New Books in Science, Technology, and Society

In a fascinating discussion, Anthony Bonato, a mathematics professor at Toronto Metropolitan University and author of 'Dots and Lines,' unpacks the hidden networks that influence every aspect of our lives. He explores how network theory reveals patterns in social media, AI, and even nature, shedding light on political strategies and survival tactics in reality shows. Bonato highlights the evolution of tools like Google’s PageRank and the significance of small world networks, illustrating their profound impact on connections in our society.

Guest Isaac Yuen, a nature writer and co-author of The Sound Atlas, delves into the fascinating interplay between sound and the human experience. He shares insights on capturing the essence of fleeting sounds from around the globe, discussing oddities from bats and moths to ancient oracle sites. The conversation touches on the emotional weight of sound, linking it to mortality and creativity, while exploring sounds that shape our history and identity. Yuen's passion for intertwining sound with nature opens up new ways to appreciate our auditory world.

Peoples & Things host, Lee Vinsel, talks with Tiia Sahrakorpi, Visiting Professor at Weber State University, about her interesting book project, Our Land: An Oral History of Energy, which was funded by the Research Council of Finland. The project, which was rooted in oral histories in three locations in Finland, takes a use-based perspective and examines how ordinary Finnish people adopted and used electricity. 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

In this episode we speak to Anne Lawrence-Mathers, Professor of History at the University of Reading about her new book Medieval Meteorology: Forecasting the Weather from Aristotle to the Almanac, out this year, 2020, with Cambridge University Press.The practice of weather forecasting underwent a crucial transformation in the Middle Ages. Exploring how scientifically-based meteorology spread and flourished from c.700-c.1600, this study reveals the dramatic changes in forecasting and how the new science of 'astro-meteorology' developed. Both narrower and more practical in its approach than earlier forms of meteorology, this new science claimed to deliver weather forecasts for months and even years ahead, on the premise that weather is caused by the atmospheric effects of the planets and stars, and mediated by local and seasonal climatic conditions. Anne Lawrence-Mathers explores how these forecasts were made and explains the growing practice of recording actual weather. These records were used to support forecasting practices, and their popularity grew from the fourteenth century onwards. Essential reading for anyone interested in medieval science, Medieval Meteorology demonstrates that the roots of scientific forecasting are much deeper than is usually recognized.Professor Lawrence-Mathers is the author of The True History of Merlin the Magician and Magic and Medieval Society,(along with Carolina Escobar-Vargas) as well as a host of articles and reviews about Medieval magic and religion. With this book the author continues her examination of spiritual practice – licit and illicit, clerical and lay – as it was culturally understood in the medieval era.Jana Byars is the Academic Director of Netherlands: International Perspectives on Sexuality and Gender. 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

Why do Americans eat so much beef? In Red Meat Republic: A Hoof-to-Table History of How Beef Changed America (Princeton University Press, 2019), the historian Joshua Specht provides a history that shows how our diets and consumer choices remain rooted in nineteenth century enterprises. A century and half ago, he writes, the colonialism and appropriation of indigenous lands enabled the expansion of western ranch outfits. These corporate ranchers controlled loose commodity chains, until powerful corporate meat packers in Chicago seized the economic order through the tools of modern capitalism (scientific management, standardization, labor suppression). These capitalists expanded the supply chains to far-flung consumers in New York and around the globe. But as meat became a staple of the American diet, and measure of progress, consumers cared more about the price and taste than the violence to people, animals, and environment behind the scenes. “America made modern beef” Specht writes, “at the same time that beef made America modern.”Ryan Driskell Tate is a Ph.D. candidate in American history at Rutgers University. He is completing a book on fossil-fuels and energy development in the American West. He teaches courses on modern US history, environmental history, and histories of labor and capitalism. @rydriskelltate 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

In this engaging discussion, Dan Davies, an economist and author, delves into his book on how big systems, free from accountability, lead to disastrous decision-making. He highlights three revolutions that reshaped organizational accountability, revealing a shift from individual responsibility to systemic failures. Davies connects cognitive science with organizational behavior, emphasizing the complexities of modern management. The conversation also touches on artificial intelligence's growing role and the urgent need for transparency in corporate governance.

Ian Scoones, Professorial Fellow at the Institute of Development Studies, shares insights from his book on navigating the uncertainties shaping our world. He discusses the need to embrace uncertainty in policy and practice, advocating for a 'politics of care' that prioritizes adaptability and local knowledge. Scoones critiques traditional economic models for neglecting real-world experiences and stresses the importance of integrating indigenous knowledge. Ultimately, he highlights the role of collaboration and trust in crafting effective responses to climate change and other complex challenges.

Agnes Arnold-Forster, a historian of medicine and emotions at McGill University, explores the complex history of cancer in 19th-century Britain. She discusses the groundbreaking acceptance of terminal cancer patients at the Middlesex Hospital and the evolving dynamics between male doctors and female patients. Arnold-Forster highlights the emergence of cancer mapping in rural areas, countering popular beliefs about urban disease hotspots. She also delves into societal fears and the shifting medical understandings that still resonate today.

Jack Buffington, a sustainability expert and professor at the University of Denver, tackles the failures of environmental policies that focus on symptoms rather than root causes. He emphasizes the interplay between supply chains and sustainable practices, advocating for innovative approaches over consumer-driven changes. Buffington discusses the urgent need for community-based solutions to water scarcity, and he challenges cognitive dissonance in tackling climate change. Moreover, he compares governance models, highlighting the role of leadership in promoting effective environmental policies.

Nick Spencer, a Senior Fellow at Theos, explores the intricate links between science and religion. He emphasizes the complexity of defining both realms and challenges the simplistic narrative of conflict. By analyzing public perceptions shaped by media, he reveals how science is often seen as progressive while religion faces critique. Spencer discusses the ethical ramifications of advancements in genetic engineering and AI, advocating for a collaborative approach that respects diverse moral perspectives in navigating these profound intersections.