New Books in Sociology

Randy Laist and Brian Dixon, "Figures of Freedom: Representations of Agency in a Time of Crisis" (Fourth Horseman, 2024)

Apr 27, 2025
Randy Laist, a Professor of English at the University of Bridgeport, and Brian A. Dixon dive into the intriguing aspects of freedom in their latest work, exploring its representations in contemporary society. They discuss the shifting concepts of liberty versus individual freedom, and how popular culture mirrors these changes. With a focus on reality TV and its paradox of surveillance, the duo challenges listeners to reconsider their definitions of freedom amid the rise of authoritarianism and social movements like Black Lives Matter.
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INSIGHT

Complexity of 21st Century Freedom

  • Freedom is a complex concept shaped by 21st century crises like 9/11 and technological surveillance.
  • It is both a revered idea and a contested, often abused political tool.
INSIGHT

Distinction Between Liberty and Freedom

  • Liberty involves communal trade-offs and societal rules supporting equality.
  • Freedom has become an individualistic notion emphasizing personal choice, sometimes overshadowing liberty.
INSIGHT

Popular Culture as Freedom Lens

  • Popular culture narratives reflect and explore the concept of freedom in its social context.
  • Stories reveal tensions between freedom's ideals and constraints impacting individual agency.
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