David Singerman

Dr. David Singerman, an assistant professor at the University of Virginia and author of "Unrefined: How Capitalism Reinvented Sugar," delves into the dark history of sugar as a global commodity. He discusses how sugar's value transitioned from natural qualities to a pure chemical object, reshaping both industry and labor dynamics, particularly for enslaved workers. Singerman also highlights the political implications of beet sugar, the role of Scottish engineering in industrialization, and corruption linked to sugar tariffs and measurement standards.