Past Present

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Episode 207: Virginity Tests, International Achievement Tests, and the End of the 2010s Dec 10, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss virginity tests, international achievement tests, and the end of the 2010s.

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

The rapper T.I. caused controversy when he said he subjects his daughter to a virginity test every year. Natalia referred to historian Hanne Blank's book Virgin: The Untouched History. Niki cited our discussion of the evangelical purity movement on Episode 190.
Children around the world took the PISA exam, and Americans had a mediocre showing. Natalia recommended the documentary A Place at the Table and journalist Dana Goldstein's book The Teacher Wars.
In a few weeks, the decade of the 2010s will be behind us. Niki recommended this article at Esquire on how the cultural gatekeepers lost their job in the decade.

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

Natalia discussed Clarissa Jan-Lim's Buzzfeed article, "Pinterest and The Knot Will Stop Promoting Wedding Content that Romanticizes Former Slave Plantations."
Neil commented on Chris Stedman's Vox article, "Too Many Atheists Are Veering Dangerously Toward the Alt-Right."
Niki recommended the HBO show "The Watchmen."

Episode 206: War Crimes, Controversial Food Takes, and Indigenous Land Acknowledgments Dec 03, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss President Trump's pardons of war criminals, controversial opinions about food, and the practice of indigenous land acknowledgments.

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

President Trump recently pardoned three American servicemen convicted of war crimes. Natalia referred to Adam Serwer's Atlantic piece "The Cruelty is the Point" and this New Yorker article about the 19th-century origins of the military court system. Niki recommended reading up on the case of Eddie Gallagher to understand the implications of these pardons.
When conservative academic Tom Nichols recently insulted Indian food on Twitter, the internet struck back. Natalia and Neil commented on Ruth Graham's Slate piece on the intensity of social media food takes. Natalia recommended Krishnendu Ray's book The Ethnic Restaurateur. Neil referred to Jane Desmond's Newsweek article about Thanksgiving turkey.
Long a practice in Canada and Australia, indigenous land acknowledgements are becoming more common in the United States.

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

Natalia discussed Tom Farrey's book Game On: How the Pressure to Win at All Costs Endangers Youth Sports and What Parents Can Do About It.
Neil commented on Rick Perry telling Trump he was "chosen by God" which he wrote about in his column for The Week, "God's Gift to America."
Niki recommended Samira Kawash's Atlantic article, "Sugar Plums: They're Not What You Think They Are."

Episode 205: Pete Buttigieg, Groypers, and Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Nov 26, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the political ascent of Pete Buttigieg, infighting within the far right, and the 50th anniversary of Sesame Street.

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

"Mayor Pete," once a long-shot candidate, is increasingly a serious contender for the Democratic presidential nomination. Natalia referred to Michael Kruse's POLITICO piece about the electoral viability of a gay candidate. Neil noted Buttigieg had won the 2000 Profile in Courage Essay Contest for an essay on Bernie Sanders.
Donald Trump, Jr. was recently shouted offstage at UCLA by protesters on the Right known as "Groypers." Niki referred to Trump, Jr.'s new book, Triggered, and to this Southern Poverty Law Center article, "Stephen Miller's Affinity for White Nationalism Revealed in Leaked Emails."
Sesame Street, the stalwart children's television show, turns 50 this month. Neil referred to this Smithsonian article about the program's origins in Black culture.

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

Natalia discussed Sacha Baron Cohen's keynote speech at the Anti-Defamation League.
Neil shared Zachariah Chou's New York Times opinion piece, "Why We're Impeaching Our Student Body President Over Trump Jr."
Niki likened the revelation that Donald Trump Jr.'s book sales are driven by strategic bulk purchases to a similar scandal in the Nixon era.

Episode 204: LIVE! With Emily Bazelon, Author of Charged: The New Movement to Transform American Prosecution and End Mass Incarceration Nov 19, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki interviewed Emily Bazelon about her new book, Charged: The New Movement to Transform American Prosecution and End Mass Incarceration.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

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

Natalia recommended the work of New York Times editor Lindsay Crouse, particularly her latest feature, "I Was the Fastest Girl in America, Until I Joined Nike," by Mary Cain.
Neil shared Rebecca Makkai's book, The Great Believers.
Niki discussed Adele Peters' Fast Company article, "How Memphis Transformed its Parks Named for Confederate Generals into Inclusive Spaces."
Emily talked about the 1927 Supreme Court case, McGrain v. Daugherty.

Episode 203: Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, Rep. Katie Hill, and Booing Nov 05, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the assassination of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the scandal over Representative Katie Hill, and the booing of President Trump at a baseball game.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

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

ISIS leader Abu al-Baghdadi has been assassinated by United States forces. Niki referred to this piece at The Daily Beast. Neil noted the emergence of viral videos showing a side-by-side comparison of Trump's announcement of al-Baghdadi's death and Obama's announcement about the killing of Osama bin Laden.
S. Representative Katie Hill (D-CA) has resigned her position after an alleged sex scandal. Natalia cited this article at GenderIT.org about the problematic term "revenge porn."
President Trump was met with boos at a World Series game last week. Neil referred to this history of booing at Natalia recalled the longer history of presidential booing, written up at The Washington Post.

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

Natalia recommended Susan Donaldson James' ABC News article, "'Practice Babies': 1 Orphan Raised by 8 Mothers."
Neil shared Rachel Wharton and Koren Shadmi's New York Times illustrated history, "How Did the Diner Menu Get So Long?"
Niki discussed Grayson Quay's American Conservative article, "Franco's Victory Was Necessary, But Ultimately Meaningless."

