Episode 227: Meatpacking Plants and the Defense of Production Act

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss meatpacking plants and the Defense Production Act.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:

• President Trump has used the Defense Production Act to order meatpacking plants to stay open, even as these factories have become hotspots for coronavirus infection. Niki commented on how Upton Sinclair’s classic novel, The Jungle, exposed the horrible working conditions of meatpackers in the early 20th century. Natalia referred to Joshua Specht’s book Red Meat Republic and Samuel Moyn’s review of the book for The New Republic. This Atlantic article on Americans’ changing eating habits also informed our discussion.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia discussed Stephanie McNeal’s Buzzfeed article, “The Fitness Industry Is in a Crisis.”

• Neil commented on the recent controversy over Christian influencer Rachel Hollis, as detailed in Stephanie McNeal’s Buzzfeed article, “Rachel Hollis Has Apologized After Posting a Maya Angelou Quote without Attribution.”

• Niki talked about the various meanings attached to May Day.

Episode 226: The Lockdown Protests

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss protests against the current national lockdown.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:

• Protestors against national lockdown orders have been demonstrating across the country. Niki referred to this Vox piece in distinguishing these protests from the Tea Party Movement and to this Twitter thread about the Anti-Mask League of 1918-19. Natalia referenced this article at The Week about the underlying psychology of these protests.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia discussed the Hulu television series, “Little Fires Everywhere.”

• Neil recommended David French’s column at The Dispatch, “Evangelicals Have Abandoned the Character Test. The Competence Test is Next.”

• Niki discussed Matt Novak’s Gizmodo article, “The Real Story Behind That Viral Photo of President Johnson During the Vietnam War.”

Episode 225: Vote-by-Mail and USPS

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the prospect of large-scale voting by mail come November and the fate of the U.S. Postal Service.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:

• Earlier this month in Wisconsin, voters had to choose between civic participation and public health. Questions over mail-in voting have reignited a debate over federal funding for the post office, as discussed in this Vox piece. Niki explained the longer history of voting by mail that this New York Times article explores.

 In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia discussed the FX/Hulu television show, “Mrs. America.”

• Neil recommended Lauren Sandler’s new book, This is All I Got: A New Mother’s Search for Home.

• Niki shared Marc Tracy’s New York Times article, “Photojournalists Struggle Through the Pandemic, With Masks and Long Lenses,” and Rebecca Onion’s Slate article, “’These People Aren’t Zombies. They’re People’.”

Episode 224: Hydroxychloroquine

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss hydroxychloroquine, the drug President Trump is pushing as a potential cure for the coronavirus.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:

• As COVID-19 continues to claim American lives, President Trump has spoken of anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine as a potential cure, despite scant medical evidence supporting this claim. Niki referred to Tom Nichols’ book The Death of Expertise: The Campaign Against Established Knowledge and Why it Matters. Natalia referred to Niki’s CNN article, also on expertise. Neil cited this Vox piece regarding speculations of Trump’s financial interest in hydroxychloroquine, and he also wrote about Trump’s fascination with the drug in his column for The Week.

 In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia discussed Zeynep Tufekci’s Atlantic article, “Keep the Parks Open.”

• Neil recommended the new Netflix show, Unorthodox.

• Niki shared “Wipe Out,” a 99 Percent Invisible episode about toilet paper.

Episode 223: Tiger King

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the new Netflix series, Tiger King.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:

• Tiger King is a runaway hit as social distancing has increased appetite for binge-watching. Niki referred to this Mother Jones article about the connection between coronavirus and the wild animal trade. Natalia referenced this New York magazine article by Robert Moor that spawned the Netflix show and the Wondery podcast, “Joe Exotic.”

 In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia recommended Jordana Horn Gordon’s Kveller article, “The Heartbreaking Loneliness of Mourning During a Pandemic.”

• Neil discussed David Grann’s book, Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI.

• Niki shared Megan Garber’s Atlantic article, “Homes Actually Need to Be Practical Now.”

