Joe Rogan has suggested that Terrence Howard should sit down with a qualified expert to discuss his recent statements about science, for the public to deduce whether his claims are accurate.
During an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience that went live in May, Empire star Howard spoke at length about his lifelong interest in physics and challenged the foundations of the science as he touted various theories.
Howard, who told Rogan that he holds 97 patents, criticized the basis of principles like event horizon and gravity, saying that basing beliefs on straight lines instead of waves and curves has distorted any true understanding.
The Hustle & Flow star also stated that the universe is finite rather than infinite and that planets in the solar system are slowly moving away from our sun, with Venus on course to eventually take Earth's place.
Rogan addressed Howard's comments as the broadcaster spoke with rapper Action Bronson on an installment of his show that was released last week.
"I kind of understand it," Rogan said of Howard's theories. "I mean, it made sense. He's making sense. He's way too smart to just be making everything up. Like, there's no way he's a lunatic. I've heard people say he's a lunatic, he's making things up. I don't think that's correct. He knows too much."
"So, is he correct? I don't know," the former Fear Factor host continued. "So that's what has to happen is, Terrence Howard has to sit down with someone who's an academic, someone who's got a Ph.D. in whatever discipline they're talking about. And they can have a discussion and you can see what he really knows and just what he can say to me, right?
"To me, it all makes sense, but I'm a moron. But if you're talking to a mathematician or you're talking to a physicist, someone who can actually understand what these computations mean and what he's trying to say about 1 plus 1 or 1 multiplied by 1 and can't be 1."
Newsweek has contacted a representative of Howard via email for comment.
Elsewhere in the discussion, Rogan said that while great minds have formed an understanding of science, if humans are to advance to the levels often portrayed of alien life forms, they "have so much work to do."
Rogan imagined a world where "it's the craziest story ever and Terrence Howard is like literally one of the smartest guys that ever lived and he's got all these genius ideas and inventions... It seems just insane that this is coming from an actor. This is from the Hustle & Flow guy? What? This is from the Iron Man guy? What?"
Action Bronson, whose given name is Ariyan Arslani, praised Howard's acting talent and range, calling him a "modern-day Daniel Day[-Lewis]."
"Yeah, he's a great great actor," Rogan agreed. "But it's just because he's so smart and then he's talking about how the periodic table's all f***** up... Wait a minute! What are you doing? How can you do this?"
During his appearance on Rogan's show last month, Howard told the host that his first memory is when he was "about maybe 6 months inside [his mother's] womb." He also praised the host for his public stance against taking COVID-19 vaccines.
"You took a bold stand years ago when the governments were trying to poison their citizens," Howard, who previously spoke about inventing "a new form of flight," told Rogan. "You took a very bold stand that nobody else took. That's when I was like, 'Wow, I appreciate you,' because I lost three, four jobs because I refused to take it."
"I bet you feel better about it now," Rogan responded, "especially when you know all these people that have had health problems because of it."
While the comments drew agreement from country musician John Rich, former White Stripes rocker Jack White was among those who spoke out in opposition.
"Hey everyone, just a reminder you should definitely be getting your facts about science and medicine from Howard and Joe," White wrote on Instagram last month. "I wouldn't waste any time trusting scientists or [doctors] who went to universities etc. for 12 years getting a PHD or anything."
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Ryan Smith is a Newsweek Senior Pop Culture and Entertainment Reporter based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on ... Read more
