Summary — JRE #2390: Jack Carr

Author/Host: Joe Rogan
Guest: Jack Carr
Lengthy conversation covering Jack Carr’s new novel 1968 (Vietnam), his writing process, TV adaptations of his work, technology/AI, politics, weapons/gear, fitness and hunting.

Overview

Jack Carr discusses his new novel 1968 (set in Vietnam), the deep research and craft that went into writing it, and how he attempted to write strictly from the perspective of someone living in 1968. The episode branches into: the role of the media in Vietnam, adapting books to film/TV (Terminal List, Dark Wolf, True Believer), realism in stunts/fights, the publishing/entertainment business, emerging AI and its implications for art and publishing, contemporary politics and social trends, and personal topics (fitness, watches, cars, hunting).

Key points & main takeaways

• 1968 (Jack Carr)

  • Carr immersed himself in 1968: period dictionaries, maps, magazines, music playlists, and primary-source material to avoid hindsight and write from the era’s perspective.
  • He wanted veterans and contemporaries to feel authenticity; the book is an espionage thriller set across Southeast Asia, focused on personalization and humanizing the experience of war.
  • Carr regards 1968 as a formative, chaotic year — the Tet Offensive, TV news coverage, and political shocks reshaped American perception of war.

• Historical & cultural perspective

  • Carr: “World War II is what we think America is; Vietnam is what America really is.” Vietnam was messier, born from deception (Gulf of Tonkin), and left lasting scars on returning veterans and the national psyche.
  • The Vietnam War was the first televised war in a daily, immersive way; media coverage changed strategy and public opinion (Tet Offensive: tactical U.S. success vs. strategic/PR loss).

• Writing craft & publishing

  • Deep primary-source research improved authenticity and slowed the timeline (book late compared to original plans).
  • Fiction’s power: storytelling builds empathy and personal connection in ways non‑fiction sometimes cannot.
  • Audiobooks are a major (growing) part of book consumption; listeners often pair print + audio.

• Adaptations & production

  • Carr is closely involved in TV adaptations; success of Terminal List gave creative freedom on subsequent projects (less network/studio interference).
  • Commitment to realism in fight choreography and limiting over-stylized action (avoiding John Wick copy).
  • Anecdotes about on-set stunts, underwater sequences, cast (Chris Pratt, Taylor Kitsch, Tom Hopper), stunt performers’ toughness, and production logistics (filming in Morocco, Africa).

• Technology and AI

  • Carr and Rogan express concern about AI’s capacity to reproduce voices/styles and generate music, books, and interviews indistinguishable from human creations.
  • Debate whether AI-generated art should be labeled; possible premium on human-created work.
  • AI settlements and creators’ compensation are unclear and often negligible in practice.

• Media, social culture & politics

  • Conversation touches on the assassination/video of Charlie Kirk (and public reactions), social media toxicity, cancel culture and the power of algorithms to amplify extremes.
  • Discussions on immigration policy, digital ID, surveillance, potential for social-credit-style controls, and political hypocrisy.
  • Military culture: debates on standards, women in special forces, and how changes could be implemented (and implications).

• Personal & gear topics

  • Carr’s routines: intense writing blocks, fitness (hanging, saunas), sleep-deprivation management and supplements (creatine, nootropics).
  • Gear enthusiasm: watches (vintage Tudor/Rolex), vehicles (Land Cruiser/80 series fondness; Grenadier experience), hunting and conservation, Alaska/Big-game hunting stories.
  • Hunting, wildlife management and human-wildlife conflicts (orcas, sharks, bears) — cautionary anecdotes.

Notable quotes & insights

• “World War II is what we think America is; Vietnam is what America really is.” — succinct framing of how a country’s myth vs. reality can differ.
• On his research ethic: “Any sentence had to be written through the lens of 1968 without the benefit of 50-plus years of hindsight.”
• On AI: anecdote — Waylon Jennings’ advice “they’re always one album behind” turned into, “AI is not a cover band… it’s a lot smarter than us.”
• On fiction vs. nonfiction: fiction is a vehicle for empathy — “you get compassion… you’re living something through their eyes.”

Topics discussed (high-level list)

• Jack Carr’s novel 1968 (research, themes, release formats)
• Tet Offensive and media influence on warfare/public opinion
• Writing process, craft, and timeline pressures
• Audiobooks and narrator Ray Porter
• Adaptation of Carr’s books to TV (Terminal List, Dark Wolf, True Believer)
• Fight choreography and stuntwork realism
• AI: creative use, copyright/settlements, synthetic voices/music
• Decline in reading and the smartphone’s cultural effect
• Publishing/hollywood dynamics and author involvement in adaptations
• Watches, cars (Land Cruiser, Grenadier, G-Wagon), gear as character signifiers
• Fitness, saunas, supplements, sleep deprivation for creatives
• Politics, social media toxicity, digital ID concerns, immigration debates
• Hunting, wildlife encounters (orcas, sharks, bears), conservation

Action items / Recommendations (from episode themes)

For readers/listeners:

• If interested in history-based fiction, read Jack Carr’s 1968 — available in hardcover, ebook and audiobook (narrated by Ray Porter).
• Consider reading physical books and audiobooks (many people use both); physical reading still offers a tactile experience many prefer.

For writers/creators:

• Deep immersion and primary-source research matter for historical fiction; write from the era’s perspective, not hindsight.
• If adapting work to screen, collaborate closely with committed talent and fight for authenticity when possible.

For consumers concerned about AI/art:

• Demand transparency/labels on AI-generated content and consider supporting work explicitly created by humans.
• Be mindful of how AI-generated media may affect creators’ compensation; pay attention to licensing/settlement developments.

For personal tech/health:

• Limit passive smartphone consumption; reading and steady fitness routines remain highly beneficial for focus and empathy.
• For sleep-deprivation or intense schedules, creatine and certain nootropics can help but consult professionals first.

If you want, I can:

• Pull out a short timeline/reading list of the research sources Jack mentioned for 1968 (documentaries, period magazines, playlists).
• Create a one-page comparison of Carr’s book -> TV adaptation changes (what’s covered in the interview).
• Extract timestamps (if you have them) for segments like AI discussion, Vietnam research, or stunts for quick reference.