New Books in Science, Technology, and Society
New Books Network
This podcast is a channel on the New Books Network. The New Books Network is an academic audio library dedicated to public education. In each episode you will hear scholars discuss their recently published research with another expert in their field.
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Discover our 150+ channels and browse our 28,000+ episodes on our website: newbooksnetwork.com
Subscribe to our free weekly Substack newsletter to get informative, engaging content straight to your inbox: https://newbooksnetwork.substack.com/
Follow us on Instagram and Bluesky to learn about more our latest interviews: @newbooksnetworkSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/science-technology-and-society
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 30, 2024 • 57min
Chen-Pang Yeang, "Transforming Noise. A History of Its Science and Technology from Disturbing Sounds to Informational Errors, 1900-1955" (2023)
In this episode, author Chen-Pang Yeang discusses the historical transformation of noise from disturbing sounds to informational errors in the early 20th century. They explore the impact of noise in various fields, such as telecommunications and sound reproduction technology. The chapter also highlights the development of mathematical theories related to noise, including the phenomenon of Brownian motion. Additionally, the speaker delves into the challenges and opportunities faced by scientists from the global south during the 20th century. They discuss the importance of understanding the personal elements in scientific work.
Jan 28, 2024 • 55min
Elinor Cleghorn, "Unwell Women: A Journey Through Medicine and Myth in a Man-Made World" (Dutton, 2022)
Dr. Elinor Cleghorn unpacks the journey of women through medicine and myth in a man-made world. Topics include the historical mistreatment of women's bodies, the myth of the wandering womb, patriarchy's influence on women's health perception, challenging prejudices in medicine, debunking sexist assumptions, the role of pharmaceutical companies in perpetuating stereotypes, the feminist health movement in the 1970s, and the author's upcoming projects exploring the patriarchal institution of motherhood.
Jan 28, 2024 • 29min
Sandro Galea, "Within Reason: A Liberal Public Health for an Illiberal Time" (U Chicago Press, 2023)
Sandro Galea, a provocative chronicler of the straying of US public health from its liberal roots, discusses the retreat from principles of free speech and open debate in public health. He explores how public health became enmeshed in social trends under Covid-19, calling for a return to critical, open inquiry as a guiding principle. Galea also reflects on learning from the pandemic, difficult conversations in public health, and the future of a holistic approach to health.
Jan 27, 2024 • 1h 11min
Lee McIntyre, "On Disinformation: How to Fight for Truth and Protect Democracy" (MIT Press, 2023)
Author and scholar of science denial, Lee McIntyre, discusses the history of strategic denialism and the creators of disinformation. He highlights the parallels between 'reality denial' and science denial and provides practical steps to combat disinformation. The podcast also explores the role of mentors, power dynamics in disinformation, and the movement of tactics from Russia to American politics.
Jan 27, 2024 • 35min
Renée Fox, "The Necromantics: Reanimation, the Historical Imagination, and Victorian British and Irish Literature" (Ohio State UP, 2023)
Renée Fox, author and scholar of Victorian British and Irish literature, discusses the themes of reanimation in literature, the role of electricity as a metaphor, and the presence of women in narratives of reanimation. The podcast delves into connections between Victorian literature and the Irish literary revival, exploring colonial power dynamics, resuscitative power of language, and aesthetic idealism. Additionally, the podcast explores two novels that examine literary form as revivalist recontextualization and themes of national revival and anti-colonial resistance in Bram Stoker's 'The Jewel of Seven Stars'.
Jan 27, 2024 • 1h 30min
Paddy Walker and Peter Roberts, "War's Changed Landscape?: A Primer on Conflict's Forms and Norms" (Howgate, 2023)
Military pundit Paddy Walker and military analyst Peter Roberts discuss the paradoxical continuities in warfare despite technological advancements. They emphasize the slow evolution of norms and the exaggerated role of technology in war. The podcast explores topics like changing norms and forms of warfare, the importance of context and history, hybrid warfare, and the need for human oversight in military operations.
Jan 26, 2024 • 50min
Andi Gustavson and Charlotte Nunes, "Transforming the Authority of the Archive: Undergraduate Pedagogy and Critical Digital Archives" (U Michigan Press, 2023)
Editors Andi Gustavson and Charlotte Nunes discuss their book on transforming the authority of the archive, highlighting the significance of critical digital archives and student engagement. They explore student involvement in digital archives, discuss current and future projects, and emphasize the role of libraries in student success and belonging.
Jan 20, 2024 • 35min
The Future of Images of Human Evolution
This podcast explores the origins, influence, and critique of the iconic 'march of progress' image depicting human evolution. It discusses the significance of images in shaping public perception and addresses issues of race. The controversy surrounding the image and efforts to create a more accurate representation are also explored. The speakers discuss the challenges faced by academics in finding new topics and the recent availability of archives relating to the creation of the iconic image.
Jan 19, 2024 • 1h 2min
What Decision Means
Bill Cope, Mary Kalantzis, and Gang Wang discuss the meaning and implications of decision-making in the context of AI. They explore topics such as explaining machine learning for security tasks, adding logic and reasoning to ML models, connecting domain knowledge and machine learning, and the differences between machine learning and human decision making. They also emphasize the importance of understanding AI and its impact on decision making.
Jan 19, 2024 • 29min
Cross-Cultural Research on Gaming and “Gaming Disorder”
Researchers discuss the difficulties in identifying and categorizing gaming disorders, sharing insights from the ORE project. They explore cultural and historical perspectives on gaming and why individuals play games, including experiences in Finnish schools and South Korean internet cafés. The podcast also delves into the inclusion of gaming disorder as a diagnosis in Korea, the influence of environmental and cultural factors on gaming behavior, and the evolution of gaming spaces and prevalence of gaming disorder in different regions, emphasizing the importance of seeking help for gaming-related problems.
