New Books in Science, Technology, and Society
New Books Network
This podcast is a channel on the New Books Network. The New Books Network is an academic audio library dedicated to public education. In each episode you will hear scholars discuss their recently published research with another expert in their field.
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Discover our 150+ channels and browse our 28,000+ episodes on our website: newbooksnetwork.com
Subscribe to our free weekly Substack newsletter to get informative, engaging content straight to your inbox: https://newbooksnetwork.substack.com/
Follow us on Instagram and Bluesky to learn about more our latest interviews: @newbooksnetworkSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/science-technology-and-society
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 19, 2025 • 25min
Erik Lin-Greenberg, "The Remote Revolution: Drones and Modern Statecraft" (Cornell UP, 2025)
In this engaging discussion, Erik Lin-Greenberg, a political scientist at MIT and author of The Remote Revolution, dives into how drones are reshaping international security. He challenges the common belief that drones increase the likelihood of war, arguing instead that they can lower escalation risks. Drones enable better intelligence gathering and provoke less retaliatory aggression. He shares insights from original research and highlights both the operational advantages of drones and the implications for military strategy.
Dec 19, 2025 • 1h 13min
Jennifer Ott, "Where the City Meets the Sound: The Story of Seattle's Waterfront" (HistoryLink, 2025) This
Jennifer Ott, an environmental historian and executive director of HistoryLink, dives deep into Seattle's waterfront history. From pre-contact Coast Salish lifeways to the impact of the 2001 Nisqually Earthquake, she reveals how migration, labor battles, and urban development shaped the city. Ott shares insights into the controversial removal of the Alaskan Way Viaduct and the creation of the revitalized Waterfront Park, emphasizing the blend of historical significance and modern public spaces, all while honoring Indigenous connections long overlooked.
Dec 17, 2025 • 41min
Luis Felipe Murillo, "Common Circuits: Hacking Alternative Technological Futures" (Stanford UP, 2025)
Luis Felipe R. Murillo, an Assistant Professor of Anthropology and a Faculty Fellow at the Notre Dame Technology Ethics Center, dives into the world of hackerspaces and alternative technological futures. He discusses how these collective spaces challenge corporate tech dominance through community-driven projects. Murillo highlights fascinating examples, such as DIY radiation monitors and open hardware initiatives. He also explores the complexities of diversity and access within hacker communities, emphasizing their role in shaping equitable technological landscapes.
12 snips
Dec 15, 2025 • 1h 8min
Graham Harman, "Waves and Stones: The Continuous and the Discontinuous in Human Thought" (Allen Lane, 2025)
Graham Harman, a distinguished philosopher and the mind behind object-oriented ontology, dives deep into his upcoming book, *Waves and Stones*. He explores the age-old debate of continuity versus discreteness, asking if life is marked by significant events or gradual changes. From quantum theory's paradoxes to Aristotle's philosophies, he reveals how these concepts permeate reality and influence our understanding of everything from biology to architecture. Harman also shares insights on the implications of these ideas for science, religion, and subjective experience.
Dec 15, 2025 • 1h
Matthew A. Tattar, "Innovation and Adaptation in War" (MIT Press, 2025)
Matthew A. Tattar, an Associate Professor at the U.S. Naval War College and author of *Innovation and Adaptation in War*, discusses the crucial relationship between military innovation and organizational flexibility. He argues that innovations yield only temporary advantages, often overshadowed by an opponent’s ability to adapt. Tattar analyzes historical case studies, such as the U.S. Navy’s response to Japanese tactics and the Royal Navy’s mishaps with U-boats, revealing that adaptability often trumps being the first to innovate in wartime.
Dec 15, 2025 • 21min
Chaim Gingold, "Building SimCity: How to Put the World in a Machine" (MIT Press, 2024)
Chaim Gingold, a game designer and author, dives into the fascinating history of SimCity and its impact on computer simulation. He reveals how Will Wright's unique vision transformed urban planning into a game that resonates across diverse communities. Gingold discusses the intricate ties of SimCity to educational settings and influential institutions like the Santa Fe Institute. He also shares insights about Maxis's challenges, including investor pressures post-IPO, and highlights archival discoveries that illuminate the game's innovative legacy.
Dec 13, 2025 • 38min
Edward McPherson, "Look Out: The Delight and Danger of Taking the Long View" (Astra House, 2025)
Edward McPherson, a writer and professor known for his exploration of environment and technology, discusses his book, Look Out. He reveals the fascinating history of aerial views and bird's-eye maps, emphasizing their power and cultural implications. McPherson connects the past with modern practices, likening historic maps to today’s selfies. He also weighs the ethical dilemmas of drones and the impact of pandemic lockdowns on perception. The conversation encourages viewing both the distant and nearby to grasp the fuller picture of our world.
Dec 10, 2025 • 1h 2min
Montserrat Bonvehi Rosich and Seth Denizen, "Thinking Through Soil: Wastewater Agriculture in the Mezquital Valley" (Harvard UP, 2025)
Dr. Seth Denison, a landscape architecture scholar, delves into the intriguing complexities of the Mezquital Valley, the world’s largest wastewater agricultural system. He discusses how soil records urban growth in Mexico City and contemplates its critical role in sustainability. Denison highlights the paradox of a recent protest against a treatment plant, emphasizing contaminant concerns. He also imagines a sustainable future by integrating Otomi practices and valuing ecosystem services, framing soil as pivotal to environmental solutions.
Dec 8, 2025 • 1h 42min
Thomas Haigh on the History of “AI” as a Brand
Thomas Haigh, a historian of computing and Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, dives into the fascinating history of the brand 'artificial intelligence.' He explores how 'AI' has been used to label varied technologies and why it remains an enduring intellectual brand. The conversation touches on the origins of AI branding, early misconceptions, and how these lessons apply to today’s generative AI hype. Haigh critiques AI's historical narrative and reflects on the implications for future technologies.
Dec 4, 2025 • 43min
Daniel Skinner et al., "The City and the Hospital: The Paradox of Medically Overserved Communities" (U Chicago Press, 2023)
Jonathan Winn, a sociologist and co-author of The City and the Hospital, delves into the paradox of hospitals near underserved communities. He explores how collective memory and cultural narratives shape hospital-neighborhood relationships. The discussion reveals the flaws in current community benefit definitions and the need for tighter standards. Winn critiques how hospitals often engage with these communities superficially while making policy recommendations for more equitable investments. His insights resonate with urban policy, highlighting the complex dynamics of care and community.
