Lex Fridman Podcast #237 – Steve Viscelli: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream
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Nov 3, 2021 In this engaging discussion, Steve Viscelli, a former truck driver turned economic sociologist, delves into the evolving world of the trucking industry. He explores the impact of automation and autonomous trucks on jobs and the American Dream. Viscelli shares personal anecdotes, highlighting the loneliness and challenges faced by truckers. He also examines the intricacies of driver compensation and the cultural significance of trucking, posing critical questions about the future of work and the intersection of technology and human labor.
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Viscelli's Trucking Experience
- Steve Viscelli, an ethnographer, spent six months as a truck driver.
- He lived, worked, and talked with drivers to understand their world.
Trucking's Unsung Skills
- Trucking requires specialized skills like double-clutching and maneuvering large vehicles.
- These skills take years to master, despite trucking not being formally recognized as a skilled occupation.
Trucking Pay
- Truck driver pay is often low, starting around 25 cents per mile.
- Drivers face unpaid wait times and unpredictable paychecks, impacting their perceived value of time.
