New Books in Science, Technology, and Society
Technology
About
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. 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
- Angus Burgin on the Rise of the Internet
We were joined by Angus Burgin, Associate Professor of History at Johns Hopkins University, and talked about how the arrival of the Internet remade life and politics in the 90s. Angus shared his thoughts on the motivations behind his upcom…
- Peter S. Soppelsa, "Paris After Haussmann: Living with Infrastructure in the City of Light, 1870–1914" (U Pittsburgh Press, 2026)
Modern Paris is often hailed as a capital of urban infrastructure. Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann’s rebuilding of Paris in 1853–1870, branded “Haussmannization,” helped define urban modernity for cities worldwide. But even as infrastructur…
- Olivier Sylvain, "Recovering the Internet: How Big Tech Took Control-And How We Can Take It Back" (Columbia Global Reports, 2026)
Recovering the Internet: How Big Tech Took Control-And How We Can Take It Back (Columbia Global Reports, 2026)is an indictment of how Big Tech cloaks ruthless commercial exploitation in the language of free speech. Olivier Sylvain, a leadi…
- Are We Entering An Arms Race in Outer Space?
This week on International Horizons , RBI interim director Eli Karetny interviewed Mallory Stewart, Chief Executive Officer of the Council on Strategic Risks. Stewart discusses the evolving role of the US Space Force and the shift in its d…
- Max Morris, "Not Sex Work: Queer Intimacy, Post-identity, and Incidental Encounters in the Digital Era" (Routledge, 2025)
Max Morris explores queer intimacy, post-identity, and incidental encounters in the digital era. The book analyzes the relationships between money, digital platforms, and sex, based on research with gay, queer, and bisexual men who exchang…
- Angela Dimitrakaki, "Feminism. Art. Capitalism" (Pluto Press, 2026)
Angela Dimitrakaki’s "Feminism. Art. Capitalism" offers a Marxist Feminist perspective on issues in society and the cultural sector. The book examines topics such as work, labor, communing practices, and technology within capitalist cultur…
- Patrick Brodie and Darin Barney eds., "Media Rurality" (Duke UP, 2026)
This episode features a discussion about "Media Rurality" (Duke UP, 2026), edited by Darin Barney and Patrick Brodie. The book investigates the role of rural areas in media systems and technologies, highlighting their entanglements with gl…
- Scott Solomon, "Becoming Martian: How Living in Space Will Change Our Bodies and Minds" (MIT Press, 2026)
This episode discusses Scott Solomon's book "Becoming Martian," which examines the potential effects of space living on human physiology and psychology. It explores what might happen to people during space travel and to future generations…
- Deirdre Loughridge & Thomas Patteson, "The Museum of Imaginary Musical Instruments" (Reaktion, 2026)
Deirdre Loughridge and Thomas Patteson introduce their book, "The Museum of Imaginary Musical Instruments." The book explores imagined musical devices from ancient myths to futuristic media, found in literature, theory, video games, and ar…
- Vindhya Buthpitiya, "A Volatile Picture: War and the Political Work of Photography in Sri Lanka" (U Washington Press, 2026)
This episode features a discussion with Vindhya Buthpitiya about her book, "A Volatile Picture: War and the Political Work of Photography in Sri Lanka." The book examines how photography became linked to the Tamil political imagination dur…
- Raffaele Danna, "The Craft of Indo-Arabic Numerals: How Practical Arithmetic Shaped Commerce and Mathematics in Western Europe, 1200–1600" (Harvard UP, 2026)
Raffaele Danna discusses his book, "The Craft of Indo-Arabic Numerals," which examines the spread of Indo-Arabic numerals and practical arithmetic in Western Europe between 1200 and 1600. He explains how merchants, schoolmasters, and artis…
- Karen Hao, "Empire of AI: Inside the Race for Total Domination" (Allan Lane, 2025)
Karen Hao discusses her book "Empire of AI" and the societal impacts of AI. This episode is from the podcast New Books in Science, Technology, and Society.