Episode 222: School Closings

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the history of school closings.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:

• Schools all over the United States are closing for weeks, perhaps months, in an effort to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus. Natalia referenced this New York Times article about the particular challenges faced by homeless students. Niki referred to this history of school closures in response to desegregation orders, and Natalia discussed the limits of comparisons to homeschooling.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia recommended the podcast “Dying for Sex.”

• Neil discussed the legacy of the late playwright, Terrence McNally.

• Niki shared these investigative tweets by writer Sage Boggs – and historian Charles Richter’s response – about the origin of the brand name “Triscuit.”

Episode 221: Cabin Fever

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the history of “cabin fever.”

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:

• As social distancing becomes the new norm for many Americans, so too does the stress and anxiety of being cooped up, also known as “cabin fever.” Natalia mentioned Jonathan Zimmerman’s Chronicle of Higher Education article about online learning. Neil referred to historian Jeanne Boydston’s classic book, Home and Work: Household, Wages, and the Ideology of Labor. Niki discussed Daniel Pollack-Pelzner’s Atlantic article, “Shakespeare Wrote His Best Works During a Plague.”

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia discussed Robert Snow’s new book Disney’s Land: Walt Disney and the Invention of the Park that Changed the World.

• Neil commented on Sapna Maheshwari’s New York Times article, “American Teenagers Are Declaring ‘Virginity Rocks’.”

• Niki shared the Canadian Broadcasting Service’s podcast, “Uncover: Satanic Panic.”

Episode 220: Quarantines

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the history of the quarantine.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:

• As the coronavirus pandemic spreads, quarantining is becoming a fact of life. Natalia referred to Anne Helen Petersen’s essay on selflessness and social isolation and recommended historian Howard Markel’s New York Times opinion piece.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia discussed the Netflix show Love is Blind.

• Neil recommended Nancy Hass’ New York Times Magazine article, “How Floral Arrangements Began to Take Over the Table – and the Entire Room.”

• Niki shared Livia Gershon’s JSTOR Daily article, “How Toothpaste Got Scientific Cred.”

Episode 219: Plastic Bag Bans

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the bans on single-use plastic bags.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:

• On March 1, a plastic bag ban went into effect in New York City. Neil referred to this Washington Post article about such bans around the world and Niki recommended this Atlantic piece on the rise of the plastic bag’s popularity. Natalia cited this Washington Post column by Alexandra Petri.

 In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia recommended Martha Verbrugge and Drew Yingling’s article, “The Politics of Play: The Struggle Over Racial Segregation and Public Recreation in Washington, D.C., 1945-1950,” in Washington History.

• Neil discussed Choe Sang-Hun’s New York Times article, “He Blames ‘Evil’ for South Korea’s Coronavirus Surge. Officials Blame Him.”

• Niki shared Jason Lamberg’s Comdesres article, “The Origin of the Oxford Comma.”

Episode 218: Fat Activism

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the history of fat activism and the body positivity movement.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:

• In recent years, “body positivity” has become a buzzword. Natalia cited The Fat Studies Reader and this Campus Reform article about more extreme forms of fat liberation. Niki referred to this Bitch Media article about the connections between fat and queer liberation. We previously discussed plus-size models on Episode 98.  

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia recommended Alexis Coe’s new biography of George Washington, You Never Forget Your First.

• Neil discussed Corey Kilgannon’s New York Times article, “The Truth About Alligators in the Sewers of New York.”

• Niki shared Crystal R. Sanders’ Washington Post article, “Katherine Johnson Should Also Be Remembered for Desegregating Higher Education.”

Episode 217: COVID-19 and Protective Face Masks

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss COVID-19 and the history of protective face masks.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:

• The threat of coronavirus has lately made protective face masks a fixture in many global cities. Natalia cited this Vox article about the hoarding of such masks. Neil referred to this Quartz piece about the broader use of face masks in Asian countries.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia recommended Mac Schwerin’s Vox article, “The Pungent Legacy of Axe Body Spray.”

