Context with Brad Harris

There’s a lot that’s dividing Americans right now - lots of divisive narratives that have captivated lots of people. One of those narratives features the apparent widening political divide between urban and rural culture. But, the truth is that the evolution of America’s urban and rural communities has always been symbiotic. One of the best historical case studies of that symbiosis highlights the city of Chicago and the rural American west, documented by William Cronon in his award-winning book, Nature’s Metropolis: Chicago and the Great West, published in 1991. In this episode, we reconsider the relationship between urban and rural in light of that history. To help support Context and access bonus content, join me on Patreon. Learn more on my website.

The podcast explores George Orwell's 'Notes on Nationalism', discussing the impact of tribalism on democracy, the pathology of tribalism including obsession and indifference to reality, the influence of tribalism in media and intellectual circles, and the complexity of tribalism and the moral compass.

This podcast explores the threats facing universities, such as rising costs and bureaucratic bloat. It also discusses excessive spending on diversity and inclusion, and the trend of self-criticism within academia. The origins and development of medieval universities are also explored, highlighting the limited education during the Dark Ages and the role of printing press in establishing university libraries.

Philosopher and author Stephen Hicks discusses the origins and influence of postmodernism, the shift from modernism, and its impact on politics, academia, and education. Emphasizes the importance of liberal democracy, preserving historical sanity, and liberal arts education in fostering independent thinking. Also mentions Hicks' upcoming book on liberalism and his work on philosophies of education.

The podcast explores the concept of historical cycles and the patterns and predictions for America's next crisis. It discusses the impact of generational turnover on society and explores the rise of populism. The importance of historical perspective in breaking free from the cycle of history is emphasized.

Delve into the chaos, warfare, and religious persecution of the 14th century. Learn about the pivotal role of knights in medieval Europe. Explore the struggles and daily routines of people living in medieval Europe. Discover the devastating impact of the Black Death and its uneven death rates. Uncover the embrace of secular humanism and its role in the Renaissance.

This podcast explores the relevance of George Orwell's novel 1984 in today's society, discussing themes such as surveillance, propaganda, technology, and totalitarianism. It delves into the parallels between the dystopian world of 1984 and contemporary society, highlighting the indoctrination of children, erosion of truth, and manipulation of objective information. The deconstruction of reality and control of the past are also examined, along with the corrosive effects of the quest for power on movements. Ultimately, the podcast emphasizes the ongoing importance of defending freedom, truth, and liberal democracy.

Explore the history of wealth inequality and how attempts to address it have often resulted in negative consequences. The podcast delves into the impact of World Wars and mass warfare on wealth inequality, as well as the historical pattern of wealth inequality in the United States. It challenges the notion that wealth inequality is solely a problem, emphasizing its complex nature influenced by societal factors.

It's hard to remember how intelligent humanity can be when we are relentlessly bombarded by bad news. Author and mathematician Steven Strogatz helps to remind us with his recent book, Infinite Powers: How Calculus Reveals the Secrets of the Universe. The history of calculus may seem irrelevant to most of our going concerns, but as Strogatz shows, the spirit of calculus expresses one of the best ideas humanity has ever had: greatness is not to be found in the end, but in the effort. Support the show on https://www.patreon.com/context Learn more at https://bradharris.com

Carl Sagan was a brilliant popularizer of science.  His book, The Demon Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark, helps to inspire clear thinking when chaos reigns supreme.  Here, I share my thoughts on the important themes of that work.   To access bonus episodes and all regular episodes ad-free, join me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/context Learn more at https://bradharris.com