The Gist The Cheesecake Factory Model of Freedom
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Aug 15, 2025 Sophia Rosenfeld, a historian at the University of Pennsylvania and author of *The Age of Choice*, dives deep into the evolution of freedom and choice in modern society. She compares the historical significance of secret ballots to today’s consumer overload. The discussion also critiques the pro-choice movement's framing regarding abortion and examines its implications for feminist strategies. Additionally, she tackles the challenges of academic freedom versus safety in education, highlighting the risks educators face in today’s politically charged environment.
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Secret Ballot Created Modern Voting Choice
- The secret ballot reframed voting as a private act of individual choice rather than collective consensus.
- This shift created the modern notion of voting as expressing interior preferences aggregated later.
Gender Is Central To Choice History
- Women feature centrally in the history of choice from shopping to reproductive rights.
- Feminism reframed many political demands as calls for expanded personal choice and autonomy.
Choice Rose With Modern Abundance
- Choice rose with material abundance, plural beliefs, and urban anonymity in the modern world.
- The 20th century solidified choice as a marker of freedom and adult status.
