Progressives trust themselves to distinguish truth from lies, even though they demonstrably fail when the lie serves their interests. They live by the judgment: “I am a thinking person. You are not. You are an algorithm programmed by society. I, as a superior person, must make sure you are programmed with the correct thoughts.”

Fear is their real power. If you don’t see how often corporate and individual obeisances to the ESG litany are driven by fear rather than conviction, you aren’t paying attention.

You also aren’t paying attention if you haven’t noticed how progressives are conveniently ready to stipulate that defending somebody’s right to speak is tantamount to agreeing with them.

Mr. Rogan’s existence ought to make you feel better about our society, though. His success speaks to a desire by his large audience for contradictory, dissenting, off-kilter, even absurd views.

Audiences seek controversy not just to open their minds, not just to annoy their betters, but because to hear impertinent, unapproved talk feels like freedom.