Ben Shapiro on being called out on his bullsh*t | Lex Fridman Podcast Clips

TL;DR

Ben Shapiro shares his strategies for dealing with online attacks, including limiting social media use and surrounding oneself with trusted individuals.

Transcript

you get attacked a lot on the internet yeah okay I gotta ask you about your own psychology um how do you not let that break you mentally and how do you avoid letting that lead to a resentment of the groups that attack you I mean it's so there are a few sort of practical things that I've done so for example I would say that four years ago Twitter wa... Read More

Key Insights

• 😒 Limiting social media use and setting boundaries can help protect one's mental well-being from online attacks.
• ❓ Surrounding oneself with trusted individuals who can provide constructive criticism is crucial for personal growth.
• ❓ Differentiating between genuine critiques and baseless negativity is necessary to maintain a positive mindset.
• ❓ Online platforms like Twitter often promote negativity and cruelty rather than intellectual conversations.
• 🥰 Building open lines of communication with those who have one's best interests at heart is essential for personal development and improvement.
• 💄 The internet is filled with both sycophants who may not provide genuine feedback and individuals who aim to harm, making it necessary to choose trusted sources for criticism.
• 🤵 Marriage and long-term relationships with individuals who have known one before fame or success can serve as a valuable sounding board.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Ben Shapiro maintain his mental well-being despite facing online attacks?

Shapiro limits his social media use by not having Twitter on his phone, which allows him to make a conscious decision to engage with it when necessary. He also surrounds himself with trusted individuals who provide meaningful critiques and support.

Q: How does Shapiro handle criticism on the internet?

Shapiro acknowledges that most online critiques are not sophisticated and are often filled with cruelty. He differentiates between genuine critiques from individuals who want him to improve and grow, and baseless negativity that he dismisses.

Q: What role does communication play in maintaining one's mental well-being?

Shapiro emphasizes the importance of open lines of communication with trusted friends and family. He invites constructive criticism and correction when he makes mistakes, as he believes it helps him improve.

Q: How does Shapiro view social media platforms like Twitter?

Shapiro sees Twitter as a place for quick, often negative interactions rather than intellectual conversations. He uses it to spread positivity and love, acknowledging that he may be in the minority in doing so.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Ben Shapiro discusses how he avoids letting online attacks break him mentally, including removing Twitter from his phone and setting boundaries for social media use.

• He emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with trusted individuals who provide constructive criticism and have their best interests at heart.

• Shapiro acknowledges the prevalence of cruelty on the internet and emphasizes the need to differentiate between genuine critiques and baseless negativity.