
In this special episode of YES or NO, Michael Knowles is joined by the legendary Glenn Beck for a no-holds-barred session of rapid-fire questions, thought-provoking debates, and plenty of laughs. With real answers and real drinks on the table, Glenn tackles everything from politics and culture to personal insights and unexpected hypotheticals. Will Glenn stick to simple "yes" or "no" answers, or will he break under the pressure? Pour yourself a drink and find out in this unforgettable episode! - - - Today’s Sponsor: Balance of Nature - Go to https://balanceofnature.com and use promo code KNOWLES for 35% off your first order PLUS get a free bottle of Fiber and Spice.
Loading summary
A
The race card is more useful than an Ivy League degree.
B
You're one of those really, really educated. Because I'm like a bus driver. Okay, you're talking to Ralph Brampton here. I have no idea.
A
It's not noon yet, and the producers want me to drink. They want me to drink with a man who doesn't drink. It seems like they are setting me up for failure, which is why I have my Topo Chico sitting across.
B
I have Jack Daniels. As an alcoholic, I thought this was.
A
Wrong, but maybe it'll help. I don't know. Len, thank you for being here. Thank you.
B
Michael, good to see you.
A
Do you know the rules of the game?
B
I think so.
A
Okay, now you have to answer how you think I would answer. I will let my.
B
I have to answer in Latin, and.
A
It has to be in Latin, if not Aramaic. I will let my hair go gray.
B
Yes.
A
So then you move my cup. I'll just move it. Yes, of course.
B
Of course.
A
I actually am looking forward to the.
B
No, don't, don't. Okay. Because my grandfather had white hair.
A
Yeah. Yeah.
B
Okay. And I mean, he looked. I mean, it really looked great on him.
A
Yeah.
B
And I wanted my hair to go gray. It's white. White.
A
It just went straight white.
B
Straight white.
A
Yeah.
B
And I look like I'm a thousand years old. Don't. I went. I. Everybody in my family. My sisters were white by 35. And I'm like, why am I not white?
A
Because.
B
No, it's cool if you're young.
A
Yeah.
B
But once you get old enough to have white hair, you're like. That doesn't work.
A
That's a fair point. Because I thought just a little of that Mitt Romney touch of gray. Romney and I have disagreements, but that little touch of gray, it can look good. But I guess, sure, if. If the gray is too immersive, you might regret it. Okay.
B
Yeah.
A
Okay.
B
Yeah. No, when it turns white, when you begin to look.
A
I'm sorry, the white. Yeah, Yeah.
B
A million years old. That's when. You know what? He could be Santa. I think he's immortal because he's gotta be a thousand years. Yeah.
A
All right, you're up.
B
The red heifers will be sacrificed by the end of next year.
A
So we're not talking about the hypothetical red heifer. We're talking about the ones that are in Israel right now.
B
Yeah. Okay. Wrong.
A
Really?
B
If you would have asked me before the election.
A
Yeah, Yeah.
B
I would have said absolutely.
A
Yeah.
B
But I think God gave us a little more time. I think Jesus is coming. Maybe in my Lifetime. But look at my hair. So I could probably Wrong.
A
It could be the fourth millennium.
B
Yeah, it could be. Yeah. But I think this has given us a little more time. However, they are discovering things in the City of David now that would lead you to believe, oh, the time might be coming very soon.
A
Okay. Okay.
B
Because that's Third Temple stuff.
A
I assumed you would be expecting, you know, the cataclysm, especially looking all around us. But your point on the election is a good one.
B
I haven't been optimistic, Michael. Ever. Okay. Ever. I think I came out of my mom, you know, screaming. Not because, you know, I'm old and stuff. I'm like, we're doomed. But God's not done. He's not neutral in the affairs of man, and he's not done with us not saying that he trusts us. I think what he saw was, okay, there are enough of you, and maybe let's see if the rest of you will actually do what you're supposed to do. He gave us more time. And I agree.
A
I agree. You know, people say, are we in the end times? And I say, well, look, someone's going to be alive in the end times.
B
Yes, it could be. Why not?
A
Why not us? But if I had to bet money, I agree with you.
B
Yeah.
