Episode
The Man Who Pioneered Libraries and Sexual Harassment
1:17:40
Published: Tue Feb 08 2022
Description
Robert is joined by Jamie Loftus to discuss John Dewey.FOOTNOTES; https://slate.com/human-interest/2019/09/melvil-dewey-american-libraryassociation-award-name-change.html https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2018/06/01/melvil-dewey-bringingharassment-out-of-the-history-books/ https://bookriot.com/life-of-melvil-dewey/ https://bookriot.com/racism-in-the-dewey-decimal-system/ https://www.newyorkalmanack.com/2020/11/melvil-dewey-efficient-inventive-annoying-racistsexist/ https://www.history.com/news/the-father-of-modern-libraries-was-a-serial-sexualharasser https://daily.jstor.org/melvil-deweys-attempt-at-a-spelling-revolution/ https://www.newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/melvil-dewey-the-womanizing-ocdlibrarian-who-organized-the-olympics/ https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2014/03/24/melvil-dewey-compulsiveinnovator/ https://web.archive.org/web/20081010135016/www.hwwilson.com/databases/PDFsample/WLB/dewey.pdf https://doi.org/10.5406/pluralist.7.3.0096 http://www.danielgreenfield.org/2019/07/the-progressive-feminist-whofounded.html?m=1 Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Chapters
Three radio journalists are assassinated, listen to the podcast to uncover the mystery.
00:00 - 01:39 (01:39)
Summary
Three radio journalists are assassinated, listen to the podcast to uncover the mystery.
EpisodeThe Man Who Pioneered Libraries and Sexual Harassment
PodcastBehind the Bastards
The tough weather conditions in upstate New York can shape a person's character and inspire them to make significant changes in the world.
01:39 - 08:44 (07:04)
Summary
The tough weather conditions in upstate New York can shape a person's character and inspire them to make significant changes in the world. The formidable environment fosters a culture of excellence and resilience that can be instilled in an individual from a young age.
EpisodeThe Man Who Pioneered Libraries and Sexual Harassment
PodcastBehind the Bastards
The similarities between the childhoods of philosopher John Dewey and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos in terms of their analytical and efficiency-obsessed minds are discussed, although some details of Dewey's childhood story may be apocryphal.
08:44 - 13:44 (04:59)
Summary
The similarities between the childhoods of philosopher John Dewey and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos in terms of their analytical and efficiency-obsessed minds are discussed, although some details of Dewey's childhood story may be apocryphal.
EpisodeThe Man Who Pioneered Libraries and Sexual Harassment
PodcastBehind the Bastards
The evolution of college attendance in the mid-1800s made college education a possibility for the middle class, whereas previously it was only accessible to the aristocracy.
13:44 - 17:44 (04:00)
Summary
The evolution of college attendance in the mid-1800s made college education a possibility for the middle class, whereas previously it was only accessible to the aristocracy. Long childhood illnesses used to be a common factor for wealthy and powerful men to go to college.
EpisodeThe Man Who Pioneered Libraries and Sexual Harassment
PodcastBehind the Bastards
The speaker mentions that a weird virgin is on the loose and that this may not lead to good things.
17:44 - 19:57 (02:12)
Summary
The speaker mentions that a weird virgin is on the loose and that this may not lead to good things. He also jokes about getting a t-shirt that says "I'm going to get a bunch of A's".
EpisodeThe Man Who Pioneered Libraries and Sexual Harassment
PodcastBehind the Bastards
Melvil Dewey's obsession with efficiency and organization led him to change his name and develop the Dewey Decimal System, but his drive for perfection also had dark implications.
19:57 - 22:44 (02:47)
Summary
Melvil Dewey's obsession with efficiency and organization led him to change his name and develop the Dewey Decimal System, but his drive for perfection also had dark implications.
EpisodeThe Man Who Pioneered Libraries and Sexual Harassment
PodcastBehind the Bastards
The traditional numbering system of libraries required reclassification every time a library changed, causing confusion for readers and librarians alike.
22:44 - 28:06 (05:21)
Summary
The traditional numbering system of libraries required reclassification every time a library changed, causing confusion for readers and librarians alike. Successful people often find neglected systems, and the interviewee was promoted to help run the entire library after finding a better system.
EpisodeThe Man Who Pioneered Libraries and Sexual Harassment
PodcastBehind the Bastards
This podcast discusses how colonialism and personal prejudices have influenced the classification system, citing an example that illustrates how a particular religious belief system was deemed less important based on its origin.
28:06 - 31:55 (03:49)
Summary
This podcast discusses how colonialism and personal prejudices have influenced the classification system, citing an example that illustrates how a particular religious belief system was deemed less important based on its origin.
EpisodeThe Man Who Pioneered Libraries and Sexual Harassment
PodcastBehind the Bastards
The speaker critiques the structure of the library system, citing the poor writing skills of librarians and the racism present in the organization.
