Giving Tuesday

Past Present Podcast, Episode 303

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Giving Tuesday has become as familiar a Thanksgiving holiday ritual as Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Natalia referred to political philosopher Rob Reich’s book, Just Giving: Why Philanthropy Is Failing Democracy and How It Can Do Betterand his Washington Post ...
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A History of Gratitude

Past Present Podcast, Episode 302

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Thanksgiving is upon us, but gratitude is a virtue celebrated in American culture all year long. Natalia and Niki referred to Barbara Ehrenreich’s book Bright-Sided: Why Positive Thinking Is Undermining America, and Natalia drew on this piece to argue why ...
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The Hope of Pleasure in What you Make: A Conversation about Luddism with Gavin Mueller

Unproductive Labor Podcast, Episode 7

Unproductive Labor · The Hope of Pleasure in What You Make: A Conversation with Gavin Mueller Dr. Mueller Mueller is  Assistant Professor of New Media and Digital Culture at the University of Amsterdam. He’s also a member of the editorial collective of Viewpoint Magazine. Breaking Things at Work: The Luddites Are ...
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The Hope of Pleasure in What you Make: A Conversation about Luddism with Gavin Mueller

Diversity Workshops and Sensitivity Training

Past Present Podcast, Episode 301

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: As conservative attacks on a supposed takeover of American institutions by proponents of critical race theory escalate, many on the political left have begun to articulate distinctions between “trainings” and education that deal with race. Natalia recommended this Inside Higher ...
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The NYC Marathon and the History of Long-Distance Racing

Past Present Podcast, Episode 300

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: The fiftieth New York City Marathon was canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus, but the race has returnedthis year.Natalia referred to historian Dylan Gottlieb’s Public Seminar article about the origins of the race and to runner Kathrine Switzer’s memoir, ...
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The Origins of Wage Labor

Unproductive Labor Podcast, Episode 6

Unproductive Labor · Episode 6: The Origins of Wage Labor What We Talked About John Maynard Keynes, “Economic Possibilities for Our Grandchildren” James Livingston, No More Work  Ann Kussmaul, Servants in Husbandry in Early Modern England Joyce Appleby, Economic Thought and Ideology in Seventeenth-Century England Joan Thirsk, Agrarian History of England The Natural John Denver, “Thank God I’m ...
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The Origins of Wage Labor

Biden’s Build Back Better Act

Past Present Podcast, Episode 299

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: The Biden administration’s proposed spending package contains some potentially transformative legislation: especially around childcare. Neil referred to this New Republic essay about the extent of the proposals, and Natalia drew on this New York Times article considering how Biden measures ...
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Colin Powell

Past Present Podcast, Episode 298

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Colin Powell died earlier this month of complications from the coronavirus, prompting discussion of the legacy of his term as Secretary of State, and especially of the Powell Doctrine. Neil mentioned Michael Hirsh’s support for the Powell Doctrine in a ...
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“Shadow Inflation” and the COVID Economy

Past Present Podcast, Episode 297

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: “Shadow inflation” is affecting many American industries, in which services are being scaled back as prices remain the same or increase. Niki referred to this Vox article about the changes since the inflation of the 1970s.  In our regular closing feature, ...
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The Facebook Whistleblower

Past Present Podcast, Episode 296

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: The Congressional testimony of whistleblower Frances Haugen is raising new questions about the social effects of Facebook’s global market domination. Niki referred to this interview with Facebook expert Siva Vaidhyanathan and Haugen’s 60 Minutes interview. Natalia drew on this NPR ...
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High-End Veganism and the Rise of Plant-Based Eating

Past Present Podcast, Episode 295

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Innovative fine dining restaurant Eleven Madison Park has earned mixed reviews for its newly vegan menu. Natalia cited historian Adam Shprintzen’s book The Vegetarian Crusade: The Rise of An American Reform Movement, 1817-1921.Niki cited the 1971 book Diet for a ...
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