Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas 171 | Christopher Mims on Our Interconnected Industrial Ecology
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Nov 1, 2021 Christopher Mims, a technology columnist at The Wall Street Journal and author of 'Arriving Today,' dives into the fascinating yet complex world of global supply chains. He explores the challenges of modern commerce, highlighting vulnerabilities exposed by recent disruptions, like the Ever Given incident. Mims emphasizes the dehumanizing conditions within the industry and advocates for improved labor practices. He also discusses the revolutionary impact of containerization on trade, the role of automation, and the need for a balanced approach to the future of work.
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The Cod's Journey
- Cod caught off Scotland might be shipped to China for filleting.
- This highlights the sometimes absurd efficiency of global supply chains.
Shipping Costs Soar
- Shipping costs have risen tenfold due to increased demand and pandemic disruptions.
- This makes previously cheap shipping methods, like sea freight, unaffordable, causing businesses to consider air freight.
Containerization Revolution
- Containerization revolutionized shipping by standardizing cargo.
- This intermodal system, where containers move seamlessly between ships, trucks, and trains, drastically increased efficiency.