Episode 202: Elijah Cummings, Homelessness, and Amusement Parks Oct 29, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the life and legacy of U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings, the rising trend of homelessness, and a new documentary about a dangerous New Jersey amusement park.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

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

U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings has died. Niki referenced this Atlantic article about Cummings' reluctant partisanship.
Homelessness is on the rise, especially visible in Los Angeles. Natalia referred to this Washington Post article about the rise of "business improvement districts" and to the scholarship and teaching of historian Albert M. Camarillo.
A new documentary highlights the cultural importance of the New Jersey amusement park, "Action Park." Listener and historian Claire Potter suggested this segment based on this New York Times article. Natalia referred to this New York Times review, by historian Jackson Lears, of historian David Nasaw's book on amusement in the United States.

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

Natalia discussed historian Michael Zakim's new book, Accounting for Capitalism: The World the Clerk Made.
Neil shared David Yaffe-Bellany's New York Times article, "Want Fries With That? McDonald's Already Knows the Answer."
Niki recommended Dan Nosowitz's Vox article, "Pumpkin Spice Has Taken Over Trader Joe's. Here's Why" and referred to our own Episode 103 about pumpkin spice.

Episode 201: Automation, Male Baldness, and Paula White Oct 22, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the anxiety over automation, new treatments for male baldness, and the controversial Trump spiritual advisor Paula White.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

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

Automation and its effect on American jobs was a core theme at this month's Democratic debate. Natalia referred to Rick Wartzman's book The End of Loyalty: The Rise and Fall of Good Jobs in America, excerpted in POLITICO. Natalia also referenced this timeline chronicling fears of automation, at
A raft of new products has emerged to fight an old problem: baldness. Natalia recommended Danielle Friedman's InStyle article about the rebranding of baldness remedies by the wellness industry.
Trump spiritual advisor Paula White has written a new book, endorsed by several evangelical leaders who once distanced themselves from her. Niki drew on Kelsey McKinney's Buzzfeed article about televangelist Jim Bakker. In Episode 24, we discussed "Trump's Evangelicals."

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

Natalia recommended a podcast on which she appears at a comedy club, "Nevertheless, She Existed."
Neil discussed Joseph Berger's New York Times article, "How Amazon Has Transformed the Hasidic Economy."
Niki shared Austin Grossman's Atlantic article, "Monocles Were Never Cool."

Episode 200: Rudy Giuliani, Greta Thunberg, and Vaping Oct 15, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss Rudy Giuliani's political career, the climate activist Greta Thunberg, and the controversy over vaping.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

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

Rudy Giuliani is most prominent today as a Trump surrogate, but after 9/11 he was known as "America's Mayor." Natalia recommended Ken Frydman's New York Times op-ed about working for Giuliani and Matthew Yglesias' Vox piece about his disregard for the rule of law.
Scandinavian climate activist Greta Thunberg is inspiring a fierce response across the political spectrum. Natalia recommended Rebecca Onion's piece at Slate on Thunberg's appeal.
Vaping has existed for less than five years, but is at the center of intense controversy over its potential health consequences. Niki recommended historian Sarah Milov's new book, The Cigarette: A Political History, and her articles about vaping at Made by History and at Time.

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

Natalia discussed the history of women being dismissed from teaching for visible pregnancy in light of Elizabeth Warren's career.
Neil talked about the New York Times article, "Samuel Little is Most Prolific Serial Killer in U.S. History, F.B.I. Says."
Niki shared Moises Velasquez-Manoff's New York Times article, "As Sea Levels Rise, So Do Ghost Forests."

Episode 199: Whistleblowers, Church Arsons, and Co-Working Spaces Oct 08, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the role of whistleblowers in American politics, the recent string of church arsons, and the trend of co-working spaces.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

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

An intelligence officer has filed a complaint regarding Donald Trump's interactions with the president of Ukraine. We discussed the history of whistleblowing and Niki noted the role of Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon papers in shaping contemporary ideas about whistleblowing. Natalia referenced the founding fathers' attention to protecting whistleblowers.
The FBI is currently investigating a string of church arsons in El Paso, Texas. Natalia noted that the racist motivations behind many church arsons are often questioned by conservatives, such as Michelle Malkin.
The co-working company WeWork may be going under. Natalia mentioned a New York Times Magazine profile of WeWork that detailed how work and socialization go hand in hand in these co-working spaces.

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

Natalia discussed her recent CNN piece, "Why It's So Scary When Trump Tweets about Civil War."
Neil shared the New York Times article, "Labradoodle Creator Says the Breed Is His Life's Regret."
Niki talked about Lorelei Lee's n+1 essay, "Cash/Consent."

Episode 198: Ukraine, Declining Bird Populations, and Luxury Parking Oct 01, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss Ukraine's connection to the impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump, the declining bird population of North America, and the high price of parking spaces in New York City.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

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

Ukraine is at the center of the impeachment probe against the president. Niki referred to Peter Schweizer's book Clinton Cash: The Untold Story of How Foreign Governments and Businesses Helped Make Bill and Hillary Rich and to Zack Beauchamp's Vox piece about how the Ukraine scandal changed his mind on impeachment. Neil also took on this topic in his column at The Week.
The bird population is disappearing at an alarming rate. Natalia recommended Philip Dray's book The Fair Chase: The Epic Story of Hunting in America and Niki referred to Rachel Carson's book Silent Spring.
Parking lots are the latest aspect of New York City life to become a luxury commodity. Neil referenced this National Council on Public History post on the historical importance of preserving parking lots.

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

Natalia discussed an episode of the podcast Welcome to LA, "The Recruiter."
Neil recommended Matthew Avery Sutton's book, Double Crossed: The Missionaries Who Spied for the United States During the Second World War.
Niki talked about the ABC podcast "The Dropout."

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