#AcademicRunPlaylist - 1/19/26

We got a decent amount of snow last night, and while walking through the winter wonderland with the dogs and contemplating MLK’s quote on moderates I listened to talks and books for my #AcademicRunPlaylist

First was an interesting talk by Iwan Jaya Azis on the prospects of regional economic cooperation and integration in Asia at the Asian Development Bank Institute, with discussion by Masahiro Kawai https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG-0QG2R7CE

Next was a timely talk by Channing Arndt on production chains and their tariff-clouded future in Asia at ADBI with discussion by Maggie Chen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzircDl0WWk 

Next was “Never Done: A History of American Housework” by Susan Strasser. Housework is finally given the historical attention it deserves in this incredible book, with Strasser methodically working through different classes of work within the home over the centuries in the US until the 70s. The processes of effective work in the pre WW1 home were fascinating, with the importance of familial ties in labor and the increasing role of new technologies and advice from the popular press forming an incredible interplay. As a universal but understudied workplace, this book finally gives the home the attention it deserves. Highly recommend https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/never-done-susan-strasser/1112708250

Last was “The Plunder of Black America” by Jack "Calvin" Schermerhorn. This book uses individual cases across US history as a lens into the economic repression of Black people. It's an illuminating but depressing methodology, with every gain by Black people being quickly met with systemic subversion to undermine those gains. With these patterns clearly continuing to today, the messages here are even more essential. Highly recommend https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300258950/the-plunder-of-black-america/