New Books in Science, Technology, and Society

Marina Hassapopoulou, an Assistant Professor at NYU and founder of several collaborative initiatives, takes listeners on a deep dive into the world of interactive cinema. She discusses how innovative storytelling confronts traditional filmmaking ethics. Exploring topics like 'viewser' roles, procedural spectatorship, and sensory engagement, she examines audience participation's impact on narratives. Additionally, she reflects on the hybrid methodologies needed for film studies in the digital age, encouraging creativity and innovation in this evolving landscape.

Fionna S. Cunningham is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania, with expertise in technology and conflict, particularly regarding China. She discusses China's unique military strategy using information-age weapons to navigate geopolitical tensions without resorting to nuclear war. Key topics include China's approach to limited conflicts, the role of cyber capabilities and precision missiles, and the implications of its evolving military strategies on global security dynamics.

Dr. Rebecca Charbonneau, a historian of science with a PhD from Cambridge, discusses the fascinating intersection of extraterrestrial communication and Cold War politics. She uncovers how American and Soviet scientists collaborated despite geopolitical tensions, revealing untold stories from the Soviet perspective. The conversation highlights the dual role of scientific pursuits in military contexts and the impact of national biases on messages intended for alien life. Charbonneau's insights transform our understanding of the quest for cosmic connection against a backdrop of rivalry.

David Lyon, a leading expert on surveillance and former Director of the Surveillance Studies Centre, delves into the pervasive nature of surveillance in today's society. He discusses how tech advancements, especially during the pandemic, have reshaped our understanding of privacy. Ethical concerns around facial recognition technology and its biases come to light, alongside the impacts of surveillance capitalism where corporations profit from our data. Lyon passionately argues for a critical examination of these systems, urging a call for digital citizenship and responsibility.

Sarah B. Rodriguez, a medical historian at Northwestern University, delves into the troubling legacy of Dr. James Burt, an OB-GYN who performed controversial 'love surgeries' without patient consent. She discusses the ethical implications of his practices, revealing systemic failures in medical regulation and oversight. The conversation highlights challenges healthcare professionals face in reporting malpractice and the historical context of informed consent in medicine. Rodriguez underscores the power dynamics between male physicians and female patients, advocating for greater transparency and trust in healthcare.

Dr. Sue Ollerhead, a Senior Lecturer at Macquarie University with expertise in multilingual education, discusses how AI tools like ChatGPT are reshaping teaching methodologies. She shares insights on integrating AI for lesson planning, highlighting both its benefits and challenges teachers face with time constraints. The conversation delves into the importance of empathy and human connection in diverse classrooms. Ollerhead advocates for a balanced approach that harnesses AI's potential while preserving the personal touch essential for effective learning.

Joshua Brinkman, an Assistant Teaching Professor of Science, Technology, and Society at NC State, delves into the unexpected intersection of American farming and technology. He reveals how farmers adopt cutting-edge technologies not only for survival but as a form of identity expression. Brinkman discusses the cultural significance of pickup trucks and critiques the narrative surrounding women's pivotal roles in farming. He also connects agricultural practices to the rhythm of jazz, highlighting a unique blend of technology, culture, and identity.

Nara Milanich, a Professor of History at Barnard College, dives into her book, exploring how the understanding of fatherhood has transformed over time. She discusses the shift from behavioral definitions of fatherhood to the scientific certainty introduced by DNA testing. The conversation highlights paternity testing's historical context, particularly in Brazil, and its impact on social issues like inheritance and child support. Milanich emphasizes the cultural constructs of paternity and critiques the societal biases revealed through forensic technology.

Jean Burgess and Nancy K. Baym, co-authors of 'Twitter: A Biography,' delve into the platform's evolution from a simple SMS tool to a major player in news and activism. They highlight user-driven innovations like hashtags and the 'at' sign that reshaped communication. The discussion also touches on the tensions of moderation and monetization as Twitter matures. Lastly, they explore future research on data cultures and the impact of remote work, revealing how social media influences our interpersonal relationships.

Every day Chicagoans rely on the loop of elevated train tracks to get to their jobs, classrooms, or homes in the city’s downtown. But how much do they know about the single most important structure in the history of the Windy City? In engagingly brisk prose, Patrick T. Reardon unfolds the fascinating story about how Chicago’s elevated Loop was built, gave its name to the downtown, helped unify the city, saved the city’s economy, and was itself saved from destruction in the 1970s.Patrick T. Reardon's book The Loop: The 'L' Tracks That Shaped and Saved Chicago (Southern Illinois UP, 2020) combines urban history, biography, engineering, architecture, transportation, culture, and politics to explore the elevated Loop’s impact on the city’s development and economy and on the way Chicagoans see themselves. The Loop rooted Chicago’s downtown in a way unknown in other cities, and it protected that area—and the city itself—from the full effects of suburbanization during the second half of the twentieth century. Masses of data underlie new insights into what has made Chicago’s downtown, and the city as a whole, tick.The Loop features a cast of colorful Chicagoans, such as legendary lawyer Clarence Darrow, poet Edgar Lee Masters, mayor Richard J. Daley, and the notorious Gray Wolves of the Chicago City Council. Charles T. Yerkes, an often-demonized figure, is shown as a visionary urban planner, and engineer John Alexander Low Waddell, a world-renowned bridge creator, is introduced to Chicagoans as the designer of their urban railway.This fascinating exploration of how one human-built structure reshaped the social and economic landscape of Chicago is the definitive book on Chicago’s elevated Loop.Bryan Toepfer, AIA, NCARB, CAPM is the Principal Architect for TOEPFER Architecture, PLLC, an Architecture firm specializing in Residential Architecture and Virtual Reality. He has authored two books, “Contractors CANNOT Build Your House,” and “Six Months Now, ARCHITECT for Life.” He is an Assistant Professor at Alfred State College and the Director of Education for the AIA Rochester Board of Directors. Always eager to help anyone understand the world of Architecture, he can be reached by sending an email tobtoepfer@toepferarchitecture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/science-technology-and-society