Work Flows: Stalinist Liquids in Russian Labor Culture

Dive into the fascinating world of “Work Flows” during our upcoming book discussion, exploring the evolution of “flow” as a crucial metaphor in Russian labor culture since 1870. This thought-provoking book contends that the fascination with fluid channeling is deeply rooted in vertical power structures, whether embodied by the state in Stalin’s Soviet Union and present-day Russia or by corporate monopolies in the contemporary Anglo-American West. Originating in pre-revolutionary bio-utopianism, the Russian discourse on liquids and flow reached its zenith during Stalin’s First Five-Year Plan and resurfaced in post-Soviet “managed democracy” and Western neoliberalism. By unraveling the understudied theme of fluidity, “Work Flows” challenges historical boundaries, presenting Stalinism as a symptom of broader twentieth-century modernity. Join us for an engaging book discussion that explores the enduring legacy of flow in Russian labor culture, offering valuable insights into the dynamics of modernity.