Summary of Ralph Schoellhammer: Popular Uprising Against the Elites | Tom Nelson Pod #123

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00:00:00 - 01:00:00

In this YouTube video, Ralph Schoellhammer discusses various topics related to the climate change debate and the popular uprising against the elites. He explores issues such as the lack of open dialogue, the consequences of abrupt fossil fuel elimination, the motivations behind climate activism, and the tactics used by elites to push their agenda. Schoellhammer emphasizes the importance of diverse perspectives and technological advancements in finding practical solutions to climate change. He also highlights the potential negative impacts of certain climate policies on the working class and the need to resist measures that have worse consequences than the problems they aim to solve.

00:00:00 In this section, Ralph Schoellhammer, an assistant professor of political science, introduces himself and discusses his diverse range of research interests. He acknowledges that he is not an expert in climate, but feels entitled to voice his opinions on the matter just as Greta Thunberg does. Schoellhammer notes that his work has gained more attention in recent years, with articles published in various outlets and interviews with notable figures. He expresses gratitude for the positive feedback he has received and mentions that he has not faced any significant backlash or cancellation, attributing his luck to his avoidance of personal attacks and his university's support for open dialogue. While not everyone at his university agrees with him, Schoellhammer appreciates the willingness to entertain diverse perspectives.
00:05:00 In this section, Ralph Schoellhammer discusses his approach to sharing his views and acknowledges that everyone is entitled to their own conclusions. He mentions that he stays clear of certain controversial topics but expresses his hope to continue commenting on issues he is passionate about. Schoellhammer also mentions his interaction with students and young people at the Academy of Ideas in London and believes that they are more open-minded than often perceived. He highlights the importance of alternative voices in the climate debate and mentions his connection with climate skeptics. He also talks about his positive experience with Newsweek, mentioning the editor, Tatya Hunger Sargon, and their willingness to publish controversial opinions. Schoellhammer then discusses the uprising against the elites, noting its occurrence in Europe and the political shifts happening there, particularly towards right-wing parties. He mentions that some of these parties have compelling programs and highlights the changing dynamics in the United States, where right-wing parties are becoming the new working-class parties while left-wing parties are becoming elite parties.
00:10:00 In this section of the video, the guest discusses the popular uprising against the elites and how it has resulted in a shift towards right-wing parties by the working class. He mentions that social democracy, which once had a significant percentage of votes in countries like Germany and Austria, is now struggling to maintain support. The guest also highlights the attempts by the ruling class to crack down on the free distribution of information, citing terms like "misinformation" and "disinformation" used by the EU. He criticizes the labeling of anyone who disagrees with certain narratives as conspiracy theorists and discusses the erosion of trust due to inconsistencies in information during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guest suggests that this cultural shift towards viewing secular institutions as replacements for the divine has contributed to the infallibility expected from experts and the state.
00:15:00 In this section, the discussion revolves around the idea of certain groups or institutions claiming to be always right, which some commentators refer to as the "religion" of science. The guest, Ralph Schoellhammer, agrees that this trend is worrisome and believes that for many people, environmentalism serves as a substitute for religion, giving meaning to their lives. He notes that some individuals who are passionate about climate change tend to have an emotional attachment to it, which explains why they become furious when presented with data that challenges their beliefs. Schoellhammer also discusses the different groups involved in the climate change debate, including those who are truly convinced of the crisis, grifters who take advantage of the situation, and companies that comply to avoid controversy. This dynamic reinforces itself and poses a challenge for those who question the mainstream narrative. The conversation then shifts towards the real-world impacts of climate policies, such as blackouts and the potential implementation of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). Additionally, Schoellhammer points out how the conversation is shifting to blame extreme weather events on climate change rather than addressing the instability caused by renewable energy policies.
00:20:00 In this section, the speaker discusses the issue of climate change policies and the lack of willingness to reconsider past strategies. He highlights the recent German energy crisis, which was largely due to an unusually warm winter, and notes that if it had been a cold winter, the situation would have worsened quickly. He points out that instead of acknowledging any mistakes, there is a tendency to double down on the same strategies, such as promoting more solar and wind energy. The speaker also mentions absurd proposals, such as the idea of blocking out the sun and putting up aerosols to prevent bad weather, which he believes would not be supported by the majority of voters. He concludes by highlighting the lack of progress in certain technological advancements, such as battery breakthroughs, and suggests that some ideas are driven by the potential for financial gain rather than practicality.
00:25:00 In this section, the speaker discusses the false promises and grifters surrounding the concept of geoengineering and the idea of reducing inflation through renewable energy. He argues that these ideas are fueled by a "free-for-all" of money and clever individuals trying to cash in on the opportunity. However, he expresses skepticism towards the feasibility of concepts like altering sunlight and emphasizes that many of these ideas are speculative and lack scientific evidence. He also criticizes carbon offset schemes, comparing them to the Catholic Church’s practice of purchasing indulgences. The speaker then touches on the parallels between environmentalism and religion, including the use of symbolism and authoritative texts. Finally, he mentions Tony Heller's work in challenging the notion of worsening extreme weather, highlighting the decline in weather-related deaths as a counterpoint to popular belief.
