Ford and Jobs changed America

Such lively conversation today.  Such interesting ideas.  Such a joy and privilege to be with these students!

Prompted by the obituaries and accolades given to Steve Jobs earlier this fall, we began with two parallel, nearly identical, sentences:

Henry Ford changed America.

Steve Jobs changed America.

Following Stanley Fish's encouragement, we built on the three "words" to help us think about what was changed (e.g. American values, American experiences of work, American's perception of physical distance and time, etc.) and by what means (e.g. by the moving assembly line, by access to affordable automobiles, by 24 hour access to instant, international communication).  We noted similarities of biography and in the men's self-portrayal and in some of their flaws.  There was lots more that we did not get to, including the simple connection between the automobile and superhighways being alluded to by the connection between computers and other devices and the digital superhighway. 

In the heat of the conversation I did not read aloud this sentence from Johnson about Ford. Seems like the sentence would apply equally as well to Jobs as to Ford.

"He illustrated the power, which all historians learn to recognize, of a good but simple idea pursued singlemindedly by a man of implacable will." p. 606

Freedom to not work . . . .or to work

Lawrence, MA 1912

The comment I wanted to make in response to Andrew that flew out of my brain:

Andrew's remark that workers were freed to work for Pullman and live in his town or not to do so points to the dispute about the nature of freedom that was lively in this period.  While manufacturers asserted the freedom to enter into contracts, labor advocates saw the dangers of being "wage slaves."  Eric Foner's chapter on this period, in his book The Story of American Freedom, is excellent and well worth getting your hands on, especially if you are an economics major or interested in business.

For now, one short quotation:

Most profoundly, labor raised the question whether meaningful freedom would exist in a situation of extreme economic inequality.  On July 4, 1886, the Federated Trades of the Pacific Coast rewrote Jefferson's Declaration adding to the list among mankind's inalienable rights "Life and means of living, Liberty and the conditions essential to liberty."  Freedom required certain kinds of social arrangements, not simply liberty of contract. p. 126

NPR Story on Houdini edited by our own Jason DeRosee

In 202 the big final project will return to an earlier 101 project in form but take it to completion: a radio/pod cast.  The topics will begin with National Parks.  There will be help, including a workshop with St. Olaf Alum Jason DeRose of NPR.  So ...............  this piece he edited on Houdini's descendent makes a sort of connection between what we have been doing (Ragtime, the novel in which HH is a character, Vaudeville, etc.) and what we will do.

THE LINK

Entertainment culture, political culture, and religion

THIS comment by Anthea Butler on Herman Cain's performance at the National Press Club on October 31 suggests something of the way that the rise of entertainment culture we have been considering via Gilbert's study of Chicago has made its way into both religion and politics.  We'll consider the former (the intertwining of religion and entertainment) when we get to the chapter on Moody.  More specifically Butler draws upon the stereotypes of African-Americans in early 20th century popular entertainments such as minstrel shows, vaudeville, and movies, to comment on Cain's defense against charges of sexual harassment.  I'll paste in a paragraph, but urge you to read the whole piece in order to appreciate Butler's nuanced assessment.

Cain, a member of Antioch Baptist church North in Atlanta, Ga, has mentioned his Christian faith on the campaign trail, and has recorded a gospel album. Cain’s singing of “He looked beyond my faults” was, in my opinion, a combination of minstrel show, an Amos and Andy riff without Amos, and a sly admission. By going into entertainment mode with the crowd, Cain tried to both deftly testify to his faith with his Teavangelical base, while at the same time throwing the throngs of reporters off from the trail of the sexual harassment suit. All while confessing that while “others saw his faults, He (Jesus) saw my need.” One wonders what Cain’s faults really are.

All Saints Day

A day to remember and give thanks for the saints who have gone before us, for all who have contributed to the communities in which we live and the people we are.