If you were offered the choice of a brief-but-brutal whipping or an extended stay in prison, which would you take? Probably the former. Is that an argument for flogging? Most people consider the idea of state-sanctioned flogging to be barbaric. Sure, Singapore does it, but they are known for authoritarian laws. Yet, Peter Moskos and Jason Brennan argue that flogging is actually more humane than the existing prison system. Today, we debate the ideas of two lash-wielding edgelords Moskos is a cop-turned sociologist who wrote the book In Defense of Flogging (2013). We also reviewed a shorter article summarizing his views. Additionally, edgelord philosopher Jason Brennan wrote a chapter in defence of corporal punishment in Rethinking Punishment in the Era of Mass Incarceration (2017). You can also find Victor’s article, mentioned at the beginning of this episode, here. Note: Matt had to bail on this recording but he was flogged for his absence. The post EP3: 5 Years or 5 Lashes? (On Moskos’ & Brennan’s Defense of Flogging) appeared first on Academic Edgelords.

The ultimate Academic Edgelord has died: Ted Kaczynski. This domestic terrorist was also a real scholar, with a few peer-reviewed works in mathematics. On this episode, we read his manifesto: Industrial Society and its Future. Why has Kaczynski become so popular with young people? He is just one extreme proponent of an anti-civilizational political theory called anarcho-primitivism. Few call themselves anarcho-primitivists, yet the basic ideas have become widespread, thanks to worsening environmental degradation and the ongoing techlash. You probably saw some anarcho-primitive thinking on Twitter right after Kaczynski died; many people lamented his death, and praised his arguments. What makes his thinking appealing to some? What does it get right about technology, and what does it get very wrong? We also discuss the broader anarcho-primitivist tradition, with the help of Chamsy el-Ojeili and Dylan Taylor’s critical but generous review article from April, 2020, “the Future in the Past”: Anarcho-primitivism and the Critique of Civilization Today,” in Rethinking Marxism. The post EP2: Did the Unabomber Have a Point? (on Anarcho-Primitivism & Ted Kaczynski) appeared first on Academic Edgelords.

This podcast discusses engaging with scholarly provocateurs and the importance of critical engagement with edgy academic ideas. They explore the negative perception of engaging with the other side from a left-wing perspective and emphasize the need to analyze and challenge right-wing arguments. The hosts also discuss the concept of liberal socialism, the value of intellectual arguments in political movements, and the unique skills and strengths of academics and activists.