
New Books in Science, Technology, and Society
Interviews with Scholars of Science, Technology, and Society about their New BooksSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/science-technology-and-society
Latest episodes

Nov 26, 2024 • 52min
Brian Donahue, "Slow Wood: Greener Building from Local Forests" (Yale UP, 2024)
Brian Donahue, Emeritus Professor at Brandeis University and co-owner of Bascom Hollow Farm, discusses sustainable building practices with local wood. He highlights his journey of constructing a home using underappreciated tree species like hemlock and black cherry. Donahue critiques the industrial wood economy and urges a return to sustainable forestry reminiscent of early colonial practices. He emphasizes the need for a harmony between conservation and housing demands, advocating for innovative solutions to build responsibly with the environment.

Nov 25, 2024 • 42min
Megan Rae Blakely, "Technology, Intellectual Property Law, and Culture: The Tangification of Cultural Heritage" (Routledge, 2024)
Megan Rae Blakely, a law lecturer at Lancaster University specializing in intellectual property and cultural heritage, dives into the challenges of preserving diverse cultural expressions in our tech-driven world. She discusses 'tangification' and its effects on intangible cultural heritage, highlighting Scotland's innovative strategies for legal protection. The conversation explores cultural tourism conflicts in Ireland, the impact of digital platforms on community identity, and how online gaming fosters engagement with heritage. A fascinating journey through law, culture, and technology!

Nov 24, 2024 • 59min
Jennifer Denbow, "Reproductive Labor and Innovation: Against the Tech Fix in an Era of Hype" (Duke UP, 2024)
Jennifer Denbow, a political science professor at California Polytechnic State University, dives into the intricate relationship between reproductive labor and technology. She critiques the obsession with innovation, arguing it often obscures the true value of care work, especially for marginalized groups. The discussion highlights how prenatal testing and gig economy caregiving reveal societal biases and the need for collective support. Denbow emphasizes the importance of recognizing interdependency and balancing technological solutions with social responsibility.

Nov 24, 2024 • 1h 8min
Katherine C. Epstein, "Analog Superpowers: How Twentieth-Century Technology Theft Built the National Security State" (U Chicago Press, 2024)
Katherine C. Epstein, author of "Analog Superpowers," explores the fascinating world of military technology theft in the 20th century. She dives into the pioneering work of inventors Arthur Pollen and Harold Isherwood, who revolutionized naval fire control with their analog breakthroughs. The conversation highlights legal battles over intellectual property rights, shedding light on how national security influenced the appropriation of technology. Epstein also contrasts early patent struggles with contemporary challenges, emphasizing the ongoing tension between innovation and government secrecy.

Nov 23, 2024 • 52min
Liliana M. Naydan, "Flat-World Fiction: Digital Humanity in Early Twenty-First-Century America" (U Georgia Press, 2021)
Liliana M. Naydan, an Associate Professor of English at Penn State Abington, dives into the interplay between digital technology and literature in the early 21st century. She explores how authors like Don DeLillo and Zadie Smith portray the complexities of human relationships in a digital age, navigating themes of authenticity and romance. The discussion touches on capitalism's impact on literature and globalization's tensions, revealing how fiction critiques our evolving identities amidst increasing technology and connectivity.

Nov 22, 2024 • 1h 3min
Robin Phillips and Joshua Pauling, "Are We All Cyborgs Now?: Reclaiming Our Humanity from the Machine" (Basilian Media, 2024)
Joshua Pauling, co-author of "Are We All Cyborgs Now?", delves into our intricate relationship with technology, encouraging listeners to reflect on their identity in a machine-driven world. He shares his personal journey through the shift from traditional to digital education, advocating for a balanced approach. The discussion also touches on the historical critique of technology's impact on humanity, as well as ideas from the Amish community about technology's role in family and faith life. It's a thought-provoking conversation about reclaiming our humanity amidst the digital landscape.

Nov 22, 2024 • 47min
Jordan S. Carroll, "Speculative Whiteness: Science Fiction and the Alt-Right" (U Minnesota Press, 2024)
Jordan S. Carroll, author of "Speculative Whiteness: Science Fiction and the Alt-Right," dives into the troubling intersection of science fiction and white supremacist ideologies. He discusses how fascists claim that only white men envision the future, creating narratives of exclusion. Carroll explores the appropriation of sci-fi by the far-right to promote racially purified utopias, while antifascist fans resist these narratives. He also critiques how the alt-right's visions of post-humanism intertwine with technological advancements and traditional ideologies.

Nov 22, 2024 • 35min
Fiona Smyth, "Pistols in St Paul's: Science, Music, and Architecture in the Twentieth Century" (Manchester UP, 2024)
Fiona Smyth, a historian of architecture and science, dives into the intriguing intersection between acoustics and architecture. She recounts a fascinating 1951 scientific demonstration at St Paul’s Cathedral, exploring whether buildings can act as musical instruments. The discussion highlights key innovations in acoustic measurement during the 20th century, wartime adaptations for concert venues, and the pivotal roles women played in music and acoustics post-war. Smyth's insights reveal how aesthetic design can harmonize with sound quality to elevate public architecture.

Nov 20, 2024 • 30min
Thinking Machines: Will Robots Have Rights?
Dive into the provocative debate on whether robots should have rights, inspired by Joanna Bryson’s controversial essay. Explore the ethical implications of treating machines as slaves versus persons. Discuss the dangers of anthropomorphizing robots and how this might influence human relationships. Challenge traditional ideas of personhood as technology advances. Uncover the complexities of human-robot interactions and the societal consequences of granting non-human entities rights.

Nov 18, 2024 • 1h 60min
Anthony Kwame Harrison on Cassette Tapes and Hip Hop Culture
Peoples & Things host, Lee Vinsel, talks with Kwame Harrison, Alumni Distinguished Professor and Professor of Sociology at Virginia Tech. Harrison records and performs under the moniker “Mad Squirrel” and has co-founded two groups—the San-Francisco-based Forest Fires Collective and Washington DC’s The Acorns—as well as releasing various solo projects.Harrison is the author of Hip Hop Underground: The Integrity and Ethics of Racial Identification (Temple UP, 2009).Song credits from this episode:
Murs/ F'Real/ Say Anything/ 1997
Zagu Brown/Dont Believe It/ Projects/1996
Top Ramen/ Hardly Celebrity: Pimp Shit/Freestyle/2000
FundaMentals/The Pattern Fall Wars/Falling Down/1996
Jun Dax/ Spills/2000AD—Two Zero/2000
Mad Squirrel/ Pinko/Triple A/2002
Salty Brown/ Salty Brown Is A Seasoned Vet/Salty Brown/2012
Salty Brown/ Salty Brown Is A Seasoned Vet/O.W.M./2012
Mad Squirrel/Last Days of Squirrel/Initiative—Intro/2021
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