New Books in Science, Technology, and Society

Marshall Poe, founder and editor-in-chief of the New Books Network, discusses the evolution of academic communication through podcasting. He shares insights into how digital tools facilitate scholarly work and the challenges of monetizing academic podcasts. Poe highlights the importance of making academic content accessible to wider audiences and the need for preserving digital media in a rapidly changing landscape. The conversation also touches on the podcast industry's recent hurdles and its role in bridging academia with the general public.

Dario Fazzi, a Professor of Transatlantic and Environmental History at Leiden University, delves into the controversial history of ocean incineration in his latest work. He discusses the dangerous practice of disposing of toxic waste at sea, which was once deemed efficient. Fazzi highlights grassroots movements driven by marginalized communities advocating against environmental injustices. He also examines how these local efforts connected with international mobilization, ultimately leading to the banning of hazardous incineration. This narrative underscores the vital role of community activism in influencing environmental policy.

In this enlightening discussion, Taylor N. Carlson, an associate professor of political science at Washington University in St. Louis, unpacks the concept of socially transmitted information. She reveals how peer conversations and social media shape political attitudes, often leading to misinformation and polarization. Drawing from various studies, Carlson argues that this 'distorted democracy' can leave citizens underinformed yet engaged. The conversation emphasizes the need for media literacy and critical thinking in an era dominated by social networks.

Alan Bollard, a Professor of Economics and former Governor of the New Zealand Reserve Bank, discusses the crucial roles of economists during the Cold War. He highlights the ideological battles between market and centrally planned economies, with figures like Joanne Robinson addressing global disparities. The talk also delves into Allende's innovative policies in Chile and the technological ambitions behind the Cybersyn system. Bollard underscores the importance of these economic debates in shaping modern theories and policies amidst current global challenges.

Michael Tondre, a cultural historian and English professor at Stony Brook University, explores the multifaceted role of oil in our society. He discusses how oil is not just a commodity but shapes self-identity and social relations. Tondre addresses oil's historical significance and the socio-economic dilemmas of the 'oil curse,' alongside its representation in literature and film. He also reflects on the Museum of Carbon Ruins, envisioning life beyond oil, urging a conversation about environmental justice and sustainability for the future.

Led by Dr. Karyne Messina, a psychologist, psychoanalyst, author and host of NBN’s “New Books in Psychology” and “Psychoanalytic Perspectives on Racism in America,” this podcast covers the effects of too much screen time. Dr. Messina talks about this topic with Dr. Harry Gill, a renown psychiatrist who also has a PhD. in neuroscience. They discuss one of the greatest difficulties they see in their child, adolescent and adult patients who contend with way too much screen time, the all-encompassing phenomenon of ceaseless digital interactions that occur on various devices, over an array of social media platforms, and through multi-player online gaming. They contend that because we are bombarded with constant stimulation which causes us to be more distant and isolated from each other, various individual tragedies, addictions, and hollowed-out interpersonal lives are becoming commonplace in our world today. In addition, they talk about the fact that misinformation is spreading at a rapid pace while social structures are breaking down on a global scale. Their hope is to provide information that will help limit screen time for our listener and their family members.They talk about this problem from a neuroscience and a psychoanalytic perspective focusing on Erik Erickson’s eight stages of development. 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

Ashish Avikunthak, Professor of Film Media at the University of Rhode Island, brings a unique perspective on the intersection of archaeology and bureaucracy in postcolonial India. He discusses how the Archaeological Survey of India intertwines scientific knowledge with state politics, revealing the impact on cultural heritage and identity. Avikunthak critiques the Saraswati Heritage Project's political misuse of archaeological findings. He also highlights the challenges faced in Indian archaeology, advocating for a deeper understanding of its societal implications and the contributions of those often overlooked.

Pierre Sokolsky, an experimental particle astrophysicist and professor emeritus at the University of Utah, delves into the captivating history of sunspots in this engaging discussion. He reveals how ancient astronomers interpreted sunspots as omens and contrasts this with the modern understanding of solar cycles, linking them to weather patterns and even economic trends. Sokolsky also tackles the risks of solar storms to technology and human health, while shedding light on nuclear fusion as the sun's energy source. His insights bridge historical knowledge with contemporary scientific challenges.

If you walk into David Cecchetto‘s classroom, you might find people wearing audio devices that simulate hearing with a thousand-foot wide head. Or gadgets that swap their ears so that the left ear hears what the right should and vice versa. David is a media theorist who draws on his background as an artist/musician, to create what he calls “engagements,” strange sonic experiments that help him—and his students—understand the nature of our computer-driven lives. In this episode, we feature an extended chat with David about his recent book, Listening in the Afterlife of Data (Duke University Press). It’s a book about the eternal impossibility of communication and the texture of that impossibility in our current computer-mediated age. David says we live in the afterlife of data, by which he means we know that our data-driven representations of the world don’t really capture the reality of our inner or outer lives, and we know that algorithms perpetuate injustices of all sorts—and yet, we still live our lives as if we do believe in the data. And this is where his engagements come in, the sonic experiments that confront the distortions and fallacies and textures of a data-driven life. David Cecchetto is Professor of Critical Digital Theory in the Department of Humanities at York University in Toronto, Director of the Graduate Program in Social and Political Thought, he’s President of the Society for Literature, Science, and the Arts. He wrote the book Humanesis: Sound and Technological Posthumanism (2013) and he’s co-authored and edited several others.  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

This special episode features a discussion between Peoples & Things host, Lee Vinsel, and Michael Sacasas, author of The Convivial Society substack newsletter and Executive Director of the Christian Studies Center of Gainesville, Florida. In the first part, Sacasas gives a presentation - riffing on the title of Martin Heidegger’s famous essay, “The Question Concerning Technology” - on the question of the human, which may be more interesting than endless debates about the definition of “technology.” Then Vinsel gives his own presentation before the pair discuss the similarities and differences of their views. The episode includes a live Q&A with audience members. This episode was recorded as a live event at the Bradley Study Center, a Christian studies center at Virginia Tech. Special thanks to Bradley Study Center for making the event possible, especially to its Executive Director Mike Weaver. 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