A
Okay. In 2024, the race card is more useful than an ivy League degrade.
B
2022.
A
2024.
B
So this year you're one of those really, really educated. Because I'm like a bus driver. Okay, you're talking to Ralph Crampton here. I have no idea about anything saying.
A
I'm educated, really handsome.
B
No, don't. Didn't include that. But I would say that. You would say yes to that.
A
I would say no. If actually, when you asked the clarification. 2022, I might have said yes. I think BLM is totally done.
B
I think that got before the election.
A
No, no, no.
B
Well, I did.
A
Maybe.
B
I'm saying 2024.
A
Yeah.
B
You're only saying two months. I'm saying the whole year. Wow.
A
Okay. You're right. Do I have to round up? Do I have to round down?
B
Yes, because I rounded to 12, you know, when you have two out of 12, you don't round up.
A
I had Common Core math when I was in college side.
B
All right.
A
And even when they say the Ivy League degree, is it useful? If you mean, is it useful to learn philosophy, probably not. Is it useful even to learn some hard skill? Actually, certainly not. But today, is it still useful? Do the. Do the liberal elites still use the credential system that they built? I think so. I think they do. You know, and so they.
B
For me, even. No, seriously. If I. I mean, I went to Yale, but I was only one semester. But if I had that degree, would it be useful for me?
A
It would not for a conservative. They would actually try to disavow you and take your diploma away from you.
B
Right. I keep waiting if I'm somebody who just really disagrees with them. So that. Doesn't that lead you to believe that it's. I'm right. You're right about your opinion.
A
The rate you're saying that the race card is more useful.
B
Yeah, but what. In 10 of the 12 months. Yes. That's what I think. You believe.
A
Well, in. In 10 of the 12 months or in like 9 of the 12 months, Trump was going to lose the election.
B
Right. So it was still more useful.
A
But all that matters is the. All that matters is how it turns out in the end.
B
Wow. Do I get my point? Do I get.
A
Hold on. All right, you're.
B
I think he's cheating.
A
Your poll.
B
Oh, yeah. Okay. History will look back and say this election was the most consequential of the last 100 years.
A
Wait, no, I'm answering for you.
B
Oh, yeah. Okay, hold on. Now let me see. Am I the kind of guy that would move the cup closer to you to keep the poison away, or are you Sicilian?
A
Okay, so you say yes, but no, I'm.
B
I thought you thought I would say yes. Yes.
A
Okay. See, this is the problem with this game, is the rules. They're very confused.
B
You the one who's in charge of the game.
A
I know. I take no responsibility. The buck does not stop here.
B
I think you.
A
You think I would say yes, but I have to figure out what you would say. And I think you would say yes. Well, now I'm trying to think of a counterexample.
B
Now let's try. Drink your drink. See if you can handle the iocaine powder.
A
I've spent years working up in a mini immunity.
B
Yeah, I think it is in the last 100 years. Remember that starts with Coolidge.
A
Yeah.
B
And you Ms. Wilson, which I think Wilson was the most.
A
If. If it were 120 years or something, would you say Wilson was more consequential than Trump's? Trump?
B
If I'm rounding down. Yes. If I'm rounding up to what I think he's going to do. No.
A
Touche. That's a great point. There's so much more to say first, though. Go to balanceofnature.com use promo code knowles. Balance of nature fruits and veggies is the most convenient way to get whole fruits and vegetables daily, especially if you've centered your New Year's resolutions around creating a healthier lifestyle. Nature is pretty good at giving us the nutrients we need through our fruits and veggies. So balance of nature takes fruits and vegetables, freeze, dries them, turns them into a powder, and then puts them into a capsule. You take your fruit and veggie capsules every day, and then your body knows what to do with them. Balance of nature is just one ingredient of a balanced lifestyle. Has no intention to replace a healthy diet, exercise, sleep, or any other healthy habits. It is intended to be used in concert with other healthy habits. I love balance of nature especially. I'm on the road a lot. Sometimes I'm not eating all that well. So balance of nature makes it super easy to get the nutrients that you need. The only problem with it is that the hyenas around the Daily Wire can just grab them before I even get mine. Go to balanceofnature.com, use promo code Knowles, K A W L E.S. for 35% off your first order as a preferred customer. Plus get a free bottle of fiber and spice. That is balanceofnature.com promo code knowles. When conservatives wear glasses. Hold on, let me before I. Yeah.
