Peoples & Things

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.

Paula Bialski, a digital sociology professor, and Lee Vinsel discuss 'Middle Tech,' advocating for embracing 'good enough' in software work. They explore balancing excellence and imperfection in various fields, including software development and parenting. The conversation touches on personal narratives in software development, societal pressures, and the challenges of managing expectations in tech environments. They also discuss the role of AI technology and the concept of 'small tech' as a sustainable alternative in the industry.

Trish Kahle, Assistant Professor at Georgetown University-Qatar, discusses the labor history of electricity systems, energy citizenship, and the emerging field of energy humanities. They explore the intersection of labor history and technology, the significance of energy workers, and the interconnectedness of energy and human behavior.

In a lively chat, danah boyd and Lee Vinsel cover topics ranging from teen social lives in the digital age to the productivity paradox of digital technologies. Insights on collaborative research in AI implementation, regulations on children's online safety, and the transition to census analysis are also explored. The discussion ends with reflections on power dynamics, capitalism in tech, and challenges in digital platform user experience.

Professor Jennifer Hart discusses African mobility and infrastructure in Ghana, exploring historical influences on urban development. The conversation touches on the emergence of pirate lorries, challenges in urban transport, and adapting research methods during the pandemic. They also emphasize the importance of integrating humanities and social sciences in infrastructure projects for more inclusive solutions.