Future Perfect Book Club

Future Perfect Book Club
  • 5.0 (4)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
Future Perfect Book Club

Designers Joel Goodman and Ron Bronson explore the intersection of technology, design, and culture through the lens of provocative books. In each episode, we dive into a book that challenges the way we think about society, culture, and design. Along the way, we bring in diverse perspectives and, eventually, authors themselves to discuss their work. Whether you’re tech-savvy or just curious, our discussions aim to inspire new ways of seeing the future.

Episodes

  1. Mood Machine by Liz Pelly

    MAR 12

    Mood Machine by Liz Pelly

    Joel Goodman and Ron Bronson delve into Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Cost of the Perfect Playlist by Liz Pelly. They discuss the book's exploration of Spotify's impact on the music industry, focusing on historical parallels, algorithmic control, and the creation of 'fake' artists. The conversation includes personal reflections on the evolution of music consumption, streaming services, and the nostalgia of early music platforms and blog eras. Throughout, they emphasize the moral and existential implications of Spotify's practices for both artists and listeners. Chapters 00:00 - Synopsis and Initial Impressions of 'Mood Machine' 00:36 - Historical Context and Surprising Elements 01:37 - Algorithmic Control and Fake Artists 02:34 - The Evolution of Music Streaming 04:40 - The Impact of Algorithmic Playlists 07:11 - The Role of Human Curation in Music Discovery 10:17 - The Decline of Music's Artistic Value 11:43 - The Dangers of Algorithmic Influence 14:03 - Nostalgia and the Value of Craft 26:35 - Supporting Artists in the Streaming Era 31:18 - Nostalgia and the Blog Era of Music 36:24 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Cost of the Perfect Playlist by Liz Pelly. Buy on Bookshop.org

    37 min
  2. Cyberboss by Craig Gent

    FEB 26

    Cyberboss by Craig Gent

    In the inaugural episode of the Future Perfect Book Club, Ron Bronson and Joel Goodman delve into Craig Gent's "Cyberboss: The Rise of Algorithmic Management and the New Struggle for Control at Work." They explore how algorithms are shaping the modern workplace, often in ways that diminish worker autonomy and dignity. Ron and Joel discuss the increasing disintermediation of human interaction in favor of algorithmic control, citing examples from ride-sharing apps to Amazon distribution centers. They examine the book's anecdotes of workers experiencing isolation and a lack of communication, as well as the elevation of algorithms to a "godlike" status in organizational cultures. The conversation touches on the allure of convenience that drives the adoption of these platforms, even in the face of known risks and ethical concerns. They dissect the implications of "just-in-time" logistics, the role of "subvisors" in the management structure, and the dehumanizing effects of algorithmic scheduling. The hosts also analyze how these systems perpetuate capitalist structures and echo the principles of Taylorism, all while removing accountability and consolidating power at the top. While acknowledging the book's left-leaning perspective, Ron and Joel emphasize the importance of understanding these trends and finding ways to disrupt them. They also share some laughs along the way, despite the episode's heavy topic. Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Future Perfect Book Club 01:16 Introducing "Cyberboss" 02:32 Synopsis: Algorithmic Management and Disintermediation 03:11 Anecdotes from the Book: Worker Experiences 06:15 Algorithms as gods 07:17 The Allure of Convenience Despite the Downsides 11:00 Trusting the System 14:24 Implications of Control Structures: Subvisors 16:50 Dehumanizing Worker Dignity 18:47 The App is the Boss 20:09 Compliance is built into the system 23:35 Capitalist Structures 25:37 A little bit about Taylorism 33:39 Wrapping up this book 38:44 Announcing the next book Purchase Cyberboss: The Rise of Algorithmic Management and the New Struggle for Control at Work at Bookshop.org

    40 min
  • 2 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Designers Joel Goodman and Ron Bronson explore the intersection of technology, design, and culture through the lens of provocative books. In each episode, we dive into a book that challenges the way we think about society, culture, and design. Along the way, we bring in diverse perspectives and, eventually, authors themselves to discuss their work. Whether you’re tech-savvy or just curious, our discussions aim to inspire new ways of seeing the future.

Information

  • Creator
    Future Perfect Book Club
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    2
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Future Perfect Book Club
  • Show Website
    Future Perfect Book Club

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