The Gist How a Comedian Chooses Just the Right Words
May 30, 2014
In this episode, Gary Gulman, a comedian famous for his clever wordplay, teams up with Adam Davidson, founder of NPR’s Planet Money, to tackle juicy topics. They discuss why income inequality is a pressing issue for many Americans and the nuanced dynamics of wealth disparity. Gulman shares how precise language is vital in comedy, revealing the delicate art of joke crafting. The conversation even takes a humorous detour into the bizarre world of ferrets and their media moments, adding a lighthearted twist to serious themes.
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Income Inequality's Vagueness
- Income inequality is often cited as a broad societal problem but is imprecise and lacks a clear definition.
- The term covers diverse groups and comparisons, making its use in economic discourse complex and varied.
Fractal Inequality Explained
- Since the late 1970s, economic growth benefits have increasingly accrued to the ultra-rich, leaving many Americans with stagnant or shrinking wages.
- This shift is known as fractal inequality and contrasts the earlier Great Compression period of shared wage growth.
Tech and Trade Drive Inequality
- Technology and trade have reshaped the workforce, benefiting highly skilled workers while disadvantaging those with routine, repeatable skills.
- These economic forces explain a majority of the rise in inequality and are global phenomena beyond just the US.