The Robert Gordon Thesis on American Productivity Growth

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The Robert Gordon thesis, as discussed, focuses on the period of above-normal productivity growth that occurred until the 70s, driven by significant inventions like electricity and the internal combustion engine. These inventions had broad applications and led to long-term productivity growth due to the discovery of various applications and second-order consequences. For example, the internal combustion engine enabled the development of larger supermarkets with cheaper food by changing consumer behavior from daily small purchases to weekly bulk shopping trips.

This week, Byrne Hobart and Erik Torenberg dive deep into David Graeber's controversial concept of 'Bullshit Jobs,' exploring its validity and impact. They also discuss the future of labor and employment in the era of AI, the intricate dynamics of globalization, and the complexities of corporate governance.

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(00:20) David Graeber's “Bullshit Jobs”

(11:15) Meritocracy and word origins

(14:01) Convergent evolution

(16:04) Sponsors: Babbel | Beehiiv

(18:39) Public intellectuals and broad theories

(24:30) Automation and future of work

(31:55) Corporate control and voting rights