In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the cryptocurrency craze.

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Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• The crash of TerraLuna is proving “crypto” to be both more than a passing trend and less than the miracle its boosters once promised. We recommended Kevin Roose’s “Latecomer’s Guide to Crypto” in the New York Times. Niki drew on this History News Network article to link crypto enthusiasm to other financial bubbles, and Natalia referred to James Ledbetter’s FIN Substack This 2013 (early) history of Bitcoin from New York Times provided useful context for all of us. Niki also recommended David Yaffe-Bellany’s New York Times piece, “Ben McKenzie Would Like a Word with the Crypto Bros,” and the Crypto Island podcast.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia talked about Amy Odell’s new book, Anna: The Biography.
• Neil discussed Sarah Pulliam Bailey’s Washington Post article, “Southern Baptist Leaders Covered Up Sex Abuse, Kept Secret Database, Report Says.”
• Niki recommended Maureen Ryan’s Vanity Fair article, “The Great Pottery Throwdown is a Balm for a Weary Age.”

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory.

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Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• A deadly mass shooting in Buffalo, NY brought renewed attention to the “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory widely circulated among white supremacists. Niki drew on this New Yorker article about the European origins of this idea and her own New York Times essay on the role of media in amplifying it. Natalia discussed Samuel Huntington’s Foreign Policy essay, “The Hispanic Challenge.” Neil referenced this Nation article about Renaud Camus.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia made a plea for more coverage of how summer camp directors are gearing up for their third pandemic summer. Those stories haven’t been written, but here’s a History Channel video she recorded on the history of summer camps.
• Neil discussed Trip Mickle’s New York Times article, “Farewell to the iPod.”
• Niki shared her congratulations and gratitude for historian Brian Balogh, on the occasion of his retirement from the University of Virginia.

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the history of adoption in the United States.

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Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• The phrase “domestic supply of infants” in a footnote to the leaked draft Supreme Court decision regarding abortion has horrified many Americans. Niki referred to this Atlantic article about the intense process of adopting a baby. Natalia referenced this New York Times essay about Gabrielle Glaser’s book adoption and historian Rickie Solinger’s essay on race and illegitimacy.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia recommended Jessica Bennett’s New York Times essay, “Pamela Anderson, Amber Heard, and the Limits of the Feminist Redemption Plot.”
• Neil discussed Milla Surjadi’s Duke Chronicle article, “Student Commencement Address Bears Striking Resemblance to 2014 Student Address.”
• Niki shared scholar Carla Cevasco’s Twitter thread regarding infant feeding.

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss a leaked draft opinion from the Supreme Court that overturns Roe v. Wade.

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Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• Politico published a leaked draft opinion, penned by Justice Samuel Alito, in which the U.S. Supreme Court overturns the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade opinion. Natalia referred to historian Jill Lepore’s New Yorker article and Niki drew on Jennifer Schuessler’s New York Times piece regarding the contested history of abortion. Niki recommended historian Leslie Reagan’s book When Abortion Was a Crime, and Natalia cited Jamelle Bouie’s New York Times opinion piece on the culture wars.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia commented on the quantity of coverage of Congressman Madison Cawthorn’s masculinity, and the silence regarding the salience of his disability.
• Neil discussed Robert D. McFadden’s New York Times obituary, “Judith Jones, Editor of Literature and Culinary Delight, Dies at 93” and the HBO Max show, “Julia.”
• Niki recommended the new play, “Suffs.”

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss Elon Musk’s bid to buy Twitter.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• Billionaire Elon Musk made a successful $44 billion bid to acquire Twitter. Niki referred to this Los Angeles Times article about the limits of Elon Musk’s “free speech absolutism.” Natalia referenced this New York Times article about billionaire investors in the press. We all drew on this Psyche piece on the history of media ownership and its perils.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia recommended Kendall Taggart, John Templon, Anthony Cormier, and Jason Leopold’s Buzzfeed News investigative report, “Profit, Pain, and Private Equity.”
• Neil shared the launch of the anti-racism publication, The Emancipator.
• Niki discussed James Pogue’s Vanity Fair article, “Inside the New Right, Where Peter Thiel is Placing His Biggest Bets,” and this edition of John Ganz’ Substack, Unpopular Front.