Plastic Bag Bans

Past Present Podcast, Episode 219

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: On March 1, a plastic bag ban went into effect in New York City. Neil referred to this Washington Post article about such bans around the world and Niki recommended this Atlantic piece on the rise of the plastic bag’s popularity. Natalia cited this Washington Post column by Alexandra Petri. In our regular closing feature, What’s ...
Read More
Placeholder

Fat Activism

Past Present Podcast, Episode 218

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: In recent years, “body positivity” has become a buzzword. Natalia cited The Fat Studies Reader and this Campus Reform article about more extreme forms of fat liberation. Niki referred to this Bitch Media article about the connections between fat and queer liberation. We previously discussed plus-size models on Episode ...
Read More
Placeholder

Ripped From the Headlines

Exiles on 12th Street, Episode Seven

What has happened to the news? As the proliferation of terms like “fake news” and “alternative facts” indicates, we can’t take everything we read at face value. So who can we trust? The seventh episode of Exiles on 12th Street investigates how news media has changed, and how the headlines ...
Read More
Placeholder

COVID-19 and Protective Face Masks

Past Present Podcast, Episode 217

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: The threat of coronavirus has lately made protective face masks a fixture in many global cities. Natalia cited this Vox article about the hoarding of such masks. Neil referred to this Quartz piece about the broader use of face masks in Asian countries. In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: Natalia recommended Mac ...
Read More
Placeholder

Disinformation, hyper-partisanship and the limits of regulation

Eurozine podcast pt. 1: The changing face of the media

In the first of this new Eurozine podcast series, Eurozine editor Simon Garnett talks with Claire Potter, author of the book Political Junkies: From Talk Radio to Twitter, How Alternative Media Hooked Us on Politics and Broke Our Democracy and editor of Public Seminar (US), and Daniel Leisegang, editor of Blätter für deutsche und internationale Politik (Germany).The podcast was recorded ...
Read More
Disinformation, hyper-partisanship and the limits of regulation

A Proposal to “Make Federal Buildings Beautiful Again”

Past Present Podcast, Episode 216

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Conservative architectural organization the National Civic Art Society has drafted an executive order that establishes the style for federal buildings nationwide. Natalia cited this Intelligencer article about the false dichotomies on which the ensuing debate rests. Niki referred to Ross Douthat’s New York Times opinion piece on the ...
Read More
Placeholder

The 2020 Iowa Caucuses

Past Present Podcast, Episode 215

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: The 2020 Iowa caucus was a logistical disaster. Natalia cited this POLITICO piece about longer standing concerns about Iowa. Neil wrote about Pete Buttigieg’s historic showing in Iowa in his column for The Week. In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: Natalia discussed the Amazon ...
Read More
Placeholder

Moderate Republicans

Past Present Podcast, Episode 214

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Where have all the moderate Republicans gone? Neil wrote about Susan Collins and the end of moderate Republicans in his column for The Week. Niki shared Geoffrey Kabaservice’s book Rule and Ruin as the definitive history of moderate Republicans. Natalia discussed Ezra Klein’s recent New ...
Read More
Placeholder

Little Women

Past Present Podcast, Episode 213

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Greta Gerwig’s Little Women has received enthusiastic critical praise. Natalia referred to this New York Times article about the nearly all-white cast, and Niki recommended this New Yorker article about Laura Dern’s portrayal of Marmee. Natalia also cited this American Conservative article about the absence of faith in the latest adaptation. In our regular ...
Read More
Placeholder

Jeopardy!

Past Present Podcast, Episode 212

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Jeopardy! is in the news thanks to its GOAT tournament. Natalia referred to this Smithsonian article about the show’s origin story. In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: Natalia recommended Sarah Schrank’s new book, Free and Natural: Nudity and the Cult of the American Body. Neil discussed Katie Reilly’s Time article, “Donald Trump ...
Read More
Placeholder

The Australian Bushfires

Past Present Podcast, Episode 211

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Fire is ravaging Australia. Natalia referred to this Washington Post piece about the politicization of the fires. Niki discussed the long history of bushfires in Australia. In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: Natalia recommended Ashley Fetters’ Atlantic article, “The Boys Who Wear Shorts All Winter.”Neil discussed Campbell Robinson and Elizabeth Dias’ New ...
Read More
Placeholder

U.S. Embassy Attack in Baghdad

Past Present Podcast, Episode 210

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Iraqi militants stormed the American embassy in Baghdad last week. Neil referenced the recently leaked cable communications between Iran and Iraq. Natalia referred to this Middle East Eye essay on the historical significance of attacks on American embassies and to this Guardian piece on the history of U.S. embassies. In our ...
Read More
Placeholder