New Books in Critical Theory

Steven High, author of Deindustrializing Montreal: Entangled Histories of Race, Residence, and Class, explores the impact of deindustrialization on Montreal's neighborhoods and the interconnected processes of urban revival, gentrification, and neighborhood displacement. They discuss the construction of race and class identities, partnership with community organizations, the preservation of historical sites, and the affordability of the book.

Eglė Rindzevičiūtė, an Associate Professor of Criminology and Sociology at Kingston University, explores the history and significance of scientific predictions in Soviet Russia. She discusses the evolution of prediction from ancient Greece to modern science, the historical development of scientific forecasting in the Russian Empire and communist Russia, and the use of science in policy decisions in the Soviet Union. She also emphasizes the importance of studying non-Western European cases in understanding predictive expertise.

Courtney Brannon Donoghue, author of 'The Value Gap: Female-Driven Films from Pitch to Premiere,' discusses gender inequities in the film industry, the limitations of quantitative data in understanding diversity, the challenges of interviewing in the industry, the changing landscape of streaming, and the undervaluation of female-driven films.

Law professor George Fisher explores the historical, moral, and racial aspects of America's war on drugs. He discusses his research methods and concludes that the drug war was racially motivated but aimed to protect white youth. The podcast also delves into the racial biases behind early drug laws, the movement to legalize weed, and the impact of Michelle Alexander's book, 'The New Jim Crow'.

Chrystin Ondersma, author debunking debt policy myths, discusses the flaws of US debt policies and offers a reality-based taxonomy rooted in human dignity. Topics include household debt, medical and educational debt, targeting vulnerable populations, and the consequences of debt collection. The limited availability of legal aid is also explored.

This podcast explores the challenges and experiences of Black women in American higher education, revealing the lies of white supremacy. Topics discussed include the lack of legacy and agency, navigating discrimination and disadvantage, achieving tenure as a Black woman, and the disappearance of Black teachers in the US education system.

The podcast explores the complexities and evolution of fascism in modern society, challenging simplistic comparisons to historical fascism. It delves into the relationship between fascism and freedom, highlighting how fascist ideologies incorporate their own visions of freedom. The podcast also discusses the link between neoliberalism and late fascism, as well as the origins of fascism in non-European contexts. Additionally, it explores the libidinal aspects of fascism, challenges traditional associations with patriarchy, and examines the ideas and influences of Furio Geiziad. The speaker also discusses their current work on the psychology of racial terror and imperialism in relation to fascism.

David M. Henkin, author of The Week: A History of the Unnatural Rhythms that Made Us who We are, discusses the artificial construction of the seven-day week and its influence on society. Topics include the historical origins of the week, the impact of industrialization on the concept of a week and the role of technology in disrupting our perception of time. The author also touches on upcoming projects on baseball and political partisanship.

Damien Sojoyner, author focusing on the art of Black Liberatory Practice, discusses the concept of the carceral archive and its impact on Black populations in the US. They explore topics such as the connection between police and racial capitalism, the role of technology in counterintelligence, and the failure of the carceral archive to destroy radical Black forms of knowledge production. Sojoyner also highlights the influence of the Southern California Library on their work and their interest in investigating the connections between space and Black culture.

Ankhi Mukherjee and Ato Quayson discuss decolonizing the English curriculum, emphasizing the need to diversify and incorporate more Black writers. They highlight the overhaul proposed by their book and the connection to racial and social justice. Topics include their academic journeys, organizing the book, challenges in decolonizing the curriculum, the political nature of language, and recommendations for departments and faculties.