Upcoming Events
Edward Luttwak vs. Michael Doran
On January 31st, Edward Luttwak and Michael Doran will debate "Is the Middle East strategically important?"
Edward Luttwak is a strategist and historian famous for books including Coup d'État: A Practical Handbook and The Rise of China vs. the Logic of Strategy. He has previously served as a consultant to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the National Security Council, the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Michael Doran is senior fellow and director of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East at the Hudson Institute. He previously served as a senior director in the National Security Council and as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense.
Curtis Yarvin vs. llya Shapiro
On January 24th, philosopher Curtis Yarvin and llya Shapiro will debate "Is electoral government the optimal path to preserve capitalism?"
Curtis Yarvin is a philosopher and founder of the Neo-Reactionary Movement (NRx). He has been cited as an influence by major figures including Vice President J.D. Vance, Venture Capitalist Marc Andreessen and political strategist Steve Bannon.
Ilya Shapiro is a senior fellow and director of constitutional studies at the Manhattan Institute. He has previously written for publications including the Wall Street Journal, the Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, National Review, and Newsweek, and has filed more than five hundred amicus curiae briefs before the Supreme Court.
Forbidden Courses x Austin Union: Jordan Young (aka DJ Swivel) vs. Ben Crocker
Austin Union brings you a special event in cooperation with Forbidden Courses.
On January 17th, Jordan Young (aka DJ Swivel) and Rick Beato will debate "Does artificial intelligence mean the end of human creativity in the music industry?"
Jordan ("DJ Swivel") Young is a Grammy award winning producer, mixer, and songwriter. He has previously worked with artists including Beyonce, the Chainsmokers, Jay Z, and Rihanna. He is the founder and CEO of Hooky, an AI-powered music startup
Ben Crocker is University Dean at UATX, a musician and conductor. Ben has lectured and guest conducted at the University of Sydney and recorded for nationwide radio broadcast at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. His columns have been published by The Spectator, The Federalist, and Australia’s Quadrant magazine.
Professors Jack Balkin and Akhil Amar of Yale Law School
On January 10th, Professors Jack Balkin and Akhil Amar of Yale Law School will debate "Is Originalism a viable method to secure the common good?"
Jack Balkin is Knight Professor of Constitutional Law and the First Amendment at Yale Law School. He founded and edits the blog Balkinization, and has written for publications including The New York Times, the Washington Post, the New England Journal of Medicine, the American Prospect, the Atlantic, Washington Monthly, the New Republic, and Slate.
Akhil Amar is Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science at Yale University. He clerked for Justice Stephen Breyer and has written for publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Time, and The Atlantic. Copies of his latest book, The Words That Made Us, will be made available to attendees.