Peoples & Things

Peoples & Things host, Lee Vinsel, and guest host, Paula Bialski, Associate Professor of Digital Sociology at University of St. Gallen, talk to Ben Collier, Senior Lecturer in Digital Methods in the Science, Technology, and Innovation Studies department at the School of Social and Political Science at the University of Edinburgh, about his book, _Tor: From the Dark Web to the Future of Privacy_, as well as some of his other work. The book examines one of the most important and misunderstood technologies of the digital age, Tor, the overlay network that allows for anonymous communication, best known as the infrastructure underpinning the so-called Dark Web. Collier takes a community-centered approach and examines the many different reasons and motivations people become involved in using and maintaining the platform. The trio also talk about various other projects and themes, including Collier’s current project on the visual and aesthetic standardization of public security infrastructure, like barriers and bollards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Peoples & Things host, Lee Vinsel, and guest host, Paula Bialski, Associate Professor of Digital Sociology at University of St. Gallen, talk to Fred Turner, Harry and Norman Chandler Professor of Communication at Stanford University, about his classic 2006 book, _From Counterculture to Cyberculture: Stewart Brand, the Whole Earth Network, and the Rise of Digital Utopianism_. They briefly explore the arc of Fred’s career and revisit the book in the spirit of asking what has changed in digital ideology since the book’s publication, including with the role of Silicon Valley elites in the second Trump Administration, Elon Musk’s role in DOGE, and the (perhaps only brief) turn of digital technology elites moving from California to Texas. Since this conversation was recorded in April 2025, Fred’s essay, “The Texan Ideology,” has been published in The Baffler: Link here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thomas Haigh, a historian of computing and Professor at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, dives into the intriguing world of artificial intelligence branding. He reveals how 'AI' has become a catch-all term for diverse technologies. Haigh discusses the historical context of AI, tracing its evolution from early conceptualizations to its role in shaping computer science departments. He urges a careful regulatory approach, emphasizing the importance of specific terms over the vague 'AI.' The conversation also connects today's generative AI bubble with past cycles and promises.

Verena Halsmayer, a historian of economics and science at the University of Vienna, discusses her award-winning book on the Solow growth model. She explores how this pivotal model shaped postwar economics, emphasizing the role of technological change. Verena highlights the model's simplicity and its impact on policy-making, revealing its ambiguous interpretations across various political contexts. Both she and the host examine the importance of focusing on practices rather than just ideas in understanding economic modeling.

In this lively discussion, Cory Doctorow, a passionate writer and digital-rights advocate, joins danah boyd, a renowned researcher at Cornell, to delve into the concept of 'enshittification'—the phenomenon of digital platforms becoming worse over time. They explore how financialization and monopolies contribute to this decline, the impact of tech worker incentives, and viable alternatives like worker cooperatives. The conversation also touches on the alarming potential of generative AI and the shifting perceptions of tech careers among students. It's a thought-provoking exploration of our digital landscape!

Colleen Dunlavy, Emeritus Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and author, delves into how government initiatives shaped U.S. manufacturing. She discusses the critical role of standardization in enabling economies of scale, especially during wartime. Colleen highlights the impact of figures like Herbert Hoover on simplification practices and how these efforts influenced consumer goods. The conversation also touches on how pre-war product diversity gave way to standardized practices and later returned to variety amid post-war economic shifts.

Join Kate Epstein, an associate professor of history at Rutgers University-Camden and author of Analog Superpowers, as she dives into how twentieth-century technology theft influenced the national-security state. She discusses the legal battles over naval fire-control systems, the complexities of intellectual property in wartime, and the implications of secrecy on innovation. Epstein also shares insights on the competitive tensions in military procurement and the rigorous research methods that shaped her work.

Peoples & Things host, Lee Vinsel, talks with Whitney Laemmli, Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Science and Cultural Studies at the Pratt Institute, about her forthcoming book, Making Movement Modern: Science, Politics, and the Body in Motion. The book traces a technique for visualizing human movement, Labanotation, from its origins in expressionist dance, Austro-Hungarian military discipline, and contemporary physiology to its employment in factories and offices a half-century later. In this way, Making Movement Modern provides a beautiful example of following an object of study into many different, surprising, and unexpected worlds. The pair also discuss one of Laemmli’s new projects, which examines the history of Western ideas and theories that memory might be stored not only in brains but also in bodies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ashleigh Greene Wade, Assistant Professor of Digital Studies at the University of Virginia and author of Black Girl Autopoetics, dives into how Black girls use social media to express self-identity. She shares her ethnographic journey from teaching to researching, emphasizing the balance between empowerment and negative stereotypes. Wade discusses the importance of ethical practices in documenting girls' experiences and the evolution of their online identities. The conversation also touches on the impact of young influencers and the changing dynamics of childhood in the digital age.

Julien Mailland, an Associate Professor at Indiana University and author of The Game That Never Ends, dives into the fascinating world where law meets the video game industry. He discusses how legal battles since the 1970s have shaped game development and innovation, emphasizing critical themes like intellectual property and freedom of speech. Mailland also shares insights on the geopolitical history of Tetris, revealing its complex legal challenges and the intertwined relationships in gaming that highlight both collaboration and competition.