- A Shakeup Is Coming for the Nation-State: A Conversation with Stephen Sims
Stephen Sims discusses in his essay how emerging technologies are reshaping the nation-state. He argues that innovations like AI and drones weaken the traditional link between territorial control and power projection, while advanced states…
- Roland Betancourt, "Disneyland and the Rise of Automation: How Technology Created the Happiest Place on Earth" (Princeton UP, 2026)
This episode features Roland Betancourt discussing his book, "Disneyland and the Rise of Automation." He explains how Disneyland transformed post-war automation technologies into entertainment, influencing perceptions of automation and its…
- The Information State: How is the State Surveilling and Manipulating us These Days?
Jacob Siegel discusses the "information state" and its control over information, attention, and consent by tracing its roots from historical ideas to modern technology. He explains how this state differs from classical authoritarianism and…
- Sarah Murray, "Powered by Smart: A Prehistory of Everyday AI" (NYU Press, 2026)
Sarah Murray's book, "Powered by Smart: A Prehistory of Everyday AI," examines the evolution of artificial intelligence, highlighting how historical and cultural factors, including gendered campaigns, made AI feel familiar. The book traces…
- David Blumenthal and James A. Morone, "Whiplash: From the Battle for Obamacare to the War on Science" (Yale UP, 2026)
Drs. David Blumenthal and James A. Morone
- Adrian Woolfson, "On the Future of Species: Authoring Life by Means of Artificial Biological Intelligence" (MIT Press, 2026)
Adrian Woolfson, cofounder of Genyro, discusses his book "On the Future of Species," which explores the convergence of artificial intelligence and synthetic biology. He describes how decoding the generative grammar of DNA will allow us to…
- Generic
This episode features a discussion with Ben Mangrum on the concept of "generic," exploring its implications in genre, computational history, and cultural codes. The conversation delves into how comedy has influenced our interactions with c…
- Kristan Stoddart, "Russia's Hybrid Warfare Offensive Against the West" (de Gruyter, 2025)
Kristan Stoddart's book, "Russia's Hybrid Warfare Offensive Against the West," systematically analyzes Russian hybrid warfare, with a focus on cyberespionage and cyberwarfare. The book specifically examines Russian policy from 2000 to the…
- Ibrahim J. Gedeon and Kyle Murray, "Automata: The Power of AI Integrated with Advanced Robotics" (U Toronto Press, 2026)
This episode features a discussion about "Automata: The Power of AI Integrated with Advanced Robotics" by Ibrahim J. Gedeon and Kyle Murray. The book examines the impact of AI and advanced robotics on society, work, and daily life, offerin…
- Keith Cooper, "Amazing Worlds of Science Fiction and Science Fact" (Reaktion, 2025)
In "Amazing Worlds of Science Fiction and Science Fact," Keith Cooper examines the scientific accuracy of fictional planets from popular movies like Star Wars, Dune, and Avatar. He discusses how these compare to actual exoplanets being dis…
- Nabil Ali, "Gold from Newton's Apple Tree: Historical Recipes for Natural Inks, Paints, and Dyes" (Princeton UP, 2026)
This episode features Nabil Ali's book "Gold from Newton's Apple Tree," which details historical recipes for creating natural inks, paints, and dyes. The book draws from medieval craft traditions and includes botanical illustrations.
- David Kirsch on the Dot Com Bubble and Bust
David Kirsch, a historian and Associate Professor, discusses the Dot Com bubble and bust, offering insights from his personal experience and academic research on technology bubbles, including his book "Bubbles and Crashes."
