TED Talks Daily The missing piece in the story of migration | Sonia Shah and Zeke Hernandez
17 snips
Aug 21, 2025 
Join Zeke Hernandez, a Wharton School professor and author, alongside journalist Sonia Shah, as they redefine migration narratives. They explore migration as a natural human instinct rather than a crisis, emphasizing its economic contributions and resilience-building potential. By challenging harmful stereotypes, they advocate for a shift in how society views immigrants, promoting a more inclusive, humane approach to migration policy. Their insights reveal the historical significance of migration and the urgent need for nuanced discussions in today’s climate.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Migration Is A Constant In Human History
- Human migration is ancient and continuous, not a new crisis driven solely by modern forces.
- Sonia Shah shows migration occurred with Stone Age technology and long predated modern headlines.
Migration Is Small But Politically Inflamed
- Immigrant shares of global population are small, about 3–3.5%, so migration isn't larger than past eras proportionally.
- Zeke Hernandez compares today's politics to early 1900s restrictionist waves despite declining birthrates that increase need for migrants.
Five Economic Reasons To Welcome Migrants
- Immigrants contribute five key economic inputs: investment, talent, innovation, consumption, and taxes.
- Zeke Hernandez explains these inputs consistently create jobs and economic growth in receiving countries.
