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Artwork for High Theory

High Theory

High Theory
Feminism
Literary Criticism
Sisterhood
Plagiarism
Capitalism
Inhuman
Modernism
Close Reading
Solidarity
National Organization For Women (NOW)
Consumer Behavior
Climate Change
Art History
Gender Studies
Writing Practice
Economic Enchantments
Self-Help
Aesthetic Conversions
Poetry
Brutalism

High Theory is a produced and edited by Kim Adams and Saronik Bosu, two tired academics trying to save critique from itself, along with two amazing collaborators, Júlia Irion Martins and Nathan Kim. In this podcast, we get high on the substance of theory, and we try to explain difficult ideas from the academy with irreverence. You can learn more about us on our website, or find us on Facebook, Ins... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes165Founded6 years ago
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Society & CultureBooksArtsPhilosophy

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Artwork for High Theory

Latest Episodes

In this special student edition of High Theory, Andrew Bennett, Jo Hoffman, Kai North, and Ally Sullivan tell us about Rugged Individualism, a concept they link to Marxist theory. They made this episode for an assignment in Professor John Linstrom’s ... more

In this episode of High Theory, Kim talks to Ben Mangrum about Generic. A curious term that denotes both the conventions and rules of genre, and the impersonal or nameless quality of things like generic drugs or generic devices; the generic structure... more

In this episode of High Theory, Zac Zimmer talks to Kim about Decolonizing the Novum. The novum is a concept developed by Darko Suvin that names the new element of a science fiction or speculative fiction narrative. SF narratives from the Americas th... more

In this episode of High Theory, Saronik talks to Senthorun Raj about the Emotions of LGBT Rights. Emotions from disgust and fear to love and joy shape the legal frameworks that attempt to govern human sexual behavior around the world. Sen cautions ag... more

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Recent Guests

John Linstrom
Assistant Professor of English; eco-criticism and cultural studies
Centenary College of Louisiana; Cornell University Press
Episode: Rugged Individualism
Ben Mangrum
Associate professor of literature at MIT; author of The Comedy of Computation
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Episode: Generic
Zac Zimmer
Associate Professor of Literature at University of California, Santa Cruz
University of California, Santa Cruz
Episode: Decolonizing the Novum
Senthorun Raj
Reader in Human Rights Law at Manchester Law School; academic, activist, human rights scholar
Manchester Law School
Episode: Emotions of LGBT Rights
Milan Terlunen
Literary scholar focusing on novels, narrative, and reading practices
Episode: Pre-Reading
Gloria Fisk
Associate Professor of English at Queens College, CUNY
Queens College, CUNY
Episode: Prolepsis
Erik Baker
Lecturer in History of Science at Harvard; associate editor at The Drift; author
Harvard University; The Drift
Episode: Entrepreneurial Work Ethic
Jason Schneiderman
Poet and author of the book Nothingism
Author
Episode: Nothingism
Nasser Mufti
Member of UICUF, focusing on 19th century British and postcolonial literature.
University of Illinois at Chicago
Episode: Brutalism

Hosts

Kim Adams
Co-host, engaged in making theory accessible and relatable, fostering a welcoming atmosphere for discussions.
Saronik Bosu
Co-host, committed to creativity and critique, known for informative dialogues across various subjects.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 79 ratings
  • So helpful!

    I am new to the podcast and already grateful for several things: 1) tight editing means each episode is packed with solid content 2) variety of topics helps orient me to new discussions and fields 3) fun and passionate hosts and guests!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    roryandclara
    United States4 years ago
  • Theory Is Fun

    By engaging scholars who are enthusiastic about their favorite concepts, this pod manages to make ideas that might otherwise seem ephemeral and abstract into conversations that are accessible and entertaining. Great premise, well executed.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hippeaux
    United States4 years ago
  • Interesting and not over long

    Nice

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BH lawyer Sydney
    Australia5 years ago
  • A funny and warm take on theory

    Kim and Saronik have created a kind and open podcast that allows the listener, whether they are versed in many of these concepts or not, to understand complex ideas in a fun and digestible format.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Christiansico
    United States5 years ago
  • Excellent

    Saronik and Kim are doing such a great job making theory fun and playing with concepts that are sometimes familiar and always presented in a new light :) How will High Theory save the world? By being smart and warm!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    aee12345
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the podcast for its engaging and tightly edited discussions that make complex theories accessible.
Conversations are said to have a good variety, contributing to a rich understanding of diverse scholarly topics.
The hosts are noted for their friendly and passionate delivery, helping listeners grasp abstract ideas in a fun manner.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Rugged Individualism
Q: How can readers use rugged individualism as a lens when engaging with texts?
Readers can use rugged individualism to trace how authors depict labor, class, gender, and policy, and then compare those depictions with Marxist and feminist critiques to uncover the tensions between idealized self-sufficiency and actual social dependencies.
Rugged Individualism
Q: What is rugged individualism and how does it function in American discourse?
Rugged individualism is a norm that valorizes self-reliance and personal initiative, historically tied to frontier life and laissez-faire capitalism; the episode explains how this idea has been mobilized to justify policy choices and social arrangements that reward independence while often neglecting structural supports for the vulnerable.
Generic
Q: How did you come to frame the generic as a lens for understanding both genre and everyday usage of that term?
Mangrum discusses the two senses of the generic — genre-based conventions and the broader everyday sense — and argues that both operate simultaneously, shaping our experience of technology and culture rather than existing as a simple dichotomy.
Generic
Q: So Ben, can you introduce yourself to our listeners?
Ben Mangrum introduces himself as an associate professor of literature at MIT, author of two books including The Comedy of Computation, and explains his interest in how comedy and the generic reveal our experience of computing technology.
Decolonizing the Novum
Q: Okay. So then tell us, what the heck is Decolonizing the Novum?
Decolonizing the Novum reframes the novel concept of novelty in SF by tying it to colonial history and indigenous cosmologies, using archival sources to imagine other possible futures and to open up space for anti-colonial resistance within speculative narratives.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About High Theory

What is High Theory about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A vibrant exploration of complex theoretical concepts through a lens of irreverence and accessibility characterizes the content. Each episode invites engaging discussions with scholars and guest experts, unpacking various theories in art, literature, sociology, and philosophy. The hosts approach challenging subjects with humor and warmth, aiming to bridge the gap between academia and broader audiences, making the sometimes intimidating world of theory more approachable and enjoyable. Unique elements include the intersection of cultural commentary with personal narratives, inviting listeners to reflect on their own relationships with the discussed themes. Topics range widely from architecture and poetry to alcohol's historical roles, encoura... more

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Which podcasts are similar to High Theory?

These podcasts share a similar audience with High Theory:

1. Why Theory
2. Dialogues: The David Zwirner Podcast
3. Podcast – Cory Doctorow's craphound.com
4. Overthink
5. Theory & Philosophy

How many episodes of High Theory are there?

High Theory launched 6 years ago and published 165 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on High Theory?

Recent guests on High Theory include:

1. John Linstrom
2. Ben Mangrum
3. Zac Zimmer
4. Senthorun Raj
5. Milan Terlunen
6. Gloria Fisk
7. Erik Baker
8. Jason Schneiderman

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