We dare researchers to leave the ivory tower | Planet Money

Intro

In this episode of Planet Money, the hosts explore various topics related to economic mobility, the impact of new technologies on jobs, and the misunderstood history of the Luddites. They also highlight the importance of researchers stepping out of the ivory tower to experience the real world. Through interviews, discussions, and playful activities, the podcast delves into these fascinating subjects.

Main Takeaways

Socioeconomic Diversity and Cross-Class Friendships

• Cell phone tracking data was used to map out socioeconomic diversity in America.
• Moderately expensive chain restaurants like Applebees or Olive Garden are where rich, poor, and middle-class people are most likely to mingle.
• Cross-class friendships are good for economic mobility.
• Outback Steakhouse is an economic melting pot where people from different socioeconomic backgrounds come together.
• Making friends at places like Outback Steakhouse is a good thing for economic mobility.

The Luddites and Technological Change

• Writer Brian Merchant, who wrote a book about the Luddites, had never smashed a machine before.
• Alexi takes Brian to the Rage Cage to smash electronics and commune with the Luddites.
• Brian’s book is relevant today because new technologies threaten to destroy jobs, and being called a Luddite is now an insult in the tech world.
• The Luddites may have been misunderstood and victims of a smear campaign.
• The Luddites had a social critique about the perils of unfettered technological change.

The Impact of Self-Driving Trucks on Truck Drivers’ Jobs

• Modern workers are also confronting the latest wave of new technology.
• Teamsters were originally people who drove a team of horses, which was a big industry in the past when horse-drawn trucks were used to move freight around American cities.
• Kevin and his colleagues researched how labor markets respond to the threat of disruptive new technologies, specifically looking at the impact of self-driving trucks on truck drivers’ jobs.
• The labor market responds differently to the threat of new technology depending on age and career stage.
• Due to the threat of self-driving trucks, the demand for truck drivers is decreasing, causing wages to rise.

Summary

Socioeconomic Diversity and Cross-Class Friendships

Using cell phone tracking data, researchers were able to create a map of socioeconomic diversity in America. Surprisingly, moderately expensive chain restaurants like Applebees or Olive Garden were identified as places where people from different socioeconomic backgrounds are most likely to interact. This highlights the importance of cross-class friendships, as they contribute to economic mobility. Outback Steakhouse was specifically mentioned as an economic melting pot, where people of varying socioeconomic statuses come together. Making friends at such establishments can have positive effects on one’s economic prospects.

The Luddites and Technological Change

The hosts engage in a playful activity with writer Brian Merchant, who had never smashed a machine before. This is relevant because Brian wrote a book about the Luddites, a group of workers who protested against the automation of their jobs during the industrial revolution. The Luddites were initially peaceful and sought help from Parliament, but their pleas were ignored. They eventually resorted to breaking machines that were taking away their livelihoods. However, a small group of Luddites assassinated a factory owner, which turned public sentiment against them and led to their portrayal as anti-technology reactionaries. The podcast argues that the Luddites had a valid social critique about the perils of unfettered technological change and that their image should be rehabilitated.

The Impact of Self-Driving Trucks on Truck Drivers’ Jobs

The hosts discuss the impact of self-driving trucks on the trucking industry. Researchers like Kevin and his colleagues have studied how labor markets respond to the threat of disruptive technologies. They found that younger people may choose to avoid becoming truck drivers due to the risk of being replaced by self-driving trucks. On the other hand, older workers may see truck driving as a viable job opportunity, especially if they are transitioning from lower-paying jobs. The reported shortage of truckers in recent years has driven up wages. However, the rise of self-driving trucks is expected to decrease the demand for truck drivers, leading to potential job losses in the future. This highlights the need for workers to consider alternative career options and weigh the potential impact of new technologies on their chosen professions.

Conclusion

This episode of Planet Money explores the interconnected topics of socioeconomic diversity, the misunderstood history of the Luddites, and the impact of new technologies on jobs. It emphasizes the importance of cross-class friendships, the need to reassess the Luddites’ image, and the challenges faced by workers in the face of automation. By stepping out of the ivory tower and engaging with real-world experiences, researchers can gain valuable insights into these complex economic issues.