unSILOed with Greg LaBlanc

522. How The Invention of Choice Unlocked Freedom with Sophia Rosenfeld

Mar 31, 2025
Sophia Rosenfeld, a history professor at the University of Pennsylvania and author of "The Age of Choice," explores how our understanding of choice has shaped freedom. She discusses the historical role of choice in consumerism and politics, and how it initially gained a feminine reputation. The conversation delves into the paradox of choice, where having options can be both empowering and coercive, particularly in areas like sex work. Rosenfeld also critiques the moral implications of choice, urging a deeper look into whether more options genuinely lead to greater freedom.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Shopping's Role in Choice History

  • The invention of shopping in the 18th century introduced choice as a new social activity involving preference and variety.
  • This shifted buying decisions from necessity or station to personal liking, highlighting choice as a modern phenomenon.
INSIGHT

Choice's Evolving Moral Meaning

  • Choice was initially linked to morality rather than being value-neutral.
  • Over time, choice became about personal preference, and then simply having choices became a moral good, though it's not always beneficial.
INSIGHT

Gender and the Shopper Prototype

  • The prototypical shopper was historically figured as a woman, despite men shopping likewise.
  • This gendering often framed women’s choices as whimsical or fickle, tainting the modern concept of choice with gender bias.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app