Description (podcaster-provided):
Context is a podcast that explores the historical forces shaping our modern world. Hosted by Brad Harris, who earned his PhD from Stanford in the History of Science & Technology, each episode delves into pivotal ideas, events, and figures that have influenced civilization's trajectory. From the rise of scientific thought to the challenges of globalization, Brad provides insightful analysis that connects the past to our present. Whether you're a history enthusiast or seeking deeper understanding of contemporary issues, Context with Brad Harris offers a thoughtful journey through the narratives that define us.
Themes and summary (AI-generated based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions):
➤ History • Philosophy • Cultural analysis • Technological impact • Societal trends • Scientific exploration • Political discourse
This podcast, "Context with Brad Harris," offers an in-depth exploration of historical forces shaping contemporary society. Hosted by Brad Harris, a historian with a Ph.D. in the History of Science & Technology from Stanford, each episode delves into pivotal ideas, events, and figures that have influenced civilization’s trajectory. The podcast frequently examines connections between past and present, illustrating how historical narratives inform current global dynamics.
Listeners can expect a broad array of topics, including the recovery of societies from crises, the evolution of scientific thought, and the interplay between civilization and nature. The podcast also tackles philosophical inquiries, such as the impact of postmodernism, the human condition's intersection with war, and the evolution of ideas regarding truth and knowledge. A recurring theme is the tension between technological advancements and their contradictions, including how modern societies balance progress with the consequences of such developments, such as economic inequality and regulatory challenges.
The host often brings insights from notable historical works, examining texts ranging from Jared Diamond's examinations of societal development to Oswald Spengler's predictions of Western decline. Discussions sometimes feature guest experts who contribute to unpacking complex ideas, offering a multidisciplinary approach that combines history, philosophy, and technology. Overall, this podcast is well-suited for history enthusiasts and individuals seeking a deeper understanding of contemporary issues through an analysis rich with historical context and scholarly discussion.
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Episodes:
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Back from the Brink: How Societies Recover
2025-Sep-30
30 minutes
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Good vs Evil
2025-Sep-16
27 minutes
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The Wilderness at the Gates
2025-Sep-02
27 minutes
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Phantom Worlds
2025-Aug-26
25 minutes
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The Machinery of Abundance
2025-Aug-12
24 minutes
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When We Were Most Human
2025-Aug-05
21 minutes
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The History of the Future
2025-Jul-28
19 minutes
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The Meaning of War
2025-Jul-01
22 minutes
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The Decline of the West: Oswald Spengler's Prophetic Vision
2025-Jun-19
18 minutes
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Narrative Warfare: How National Stories Shape Geopolitics
2025-Jun-12
19 minutes
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PREVIEW: The Ghost in the Machine – Why We Believe in Robots
2025-Jun-05
5 minutes
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The Lost Virtue of Boredom: What We Lose When We're Never Still
2025-May-29
17 minutes
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The Bureaucracy vs. the Future: How the SEC Is Undermining American Innovation
2025-May-22
14 minutes
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Sliding Into Serfdom - 10 Minutes on Hayek
2025-May-15
10 minutes
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Into the Trenches Once More
2023-May-17
18 minutes
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Urban Versus Rural
2021-Jun-01
31 minutes
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Notes On Tribalism
2021-Apr-26
22 minutes
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The Fate of Universities
2021-Feb-24
38 minutes
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Explaining Postmodernism: A Conversation with Stephen Hicks
2021-Jan-25
61 minutes
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Escaping the Cycle of History
2020-Dec-21
33 minutes
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Reflections from A Distant Mirror
2020-Oct-26
39 minutes
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2+2=5
2020-Sep-14
26 minutes
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All Things Being Equal
2020-Aug-25
30 minutes
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Approximating Perfection
2020-Jul-08
20 minutes
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Science as a Candle in the Dark
2020-Jun-05
20 minutes
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What If Our Ignorance Outgrows Our Potential?
2019-Aug-05
32 minutes
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A Battle Against Medieval Barbarism
2019-Jul-01
35 minutes
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What's True?
2019-Jun-03
84 minutes
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The Closing of the American Mind, by Allan Bloom
2019-May-02
66 minutes
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Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation, by Joseph Ellis
2019-Apr-04
32 minutes
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Applied Perspective: A Conversation with Niall Ferguson
2019-Mar-07
40 minutes
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The Square and the Tower, by Niall Ferguson
2019-Feb-07
38 minutes
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Why the West Rules - For Now, by Ian Morris
2019-Jan-09
89 minutes
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The Fall of Rome, and the End of Civilization
2018-Dec-12
52 minutes
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The Two Cultures, by C. P. Snow
2018-Nov-21
27 minutes
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Merchants of Doubt, by Naomi Oreskes & Erik Conway
2018-Oct-30
39 minutes
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Galileo's Finger: The Ten Great Ideas of Science, by Peter Atkins
2018-Oct-08
54 minutes
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Evolution's Other Narrative
2018-Sep-17
27 minutes
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Plagues and Peoples, by William McNeill
2018-Sep-05
41 minutes
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1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created, by Charles Mann
2018-Aug-20
38 minutes
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Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World, by Jack Weatherford
2018-Aug-06
37 minutes
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The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, by Thomas Kuhn
2018-Jul-24
23 minutes
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Scientific Culture and the Making of the Industrial West, by Margaret Jacob
2018-Jul-10
30 minutes
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The Wealth and Poverty of Nations, by David Landes
2018-Jun-26
35 minutes
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Guns, Germs, and Steel, by Jared Diamond
2018-Jun-06
25 minutes
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