Planet Money

SUMMER SCHOOL 8: Productivity & Getting Lit

Aug 31, 2022

Jacob Goldstein, an NPR journalist known for his insights on economics, dives into the world of productivity and its evolution. He examines how technological advancements, like the shift from candles to electric light, have shaped our economy and personal lives. Discover how innovations have made tasks easier yet raised questions about work hours. Goldstein also critiques capitalist notions of endless growth and discusses sustainability, automation, and the need for adaptability in our fast-paced world.

30:12

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Episode guests

Jacob Goldstein

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Episode notes

Intro

2min

The Illumination of Productivity: Technology's Role in Economic Growth

2min

The Evolution of Light: From Candles to Economy

8min

Illuminating Innovations: The Shift from Kerosene to Electric Light

3min

Edison's Electric Revolution

5min

The Cycle of Innovation and Productivity

2min

Rethinking Productivity and Automation

9min

A Heartfelt Conclusion to Summer School

2min

Productivity is our economic measure for how far our work goes, as individuals and as a society over all. It plays an important role in determining our quality of life, the prices of our goods and services, and, to some extent, the amount of free time we have. Today, we explore how thousands of years of productivity advancements transformed something now so standard that we take it for granted: light. | At this Summer School, phones ARE allowed during class... Check out this week's PM TikTok! | Listen to past seasons of Summer School here.

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