Machines and Slow Disasters | What Now? S01E04

TL;DR

Edward Jones-Imhotep discusses disasters, vulnerability, and the pandemic as a historian's perspective.

Transcript

[Edward Jones-Imhotep] As a historian, what I'm most interested in actually, and this comes back to the question of how, why we should understand the pandemic this way is really two questions about disasters. And one is, what are the conditions that make disasters possible? And it's linked crucially to questions of vulnerability. That is a disaster... Read More

Key Insights

• 💠 Disasters stem from events and vulnerabilities, shaping historical narratives.
• 🫵 Viewing pandemics as disasters offers insights into societal structures and vulnerabilities.
• ❓ Historical Black androids highlight racial biases and misrepresentations in technology.
• 💠 Technology intertwines with historical anxieties, shaping societal perceptions.
• ❓ The relationship between Blackness and technology challenges existing racial stereotypes.
• 🖤 Black involvement in technological innovations challenges historical misrepresentations.
• ❓ The intersection of technology, history, and society reveals complex narratives.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Jones-Imhotep define disasters, and why are vulnerabilities crucial?

Jones-Imhotep sees disasters as disruptions to societal norms shaped by events and vulnerabilities, emphasizing the importance of understanding vulnerabilities in disaster scenarios.

Q: Why does he consider the pandemic as a disaster, and what insights can we gain from such events?

Jones-Imhotep regards the pandemic as a disaster that provides valuable perspectives on history, society, and environmental factors, offering lessons for the future.

Q: In what ways do Black androids reveal historical anxieties about Blackness and technology?

Black androids symbolize racist stereotypes, portraying Black people as non-technological, despite the historical involvement of Black individuals in technological advancements.

Q: How does Jones-Imhotep suggest reimagining the relationship between Blackness and technology?

Jones-Imhotep proposes a graphic novel project to explore a more accurate portrayal of the historical connections between Black communities and technology, challenging existing myths.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Disasters arise from events and vulnerability, not solely from sudden changes.

• Jones-Imhotep views pandemics as disasters that offer insights into history and society.

• Technology, disasters, and Black androids reflect intertwined historical narratives.