Summary of "Exposing the Unexpected Science Behind Why Liberals Get Selfishness Wrong" | The Rubin Report with Gad Saad

Release Date: December 6, 2024

In this compelling episode of The Rubin Report, host Dave Rubin engages in a deep and insightful conversation with evolutionary psychologist Gad Saad. The discussion navigates through a myriad of pressing topics, including the current socio-political climate in Canada, the complexities of free speech and cancel culture, the psychological makeup of influential leaders, and the evolutionary underpinnings of selfishness versus liberal ideologies. Below is a detailed summary capturing the essence of their dialogue.

1. The State of Canadian Universities and Antisemitism

Gad Saad begins by shedding light on the escalating antisemitism within Canadian universities, particularly at Concordia University in Montreal. He references his recent article in the New York Post titled "The Unique Dynamics of Antisemitism in Montreal," emphasizing the severity of the issue.

Gad Saad [01:28]: "Montreal is certainly arguably the worst place, at least from a Jewish perspective... It's something that, regrettably, I'd been warning about for many, many years."

Rubin echoes Saad's concerns, highlighting Concordia as a hub of "lunacy."

Dave Rubin [01:59]: "Your university, Concordia, is like kind of ground zero for this lunacy."

Saad recounts his experiences with university administration denial and eventual acknowledgment of rising Jew hatred, criticizing the institution's failure to address the problem proactively.

2. The Future of Canada versus the United States

Transitioning to broader geopolitical concerns, Saad expresses skepticism about Canada's trajectory compared to the optimistic rebound he observes in the United States.

Gad Saad [03:54]: "I don't see that moment for you guys to see."

He draws parallels to Lebanon's demographic shifts, warning of rapid societal changes driven by increasing Muslim populations.

Gad Saad [04:41]: "Lebanon was about 65% Christian... And now it's flipped the other way around. It's about 65% Muslim."

3. Free Speech, Cancel Culture, and Public Policy

The conversation delves into the erosion of free speech, especially within academic institutions. Saad criticizes policies like Canada's Motion M103, which hampers the critique of Islam under the guise of preventing hate and division.

Gad Saad [05:44]: "There can't be a two-tier system where we can criticize vigorously any religion except one, because that would be Islamophobic."

Saad advocates for stricter immigration policies aligned with Western foundational values, emphasizing cultural homophily to ensure societal cohesion.

Gad Saad [06:17]: "I'm much more likely to integrate people from Denmark or Sweden... because they're likely to share some of those foundational values that the west was built on."

4. Leadership and Political Changes: The Role of Figures like Trump and Elon Musk

Rubin and Saad discuss the transformative impact of leaders like Donald Trump on political landscapes, with Saad expressing cautious optimism for Canada's future leadership.

Gad Saad [04:36]: "I'm cautiously optimistic that things will improve."

The dialogue shifts to Elon Musk's support for Saad, exploring Musk's visionary qualities and unwavering stance on free speech.

Gad Saad [14:05]: "Elon is a visionary... He doesn't need to modulate or temper his speech or his behavior."

5. Truth, Deception, and the Modern Political Climate

The duo critically examines the pervasive culture of dishonesty in politics and media, lamenting the prevalence of liars and the challenges in discerning truth.

Gad Saad [25:35]: "Everything about these people is a lie... We're surrounded by just like an endless clown car of liars."

Saad introduces Robert Trivers' theory of self-deception, explaining how individuals internalize lies to manipulate others effectively.

Gad Saad [22:42]: "Robert Tr... proposed an unbelievably elegant explanation for self-deception."

6. The Evolutionary Basis of Selfishness and Liberals' Misconceptions

At the heart of the episode lies the exploration of why liberals misunderstand selfishness, framed through an evolutionary psychology lens. Saad argues that empathy, while valuable, can be misguided when directed towards in-group versus out-group dynamics.

Gad Saad [36:26]: "Empathy is a good idea for me to be able to put myself in your shoes... that makes perfect sense."

He contends that evolutionary mechanisms prioritize genetic interests, leading to selective empathy that liberals often misinterpret as selfishness.

Gad Saad [36:29]: "...evolution has equipped us to prioritize our own genetic interests."

7. The Ongoing Sex War and Gender-Based Political Divides

Rubin and Saad address the gendered dimensions of political affiliations, noting a significant shift of women from Democratic to Republican allegiances due to prolonged "wokeness" and societal changes.

Gad Saad [42:04]: "Women will continue to be more likely to vote Democrat than Republican for the foreseeable future."

Saad links these shifts to emotional-based processing and the long-term effects of second and third-wave feminism, predicting persistent gender-based voting patterns.

8. Religion: Its Evolutionary Roots and Modern Implications

The conversation takes a philosophical turn as Saad discusses the evolutionary basis for religion, distinguishing between its adaptive functions and its role as an exaptation—a byproduct of existing evolutionary mechanisms.

Gad Saad [54:02]: "Religion is here to stay because it offers us tons of functional benefits."

He criticizes figures like Sam Harris for advocating truth while simultaneously endorsing actions that contradict honesty, highlighting the conflict between utilitarian and authentic belief systems.

Gad Saad [55:35]: "The end justifies the means and therefore, wink, wink. Yeah. Don't buy it when I tell you, don't lie. Lie when it's expedient for me to lie."

9. Conclusion: Future Outlook and Personal Insights

As the episode winds down, Saad reflects on personal aspects, emphasizing his dedication to family and the challenges of maintaining authenticity in a polarized world. He underscores the importance of evolutionary instincts in shaping human behavior and societal structures.

Gad Saad [38:13]: "I think you can pretty quickly change the ecosystem to reinvigorate reason and logic and science into the institutions."

Rubin closes the discussion by highlighting the potential for meaningful change despite systemic challenges, reinforcing the episode's central themes of free speech, evolutionary psychology, and the necessity of confronting societal irrationalities.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Gad Saad [01:28]: "Montreal is certainly arguably the worst place, at least from a Jewish perspective..."

• Gad Saad [05:44]: "There can't be a two-tier system where we can criticize vigorously any religion except one, because that would be Islamophobic."

• Gad Saad [14:05]: "Elon is a visionary... He doesn't need to modulate or temper his speech or his behavior."

• Gad Saad [22:42]: "Robert Tr... proposed an unbelievably elegant explanation for self-deception."

• Gad Saad [36:26]: "Empathy is a good idea for me to be able to put myself in your shoes..."

• Gad Saad [54:02]: "Religion is here to stay because it offers us tons of functional benefits."

• Gad Saad [55:35]: "The end justifies the means and therefore, wink, wink. Yeah. Don't buy it when I tell you, don't lie. Lie when it's expedient for me to lie."

This episode of The Rubin Report offers a profound examination of contemporary societal issues through the lens of evolutionary psychology, challenging prevailing liberal narratives and advocating for a return to foundational values rooted in free speech and rational thought. Gad Saad's insights provide a thought-provoking perspective on the intersection of biology, psychology, and politics, encouraging listeners to critically evaluate the forces shaping our world today.