31:55 - 35:44 (03:49)
Summary
The speaker critiques the structure of the library system, citing the poor writing skills of librarians and the racism present in the organization.
EpisodeThe Man Who Pioneered Libraries and Sexual Harassment
PodcastBehind the Bastards
The founder of the Dewey Decimal System had a unique approach to spelling, which he believed would simplify the English language.
35:44 - 41:24 (05:39)
Summary
The founder of the Dewey Decimal System had a unique approach to spelling, which he believed would simplify the English language. However, his spelling quirks are now seen as unconventional and sometimes even offensive.
EpisodeThe Man Who Pioneered Libraries and Sexual Harassment
PodcastBehind the Bastards
The career path of librarianship was a way for women to gain financial independence and provided opportunities for single women and mothers; however, it was also subject to gender biases and beliefs that front-facing roles were underpaid and traditionally relegated to women.
41:24 - 45:11 (03:47)
Summary
The career path of librarianship was a way for women to gain financial independence and provided opportunities for single women and mothers; however, it was also subject to gender biases and beliefs that front-facing roles were underpaid and traditionally relegated to women.
EpisodeThe Man Who Pioneered Libraries and Sexual Harassment
PodcastBehind the Bastards
The impact of John Dewey's sexual harassment on female professionals, such as Adelaide Haas, is still evident in the way libraries function today.
45:11 - 50:20 (05:09)
Summary
The impact of John Dewey's sexual harassment on female professionals, such as Adelaide Haas, is still evident in the way libraries function today. Despite the level of detail we have of Dewey's predatory behavior towards women, it also highlights the lack of power and retaliation women had during that time.
EpisodeThe Man Who Pioneered Libraries and Sexual Harassment
PodcastBehind the Bastards
The speaker goes on a tangent about the fear of speaking out against workplace misconduct and how keeping receipts is necessary for protection, especially in this era where speaking up could cost someone their job.
50:20 - 54:59 (04:38)
Summary
The speaker goes on a tangent about the fear of speaking out against workplace misconduct and how keeping receipts is necessary for protection, especially in this era where speaking up could cost someone their job.
EpisodeThe Man Who Pioneered Libraries and Sexual Harassment
PodcastBehind the Bastards
The speaker describes the compulsive behavior of a man who allegedly sexually harassed his own daughter and daughter-in-law.
54:59 - 1:01:21 (06:22)
Summary
The speaker describes the compulsive behavior of a man who allegedly sexually harassed his own daughter and daughter-in-law. It was well known to everyone that he was this kind of person and several attempts were made to get his daughter-in-law away from him.
EpisodeThe Man Who Pioneered Libraries and Sexual Harassment
PodcastBehind the Bastards
This segment explores discrimination at the Lake Placid Club, owned by Melvil Dewey, which banned Jewish people from entering and purchased land around the club so that Jews couldn't buy it.
1:01:21 - 1:07:50 (06:28)
Summary
This segment explores discrimination at the Lake Placid Club, owned by Melvil Dewey, which banned Jewish people from entering and purchased land around the club so that Jews couldn't buy it.
EpisodeThe Man Who Pioneered Libraries and Sexual Harassment
PodcastBehind the Bastards
The podcast host talks about cancel culture and how it affects people who have been accused of sexual harassment in the past.
1:07:51 - 1:12:32 (04:41)
Summary
The podcast host talks about cancel culture and how it affects people who have been accused of sexual harassment in the past. They also discuss how cancel culture can cause people to double down on their worst traits.
EpisodeThe Man Who Pioneered Libraries and Sexual Harassment
PodcastBehind the Bastards
The guest and host discuss the value and impact of libraries and their role in providing free resources and a safe space for the community, despite being underfunded.
1:12:32 - 1:16:29 (03:57)
Summary
The guest and host discuss the value and impact of libraries and their role in providing free resources and a safe space for the community, despite being underfunded.
EpisodeThe Man Who Pioneered Libraries and Sexual Harassment
PodcastBehind the Bastards
The speaker recommends two solo podcasts, "ACK cast" and "Lolita podcast", and a 30 for 30 episode about the hot dog eating world.
1:16:29 - 1:19:37 (03:07)
Summary
The speaker recommends two solo podcasts, "ACK cast" and "Lolita podcast", and a 30 for 30 episode about the hot dog eating world. They also plug a TV show called "Teenage Euthanasia" recently released on HBO max.
EpisodeThe Man Who Pioneered Libraries and Sexual Harassment
PodcastBehind the Bastards
The host jokes about challenging a librarian to a duel and talks about his experience encountering katana librarians.
1:19:37 - 1:20:53 (01:15)
Summary
The host jokes about challenging a librarian to a duel and talks about his experience encountering katana librarians. He ends the episode abruptly after the joke.