New Books in Critical Theory
Marshall Poe
This podcast is a channel on the New Books Network. The New Books Network is an academic audio library dedicated to public education. In each episode you will hear scholars discuss their recently published research with another expert in their field.
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Discover our 150+ channels and browse our 28,000+ episodes on our website: newbooksnetwork.com
Subscribe to our free weekly Substack newsletter to get informative, engaging content straight to your inbox: https://newbooksnetwork.substack.com/
Follow us on Instagram and Bluesky to learn about more our latest interviews: @newbooksnetworkSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 21, 2024 • 38min
Lucy Weir, "Performance, Masculinity, and Self-Injury" (Routledge, 2024)
Lucy Weir, a Reader in History of Art at the University of Edinburgh, engages in a provocative discussion on the intersections of performance art, masculinity, and self-injury. She questions whether self-harm can be considered art and challenges traditional gender associations within this realm. Weir explores the influential Viennese Actionism and delves into artists like Ron Athey and Wafaa Bilal, examining how their controversial performances resonate in socio-political contexts and redefine bodily autonomy and artistic expression.
Sep 19, 2024 • 1h 7min
Immigration Realities: Challenging Common Misperceptions
Dr. Ernesto Castaneda, an immigration studies expert, and Carina Cione, a researcher in evidence-based immigration analysis, explore captivating insights from their new book. They tackle common myths about immigration, emphasizing its socio-economic benefits. The duo dissects misconceptions about border safety, argues against the narrative framing immigrants as threats, and reveals that they contribute positively to economies. They discuss the complexities of language acquisition and the urgent need for humane immigration policies to foster a more informed and empathetic public discourse.
Sep 19, 2024 • 53min
Alexis Pauline Gumbs, "Survival Is a Promise: The Eternal Life of Audre Lorde" (FSG, 2024)
Alexis Pauline Gumbs is an acclaimed scholar and poet who delves into the life and influence of Audre Lorde. Gumbs discusses how Lorde's concepts of survival extend beyond personal resilience to encompass our relationship with a dynamically changing planet. She highlights Lorde’s ecological imagery as a vital framework for understanding identity and community. The conversation also touches on Lorde's activism and her responses to historical hurricanes, drawing connections between personal narratives of survival and broader social movements.
Sep 17, 2024 • 51min
Danny Sriskandarajah, "Power to the People: Use Your Voice, Change the World" (Headline Press, 2024)
Danny Sriskandarajah, an advocate for citizen action, shares insights from his radical manifesto for change. He delves into the importance of civic engagement and the urgent threats to democracy, emphasizing grassroots movements. Sriskandarajah illustrates the power of community through inspiring real-life examples. He also explores the need for reform in global decision-making, advocating for a 'people's chamber' at the UN to give marginalized voices a platform. Listeners are challenged to reclaim their power and drive meaningful societal change.
Sep 16, 2024 • 36min
Karl Marx, "Capital: Critique of Political Economy, Volume 1" (Princeton UP, 2024)
Karl Marx, the revolutionary philosopher and economist, delves into his groundbreaking work, "Capital: Critique of Political Economy, Volume 1." He discusses the relentless drive for value in our global economic system and the resulting struggle between owners and workers. The conversation highlights the challenges of translating his complex ideas for contemporary audiences while making them relatable. Marx's insights into capitalism's roots in colonization and exploitation remain strikingly relevant today, revealing the history behind our financial systems.
Sep 11, 2024 • 46min
Melissa Osborne, "Polished: College, Class, and the Burdens of Social Mobility" (U Chicago Press, 2024)
Melissa Osborne, an associate professor at Western Washington University, dives into her book, exploring the experiences of low-income and first-generation college students at elite universities. She highlights the complexities of social mobility, detailing how these students often feel alienated and face unique challenges compared to their more privileged peers. The discussion critiques existing support systems and emphasizes the need for universities to reimagine their approaches, ensuring that non-traditional students receive the guidance they truly require.
Sep 11, 2024 • 27min
Decolonial Muslim Political Activism and Thought in Britain
Yahya Birt, an expert in decolonial Muslim political activism and thought in Britain, delves into the evolution of activism from the 1960s to the 1990s. He highlights the critical distinctions between decoloniality and decolonization, emphasizing their relevance in contemporary struggles. Birt traces the historical roots of Muslim political thought and how past anti-colonial movements shape today's activism. He also examines influential figures like Mushir Qidwai and the complex dynamics introduced by the Iranian Revolution, enriching discussions on identity and governance.
16 snips
Sep 10, 2024 • 39min
Are We Experiencing a Crisis of Culture?
Olivier Roy, a professor of social and political sciences at the European University Institute in Florence and author of 'The Crisis of Culture,' explores the cultural crisis driven by neoliberal globalization. He discusses how identity politics displaces traditional social norms, leading to a disconnect in societal living. Roy argues that the fragmentation of cultures complicates social bonds, and the legacy of 1960s sexuality influences cultural decay. He calls for a reconstruction of social ties to address the challenges of modern individualism and multiculturalism.
Sep 10, 2024 • 40min
Josh Cowen, "The Privateers: How Billionaires Created a Culture War and Sold School Vouchers" (Harvard Education Press, 2024)
Josh Cowen, an expert on educational policy and author of "The Privateers," discusses the controversial role of school vouchers and their negative impact on educational outcomes. He reveals how these programs, initially linked to conservative economic strategies, have fueled a culture war over education. Cowen critiques the motivations behind the voucher movement, highlighting the connections to billionaire influence and the emphasis on ideological goals rather than student success. He also explores the implications of vouchers for public education and societal equality.
Sep 9, 2024 • 57min
Red Chidgey and Joanne Garde-Hansen, "Museums, Archives and Protest Memory" (Palgrave Macmillan, 2024)
Red Chidgey, an expert in museums and archives, teams up with Joanne Garde-Hansen, a scholar of culture and social movements, to explore 'protest memory.' They discuss how museums and archives shape public awareness of protests, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration. They highlight museums as evolving activist spaces, engaging in social justice movements and ethical dilemmas in curating protest narratives. The conversation also delves into innovative practices for preserving activist histories, stressing the role of culture and memory in fostering social change.
