The Breakup Theory Episode 30 - WE ARE NOW LIVING IN THE HELLSCAPE OF POETIC SCIENCE w/ P.
In this episode, I talk with P. about his book God, Aritifical Intelligence, and Me: Some Notes on Being Raised Catholic, God, Atheism, Consumerism, Artificial Intelligence, and Just How Fucked Up It Feels to Be Alive Sometimes :) I think that says it all!
In this episode, I talk to my eternal roommate, P, about his new book, God, Artificial Intelligence, and Me. This is a really ambitious text that weaves together personal history with the history of Christianity, colonialism, technology, warfare, and resistance. It is a beautiful object in itself, with illustrations and pictures and innovative layout of text. It looks like a monster of a tome (and it definitely encompasses a cosmos), but P tries to draw the reader in without overwhelming them. I strongly suggesting purchasing the book. And just by luck, P runs a distro, A Boulder on the Tracks (https://aboulder.com) where you can buy this book as well as his first book Resilience, Disaster, Elusion, A Damning History of Colonial New England, which delves into the history of the Northeast around the time of the American War for Independence, detailing “Native self-defense and African defiance to Caribbean pirates and mutinous servants.” On the website, you’ll see a great collection of books all sold on a sliding scale. To get God, Artificial Intelligence, and Me, you can email aboulder@riseup.net.
In the conversation, we touch on some of themes I just mentioned, but also get into other discussions about guilt and generations and possibilities of militancy. I won’t go too deep into it now, it’s a long enough conversation and yet we didn’t hit everything we planned! I think we’ll do another episode on the idea of the spectacle, coming soon.
Here’s a little background on P: P. has lived in the midwest for most of his life. He was raised catholic and has spent many years trying to unpack that. In his latest book P tries to relate the estrangement caused by catholicism to the alienation baked into consumerism, science, and artificial intelligence. P. has been an anarchist since the start of the second Iraq War. He is currently a high school teacher struggling to subvert compulsory education as much as he can.
Before we get into the conversation, I’ll do my usual rundown of ways you can support this project.
I have been told I need to do a bit more upfront promo, so if you like this podcast, please rate it and follow it on the different apps where you listen to it. That does help boost the potential audience. Also, tell your friends too! I love hearing from people about their thoughts—but as always any questions you might want us to tackle on the show. You can leave us a message at (917) 426-6548 or using the form https://form.jotform.com/thebreakuptheory/stories. Or find me on Instagram @thebreakuptheory and DM me.
The Breakup Theory is a member of the Channel Zero Network of anarchist podcasts, which pulls together a wide variety of shows taking an anarchist perspective on culture, politics, actions, and more. Check them out at https://channelzeronetwork.com
You have been listening to The Breakup Theory.
Song excerpt credits -
The opening few bars from:
Paul McCartney and Wings - "Jet"
The Who - "Won't Get Fooled Again"
Pink Floyd - "Brain Damage"
