New Books in Sociology

Gabriella Coleman, a Harvard anthropologist and expert on hacker cultures, joins Paula Bialski, a digital sociology professor, to discuss the evolution and ethics of hacking. They explore the changing identities of hackers, from 'white hats' to 'black hats,' and how aesthetics in coding can provoke moral outrage. The conversation highlights the professionalization of hacking and the tensions between quality and speed in software development. Coleman also hints at founding a new field of Critical Mold Studies—an intriguing twist on traditional academic disciplines!

In this engaging discussion, Carola Lorea, an expert in global religion, and Rosalind Hackett, a prominent figure in religious studies, delve into the concept of 'religious sounds.' They explore how sounds shape communities and identities beyond the Global North, emphasizing the significance of sonic experiences. The duo advocates for a 'sonic turn' in religious studies, challenging Eurocentric narratives and promoting diverse cultural perspectives. They also highlight women's contributions to electronic music and the spiritual connections within this genre, calling for greater recognition and inclusivity.

Yuca Meubrink, a social scientist and researcher at the Berlin Brandenburg Academy, dives into the nuanced impacts of inclusionary housing in London and New York City. He critiques the controversial 'poor door' practice, where affordable units are segregated from wealthier ones, revealing how these policies often exacerbate gentrification rather than alleviate it. Meubrink explores the complexities of urban policies and their failure to address true social equity, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to reform housing strategies.

Dr. Arvid J. Lukauskas, a political economy expert at Columbia University, and Dr. Yumiko Shimabukuro expose the overlooked social tragedies in East Asia's economic landscape. They dive into pressing issues like elderly poverty, emphasizing a shocking 40% poverty rate among seniors in South Korea. The guests challenge conventional success narratives by discussing inadequate labor policies and low wages, while shedding light on alarming child abuse rates and housing crises. Their multidisciplinary approach advocates for a deeper understanding of social welfare amidst economic growth.

Zai Liang, a sociology professor at SUNY Albany and author of "From Chinatown to Every Town," delves into the fascinating evolution of Chinese immigration in America, particularly its impact on the restaurant industry. He discusses the shift from traditional Chinatowns to new immigrant destinations, driven by employment agencies and innovative transportation like Chinatown buses. Liang also highlights the cultural exchange between Chinese entrepreneurs and mainstream businesses, and the vital community ties that persist despite geographic changes.

Antonio A. Casilli, a sociology professor at the Institute Polytechnique de Paris, delves into the overlooked human labor powering AI technologies. He argues that rather than robots stealing jobs, it's humans taking on increasingly menial roles in digital labor. Casilli sheds light on the exploitation of underpaid workers, particularly from the Global South, whose efforts keep algorithms functioning. He emphasizes the urgent need for recognizing these contributions and rethinking labor rights in the gig economy. His insights reveal the delicate balance between automation and human value in today's workforce.

In An Archive of Possibilities: Healing and Repair in Democratic Republic of Congo (Duke UP, 2024), anthropologist and surgeon Rachel Marie Niehuus explores possibilities of healing and repair in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo against a backdrop of 250 years of Black displacement, enslavement, death, and chronic war. Niehuus argues that in a context in which violence characterizes everyday life, Congolese have developed innovative and imaginative ways to live amid and mend from repetitive harm. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork and the Black critical theory of Achille Mbembe, Christina Sharpe, Alexis Pauline Gumbs and others, Niehuus explores the renegotiation of relationships with land as a form of public healing, the affective experience of living in insecurity, the hospital as a site for the socialization of pain, the possibility of necropolitical healing, and the uses of prophesy to create collective futures. By considering the radical nature of cohabitating with violence, Niehuus demonstrates that Congolese practices of healing imagine and articulate alternative ways of living in a global regime of antiblackness.Rachel Marie Niehuus is an anthropologist and a surgeon currently on faculty in the Department of Surgery at University of North Carolina. Her next project continues this study of world-making through an analysis of the role of medicine in what might come after the world of Man.Atalia Israeli-Nevo is an anthropology PhD student at the University of Texas at Austin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/sociology

Erica Borgstrom and Renske Visser dive into the multifaceted world of death, dying, and bereavement. Borgstrom, a medical anthropology professor, and Visser, a medical anthropologist with a focus on space and place, explore how social and political factors influence death experiences. They discuss the impact of government policies on mortality, the evolving landscape of hospice care, and the need for a more nuanced understanding of grief. Listeners will also gain insights into their future research projects and the importance of critical approaches to palliative care.

In this engaging discussion, Taylor N. Carlson, an associate professor of political science at Washington University in St. Louis, delves into the dynamics of how information spreads in today's society. He explains that a significant portion of Americans now rely on peer-to-peer communication rather than traditional media for political insights. Carlson reveals the consequences of this shift, including increased bias and misinformation, leading to distorted democratic processes. He also explores the dual impact of social conversations on public attitudes, especially regarding critical issues like immigration and environmental policy.

Naomi Hodgson, an expert in educational philosophy and parenting, and Stefan Ramaekers, who focuses on family policy, dive into the philosophical dimensions of raising children. They discuss how contemporary films can reshape our understanding of parenting, emphasizing its role beyond mere training. The pair critiques traditional parenting advice, highlighting moral complexities and the dangers of over-simplified strategies. They also reflect on the influence of digital media on modern parenting, suggesting that cinema can enhance our grasp of the existential facets of family life.