Behind the News: Ways Out of a Global Crisis w/ Malcolm Harris

Bankers in the Ivory Tower explores how finance has transformed higher education in America, contributing to inequality and the financialization of the sector. The book details the connections between elite universities, for-profit colleges, and public universities, revealing how financiers have shaped these institutions to serve their interests. It argues that this financial influence has led to increased student debt and reduced social mobility.

In 'Palo Alto: A History of California, Capitalism, and the World,' Malcolm Harris provides a detailed and critical history of Silicon Valley. The book spans 150 years, from the era of railroad barons to the modern tech industry, and explores how Northern California evolved into a powerful engine for economic growth and global influence. Harris examines the ideologies, technologies, and policies that have shaped the region, including the impact of settler colonialism, racialized labor, and the conversion of public resources into private assets. The book also delves into the lives of key figures such as Leland Stanford, Herbert Hoover, and Peter Thiel, and offers a radical proposition for how society might change course in the face of the current economic and technological landscape.

In 'Pedigree', Lauren Rivera examines the hiring practices of top-tier investment banks, consulting firms, and law firms, revealing how social class biases favor applicants from affluent backgrounds. The book challenges the notion of meritocracy in the job market, highlighting the role of economic, social, and cultural resources in securing elite jobs.