Episode · Freakonomics Radio · 2019-12-19
Books mentioned on Why Is This Man Running for President? (Update)
A year ago, nobody was taking Andrew Yang very seriously. Now he is America’s favorite entrepre-nerd, with a candidacy that keeps gaining momentum.
Stephen Dubner discussed Smart People Should Build Things by Andrew Yang and The war on normal people by Andrew Yang.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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Smart People Should Build Things
Andrew Yang's 2014 book Smart People Should Build Things outlines his efforts and vision regarding the Venture for America initiative and the broader need to overhaul the American economy.
Discussed“In 2014, he published a book about this effort. It was called Smart People Should Build Things. While the book pointed out the need for a dramatic overhaul of the American economy, it was, for the most part, an optimistic book.”
Where to get it
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The war on normal people
The War on Normal People by Andrew Yang is a starkly pessimistic look at the American economy, arguing that the political class and economic systems have failed the majority of citizens in the face of widespread automation and technological disruption.
Discussed“Last year, Yang published another book called The War on Normal People, and it is not remotely optimistic. He argues that the American economy has failed most Americans, and that the American political class has failed them again by refusing to focus on the underlying fault lines in the economy.”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (1) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
Passing Grit
“Steven, I have a question. Angela Duckworth question for you, the author of Grit, and I sit down to ask each other some questions. Mostly fail to come up with answers but in the process have a fine time.”