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The War on Normal People summary
The Truth About America's Disappearing Jobs and Why Universal Basic Income Is Our Future
24 mins
Brief summary
The War on Normal People by Andrew Yang explains how automation will eliminate jobs and create global social and economic changes. Yang explores the role of technology in this transformation and proposes a universal basic income as a solution to this problem.
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The War on Normal People
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Advances in technology and market-driven capitalism have left America on the brink of mass unemployment.
Think about your five closest friends. Did they all go to college? If so, chances are you’re part of a privileged socioeconomic group. For most in the United States, not finishing college is more the norm. In fact, based on a random sampling of Americans, the likelihood that all five of your closest friends finished college is about 0.3 percent.
In contrast to the educated class, average Americans tend to live from paycheck-to-paycheck. And while our system of market-driven capitalism has raised the standard of living for many, giving us widely-enjoyed technology like smartphones, this system doesn’t value the lives of most people. Instead, it values efficiency and cost-cutting measures that enable the market to perform better.
According to Yang, things are about to get a lot worse. Market-driven capitalism has propelled unprecedented advances in technology – including artificial intelligence, automation, and robotics – which are beginning to eliminate jobs by the millions. Currently, a whopping 95 million working-age Americans aren’t in the workforce, making the US labor force participation rate lower than almost every industrialized economy.
Yang calls this phenomenon the Great Displacement. And unlike many economic situations, it’s one that the market isn’t set up to solve. According to a report published by the Obama administration in 2016, 83 percent of jobs that pay less than $20 per hour could face automation or replacement.
This displacement has already begun – since 2000, automation has eliminated an estimated five million American manufacturing jobs. With the advent of self-driving vehicles, a projected two to three million car, bus, and truck drivers will lose their jobs in the next 10 to 15 years. Factory workers, cashiers, customer service representatives, and fast-food chain employees will also soon suffer the consequences of automation.
With today’s technology, even therapy and drawing are skills that can be automated. Even if white-collar workers such as paralegals and wealth managers are also forced to find new work in the coming years, low-income earners without a college degree or other skills will inevitably be the least able to find new work prospects.
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What is The War on Normal People about?
The War on Normal People (2018) reveals how America is on the brink of economic and social collapse due to technological advances such as automation and artificial intelligence. Painting a portrait of the reality that average Americans will increasingly face if mass unemployment is left unaddressed, author Andrew Yang proposes a vision to transform the economy by adopting a human-centered form of capitalism that begins with a universal basic income.
The War on Normal People Review
The War on Normal People (2018) sheds light on the challenging issues arising from automation and the displacement of jobs in today's society. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Offers a sobering analysis of the current economic landscape and its impact on everyday individuals.
- Presents a compelling argument for the implementation of a universal basic income as a potential solution to the impending crisis.
- Through poignant stories and data-driven research, the book provides a deep understanding of the human consequences of automation and the need for compassionate policies.
Best quote from The War on Normal People
After one gets on disability, one enters a permanent shadow class of beneficiaries.
—Andrew Yang
Who should read The War on Normal People?
- Voters interested in learning about Andrew Yang’s ideas for America
- Educated Americans who want to take on income inequality
- Working-age people curious about the benefits of a universal basic income
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The War on Normal People FAQs
What is the main message of The War on Normal People?
The main message of The War on Normal People is the urgency of addressing the impact of automation and artificial intelligence on the economy and society.
How long does it take to read The War on Normal People?
The reading time for The War on Normal People varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The War on Normal People a good book? Is it worth reading?
The War on Normal People is a thought-provoking and enlightening book. It provides valuable insights into the challenges posed by automation and technology, making it a worthwhile read.
Who is the author of The War on Normal People?
The author of The War on Normal People is Andrew Yang.
What to read after The War on Normal People?
If you're wondering what to read next after The War on Normal People, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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- The Longevity Imperative by Andrew J Scott
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