B
Right.
A
They're so much smarter.
B
Stop it.
A
Come on. I know. Vaguely lesbian, but it's, you know, when conservatives wear glasses, it makes them appear more liberal.
B
When conservatives wear glasses. See, I'm a. I'm. You know, this about me. I. I'm a vision guy more than anything else. I. My eyes are what I. Weird for a radio guy, but I think. I think you could tell their political stance based on the style of their glasses.
A
Well, what about. What about this style that would say.
B
To me you're conservative?
A
It would, yeah. This is the secret right wing.
B
Because that's the secret code.
A
Yeah.
B
You can trust him.
A
I have noticed this, like, I'll be in advance. There was a guy came up to me, you know, a kind of conservative figure. He says, ah, Michael, good, you're wearing the far right glass frames, too. I said, yeah, of course.
B
Yeah. But the weirder they get.
A
Yeah.
B
The more transparent they are or colorful they are, the more and worse. Easier to spot on a woman than a man.
A
Yes. Yes. So you. Because Shapiro years ago told me I had to get rid of the glasses because they made me look like a huge lip. Different glasses, but not all that.
B
A huge.
A
What a huge lib. He Thought it made me look like a bit. So you don't. You think I could pull it off and I wouldn't? George Will. True. Yeah, that's true.
B
You know. Yeah. You're fine.
A
Okay. Because the examples he gave were Rachel Maddow, my doppelganger, Chris Hayes, Lawrence O'Donnell.
B
How about me? I wear glasses most of the time.
A
And you wear, like, kind of cool, like, you know, I do it to confuse them.
B
I walk into a room, and if they don't know me, they're like, he's with us. Nope. It's like cat lovers. They think my cat loves me. No, they don't. I just love the idea using you for food and shelter.
A
I. I just love the. The idea of Glenn Beck walking into a room full of liberals with, like, Groucho glasses on. You know, like, they'll never catch me. All right, you're up. And my glasses are off.
B
I know how to answer this with one person. Nicotine is beneficial for you.
A
Is nicotine beneficial? What would you say?
B
Yeah.
A
Hold on. You're twitching. But I've offered you cigars, and you don't. You haven't accepted. But you used to like cigars.
B
Yes, I don't. Cane powder again.
A
But you're. I don't want to be telling tales at a school. I believe the reason you quit cigars is because you said your wife didn't want to kiss you after cigars, which is very harmful. So I say no, then I'm not for it. You're not for it?
B
I'm rounding up. And now you're right. Currently, AI is the greatest threat to the way of life. To our way of life. Calculating. Absolutely true.
A
Yes.
B
Yes. If people don't even know. I've. I've been talking about AI, AGI and ASI since the 90s. Yeah. And everybody was like, Parliament of Science Fiction World. And I'm like, by 2030, what is.
A
What is ASI? AGI is artificial general intelligence.
B
Yes. Us. We're artif. We're. Yeah. Not artificial. We're a general intelligence being. Meaning we can do a little of everything. I could play this game. I could play chess.
A
Yeah.
B
Okay. We're at AI. I'm good at this game, but I can't play chess. Yeah. A SI is artificial super intelligence. Some people say it will never come.
A
Yeah.
B
I say we're very close to AGI within maybe the next 18 months.
A
Yeah. Yeah.
B
And I believe that ASI comes maybe the next day.
A
Does ASI need. Oh, you're saying once we get AGI at that point you flick the switch.
B
Yeah. Some people say we'll never get there. I believe we'll get.
A
Do you need like quantum computing or something to get ASI or.
B
No, you just need access to information. Once you're. Once you can. This is why they're building nuclear. Notice we're building nuclear power plants for the first time ever. You know why? Because AI needs it, the government needs it. The. The people who are looking at quantum computing need it. We have so much energy use. Useage.
A
Yeah.
