Kate Wagner

Brittany talks with Kate Wagner, an architecture critic at The Nation, about the unsettling erosion of privacy in our lives. They dive into the viral kiss cam incident at a Coldplay concert, discussing how such moments can dramatically alter our perceptions of intimacy. The duo explores the paradox of social media, revealing how casual surveillance shapes identity and self-expression. With humor, they engage in a trivia game, all while highlighting the absurdities and impacts of living under constant scrutiny.

Paris Marx is joined by Kate Wagner to discuss the goals behind Saudi Arabia’s architectural megaprojects, the incentives for major architects to work on projects for despotic regimes, and how architecture’s relationship to tech is driven by profits and PR.Kate Wagner is an architecture critic and journalist. She’s also the creator of McMansion Hell. Follow Kate on Twitter at @mcmansionhell.Tech Won’t Save Us offers a critical perspective on tech, its worldview, and wider society with the goal of inspiring people to demand better tech and a better world. Follow the podcast (@techwontsaveus) and host Paris Marx (@parismarx) on Twitter, and support the show on Patreon.The podcast is produced by Eric Wickham and part of the Harbinger Media Network.Also mentioned in this episode: Kate wrote about Saudi Arabia’s big architecture projects, the problem with PR-chitecture, the ethical failings of modern architecture, and why utopian architectural projects suck. In 2020, Bjarke Ingels met with Jair Bolsonaro about a tourism plan for Brazil. Workers in the architecture industry have begun to unionize. Support the show

In this engaging discussion, architectural critic Kate Wagner, founder of McMansion Hell, explores Trump's controversial ballroom project and the aesthetics of MAGA architecture. She dives into the motivations behind neo-classical designs favored by conservatives, while critiquing modernism's connection to state power. Wagner also discusses the cultural implications of McMansions and how they reflect societal values. Ultimately, she advocates for a more humane and sustainable approach to architecture that embraces beauty and forward-thinking designs.

In this engaging discussion, architectural critic Kate Wagner sheds light on the bizarre intersection of Trump and architecture. Known for her McMansion Hell blog, she critiques the MAGA movement's obsession with neoclassical revivalism, exploring how it reflects broader societal values. They dive into Trump's infamous ballroom and the implications of demolishing the East Wing of the White House. With wit and insight, Wagner addresses public dissatisfaction with modern architecture and the absence of authentic voices in architectural discourse.

In this episode, guests Adam Shatz and Kate Wagner discuss the uses of critical theory in understanding contemporary culture. They explore topics such as social media's impact on discourse, the influence of the Frankfurt School on cultural criticism, the separation of architecture from building, and the role of cultural criticism in representing working class struggles.