#AcademicRunPlaylist - 1/4/26

Author

Ben Waber
January 04, 2026

The so-called Redeption Rock. It is a large glacially-scarred rock with some moss growing on it on a bright day, with bare trees behind it. On the middle of the rock is an engraving that reads: "Upon this rock May 2, 1676 was made the agreement for the ransom of Mrs Mary Rowlandson of Lancaster between the Indians and John Hoar of Concord. King Philip was with the Indians but refused his consent."

It was an appropriate day to hike through the woods and visit a piece of imperialist history, and while contemplating the arc of history I listened to talks and books for my #AcademicRunPlaylist.

First was the second day of the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) occupational safety and health conference, focusing on the impact of AI. I particularly liked the talks by Juan Sebastian Carbonell (limits to algorithmic management) and Antonio Aloisi šŸ‘‹ (AI at work: product or people safety?) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqL9t-OtPH4

Next was "Shaping Science" by Janet Vertesi. Vertesi has put together an incredible book, using ethnography to investigate NASA's unique organizational and team structure and how these teams make decisions. Importantly these teams differ from most outside NASA by virtue of being tied to specific missions - some of which can literally last an entire career. Beyond that, positions within teams are essentially locked in place for the duration. We get a front seat view to the complexities and eccentricities that structure engenders, as well as how the technical systems and scientific goals of the missions themselves shape how these teams and organizations function. Obviously as an ethnography focusing on extremely unique organizations caveats about generalizability apply, and as any of my students know I never like using network diagrams to make scientific claims. However for those interested in management, work, science, or how to do ethnographic research, this is a must read. Highly recommend https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/S/bo49911700.html

Last was "Evolution Gone Wrong" by Alexander Bezzerides. I wish I had read this book years ago, as it provides the most accessible and comprehensive introduction I've seen to the evolutionary basis of humanity's most inconvenient physical characteristics. Importantly Bezzerides mostly avoids health issues caused by modern diets/activity levels (there are many books covering that exclusively), and instead examines more structural issues (why humans are prone to back pain, why our teeth get crooked, etc.). In addition to anatomical and evolutionary insight, the research cited throughout this survey of the human body provides a ready made reading list to follow up on if you're interested in particular systems. Highly recommend https://www.harpercollins.com/products/evolution-gone-wrong-alex-bezzerides