New Books in Popular Culture

Julie Fette, an Associate Professor of French at Rice University and author of "Gender by the Book", dives into the complex world of gender representations in 21st-century French children's literature. She discusses how libraries and book clubs impact what children read, revealing that 80% of sampled books still contain gender stereotypes. Fette also explores the influence of French universalism on literature and why publishers often prioritize male-centric content, fearing to alienate boy readers. However, she highlights the emergence of progressive publishers offering more equitable stories for children.

Explore the profound layers of Bruce Springsteen's 1982 album, Nebraska, as hosts discuss its emotional depth and political context. Delve into the timeless quality of its lo-fi sound and the hauntingly personal narratives within. Hear contrasting first impressions from a lifelong fan and a newcomer. Discover parallels to film and American mythology, alongside themes of debt, guilt, and fatherhood. The discussion touches on Springsteen's inspirations while analyzing the stark beauty of the album's instrumentation and lyrical poignancy.

The podcast dives into Bruce Springsteen's 1982 album Nebraska, exploring its rich personal and political layers. One host shares a lifelong appreciation, while the other confronts it as a newcomer. They discuss the lo-fi recording's historical context, capturing the anxieties of early 80s America. Key themes include the moral dilemmas in songs like 'Highway Patrolman' and the haunting imagery of 'My Father's House.' The discussion reflects on how the album's timeless sound continues to influence artists today.

Rebecca van Laer, an ex-academic with a PhD from Brown, shares insights from her upcoming book, Cat. She humorously navigates the complexities of human-cat relationships, discussing the appeal of cats’ independence against the structured roles of dog ownership. Van Laer also challenges stereotypes like the 'crazy cat lady' and explores how cats subtly influence ideas about work and affection. With a mix of memoir and cultural commentary, she encourages listeners to appreciate the autonomy of feline companionship.

Michael F. Maniates, a leading scholar in environmental politics, discusses his book, The Living-Green Myth. He challenges the notion that individual green choices can drive systemic change, calling it 'utter nonsense.' Maniates delves into the origins of lifestyle environmentalism and critiques its depoliticizing effect. He emphasizes the power of collective action over consumer-focused change and advocates for institutional reforms. Additionally, he highlights the need for structural changes that simplify sustainable living, pushing back against the myths that hinder genuine progress.

Tamar Mitts, an Associate Professor at Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs, dives into the challenges of content moderation and online extremism. She discusses how varying moderation standards across social media platforms create safe havens for hate groups like Islamic State and QAnon. Mitts explores how extremist actors manipulate platform rules, the impact on user radicalization and echo chambers, and the tension between censorship and free speech. Her insights highlight the need for unified moderation to combat these complex issues.

Brian Baker, a veteran punk-rock guitarist from bands like Minor Threat and Bad Religion, shares insights from his photography collection, The Road. He discusses how his cell phone has influenced his artistic practice, capturing both iconic rock moments and the mundane aspects of touring. Baker reveals that the book's images are intentionally left without captions to invite interpretation, much like song lyrics. He also highlights standout photos, including a memorable backstage shot, and shares plans for upcoming book events and tours.

Micah Salkind, a scholar, DJ, and author, dives into the fascinating world of Frankie Knuckles, the 'Godfather of House.' He discusses how Knuckles redefined music after the backlash against disco, creating a sound that resonated with marginalized communities. The conversation unpacks the impacts of Disco Demolition Night, explores the roots of house music in Chicago's underground, and highlights the significance of spaces like the Warehouse. Salkind also addresses the misremembering of house music and its connection as 'Chicago's musical Stonewall,' emphasizing resilience through creativity.

In this episode of International Horizons, Interim Director Eli Karetny speaks with film scholar Nathan Abrams about the enduring relevance of Stanley Kubrick and what his work can teach us about our current era. From the nuclear absurdities of Dr. Strangelove to the cosmic rebirth of 2001: A Space Odyssey, Kubrick’s films expose the fragile line between technological mastery and moral collapse. Abrams unpacks Kubrick’s fascination with war, authority, and obedience, his roots in the New York Jewish intellectual tradition, and his exploration of mystical and mythic themes—from Kabbalah to The Odyssey. Together, they reveal how Kubrick’s cinematic universe reflects our own: a world where human creativity, paranoia, and power intertwine in both terrifying and illuminating ways. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/popular-culture

Charles J. Stivale (Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Wayne State University) and Dan Smith (Professor of Philosophy, Purdue University) join me to discuss: Deleuze, Gilles. 2025. On Painting. Edited by David Lapoujade, translated by Charles J. Stivale. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press. Although Charles is the translator of this New Book, he has been working with Dan for years on The Deleuze Seminars (website here). Dan is also the translator of Deleuze’s Francis Bacon: The Logic of Sensation, which Deleuze published shortly after giving this seminar. I thank Charles for bringing him in to contribute to our discussion! From the inside flap: “ ” Nathan Smith is a PhD candidate in Music Theory at Yale University nathan.smith@yale.edu Available for the first time in English: the complete and annotated transcripts of Deleuze’s 1981 seminars on paintingFrom 1970 until 1987, Gilles Deleuze held a weekly seminar at the Experimental University of Vincennes and, starting in 1980, at Saint-Denis. In the spring of 1981, he began a series of eight seminars on painting and its intersections with philosophy. The recorded sessions, newly transcribed and translated into English, are now available in their entirety for the first time. Extensively annotated by philosopher David Lapoujade, On Painting illuminates Deleuze’s thinking on artistic creation, significantly extending the lines of thought in his book Francis Bacon.Through paintings and writing by Rembrandt, Delacroix, Turner, Cézanne, Van Gogh, Klee, Pollock, and Bacon, Deleuze explores the creative process, from chaos to the pictorial fact. The introduction and use of color feature prominently as Deleuze elaborates on artistic and philosophical concepts such as the diagram, modulation, code, and the digital and the analogical. Through this scrutiny, he raises a series of profound and stimulating questions for his students: How does a painter ward off grayness and attain color? What is a line without contour? Why paint at all?Written and thought in a rhizomatic manner that is thoroughly Deleuzian—strange, powerful, and novel—On Painting traverses both the conception of art history and the possibility of color as a philosophical concept. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/popular-culture