B
For AI, we have to have nuclear power. But wait, I thought it was so dangerous. People in California. So once you have that and once it can teach itself, which it already can, you can't understand its language and how it's working. We don't. Once you get to artificial general intelligence and it can think like this, it will teach itself so rapidly it will out think every brain on the planet combined like that, and we won't understand it. That's when it becomes our God. Because how are you going to argue. Who are you to argue against the AI? We're at the. We're at the point right now that everybody said was crazy, it'll never happen. They said 15 years ago there's coming a time quickly, before 2030, where people will walk into their doctor and their doctor will say, you have cancer and we need to do this treatment. Yeah, yeah. What did the AI say? Okay, doctors. Because AI will be able to consume all.
A
Yeah, yeah.
B
All of it.
A
It can already. I think it was Grok. I have friends who've uploaded medical records and Grok was better than their doctors.
B
It is. It is. Because it's current. Yeah. And it can look at all records and, and have. Have the ability to crunch it. Your doctor can.
A
Yeah. I assumed the nuclear power plants were for the crypto coins. I thought it was like, you know, dogecoin, all the really important stores of wealth in America.
B
But really, did you really think it was for those artificial. Yeah, no, it's all intelligence.
A
Wow. Okay, last one.
B
And if we don't. Let me just say this because I believe it's the biggest danger in the world Besides the next 30 days until we get to see. There's lots of them on this.
A
Get the guy into the inauguration.
B
Yeah. But we're at a. We're at a turning point. In fact, it just happened this week where they now say we can download you now in 2005. I talked to Ray Kurzweil, who is. Yeah, yeah. And. And he said off the air, you just have to live till 2030. And I. He said, keep healthy until 2030. And I said, why? And he said, 2030 is the tipping point. There will be no death. And I said, you think AI is going to be able to cure all disease and unlock the secrets of the body to keep the body? He's like, no, no, the body's just a shell. We'll be able to download you. And I said, ray, can we just talk about this for a second?
A
Yeah.
B
What's up here is not who I am, Right? Yes, it is. Well, okay, we disagree on that, but. And if you don't get this, but you only get this, it's going to go wrong. Yeah. And he's like, but we can download everything. You're just, you're, you're a map. And we can reproduce that all the time. I said, ray, what happens if grandma or grandpa is starting to cost the state a lot of money?
A
Yeah.
B
You've now taken away death. So don't worry. Grandma will be with you forever. Bad. And that's here. It was just announced this week that they can now make you live forever by downloading you.
A
I, I actually talked to one of these super advanced Android robot things one time. I haven't.
B
I'll.
A
I'll leave that as a cliffhanger for people.
B
I.
A
But I had. And it's very spooky because all these people are so intelligent who are working on this. Like, Ray Kurzweil is a genius.
B
Yeah, genius.
A
But then, then he says something dumb like that and you say like, hey, Mr. Kurzweil, have you heard of the soul? Are you aware that, like, substances have forms and.
B
Yeah, yeah, he doesn't believe, he doesn't believe in anything metaphysical. So, yeah, he's not, he's dealing in a different. And that's what scares me. All these guys are.
A
Yeah.
B
And when you cut that out, I mean, Michael, I can think one thing.
A
Yeah.
B
But God can move upon me and totally change my thinking. Yes. Now, if I cut the possibility, because I don't have a soul of God talking to me, I'm going to decay. I'm going to start going down darker and darker paths. That's what you're preserving, a very dark grandma at some point. Yeah.
A
I love too, this idea saying, Glenn, Glenn, you're not going to believe it. Death is going to be conquered. It's like, wait, I got a secret for you.
B
It's not, it's not.
A
There's a thing like 2000 years ago that happened actually, that, that really, that one. Did you know.
B
Yeah.
A
Last one. Ben Shapiro has an okay radio voice. Oh, you have to guess my answer.
B
No, you have to grab mine.
A
No. Is this. I guessed your answer on AI. So this is. You're guessing my. But I also want to guess your answer.
B
You guessed mine.
A
Has an okay radio voice. Before. Okay. Before I give you my answer, I'll just guess yours. You want me to explain why I think that he doesn't have an okay radio voice?
B
Because he has a terrible radio.