• Neil discussed Davey Alba’s New York Times article, “Facial Recognition Moves Into a New Front: Schools.”

• Niki shared the “Whomst Among Us Let the Dogs Out?” episode from the podcast 99% Invisible.

Episode 216: A Proposal to "Make Federal Buildings Beautiful Again"

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss an architectural proposal to “Make Federal Buildings Beautiful Again”

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:

• Conservative architectural organization the National Civic Art Society has drafted an executive order that establishes the style for federal buildings nationwide. Natalia cited this Intelligencer article about the false dichotomies on which the ensuing debate rests. Niki referred to Ross Douthat’s New York Times opinion piece on the issue. We also referred to a previous Past Present episode on classical statues.

 In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia discussed the tenth season of HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm.

• Neil commented on Mitt Romney’s impeachment vote and Joseph Stuart’s Religion & Politics article about the place of Mormonism in the Republican Party.

• Niki recommended the new podcast, “Chasing Cosby.”

Episode 215: The 2020 Iowa Caucuses

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the debacle of this year’s Iowa caucuses.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:

• The 2020 Iowa caucus was a logistical disaster. Natalia cited this POLITICO piece about longer standing concerns about Iowa. Neil wrote about Pete Buttigieg’s historic showing in Iowa in his column for the Week.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia discussed the Amazon series “Ted Bundy: Falling for a Killer.”

• Neil recommended the podcast “Monster: DC Sniper.”

• Niki discussed Rush Limbaugh receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Episode 214: Moderate Republicans

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the shrinking number of moderate Republicans in the GOP.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:

• Where have all the moderate Republicans gone? Neil wrote about Susan Collins and the end of moderate Republicans in his column for The Week. Niki shared Geoffrey Kabaservice’s book Rule and Ruin as the definitive history of moderate Republicans. Natalia discussed Ezra Klein’s recent New York Times piece on the different effect polarization has had on both parties, an argument he expands in his new book, Why We’re Polarized. Neil commented on how Republican suburban women have been moving away from the GOP during the Trump years, something he wrote about for the Atlantic in 2018.

 In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia discussed the controversy surrounding Jeanine Cummins’ new book, American Dirt, and recommended the episode of “Latino USA” that discusses the controversy and Myriam Gurba’s review of the book for Tropics of Meta.

• Neil recommended the new Netflix series, “Cheer.” We discussed the history of cheerleading in Episode 125.

• Niki commented on Jerry Falwell, Jr.’s proposal for Virginia’s border counties to join West Virginia, something being referred to as “Vexit.”

Episode 213: Little Women

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss Greta Gerwig’s film adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:

• Greta Gerwig’s Little Women has received enthusiastic critical praise. Natalia referred to this New York Times article about the nearly all-white cast, and Niki recommended this New Yorker article about Laura Dern’s portrayal of Marmee. Natalia also cited this American Conservative article about the absence of faith in the latest adaptation.

 In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia discussed the rumored closing of Fairway supermarkets, and historian Dylan Gottlieb’s tweets on the topic.

• Neil recommended Rhonda Kaysen’s New York Times article, “Could the Avocado-Green Kitchen Make a Comeback?”

• Niki shared A.J. Willingham’s CNN article, “Mr. Peanut is Dead for Some Reason.”

Episode 212: Jeopardy!

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the longevity of the game show Jeopardy!

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:

• Jeopardy! is in the news thanks to its GOAT tournament. Natalia referred to this Smithsonian article about the show’s origin story.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia recommended Sarah Schrank’s new book, Free and Natural: Nudity and the Cult of the American Body.

• Neil discussed Katie Reilly’s Time article, “Donald Trump is Promising ‘Big Action’ on School Prayer to Rally Evangelical Voters.”

