The Indicator from Planet Money Why do we live in unusually innovative times?
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Oct 14, 2025 Explore the fascinating journey of economic growth since the Enlightenment and how technological progress reshaped societies. Discover the distinction between hands-on and theoretical knowledge, and how real-world testing has driven innovation. Joel Mokyr discusses the importance of openness to change, warning that institutions can regress. The human costs of tech advances are also examined, alongside predictions for future job shifts due to AI. Ultimately, the conversation emphasizes the need for continuous innovation in tackling global crises.
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A Grim Portrait Of Medieval Life
- Joel Mokyr describes medieval life as harsh with frequent famine and high infant mortality.
- He uses this bleak picture to contrast pre-Enlightenment stagnation with later growth.
Theory Paired With Practice Unlocked Progress
- Joel Mokyr distinguishes prescriptive knowledge (how-to) from propositional knowledge (laws and theory).
- Merging these through testing and measurement in the Scientific Revolution enabled faster technological improvement.
Explanations Make Innovations Persuasive
- Bringing propositional knowledge into practice made products easier to refine and more persuasive to adopt.
- Explanations (like germ theory) reduced resistance and sped adoption of beneficial practices.