A
He has a. He has told me that himself. One time I said to Ben, I said, ben, what? Your show gets more viewers than mine does. And I'm offended by this because I think I have a much nicer voice and I think it's deeper and more soothing. He goes, ah, yeah. Knows. That's why, actually, because I have this voice. It's really fast and right. And it keeps people on the edge of their seats, and they want to know what's going to happen next. You're right. I agree.
B
So. Well, I like Ben so much that I would have said yes if I would have caved into peer pressure, but.
A
But alas, there it is.
B
It's sitting there.
A
You can't.
B
Yeah.
A
Glenn, I don't. I think I. I'm gonna choose to say I won. I'm gonna identify as having won. Thank you for coming on. Whatever this is.
B
Thank you. I identify you as a Lose, a loser in this game, at least. I love you, Michael.
A
Thank you.
B
You do a lot of good.
A
Stop it. Come on, get out of here. I don't want to get all sincere and nice and sentimental in the end, all that.
B
I know you'd hate to do that. I would hate holidays.
A
Glenn, thank you.
B
God bless you, Mike. Thank.
Podcast Summary: The Michael Knowles Show Featuring Glenn Beck – "REAL Answers & REAL Drinks | YES or NO"
Host: Michael Knowles
Guest: Glenn Beck
Release Date: January 11, 2025
[00:00 - 01:03]
The episode kicks off with Michael Knowles introducing a segment where he and Glenn Beck engage in a "YES or NO" game. This interactive format sets the tone for a spirited and humorous exchange between the two conservative commentators.
Key Quote:
Michael Knowles (A): "The race card is more useful than an Ivy League degree."
Glenn Beck (B): "You're one of those really, really educated. Because I'm like a bus driver. Okay, you're talking to Ralph Brampton here. I have no idea."
Timestamp: [00:00 - 00:03]
[00:00 - 06:35]
The discussion opens with Michael asserting the effectiveness of the "race card" over traditional education credentials like an Ivy League degree. Glenn counters by downplaying the importance of formal education, humorously comparing himself to a bus driver, suggesting practical roles are undervalued in political discourse.
They delve into personal anecdotes about dealing with producers and social expectations, with Glenn humorously mentioning his attempts to abstain from drinking despite being offered Jack Daniels.
Notable Quote:
Michael Knowles (A): "The race card is more useful than an Ivy League degree."
Glenn Beck (B): "I'm like a bus driver. Okay, you're talking to Ralph Brampton here. I have no idea."
Timestamp: [00:00 - 00:25]
[00:25 - 03:57]
The conversation shifts to the symbolism of gray hair, with both hosts reflecting on their own experiences with aging. Glenn expresses a desire for his hair to turn white, associating it with wisdom and timelessness, while Michael muses on the aesthetics of a "touch of gray" akin to Mitt Romney's appearance.
This segment blends humor with introspection, highlighting the personal insecurities and societal perceptions tied to aging.
Notable Quote:
Glenn Beck (B): "And I look like I'm a thousand years old. Don't. I went. I."
Timestamp: [01:25 - 01:38]
[06:35 - 13:12]
Michael and Glenn return to their central theme of the race card, debating its relevance and efficacy in the 2024 political landscape. Glenn argues that the race card remains a potent tool, especially in the context of the upcoming election, while Michael contemplates the implications of its use over the months leading to the election.
Their debate reflects broader discussions within conservative circles about race, politics, and the strategies employed to influence voter behavior.
Notable Quote:
Michael Knowles (A): "In 2024, the race card is more useful than an ivy League degrade."
Glenn Beck (B): "And all that matters is how it turns out in the end."
Timestamp: [04:15 - 06:35]
[12:32 - 19:32]
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the existential threat posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Glenn articulates his concerns about AI's rapid advancement towards Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI), predicting that ASI could emerge imminently, potentially surpassing human intelligence and control.
Michael engages with Glenn's viewpoints, discussing the necessity of nuclear power for AI's energy demands and the ethical dilemmas of immortality through AI, as suggested by futurist Ray Kurzweil.
Key Quote:
Glenn Beck (B): "AI needs nuclear power... Once you get to artificial general intelligence and it can think like this, it will teach itself so rapidly it will out think every brain on the planet combined."
