Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas 283 | Daron Acemoglu on Technology, Inequality, and Power
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Jul 22, 2024 
Daron Acemoglu, an Institute Professor at MIT, dives deep into the interplay of technology, inequality, and power dynamics. He discusses how technological advancements often initially exacerbate societal disparities, echoing lessons from the Industrial Revolution. The conversation touches on the duality of progress: while elites gain from innovations, there's potential for collective empowerment. Acemoglu advocates for proactive approaches to ensure technology serves the common good, rather than deepening existing inequalities.
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British Industrial Revolution's Impact on Workers
- During the British Industrial Revolution, worker conditions initially worsened despite technological advancements.
- Real wages stagnated, and life expectancy in cities like Manchester plummeted due to pollution and harsh factory conditions.
Technology, Elites, and Extraction
- New technologies empower elites to extract wealth, worsening inequality until institutions adapt.
- This pattern repeats throughout history, demanding proactive intervention rather than blind faith in market correction.
Medieval Tech and Elite Benefit
- Medieval technological progress, like windmills, often benefited elites disproportionately.
- They controlled these technologies, banning alternatives and extracting wealth from peasants, who saw no improvement in their living standards.
