Decoder with Nilay Patel

Recode Decode: Gene Sperling

May 20, 2020

Gene Sperling, former economic advisor to Presidents Clinton and Obama, dives into the pressing issues of economic dignity and essential labor during the pandemic. He discusses the need for laws protecting gig workers and critiques the federal response to COVID-19. Sperling shares insights on the moral obligation to support essential workers and calls for antitrust action against Big Tech, particularly companies like Facebook. His perspective sheds light on the intertwining of health and economic recovery, advocating for inclusive policies that prioritize worker dignity.

56:58

Episode guests

Gene Sperling

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

2min

Dignity in the Time of COVID-19

13min

Discussing Economic Dignity and Its Implications

3min

Economic Recovery and Health Interdependence

12min

The Balance of Presidential Optimism and Credibility

2min

Pandemic Responses and Gig Economy Challenges

4min

Economic Dignity and Tech Disparities

21min

Former Clinton and Obama economic advisor Gene Sperling talks with Recode's Kara Swisher about his latest book, Economic Dignity, and how the COVID-19 pandemic is changing attitudes toward essential labor and compensation. He predicts that unemployment could top 10 percent for several years to come, and evaluates the federal government's response to the crisis so far, explaining what he would tell President Trump if he were still in the White House today. Sperling also talks about the need for laws to protect gig workers, why the Obama administration didn't stop Big Tech from growing in size and power when it had the chance, and the need for antitrust action against companies like Facebook.

Featuring:

Gene Sperling (@genebsperling), author, Economic Dignity

Host:

Kara Swisher (@karaswisher), Recode co-founder and editor-at-large

More to explore:

On Reset, Arielle Duhaime-Ross explores why — and how — tech is changing everything.

On Recode Media, Peter Kafka interviews business titans, journalists, comedians and podcasters about the collision of tech and media.

On Pivot, Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway talk about the big tech news stories of the week, who's winning, who's failing, and what comes next.

And on Land of the Giants, Jason Del Rey chronicled the rise of Amazon. Season 2 will focus on Netflix and is coming soon!

About Recode by Vox:

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