Macro Musings with David Beckworth cover image

Macro Musings with David Beckworth

Zachary Mazlish on the Political Implications of Inflation and the Impact of Transformative AI

Dec 2, 2024
Zachary Mazlish, an economist from the University of Oxford, dives into the intricate ties between inflation, the 2024 presidential race, and the macroeconomic shift caused by transformative AI. He highlights how inflation has affected the financial standing of the median voter, critiques wage growth trends, and explores the dual-edged nature of AI’s impact on productivity and asset pricing. The discussion also touches on optimal monetary policy amidst rising productivity and the potential risks of job automation. A thought-provoking listen!
50:02

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Inflation significantly impacted the median voter's economic well-being, influencing voter perception and decision-making leading up to the 2024 presidential election.
  • Transformative AI has the potential to reshape economic growth and labor markets, prompting necessary policy considerations regarding job displacement and wealth distribution.

Deep dives

Inflation and Real Wages

The podcast discusses the impact of inflation on the median voter's economic situation, particularly in relation to the 2024 presidential election. It emphasizes that during the Biden administration, median wages did not grow faster than in previous administrations, with the data showing that real wage growth for middle and lower-income groups was notably weak. The distinction between hourly, weekly, and annual earnings is crucial, as many households experienced declines in weekly and overall income during this period, which contrasts sharply with prior trends. This creates a disconnect, as although some data may suggest improved median wages, the reality for most individuals indicates a significant decline in their purchasing power.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode