Episode 2

Threesomes With Kant, BDSM Risk Analysis and Disaster Policy

Carol Hay and Jeff Schlegelmilch join us on a journey through Covid, disaster policy and .... polyamory? How do we improve our responses these terrible events - and what does it have to do with how couples who practice BDSM keep each other safe? How do we change the incentive structures within in our society to improve disaster risk, and what does this have to do with the threesome with Immanuel Kant that Mitch and Jordan have been in for the last decade? All this plus the story of the 1927 flood, and our epistemological drinking game.

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Quick reading list:

Think Like a Feminist (Carol): https://www.amazon.com/Think-Like-Feminist-Philosophy-Revolution-ebook/dp/B085RN1328?ref_=ast_author_mpb

Catastrophic Incentives (Jeff): https://cup.columbia.edu/book/catastrophic-incentives/9780231555432

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Show Notes (Auto Generated)

summary

The conversation explores the handling of disasters and the problems it causes, as well as the reasons behind it. The guests discuss the impact of COVID-19 on disaster response and how it has challenged traditional conceptions of disasters. They also touch on the need for a shift in disaster recovery goals, moving away from simply restoring the pre-disaster state and towards addressing underlying inequalities. The conversation highlights the importance of perception shifts, collective creativity, and explicit goals in shaping disaster response. The conversation explores the influence of pop culture on society and the allocation of funds for disaster recovery. It highlights the disconnect between data and dominant cultural narratives, as well as the tension between individual rights and collective action. The discussion also delves into the role of government in addressing collective action problems and the need for a shift in crisis epistemology. The importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in emergency management is emphasized, along with the challenge of navigating different value systems. The conversation concludes with the recognition that redefining the role of government and changing crisis-focused mindsets are crucial for promoting disaster resilience and social change. Disasters can reveal the underlying structures of privilege and oppression, as well as challenge our notions of community response. In times of crisis, even those committed to social justice may feel threatened and resort to self-defense. The surge in new gun owners during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among women and people of color, highlights this response. Disasters provide an opportunity to bring feminist philosophical tools into the conversation and practice of disaster management. The tools from a feminist toolkit that could be useful include Rawls' difference principle and the concept of epistemic injustice.

keywords

disasters, handling, problems, COVID-19, impact, traditional conceptions, recovery goals, inequalities, perception shifts, collective creativity, explicit goals, disaster response, pop culture, society, disaster recovery, data, cultural narratives, individual rights, collective action, government, crisis epistemology, diversity, equity, inclusion, emergency management, value systems, social change, disasters, privilege, oppression, community response, social justice, self-defense, gun ownership, feminist philosophy, Rawls, difference principle, epistemic injustice

takeaways

  • The handling of disasters often leads to problems and raises questions about the underlying reasons and approaches.
  • COVID-19 has challenged traditional conceptions of disasters and highlighted the need for a shift in disaster response.
  • Disaster recovery goals should move beyond restoring the pre-disaster state and address underlying inequalities.
  • Perception shifts and collective creativity play a crucial role in shaping disaster response.
  • Explicit goals and a focus on addressing inequalities are essential in effective disaster response. The influence of pop culture on society and the reflection versus influence debate
  • The disconnect between data and dominant cultural narratives
  • The tension between individual rights and collective action in disaster response
  • The need for a shift in crisis epistemology and a broader understanding of risk
  • The importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in emergency management
  • The challenge of navigating different value systems and promoting social change
  • The role of government in addressing collective action problems and promoting equitable recovery Disasters can expose the structures of privilege and oppression in society.
  • Even those committed to social justice may resort to self-defense in times of crisis.
  • The surge in new gun owners during the COVID-19 pandemic highlights this response.
  • Feminist philosophical tools, such as Rawls' difference principle and the concept of epistemic injustice, can be useful in disaster management.

titles

  • COVID-19: A Catalyst for Rethinking Disasters
  • Reimagining Disaster Response: Challenges and Opportunities Shifting Crisis Epistemology and Understanding Risk
  • Navigating Different Value Systems for Social Change The Self-Defense Response in Times of Crisis
  • The Feminist Toolkit for Disaster Management

Sound Bites

  • "I think disasters are really sort of a clear instance of how [lofty political ideals] actually play out, both historically and contemporarily."
  • "COVID fundamentally changes the way we think and understand disasters."
  • "Things have gotten so bad that even the most privileged can't pretend things are fine anymore."
  • "Does pop culture influence society or reflect it?"
  • "Disaster recovery funding is an economic stimulus and societal development bill"
  • "The places least impacted by COVID-19 fatalities were most likely to have access to vaccines"
  • "Lots of people who are committed to wanting to be good people, believing in social justice, then in a disaster feel threatened."
  • "The largest surge in new gun owners in the first few months of COVID was women and people of color."
  • "Disasters are this very interesting place where some of our normal structures of privilege and oppression, they just get twisted."

About the Podcast

Show artwork for Tough Shift
Tough Shift
Managing Social Change in Disasters