#AcademicRunPlaylist - 5/18/25

I was able to go out for a short run to wrap up the weekend and shake off the last vestiges of jet lag, and while recalibrating my circadian rhythm I also listened to talks for my #AcademicRunPlaylist!

First was a thought-provoking talk by Julian Posada on what the generative AI industry means for workers at the Data & Society Research Institute https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DDwfRmQhV0

Next was "How Not to Be Wrong: The Power of Mathematical Thinking" by Jordan Ellenberg. This book would more accurately be subtitled "The Power of Statistical Thinking" as that occupies most of the book - which is good! If you've taken a statistics class you'll pretty much know everything in this book, but otherwise it's a good introduction to fundamental concepts. I was disturbed how Ellenberger glossed over the eugenics-infused history of statistics and most of its early proponents, and there were a few less egregious political takes that have aged poorly. If you can get over that and need a basic statistics refresher, though, this book is a fine choice https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/312349/how-not-to-be-wrong-by-jordan-ellenberg/

Last was "Native Nations" by Kathleen DuVal. DuVal delivers an incredible deep dive into a number of Native American nations over the centuries, using these examples to situate broader historical trends and political dynamics. The focus here is mostly on pre-Civil War history, and the incredible detail provided on particular nations means some aren't covered (I would absolutely love a sequel that spends more time in Pennsylvania and New England). It's hard to overemphasize how revelatory this history is, with the chapter on the Mohawk and the fascinating activity around Fort Orange (now Albany) being particularly striking, demonstrating how the Haudenosaunee's rapidly growing economic power drove weapon and clothing design in Europe and colonist bakery product consumption. This book is a must read. Highly recommend https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/575441/native-nations-by-kathleen-duval/