New Books in Economic and Business History Michael Tondre, "Oil" (Bloomsbury, 2024)
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Jan 23, 2025 In a captivating discussion, Dr. Michael Tondre, a cultural historian and English professor at Stony Brook University, elucidates the multifaceted role of oil in shaping modern society. He explores how oil transcends its physical form, influencing economies, culture, and individual identities. Debunking myths about its origins, he highlights oil's deeper connections to labor movements and environmental narratives. Tondre also discusses the implications of oil dependency on marginalized communities and envisions a sustainable future beyond fossil fuels.
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Oil Shapes Culture and Power
- Oil shapes social, cultural, and economic life globally beyond just a commodity.
- It ties deeply to dreams, desires, and power relations throughout history.
Oil's Myth Vs. Real History
- The popular myth of oil's sudden discovery obscures histories of indigenous dispossession.
- Oil's rise continued colonial violence and complex race and class struggles.
Debunking Dinosaur Oil Myth
- Oil doesn't come from dinosaurs but microscopic algae.
- Dinosaur myths survive due to marketing targeting families and cultural reproduction.
