Past Present Archives - Page 18 of 27

Feature

Blackface, Venezuela, and Conversation Hearts

Past Present Episode 166

February 12, 2019 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the history of blackface, political upheaval in Venezuela, and the demise of Valentine’s Day conversation hearts. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Two top Virginia Democrats have admitted to wearing blackface. Natalia pointed to a recent Gucci turtleneck that many have ...

Blackface, Venezuela, and Conversation Hearts

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The KonMari Method as Consumer Theory

How Marie Kondo helps us re-learn to love the things we buy

February 11, 2019 • by Andrew C. McKevitt

This essay was originally published on February 11 2019. I first sat down to watch Tidying Up with Marie Kondo only after “Bookgate” had already erupted and passed. In early January, a series of viral tweets criticized Kondo and her “KonMari” tidying method for the suggestion that one ought to keep no more ...

Feature

Howard Schultz, Gay Priests, and Ted Bundy

Past Present Episode 165

February 5, 2019 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss Howard Schultz’ presidential bid, gay men in the priesthood, and the enduring fascination with serial killer Ted Bundy. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Starbucks founder Howard Schultz has announced he is running for the presidency in 2020. Natalia referred ...

Howard Schultz, Gay Priests, and Ted Bundy

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Marching on Washington, the LA Teachers’ Strike, and Cities and Economic Inequality

Past Present Episode 164

January 29, 2019 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss marching on Washington as a form of political protest, the Los Angeles teachers’ strike, and how American cities reflect economic inequality. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Native American and pro-life activists both marched in Washington, D.C., last ...

Marching on Washington, the LA Teachers’ Strike, and Cities and Economic Inequality

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Gillette’s New Ad, Rep. Steve King, and Cursive’s Decline

Past Present Episode 163

January 22, 2019 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Gillette released a new ad taking aim at “toxic masculinity.” Natalia recommended historian Gail Bederman’s book Manliness and Civilization: A Cultural History of Race and Gender in the United States, 1880-1917 and a Twitter thread she compiled of relevant historical images. Neil referred to his HuffPost piece on the campaign’s ...

Gillette’s New Ad, Rep. Steve King, and Cursive’s Decline

Feature

The Green New Deal, Marie Kondo, and National Emergencies

Past Present Episode 162

January 15, 2019 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the Green New Deal, the KonMari craze, and the history of national emergencies. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Twitter has been abuzz with talk of a “Green New Deal.” Neil referred to Thomas Friedman’s first use of ...

The Green New Deal, Marie Kondo, and National Emergencies

Feature

“Fault Lines,” Dry January, and the Sex Recession

Past Present Episode 161

January 8, 2019 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia welcome Princeton historians Kevin M. Kruse and Julian Zelizer to discuss their new book, Fault Lines: A History of the United States Since 1974, followed by a discussion of “Dry January,” and new findings that young people are having less sex. Here are some links ...

“Fault Lines,” Dry January, and the Sex Recession

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The Weekly Standard, Sheryl Sandberg, and “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”

Past Present Episode 160

January 6, 2019 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the closing of the conservative magazine The Weekly Standard, changing public perceptions of Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, and the controversy over the 1944 Christmas classic “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: After twenty-three years, the ...

The Weekly Standard, Sheryl Sandberg, and “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”

Multi Media

Classical Statues, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” and Oklahoma Land Rights

Past Present Episode 159

December 19, 2018 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the disputed whiteness of classical statues, the Emmy Award-winning show The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Native American claims to land rights in Oklahoma. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: A small cadre of archaeologists and art historians are ...

Classical Statues, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” and Oklahoma Land Rights

Multi Media

George H.W. Bush, Exorcisms, and the Squatty Potty

Past Present Episode 158

December 11, 2018 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the death of President George Herbert Walker Bush, the resurgence of exorcisms, and the viral popularity of the Squatty Potty. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Forty-first president George H.W. Bush died recently at age 94. Niki mentioned ...

George H.W. Bush, Exorcisms, and the Squatty Potty

Multi Media

Inmate Firefighters, China’s Social Credit System, and Chanukah

Past Present Episode 157

December 4, 2018 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss convict firefighters, China’s new social credit system, and the history of Chanukah. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: California’s latest wave of forest fires is being battled in part by inmates in the state’s prisons through a ...

Inmate Firefighters, China’s Social Credit System, and Chanukah

Multi Media

Segregation Academies, the Death of an American Missionary, and Victoria’s Secret

Past Present Episode 156

November 28, 2018 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss segregation academies, the death of an American missionary, and the declining market share of lingerie giant Victoria’s Secret. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Mississippi Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith, who is in a runoff contest to hold on ...