- Alberto Galasso, "The Management of Innovation: Managing and Creating Technology Capital" (Rotman-UTP Publishing, 2024)
This episode discusses Alberto Galasso's book, "The Management of Innovation: Managing and Creating Technology Capital." The book examines how firms can leverage and create technology capital, focusing on technology management, technology…
- Flower Darby, "The Joyful Online Teacher: Finding Our Fizz in Asynchronous Classes" (U Oklahoma Press, 2026)
Flower Darby's book, "The Joyful Online Teacher," explores strategies for instructors to find joy and purpose in teaching online, particularly in asynchronous classes. The book provides concrete tips for improving the online teaching exper…
- Peter D. McDonald, "The Impossible Reversal: A History of How We Play" (U Minnesota Press, 2026)
This episode discusses Peter D. McDonald's book, "The Impossible Reversal: A History of How We Play." The book traces the cultural history of play from Fluxus to SimCity, examining how our understanding of play has evolved.
- The Green Transition and the Politics of Lithium Extraction
This episode explores the complexities of decarbonization and the politics of lithium extraction. It discusses the environmental and social impacts of lithium mining, a key component of the green transition.
- David Arditi, "Music Technology Panic Narratives Beyond Piracy: From Taping to Napster to TikTok" (Anthem Press, 2026)
David Arditi's book, "Music Technology Panic Narratives Beyond Piracy," explores the history of technology within the music industry. It examines how the industry profits while artists face financial struggles, tracing the evolution of mus…
- Douglas H. Erwin, "The Origins of the New: Novelty and Innovation in the History of Life, Culture, and Technology" (Princeton UP, 2026)
Douglas H. Erwin discusses his book "The Origins of the New," which examines how evolution generates new features in biology, culture, and technology. He distinguishes novelty from innovation and presents a framework for these dynamics.
- Tim Altenhof, "Breathing Space: The Architecture of Pneumatic Beings" (Zone Books, 2026)
This episode features an interview with Dr. Tim Altenhof about his book, "Breathing Space: The Architecture of Pneumatic Beings." The discussion covers the cultural and physiological aspects of breathing, its impact on architecture, and th…
- Eivind Røssaak, "The Cory Arcangel Hack: Digital Culture and Aesthetic Practice" (MIT Press, 2025)
Eivind Røssaak
- Wout Saelens, "Fossil Consumerism: Energy, Ecology and Everyday Life in the Early Modern Low Countries" (Leuven UP, 2026)
Dr. Wout Saelens's book, "Fossil Consumerism," examines how households in the early modern Low Countries embraced peat and coal, leading to a modern dependence on fossil fuels. The book reinterprets the historical roots of global warming,…
- Isabelle Held, "Atomic Bombshells: How Plastics Shaped Postwar Bodies" (Duke UP, 2026)
Dr. Isabelle Held's book "Atomic Bombshells" investigates the impact of plastics, from nylon to silicone, on gender, sexuality, and race in the United States between the late 1930s and late 1970s. She examines the connections between vario…
- Caste and Tech with Murali Shanmugavelan and Sareeta Amrute
This episode features a conversation with Murali Shanmugavelan and Sareeta Amrute about how caste structures IT workspaces and communication infrastructures. They discuss tech's role in racial and caste supremacist projects, how large lang…
- Ben Collier on Tor: From the Dark Web to the Future of Privacy
Ben Collier discusses his book "Tor: From the Dark Web to the Future of Privacy," focusing on Tor's function in anonymous communication and its community. He also mentions his work on public security infrastructure with hosts Lee Vinsel an…
- Vojta Hybl, "Rocks: A Guide to the Stones Around Us and the Stories They Tell" (Frances Lincoln, 2026)
Vojta Hybl introduces his book, "Rocks: A Guide to the Stones Around Us and the Stories They Tell," which serves as a guide to identifying and understanding various rock types. The book explains how rocks form, their appearance, and the ge…
- Steffan Blayney, "Health and Efficiency: Fatigue, the Science of Work, and the Making of the Working-Class Body" (Activist Studies of Science, 2022)
