Benjamin J. Shestakofsky, an Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, dives into how venture capital influences work and innovation. He discusses his book, which reveals the pressures VC funding puts on startups to scale rapidly, often at the cost of worker welfare and economic equality. Shestakofsky also explores the complexities of managing remote teams and critiques traditional capitalist structures. He advocates for equitable investment models and highlights the potential of worker cooperatives as alternatives to the existing system.

Anthony Kwame Harrison, a prominent sociology professor and hip-hop culture expert, joins forces with musician Mad Squirrel, co-founder of the Forest Fires Collective. They dive into the nostalgic significance of cassette tapes in hip-hop, exploring how these tapes fostered authenticity and community in the Bay Area scene. The duo shares personal stories about freestyle rap’s artistry, the journey of DIY music creation, and the importance of vulnerability in both performance and ethnography. Their insights celebrate the powerful bond between music and identity.

Salem Elzway, a postdoctoral fellow at USC, and Jason Resnikoff, an assistant professor at the University of Groningen, delve into the history of automation and its multifaceted impact on labor. They explore the misconceptions surrounding automation, emphasizing the need for collaborative research. The discussion spans the historical significance of labor movements, technological optimism, and the interplay between automation and socio-political dynamics. Additionally, they reflect on the evolving nature of work, the impact of unions, and the challenges posed by modern technological advancements.

Meryl Alper, an Associate Professor at Northeastern University and author of *Kids Across the Spectrums*, dives into the experiences of autistic children in today’s digital landscape. She discusses the significance of inclusive media representation and critiques societal stereotypes surrounding autism. Alper advocates for empirical research over anecdotal evidence to better understand diverse experiences. The conversation also explores the role of technology in self-expression and identity formation for autistic individuals while addressing educational reform and online safety.

Peoples & Things host, Lee Vinsel, talks with MacArthur “Genius Prize” winning historian Pamela Long about her long career writing about the history of ancient and Medieval technologies. The pair use Long’s forthcoming book, Technology in Mediterranean and European Lands, 600-1600 (Johns Hopkins UP, 2025), as a launching point but also cover her previous work, especially including Engineering the Eternal City: Infrastructure, Topography, and the Culture of Knowledge in Late Sixteenth-Century Rome (University of Chicago Press, 2018), which, among other things, contains deep reflections on the history of maintenance. Long and Vinsel also discuss Long’s future projects, including a fascinating sounding study of the history of sumptuary laws - regulations on expenditures of luxury goods, including food, clothing, and personal items - and their connection to technological change. GET EXCITED! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Peoples & Things host, Lee Vinsel, talks to Emily Bender, Professor of Linguistics, Director of the Masters of Science in Computational Linguistics program, and Director of the Computational Linguistics Laboratory at University of Washington, about her work on artificial intelligence criticism. Bender is also an adjunct professor in the School of Computer Science and Engineering and the Information School at UW; she is a member of the Tech Policy Lab, the Value Sensitive Design Lab, the Distributed AI Research Institute, and RAISE, or Responsibilities in AI Systems and Experiences; *AND*, with Alex Hanna, she is co-host of the Mystery AI Hype Theater podcast, which you should check out. Vinsel and Bender talk about the current AI bubble, what is driving it, and the technological potentials and limitations of this technology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Peoples & Things host, Lee Vinsel, talks to Raquel Velho, Associate Professor of Science and Technology Studies at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, about her recent book, Hacking the Underground: Disability, Infrastructure, and London's Public Transport System (U Washington Press, 2023). Hacking the Underground provides a fascinating ethnographic investigation of how disabled people navigate a transportation system that is far from accessible. Velho finds disabled passengers constantly hacking and finding workarounds, including lots of fix-y maintenance tasks, to get from one place to another. While these workarounds involve obvious creativity, they are also the products of an unequal system and the failure to enact a more-thoroughgoing and radically-transformative redesigning of public transportation systems in the name of accessibility. Vinsel and Velho also touch on a wide range of other topics, including issues of theory and method, and they talk about what Velho is up to next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cyrus Mody, a Professor in the History of Science, Technology, and Innovation at Maastricht University, shares insights from his book about the often-ignored contributions of 'square' scientists in the 1970s. He contrasts these conventional figures with the countercultural narratives typically dominating discussions about technology. Mody discusses the evolution of STEM education, the intricacies of interdisciplinary collaboration, and the challenges of sustainability in the oil industry, all while emphasizing the importance of responsible scientific practices.

Benjamin Waterhouse, a full Professor of History at UNC Chapel Hill, delves into the rise of self-employment in America since the 1970s. He critiques the glorification of entrepreneurship, highlighting its often negative implications for those who pursue it out of necessity rather than opportunity. The conversation touches on the myths of small business success, the realities of job quality, and the seductive allure of individualism in a complex economic landscape. They also hint at an upcoming project exploring the cultural and political history of the 1990s.

Kate McDonald, an Associate Professor of History at UC Santa Barbara specializing in Asian mobility and labor, sheds light on the rich narratives of transport history. She discusses her work on rickshaws and railroads, emphasizing the significance of human-powered transport in understanding labor dynamics. McDonald explores the historical protest movements of rickshaw pullers in Japan and promotes a more inclusive approach to technology studies. Her insights advocate for a global perspective that highlights marginalized voices in the history of mobility and labor.