The Long Con: Scarcity and the Origins of Virtue
Unproductive Labor Podcast, Episode 8
Unproductive Labor · The Long Con: Scarcity and the Origins of Virtue
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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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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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Biden’s Build Back Better Act
Past Present Podcast, Episode 299
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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
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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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