Encounter #3 — The Anthropocene, the ’Benevolent Despot,’ and Transformational Education

In this episode of The Bullshit Artists, Rory begins the conversation by detailing his recent therapeutic experience with psilocybin mushrooms. Then, Jack inquires about some of Rory's research interests—including his position regarding the likelihood of human survival in the Anthropocene—as well as his activism with the NYC chapter of Extinction Rebellion. Next, Jack poses a question: given our dire planetary circumstances, could there be a legitimate justification for allowing a 'benevolent despot' to impose policies on the global population that would help to avert our species' annihilation? Finally, the duo conclude with a consideration of what schools and schooling ought to look like today, as young people grow up in an increasingly unstable and hostile world.