New Books Network

Tracy Pintchman, Director of Global Studies at Loyola University Chicago and guest editor of the recent special issue on Hindu narratives, shares insights into modern retellings of Hindu stories. She discusses how contemporary literature, like Amish Tripathi’s work, reflects cultural shifts and feminist perspectives. Tracy highlights unique practices such as Tamil women's protest rituals and the role of beauty parlors in religious commentary. They explore the significance of popular literature in understanding Hinduism's adaptive history and its innovative expressions in the diaspora.

In this discussion, Marcus Willaschek, a prominent philosopher at Goethe University Frankfurt, delves into the enduring significance of Immanuel Kant's ideas. He explores Kant's 'Copernican revolution' in thought, arguing that human perspectives shape our understanding of reality. Willaschek discusses Kant's views on morality, particularly the importance of freedom and human dignity, as well as his radical political thought influenced by the French Revolution. The conversation highlights how Kant's insights on enlightenment and progress remain pertinent in today's political landscape.

Scott D. Seligman, a writer and historian specializing in Jewish-American history, dives into the 1906 Christmas Boycott triggered by antisemitism in U.S. public schools. He discusses Principal Harding's provocative comments that ignited Jewish outrage and the subsequent citywide protest against school Christmas pageants. The conversation explores the remarkable mobilization of the Jewish community, the backlash they faced, and the shifting dynamics of religious practices in public education, revealing historical roots of current debates over church-state separation.

Thomas Manuel Ortiz, an energy engineer with three decades in the field, discusses sobering truths about the clean energy transition. He argues that no single solution will alleviate climate change, emphasizing the necessity of adhering to planetary limits. Ortiz breaks down energy density and critiques the reliance on solar and wind. He advocates for nuclear energy while cautioning against the hype of AI's role in the transition. Ultimately, he calls for a cultural shift towards reduced consumption and realistic policy choices to mitigate our environmental impact.

In this enlightening discussion, Weila Gong, a visiting scholar at UC Davis and expert in low-carbon transitions, shares insights from her book on climate leadership in Chinese cities. She introduces ‘bridge leaders,’ vital bureaucrats who turn national policies into local action. The conversation highlights China's local experiments in decarbonization, showcasing innovative examples from Shenzhen and Nanchang. Weila also addresses the geopolitical complexities facing climate initiatives, emphasizing the importance of implementation capacity over mere pledges in assessing China’s climate role.

The hosts dive into the intriguing twists of Pluribus, focusing on the shocking revelation behind Carol's discovery of human-derived ingredients. They explore cinematic influences, from found-footage horror to James Bond-style sequences, and the implications of genre shifts. A critical analysis of surveillance capitalism emerges through the symbolism of the HDP plant, while Diabate's Las Vegas escapades showcase a satire of modern loneliness. The contrasting narratives of first-world privilege and developing-world struggles highlight shared humanity.

James Franklin, Emeritus professor at the University of New South Wales, delves into the connections between mathematics, ethics, and probability in his new book. He argues for the existence of absolute necessities in these fields, asserting that mathematical truths are directly tied to reality. Franklin critiques modern education's neglect of proof and emphasizes the importance of Aristotelian realism. He also explores how inherent human worth grounds ethical principles and discusses the implications of mathematical constraints on divine omnipotence.

Andrea Maraschi, a medieval historian and food studies expert, joins Francesca Tasca, a scholar of Christian heresies, to discuss their latest book. They reveal how food practices defined heretical identities and the role of food in magical rituals. The conversation delves into Augustine's views on food, cross-cultural tensions surrounding drinks like kumis, and the contrasting interpretations of Christian dietary freedom. They also explore taboo subjects like medieval cannibalism and the significance of Bethlehem's magical bread. Their insights intertwine food, identity, and spirituality in fascinating ways.

In this thought-provoking discussion, Brittany Friedman, an Assistant Professor of Sociology at USC and author of "Carceral Apartheid," dives into the intersection of race, incarceration, and institutional violence. She reveals how California prisons have long targeted Black communities, employing tactics that reflect white supremacist ideologies. Friedman explains 'carceral apartheid' as a governing strategy and highlights the significance of resistance movements like the Black Guerrilla Family. Her insights challenge listeners to rethink the narratives surrounding mass incarceration.

Samuel Helfont, an Associate Professor at the Naval War College and an expert on Iraq, discusses the complexities of the Iraq wars over the past three decades. He highlights the interconnectedness of the Gulf War, the 2003 invasion, and the rise of ISIS, emphasizing the lack of U.S. planning post-Gulf War. Helfont critiques U.S. military strategies and the missteps during the occupation, which led to instability. He also explores the roots of ISIS and evaluates whether the Iraq wars have truly ended, while sharing insights from his new book, aimed at offering a concise understanding of these conflicts.