Santi Ruiz and Dan Wang discuss the legacy of social scientist James C. Scott, focusing on his theories of state power and resistance. Explores how states strive for “legibility” while individuals use “weapons of the weak” – such as foot-dragging and gossip – to evade control. Highlights how geography, like mountains, historically provided refuge from authority. Applying Scott’s work to the modern world, debates the necessity of remaining “illegible” to AI and large language models to protect personal autonomy in an increasingly monitored society.
See also other episodes about James C. Scott. The Oral History Center at UC Berkeley has released a video documentary, In A Field All His Own: The Life and Career of James C. Scott.