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Two philosophers—or what comedian Mel Brooks fondly refers to as "bullshit artists"—from different generations join in deep yet casual conversation covering a wide range of topics, including especially politics and the human condition. Jack Crittenden—professor emeritus of political theory at Arizona State University—and Rory Varrato—PhD candidate in the Philosophy and Education program at Teachers College, Columbia University—have known each other for more than ten years, first as teacher-student and later as friends. During that time, they have had countless conversations together (usually over coffee), and some of those chats have even been interesting. The purposes of this biweekly podcast, then, are to provide a new venue for these conversations (especially now, during the pandemic) and to enable these dialogues to reach an audience of more than two. Both interlocutors hope that—at their best—they can offer to each other and to their listeners something like the lighthearted verbal jousting of 'Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee' crossed with the stimulating pleasures of a 'My Dinner with Andre'-caliber conversation: organic, cerebral, funny, unguarded, and chock-full of bullshit.
Episodes
Wednesday Nov 10, 2021
Wednesday Nov 10, 2021
In this episode, the conversation begins with a brief exchange about jazz music before turning to a consideration of the recent television series Only Murders in the Building. From there, the interlocutors return to a topic that has been of considerable interest in recent encounters—best practices in the classroom—this time with a special focus on assessment, and, particularly, on some criticisms Jack has of the way that Rory has structured his students' midterm exam. After a bit of back and forth, the pair veer into a discussion of film, which quickly morphs into an exploration of whether or not, and to what extent, it is possible or desirable to separate an artist from his or her art. This thread winds its way from Roman Polanski to Dave Chappelle, which, in turn, leads to a general discussion of transphobia—something that both Jack and Rory disdain. Finally, the duo concludes with a broader consideration of comedy in general, and closes with Rory's ill-advised admission to Jack that he has been contemplating giving stand-up comedy a try at an open mic night in NYC.
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