New Books in Critical Theory Myles Lennon, "Subjects of the Sun: Solar Energy in the Shadows of Racial Capitalism" (Duke UP, 2025)
Jul 8, 2025
Myles Lennon, Dean's Assistant Professor at Brown University and author of 'Subjects of the Sun,' dives into the complexities of solar energy's role in racial capitalism. He discusses how renewable energy initiatives can perpetuate exploitation in marginalized communities while appearing virtuous. Lennon critiques the disconnect between clean energy ideals and the realities faced by low-income neighborhoods, urging a focus on local sensory experiences and labor rights. He also highlights the importance of community engagement in achieving equitable energy transitions that prioritize social justice.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Energy Policy Retrofit Failure
- Myles Lennon shares how working on New York's Green Jobs, Green New York policy failed to meet ambitious retrofit goals.
- Despite political will and justice provisions, only about 24,000 of the targeted million retrofits were completed in five years.
Sun Aesthetic Masks Exploitation
- Solar panels are produced under exploitative conditions, including forced labor of Uyghurs in China and child labor in cobalt mining.
- The sun's visual and cultural power masks the extractive realities behind ostensibly clean solar energy.
Seduction of Solar Screen Work
- Screen work mediates the labor of solar energy, offering a seductive sense of control and ease.
- This virtual labor disconnects workers from the material complexities of energy transition on the ground.