Steffan Blayney discusses his book "Health & Efficiency," which examines a model of health in Britain from 1870 to 1939. This model centered on the working body, efficiency, and scientific understandings of human labor, aiming to maximize…
- Sidra Hamidi, "After Fission: Recognition and Contestation in the Atomic Age" (Cambridge UP, 2026)
This episode discusses Dr. Sidra Hamidi's book, "After Fission: Recognition and Contestation in the Atomic Age," which examines how states contest their nuclear status in the atomic age. The discussion covers the legal structure of the Non…
- Karima Moyer-Nocchi, "The Epic History of Macaroni and Cheese: From Ancient Rome to Modern America" (Columbia UP, 2026)
This episode features an interview with Karima Moyer-Nocchi, author of "The Epic History of Macaroni and Cheese: From Ancient Rome to Modern America." The book traces the dish's journey through history, highlighting its adaptations across…
- Charles G. Curtin, "Place-Based Solutions: The Power of Regenerative Thinking in the Face of Crisis" (JHU Press, 2026)
Charles G. Curtin discusses his book "Place-Based Solutions," which presents a framework for regenerative thinking and practical responses to crises. The book emphasizes the role of small and mid-sized organizations in driving change throu…
- Lisa Nakamura, "The Inattention Economy: How Women of Color Built the Internet" (U Minnesota Press, 2026)
This episode features an interview with Dr. Lisa Nakamura about her book, "The Inattention Economy." The book examines the significant, yet often overlooked, roles of women of color in building the internet, from its early stages to curren…
- P. Thirumal and K. A. Nuaiman eds., "Inhabiting Technologies/Modernities: Media and Cultural Practices in South Asia" (Orient BlackSwan, 2025)
This episode discusses the book "Inhabiting Technologies/Modernities: Media and Cultural Practices in South Asia." It explores the independent existence of media and technologies and their mutual influence with the human condition, using e…
- Sam Illingworth and Rachel Forsyth, "GenAI in Higher Education: Redefining Teaching and Learning" (Bloomsbury, 2026)
Sam Illingworth and Rachel Forsyth’s book, "GenAI in Higher Education: Redefining Teaching and Learning," discussed in this episode, provides practical guidance for higher education professionals on using Generative AI technologies. It cov…
- César A. Hidalgo, "The Infinite Alphabet: And the Laws of Knowledge" (Allen Lane, 2026)
César A. Hidalgo's book, "The Infinite Alphabet: And the Laws of Knowledge," examines the principles that govern the growth and diffusion of knowledge. The discussion covers how knowledge shapes economies and societies, detailing mechanism…
- Courtney Humphries, "Climate Change and the Future of Boston" (Anthem Press, 2026)
This episode features Courtney Humphries discussing her book, "Climate Change and the Future of Boston." She explores how Boston's history and current context influence future climate impacts and details the city's mitigation and adaptatio…
- Susannah B. Mintz, "Hypochondria: In Sickness and in Story" (Reaktion, 2026)
This episode features an interview with Dr. Susannah B. Mintz about her book, "Hypochondria: In Sickness and in Story." The book reimages hypochondria as a site of creative potential and explores it as a form of communication and a reorien…
- Marianna Dudley, "Electric Wind: An Energy History of Modern Britain by Marianna Dudley" (Manchester UP, 2025)
Marianna Dudley's book, "Electric Wind: An Energy History of Modern Britain," traces the development of wind power in Britain from the Industrial Revolution through to the modern era. The book examines how energy has shaped the nation and…
- Michael Bycroft, "Gems and the New Science: Matter and Value in the Scientific Revolution" (U Chicago Press, 2026)
Dr. Michael Bycroft
- Britt Paris, "Radical Infrastructure: Imagining the Internet from the Ground Up" (U California Press, 2025)
Britt Paris discusses her book "Radical Infrastructure," which explores alternative internet infrastructure projects and examines how people imagine, build, deploy, maintain, and use the internet.