The Problem with Reading

We conclude our journey through the eyes of state. Sam prepares for a harrowing experience, Stephen breaks his back (again) and Brevin welcomes Fall with the traditional liturgy. Have a listen!

Polycropping, practical knowledge, and National Park Shenanigans; Have a listen!

Back in the day, all the cool kids were collectivizing farms, by force if necessary (it generally was). Did you know they were all High Modernists? James Scott tells the stories of Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Russia and their violent agricultural revolutions. The unfortunate meeting of capitalist and communist minds, united in the confidence of technocratic solutions, had immense the human cost, but led, inevitably, to legibility, and the reinforcement of the centralized state's position. Also, Spinal Tap for Sam, Stephen is mad about Grok, and Brevin's phone is going to explode. Have a listen!

Dr. Mike joins the podcast to teach Metaphysics 101 and put Dr. Stephen in his place. We discuss the inescapability of metaphysics, the ontological argument (for perfect unicorns), and more. Plus, a game to decide the ultimate meta-metaphysician, and Mike hates basketball. Have a listen!

We turn to Mother Russia, the Revolution, and a certain Mr. Lenin for another view into High Modernism. Weightlifting Socialists, vanguards, and alternative Marxisms are all on the table. Separately, Stephen is a Doctor, ideas are special things, and we play out the episode with a special song. Have a listen!

The hands of High Modernism have left their mark on world, nowhere more dramatically than on the form of the City. Le Corbusier, architect and supervillain, contends with Jane Jacobs, New York Lover and sidewalk-er. How many cubic meters of air does a person needs? How much empty pavement can put down? Is 18 lanes enough for the main street? All these questions and more, answered. Also, everyone is ill, or soon to be.

Is your Last Name a government conspiracy? Is 2xPi overrated? Is illegibility of local conditions and terrain a protection against state control? The answer to all these questions is “Yes.”

German Scientific Forestry goes horribly wrong! Cadastral mapping allow for state exploitation of otherwise illegible localities! Appearance of order does not imply efficiency! Also, Sam breaks his toe, Brevin enjoys Shamrock Shakes, and Stephen is an Engineer™.

In which we begin our new book: "Seeing Like a State: How Certain Schemes to Improve the Human Condition Have Failed" by James C. Scott. High Modernism, maps, peasant anthropology, utopian schemes, evil architects...this book has it all, and we're excited for the journey.

As we delve deeper into winter, it’s worth one last quick look back at the year past.

For your consideration, The Problem with Reading presents the eight best articles of 2024 as chosen by elite and erudite past podcast guests. From Monks to Mathematically-Challenged Medicalists, from Gym Rats to Gambling Addicts, from Anti-culture to Architecture—we have the best of 2024 all in one place, and from the best people. Have a listen!

~Inside the Dangerous, Secretive World of Extreme Fishing: theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2024/10/extreme-fishing-montauk-wetsuiting-striped-bass/679574/

~"[Don't] Call Me Daddy": Manosphere influencers are not your father: cracksinpomo.substack.com/p/dont-call-me-daddy-manosphere-influencers

~The Last Rave: newyorker.com/magazine/2024/07/08/a-pandemic-breakup

~'I literally can't stop.' The descent of a modern sports fan: nytimes.com/athletic/5777632/2024/10/14/sports-betting-addiction-problem-fans/

~Apparently, Calculus Was Invented In 1994: forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2011/11/10/apparently-calculus-was-invented-in-1994/

~Literature, Culture and the Western Soul: stmichaelschool.us/forming

~Cities for Humans: firstthings.com/cities-for-humans/

~The Carthusians of Vermont: firstthings.com/the-carthusians-of-vermont/