In 'The Beauty Myth,' Naomi Wolf argues that the concept of beauty is an artificial construct used to oppress women, particularly in modern society. The book explores how this 'beauty myth' affects various aspects of women's lives, including work, culture, religion, sex, hunger, and violence. Wolf contends that this myth is perpetuated by large industries that profit from women's insecurities, keeping women in a state of self-consciousness and self-hatred as they strive to meet impossible beauty standards. The book calls for a reevaluation of society's perception of women's worth and challenges the harmful effects of these beauty ideals[2][3][5].
In 'No Logo', Naomi Klein examines the rise of corporate branding and its effects on culture, work, and consumer choice. The book is divided into four parts: 'No Space', 'No Choice', 'No Jobs', and 'No Logo'. Klein discusses how multinational corporations prioritize brand marketing over product manufacturing, leading to issues such as sweatshops, corporate censorship, and the erosion of public spaces. She also highlights various resistance movements, including culture jamming and anti-globalization protests, and argues for a more just and sustainable economic model.
In this book, Naomi Klein argues that neoliberal economic policies, promoted by Milton Friedman and the Chicago School of Economics, have risen to global prominence through a strategy she calls 'disaster capitalism.' This involves exploiting moments of shock and extreme violence to implement radical privatization and deregulation policies. Klein traces the origins of these tactics back to the University of Chicago and CIA-funded experiments, and documents their application in various parts of the world, including Latin America, Eastern Europe, South Africa, Russia, and Iraq. The book exposes how these policies have been used to advance corporate interests at the expense of public welfare, often resulting in significant social and economic disparities.
In 'Ways of Seeing,' John Berger and his co-authors argue that the way we see art has been manipulated by a privileged minority to preserve their social and economic dominance. The book, based on a 1972 BBC television series, consists of seven essays, four of which use words and images, and three that are entirely pictorial. Berger critiques traditional Western artistic and cultural canon, particularly focusing on the male gaze, the portrayal of women in art, and the impact of mechanical reproduction on art. The book has had a profound influence on feminist readings of popular culture and art history, and it remains a seminal work in the field of art criticism[2][4][5].
In 'The Woman in Me', Britney Spears shares her personal story of fame, family, and resilience. The memoir chronicles her rise to stardom, her experiences with the pressures of fame, and her battle to break free from a conservatorship that controlled her life. Spears offers candid insights into her relationships, motherhood, and the challenges she faced in the entertainment industry.
In this essay, Colin Gillespie examines the significant scientific advancements of the 20th century and how they have transformed our lives. He also delves into what factors might be hindering further progress and presents a startling conclusion on how to overcome these obstacles. The book is a thought-provoking exploration of the intersection of science, society, and human potential.
New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers.
---
Klein goes down the rabbit hole after learning she has a digital doppelgänger who has gone all in on conspiracies.
Naomi Klein is an award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author. Her most recent book is Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World. She is a columnist with The Guardian. In 2018 she was named the inaugural Gloria Steinem Endowed Chair at Rutgers University and is now Honorary Professor of Media and Climate at Rutgers. In September 2021 she joined the University of British Columbia as UBC Professor of Climate Justice and co-director of the Centre for Climate Justice.
In this episode we talk about:
- Why she says conspiracy culture often gets the facts wrong but the feelings right
- How and why you should listen to people on the other side of the aisle
- The convergence of wellness culture and rightwing ideology
- The precariousness of the self
- How she learned to loosen the death grip on her ego
- And the importance of coming from a place of calm in the storm
Related Episodes:
Ten Percent Happier: This Scientist Says One Emotion Might Be the Key to Happiness. Can You Guess What It Is? | Dacher Keltner
Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/naomi-klein