Timestamp: [12:32 - 14:30]
Additional Quote:
Glenn Beck (B): "If people don't even know... keep healthy until 2030. And I said, why? And he said, 2030 is the tipping point. There will be no death."
Timestamp: [16:23 - 17:30]
[13:12 - 18:15]
Glenn discusses the integration of AI in critical sectors like healthcare, where AI systems like Grok surpass human doctors in diagnosing and treating diseases. He emphasizes the importance of understanding AI's capabilities and the potential risks if it gains autonomy and surpasses human oversight.
Michael contributes by humorously misunderstanding the purpose of nuclear power plants, initially associating them with cryptocurrency mining before recognizing their true purpose in powering AI advancements.
Notable Quote:
Michael Knowles (A): "I assumed the nuclear power plants were for the crypto coins."
Glenn Beck (B): "But really, did you really think it was for those artificial... Yeah, no, it's all intelligence."
Timestamp: [16:05 - 16:20]
[18:00 - 19:56]
The dialogue takes a philosophical turn as Glenn debates with Michael about the concept of the soul in the age of AI. Glenn expresses skepticism about metaphysical beliefs, while Michael challenges the notion of consciousness and identity in a world where AI can potentially "download" human consciousness.
They discuss the ethical ramifications of immortality through AI and the loss of human essence, with Glenn warning about the dangers of separating mind from soul.
Key Quote:
Glenn Beck (B): "And he's like, but we can download everything. You're just, you're, you're a map. And we can reproduce that all the time."
Timestamp: [17:30 - 18:15]
[09:37 - 11:21]
Bringing levity to the conversation, Michael and Glenn humorously discuss the stereotype of conservatives wearing glasses and how it affects their perception. They joke about how certain styles can make conservatives appear more liberal and engage in playful teasing about each other's fashion choices.
This segment showcases the camaraderie between the hosts, blending humor with reflections on personal branding.
Notable Quote:
Michael Knowles (A): "When conservatives wear glasses, it makes them appear more liberal."
Glenn Beck (B): "I'm a vision guy more than anything else... I can tell their political stance based on the style of their glasses."
Timestamp: [09:37 - 10:35]
[19:22 - 21:11]
The episode concludes the "YES or NO" game with playful jabs and light-hearted competition. Michael and Glenn engage in a final exchange about the attractiveness of Ben Shapiro's radio voice, culminating in friendly ribbing and mutual appreciation.
This closing segment reinforces the hosts' rapport and leaves listeners with a sense of camaraderie despite their competitive banter.
Notable Quote:
Glenn Beck (B): "I identify you as a Lose, a loser in this game, at least. I love you, Michael."
Michael Knowles (A): "Thank you."
Timestamp: [20:46 - 21:11]
Political Strategy and the Race Card:
Michael and Glenn debate the efficacy of race-based strategies in modern politics, reflecting broader discussions about identity politics and its impact on elections.
Artificial Intelligence as an Existential Threat:
A significant focus on the potential dangers of AI, including the rapid advancement towards AGI and ASI, and the ethical and societal implications of such technologies.
Cultural and Personal Identity:
Through discussions about aging, personal appearance, and the symbolism of glasses, the hosts explore how personal identity intersects with cultural and political perceptions.
Humor and Camaraderie:
Interspersed with serious discussions are moments of humor and playful competition, showcasing the hosts' ability to balance depth with entertainment.
Philosophical Reflections:
The conversation touches on deep philosophical questions about consciousness, the soul, and the essence of humanity in an age increasingly dominated by technology.
In this engaging episode of The Michael Knowles Show, the interplay between Knowles and Beck offers listeners a blend of humor, political insight, and philosophical contemplation. By navigating topics from the utility of the race card in politics to the profound implications of artificial intelligence, the hosts provide a comprehensive and thought-provoking dialogue. Their ability to interweave personal anecdotes with broader societal issues makes the episode both relatable and intellectually stimulating for a diverse audience.
Notable Overall Quote:
Glenn Beck (B): "AI needs nuclear power... Once you get to artificial general intelligence and it can think like this, it will teach itself so rapidly it will out think every brain on the planet combined."
Timestamp: [12:32 - 14:30]
This summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting key discussions and notable quotes to provide a comprehensive overview for listeners and non-listeners alike.