#AcademicRunPlaylist - 5/28/25

It was nearly perfect weather in Boston today, and while I was only able to run in the morning I still enjoyed the run and listening to talks for my #AcademicRunPlaylist!

First was an excellent talk by Kean Birch on valuing data at the Digital Trade and Data Governance Hub . Birch reviews different approaches to understanding how individuals and companies value data, policy proposals to distribute that value more equitably, and current regulations in this area. Highly recommend https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rS7GbqFG2Y

Next was an engaging and timely conversation between Ann Lipton and Michael Levin on Texas's corporate governance changes and how they're altering the internal affairs doctrine (which recently passed...) on the Shareholder Primacy podcast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvWAt6PXIWc

Next was "Shared Sisterhood" by Dr. Tina Opie and Beth A. Livingston. Opie and Livingston deliver a compelling framework for individuals to build self and mutual understanding to create a fairer workplace. This book covers a number of historical examples to illustrate the frameworks described here, as well as many ripped-from-the-headlines cases. Academic research is sprinkled throughout, although I wish the authors had directly interviewed the people they highlight since it's unclear to me how accurate a picture one can draw from media reports and social media posts. Unfortunately this book's lessons are more necessary than ever, and the practical steps detailed here will be immensely helpful for anyone who works https://bethalivingston.com/shared-sisterhood

Next was "Other Minds" by Peter Godfrey-Smith. This book is the best combination of engaging and informative, with a dazzling exploration of cephalopod behavior and cognition layered atop a deep examination of evolutionary history. It's rare that a book with so many academic citations remains so readable to those outside the field, but Godfrey-Smith's personal experience with these fascinating creatures and witty narrative style make this a must-read page turner. Highly recommend https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374537197/otherminds/

Last was "The Life Worth Living" by Joel Michael Reynolds. This book is split into two somewhat disconnected parts - the first is an inside baseball philosophical analysis of Abrahamic religions' views on disability, while the second is a powerful personal narrative around disability with some philosophy mixed in. As you can probably tell, I found the second much more interesting than the first, but I imagine philosophers will enjoy the first as well. Still highly recommend https://www.upress.umn.edu/9781517907785/the-life-worth-living/