This podcast episode traces the historical trajectory of anarchism in the early 20th century, shedding light on the philosophical foundations and justifications for violence among its proponents, particularly through the lens of Emma Goldman and her evolution in the context of political violence and surveillance. As the movement faced increasing governmental repression, the episode intricately details the rise of forensic science, exemplified by the NYPD's adoption of fingerprinting technologies, and introduces J. Edgar Hoover's pivotal role in consolidating federal investigative power to combat anarchism, ultimately juxtaposing the destructive nature of dynamite with the powerful and ordered efficacy of information gathering.
