Encounter #4 — Nuclear Holocaust, Police Violence, and Authority The B******t Artists

In this episode of The B******t Artists, Jack and Rory begin the conversation by considering the connections between what Noam Chomsky has identified as the twin existential threats facing humanity: climate breakdown and nuclear holocaust. Then, Rory raises the issue of police violence in the United States, and the pair undertake a lengthy exploration of the nuances regarding police reform, defunding, and abolition—especially in light of recent and ongoing aggression toward black Americans. Finally, Rory puts forth the notion of the ‘temporary autonomous zone’ and explains how he believes it can apply to the classroom setting, which the two then discuss by reference to the example of Socrates and his pedagogical legacy.