal chain of human decisions. The discussion also explores generational shifts in behavior, addiction to technology, and the manipulation of low critical thinking skills for political power. A thought-provoking exchange on atheism, metaphysics, and the misuse of faith.

Ask A Genius 1493: Scientific Luck, Privilege, and Peril: From Newton’s Miracles to RFK Jr.’s Anti-Vaccine Damage

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Scientific breakthroughs have often depended on timing, privilege, or sheer luck. From Alexander Fleming’s accidental discovery of penicillin to Isaac Newton’s plague-era “miracle year,” history shows that chance favors the prepared mind. Yet, privilege—like that of Prince Louis de Broglie or Tycho Brahe—also played a decisive role. In stark contrast, today’s scientific progress is undermined not by fortune but by politics and misinformation. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, has advanced anti-vaccine conspiracy theories, opposed germ theory, and fueled deadly consequences, from Samoa’s measles deaths to threats against cancer vaccine research.

Ask A Genius 1492: Television, Writing, Alien, and the Poetry of Physics

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In this in-depth conversation, Rick Rosner reflects on how five years of watching well-written television with his wife, Carole, has sharpened his writing skills and ability to anticipate dialogue and plot twists. He shares insights on Noah Hawley’s upcoming Alien series, the evolution of science fiction horror, and the role of originality in storytelling. Rosner also discusses Mel Brooks’s creative longevity, his own struggles with writing about the future amid AI and political upheaval, and broader reflections on cosmology, intelligence, and scientific discovery. With humor and humility, he compares himself to Feynman, Gamow, and Darwin—highlighting the complexity of intelligence.

Ask A Genius 1491: Gen Z’s Digital Dependence, Declining Sex Rates, and Future in an AI-Driven, Modified World

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Scott Douglas Jacobsen and Rick Rosner discuss Gen Z’s deep reliance on digital devices, reduced face-to-face interaction, and declining sexual activity. Using the “hermit crab” analogy, Rosner suggests Gen Z feels vulnerable without phones but functions well in a tech-supported world. Data shows historic lows in partnered sex, masturbation, and romantic relationships among young people, driven by over-entertainment, anxiety, and social challenges. While this trend could lower birth rates and ease environmental pressures, it also raises economic concerns for consumer-driven capitalism. The conversation explores potential societal shifts, AI integration, and acceptance of future human modifications as adaptation strategies.

Ask A Genius 1490: Failed GOP Candidate Sentenced to 80 Years for Political Drive-By Shootings

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Scott Douglas Jacobsen and Rick Rosner talk about Solomon Peña, a failed Republican candidate in New Mexico, has been sentenced to 80 years in federal prison for orchestrating drive-by shootings at the homes and offices of Democratic officials following his 2022 election loss. Motivated by false election fraud claims, Peña recruited Jose and Demetrio Trujillo to target two county commissioners and two state legislators, including the House speaker. One attack endangered a state senator’s 10-year-old daughter when bullets struck her bedroom. Convicted on 13 felony counts, including conspiracy and weapons violations, Peña will also serve three years’ supervised release. His legal team intends to appeal the conviction and sentence.

Ask A Genius 1489: Is Gen Z Less Verbal? The Rise of the “Dead Stare”

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Rick Rosner describes noticing the stereotype of the “Gen Z dead stare,” where young adults avoid verbal replies to ordinary interactions. He recounts asking gym users scrolling on machines, “How many sets do you have?”, sometimes receiving only a silent two-finger signal. While acknowledging many encounters remain normal, he wonders whether reduced face-to-face responsiveness reflects preference, habit, or technology’s effects. The vignette invites a larger question: is minimal speech an emerging trend or situational impatience?

Ask A Genius 1488: Fears of Entrenched Authoritarianism in Trump’s Second Term

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In a conversation between Rick Rosner and Scott Douglas Jacobsen, the two explore concerns about America’s trajectory under Donald Trump’s second term, with J.D. Vance positioned as a potential successor. Jacobsen, reflecting on his recent trip to New York City for the UN Commission on the Status of Women, describes a shared unease among activists about traveling in the United States due to fears of detention, surveillance, and harassment. They discuss the influence of religious nationalism, anti-science sentiment, and foreign interference, alongside the generational divide fueling political extremism. Jacobsen warns of ideological entrenchment that could impact democracy for years.