The Problem with Reading
The Problem with Reading
A book appreciation club hosted by one catholic, one anglican, and one orthodox nerd. We talk about book chapters, special topics, and what we're drinking.
Currently:
-James Scott's Seeing Like a State (502-present)
Previously:
-Jacques Ellul's Propaganda: The Formation of Men's Attitudes (421-427, 429)
-Carl Trueman's Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self (407-410, 412-413, 415-416)
-Neil Postman's Amusing Ourselves to Death (402 and 405)
-Richard Weaver's Ideas Have Consequences (314-318)
-Iain McGilchrist's The Master and His Emissary (213-310)
-Alasdair MacIntyre's After Virtue (101-114,116-119)
You can find this podcast on most podcast applications, Itunes, Spotify, and Soundcloud.
Currently:
-James Scott's Seeing Like a State (502-present)
Previously:
-Jacques Ellul's Propaganda: The Formation of Men's Attitudes (421-427, 429)
-Carl Trueman's Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self (407-410, 412-413, 415-416)
-Neil Postman's Amusing Ourselves to Death (402 and 405)
-Richard Weaver's Ideas Have Consequences (314-318)
-Iain McGilchrist's The Master and His Emissary (213-310)
-Alasdair MacIntyre's After Virtue (101-114,116-119)
You can find this podcast on most podcast applications, Itunes, Spotify, and Soundcloud.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 27, 2025 • 46min
511 The Problem with..."Personal Knowledge, Part 1"
Our next book is “Personal Knowledge” by Michael Polanyi. Polymath, chemist, philosophy of science and politics, Polanyi has the ambitious goal to rescue knowledge itself from the subjective/objective gulf. We’re going to have tacit knowledge, violins, the speed of light, and much, much more. Join us for this adventure!
Oct 1, 2025 • 42min
510 The Problem with..."Seeing Like a Citizen, and Seeing Like a State, Part 7"
We conclude our journey through the eyes of state. Sam prepares for a harrowing experience, Stephen breaks his back (again) and Brevin welcomes Fall with the traditional liturgy. Have a listen!
Sep 13, 2025 • 60min
509 The Problem with..."Polycropping, Death Cab, and Seeing Like a State, Part 6"
Polycropping, practical knowledge, and National Park Shenanigans; Have a listen!
Jul 28, 2025 • 48min
508 The Problem with..."Communes, Spinal Tap, and Seeing Like a State, Part 5"
Back in the day, all the cool kids were collectivizing farms, by force if necessary (it generally was). Did you know they were all High Modernists? James Scott tells the stories of Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Russia and their violent agricultural revolutions. The unfortunate meeting of capitalist and communist minds, united in the confidence of technocratic solutions, had immense the human cost, but led, inevitably, to legibility, and the reinforcement of the centralized state's position. Also, Spinal Tap for Sam, Stephen is mad about Grok, and Brevin's phone is going to explode. Have a listen!
Jul 7, 2025 • 1h 14min
507 The Problem with..."Metaphysics" ft. Dr. Mike
Dr. Mike joins the podcast to teach Metaphysics 101 and put Dr. Stephen in his place. We discuss the inescapability of metaphysics, the ontological argument (for perfect unicorns), and more. Plus, a game to decide the ultimate meta-metaphysician, and Mike hates basketball. Have a listen!
Jun 22, 2025 • 55min
506 The Problem with..."Lenin, R&D, and Seeing Like a State, Part 4"
We turn to Mother Russia, the Revolution, and a certain Mr. Lenin for another view into High Modernism. Weightlifting Socialists, vanguards, and alternative Marxisms are all on the table. Separately, Stephen is a Doctor, ideas are special things, and we play out the episode with a special song. Have a listen!
Apr 19, 2025 • 42min
505 The Problem with..."Architectural Despots, Jane Jacobs, and Seeing Like a State, Part 3"
The hands of High Modernism have left their mark on world, nowhere more dramatically than on the form of the City. Le Corbusier, architect and supervillain, contends with Jane Jacobs, New York Lover and sidewalk-er. How many cubic meters of air does a person needs? How much empty pavement can put down? Is 18 lanes enough for the main street? All these questions and more, answered. Also, everyone is ill, or soon to be.
Mar 29, 2025 • 37min
504 The Problem with…"Tau, France, and Seeing Like a State, Part 2”
Is your Last Name a government conspiracy? Is 2xPi overrated? Is illegibility of local conditions and terrain a protection against state control? The answer to all these questions is “Yes.”
Mar 22, 2025 • 51min
503 The Problem with…“Forstwissenschaftlers and Seeing Like a State, Part 1”
German Scientific Forestry goes horribly wrong! Cadastral mapping allow for state exploitation of otherwise illegible localities! Appearance of order does not imply efficiency! Also, Sam breaks his toe, Brevin enjoys Shamrock Shakes, and Stephen is an Engineer™.
Mar 5, 2025 • 27min
502 The Problem with..."Seeing Like a State"
In which we begin our new book: "Seeing Like a State: How Certain Schemes to Improve the Human Condition Have Failed" by James C. Scott. High Modernism, maps, peasant anthropology, utopian schemes, evil architects...this book has it all, and we're excited for the journey.