• Niki shared Timothy Williams’ New York Times article, “Virginia Approves the E.R.A., Becoming the 38th State to Back It,” and Ben Hitchcock’s C-Ville Weekly article, “A Change is Gonna Come: New Democratic Government has Big Plans, Big Challenges Ahead.”

Episode 211: The Australian Bushfires

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the devastating bushfires in Australia.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:

• Fire is ravaging Australia. Natalia referred to this Washington Post piece about the politicization of the fires. Niki discussed the long history of bushfires in Australia.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia recommended Ashley Fetters’ Atlantic article, “The Boys Who Wear Shorts All Winter.”

• Neil discussed Campbell Robinson and Elizabeth Dias’ New York Times article, “United Methodist Church Announces Plan to Split Over Same-Sex Marriage.”

• Niki shared Afua Hirsch’s New York Times article, “Black Britons Know Why Meghan Wants Out.”

Episode 210: U.S. Embassy Attack in Baghdad

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the recent attack on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:

• Iraqi militants stormed the American embassy in Baghdad last week. Neil referenced the recently leaked cable communications between Iran and Iraq. Natalia referred to this Middle East Eye essay on the historical significance of attacks on American embassies and to this Guardian piece on the history of U.S. embassies.

 In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia recommended Margaret Atwood’s new novel, The Testaments, and referred to this Atlantic review of the book.

• Neil discussed Jason Horowitz’s New York Times article, “Pope Francis Apologizes After Slapping Away a Clinging Pilgrim.”

• Niki shared Sarah Holder’s Citylab article, “What Have We Done to Lunch?”

Episode 209: The "OK" Sign, Black Israelites, and CIA Disguises

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss controversy over the “OK” sign, the Black Israelite sect, and the history of CIA disguises.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:

•  When cadets flashed the “OK” sign, a gesture that has become a symbol of white power, an investigation by Army and Navy officials ensued. Natalia cited anthropologist Clifford Geertz’ “Thick Description: Toward an Interpretive Theory of Culture.” Niki recommended ProPublica’s ongoing coverage of white nationalism.

• Recent murders in Jersey City have directed new attention to the fringe sect that calls itself the Black Hebrew Israelites. Niki referred to this Code Switch interview with historian Marc Dollinger about his book, Black Power, Jewish Politics: Reinventing the Alliance in the 1960s.

• The CIA’s former Chief of Disguise has donated some of her collection to the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C. Natalia recommended this Washington Post op-ed by Jonna Hiestand Mendez, the retiring chief, about her work as a CIA agent. Neil discussed Matthew Avery Sutton’s book, Double-Crossed: The Missionaries Who Spied for the United States During the Second World War.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia shared her own Public Seminar article, “The Precarious Labor of the Fitpro.”

• Neil discussed Christianity Today editorial, “Trump Should Be Removed From Office.”

• Niki discussed Rachel Tashjian’s GQ article, “Why the Codpiece Remains One of Menswear’s Most Essential Accessories,” and this Twitter thread about the timeless accessory.

Episode 208: Cockfighting, Athletic Doping, and Didone

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss a cockfighting ban in Puerto Rico, Russia’s Olympic ban for doping its athletes, and the dawn of a new era in fonts.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:

• The U.S. has enacted a ban on cockfighting in Puerto Rico. Neil cited anthropologist Clifford Geertz’s classic text on cockfighting in Bali.

• Due to doping violations, Russia has been banned from competing in the Olympics for the next four years. Natalia referred to this Smithsonian article on preventative measures against doping. Niki mentioned our previous segment on so-called “sex testing” and athletic competition in Episode 179.

• After a decade of minimalism, ornate fonts are making a comeback. Neil referred to this article about changes to the Helvetica font.

 In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia discussed Olga Khazan’s Atlantic article, “Is it Weird to Wear Leggings at Work?”

• Neil recommended this New York Times Magazine feature, “The Twenty-Five Rooms that Influence the Way We Design.”

• Niki shared Max Ufberg’s Medium article, “The Decade We Marched For Our Lives.”