00:30:00 In this section, Ralph Schoellhammer discusses his skepticism about accurately knowing the climate thousands of years ago and criticizes the exclusion of differing opinions in climate change discussions. He also highlights how climate activism is primarily a phenomenon of wealthy individuals in the West who are not willing to change their own living standards. Schoellhammer provides examples of politicians like Joe Biden who prioritize their own interests over climate action, and points out Germany's reliance on coal despite being seen as a climate-conscious nation. He argues that climate activism is a luxury belief that fails to consider the consequences of implementing drastic environmental measures.
00:35:00 In this section of the video, Ralph Schoellhammer discusses the potential consequences of abruptly ending fossil fuels and the impact it could have on global energy supply. He argues that if we were to stop using fossil fuels within the next five years, billions of people would die due to the loss of primary energy. Schoellhammer points out that hospitals, for example, would struggle to provide medical care as they require significant amounts of energy. He also raises the issue of energy inequality, highlighting that many people in sub-Saharan Africa lack access to the same amount of energy that countries like France and Germany had in the 1800s. Schoellhammer believes that denying Africans the opportunity to have reliable electricity is a form of racism disguised as climate activism. He views it as the worst kind of evil, as it has good intentions but ultimately harms those it claims to help.
00:40:00 In this section, Ralph Schoellhammer discusses the unrealistic expectations and hypocrisy surrounding climate change action. He argues that if elites are truly serious about addressing the crisis, they would have to consider drastic measures such as bombing coal power plants in China and India, which is neither practical nor humane. Schoellhammer criticizes the notion that denying development and higher standards of living to billions of people in Africa and other developing regions is the solution to reducing carbon emissions. He also points out the contradiction in environmentalists opposing real solutions like carbon capture and nuclear power. Schoellhammer emphasizes the importance of human ingenuity and technological advancements in finding solutions to climate change, but notes that sabotaging these efforts only hinders progress. He highlights the unrealistic expectation of completely eliminating fossil fuels within six years, stating that it is not feasible and even prominent proponents of climate change policies turn to coal and oil when needed.
00:45:00 In this section, Ralph Schoellhammer and Tom Nelson discuss the irrationality of the belief that a small increase in temperature will make life hellish. They argue that even if it were true, it would be too late to reverse the effects of climate change. Schoellhammer points out that the goals set to combat climate change are simply unattainable, as countries like China and India continue to prioritize their development. He also mentions that the push for renewable energy is driven more by ideology and a desire for atonement for past sins, rather than practicality. He concludes by highlighting the hypocrisy of the oil and gas industry, which continues to profit while promoting the elimination of coal.
00:50:00 In this section, Ralph Schoellhammer discusses the underlying motivations of the popular uprising against the elites, particularly in relation to climate change. He argues that many individuals and movements believe that the West, through capitalism, colonialism, and world wars, has caused harm to the world and now feel a need to atone for it. This desire for atonement is seen in the shift from focusing solely on the environment to wanting to change the entire system, including capitalism and the Western way of life. However, Schoellhammer questions whether sacrificing the future and accepting lower living standards is a feasible solution, especially for the working class who are most affected by these proposed changes. He believes that average people will turn to parties and politicians opposing climate change measures, as we see happening in various countries already. Furthermore, Schoellhammer criticizes the disconnect between elites who advocate for reducing carbon footprints while still enjoying luxurious lifestyles, stating that people will not accept these double standards. He also highlights the rise of right-wing parties who have taken up climate policies as a resonating topic, especially due to the economic impacts felt by everyday individuals. Schoellhammer concludes by mentioning the suggestion of policy decisions being made by "people's assemblies" instead of parliaments, a concept that he finds undemocratic and impractical.
00:55:00 In this section, Ralph Schoellhammer discusses the tactics used by elites to push their climate agenda. He argues that by framing climate change as an emergency akin to war, they can justify suspending civil rights and imposing restrictions on individual freedoms. This includes restricting the free dissemination of information and stifling dissenting voices. Schoellhammer warns that this is a dangerous development that must be resisted. He also touches on the lack of political support for farmers in the Netherlands, who are fighting against the seizure of their land. He criticizes the compromise made by the main representative party for farmers and highlights the irrationality of certain energy policies, such as closing down the largest natural gas field in Europe. Schoellhammer emphasizes the need to resist policies that have worse consequences than the problems they are supposed to solve, and gives the example of Ireland being asked to kill 65,000 cows due to their emissions. He concludes that these policies primarily punish the lower middle class and working people, and calls attention to the increasing costs of renewable energy that are not offset by lower energy costs for the people.

01:00:00 - 01:05:00

Ralph Schoellhammer expresses his skepticism towards the claims made by elites and experts, particularly in the areas of renewable energy and climate change. He accuses proponents of wind and solar power of misinformation and hiding the need for backup systems. Schoellhammer questions the trustworthiness of those who make false claims about energy to also speak the truth about climate change. He highlights failed predictions and contradictions in the climate debate, questioning why climate alarmists who fear rising sea levels still invest in coastal real estate. Schoellhammer believes there is a shift happening towards reducing energy usage driven by an anti-humanist, Malthusian cult that aims to reduce the global population and limit energy consumption, regardless of existing solutions. He also criticizes the promotion of authors like Paul Ehrlich who made incorrect predictions.