Helen Hester

Dr. Helen Hester and Dr. Nick Srnicek discuss the history of unpaid work in our homes and the fight for free time. They explore the increasing burden of domestic tasks and the barriers to reducing this work. Additionally, they examine the gendered differences in free time and the influence of societal norms and policies. The podcast offers potential solutions, including empowering workers to create their own technologies and exploring alternative living spaces. They also discuss principles for action, such as communal care and temporal sovereignty. The episode concludes with a mention of their future projects.

Helen Hester and Jo Littler delve into the concept of social reproduction, illuminating its significance in today's society and post-pandemic landscape. They critique the neoliberal focus on individualism, arguing for a holistic understanding of care work that values both paid and unpaid labor. The discussion covers the impact of privatization on social services and the role of technology in caregiving. They also address the evolving challenges of motherhood, advocate for family abolitionism, and propose a reevaluation of work through a socialist feminist lens.

Dr. Helen Hester and Dr. Nick Srnicek discuss their book "After Work: A History of the Home and the Fight for Free Time." They explore how unpaid work in our homes has taken over our lives, the failure of technology to reduce domestic labor, the gendered inequalities in free time, and the dominance of the nuclear family. They also share principles for guiding action and discuss their ongoing projects.