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The War on Normal People
The War on Normal People: The Truth About America's Disappearing Jobs and Why Universal Basic Income Is Our Future | Andrew Yang
From entrepreneur Andrew Yang, the founder of Venture for America, an eye-opening look at how new technologies are erasing millions of jobs before our eyes-and a rallying cry for the urgent steps America must take, including Universal Basic Income, to stabilize our economy. The shift toward automation is about to create a tsunami of unemployment. Not in the distant future--now. One recent estimate predicts 45 million American workers will lose their jobs within the next twelve years--jobs that won't be replaced. In a future marked by restlessness and chronic unemployment, what will happen to American society? In The War on Normal People, Andrew Yang paints a dire portrait of the American economy. Rapidly advancing technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics and automation software are making millions of Americans' livelihoods irrelevant. The consequences of these trends are already being felt across our communities in the form of political unrest, drug use, and other social ills. The future looks dire-but is it unavoidable? In The War on Normal People, Yang imagines a different future -- one in which having a job is distinct from the capacity to prosper and seek fulfillment. At this vision's core is Universal Basic Income, the concept of providing all citizens with a guaranteed income-and one that is rapidly gaining popularity among forward-thinking politicians and economists. Yang proposes that UBI is an essential step toward a new, more durable kind of economy, one he calls "human capitalism."
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BlameJennyJane
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I‘m reading to escape my caucus anxiety because I‘m still undecided and it‘s tomorrow! I‘ve already had two visitors this morning and it‘s not even 10 am! 😫😫😩

Tamra Wow, as someone who is not a morning person that would be irritating! Good luck tomorrow, it‘s difficult. 4y
DogMomIrene Not in Iowa, but I had a friendly conversation with a total stranger yesterday about how hard these primaries will be, especially for the first states. Sending positive vibes your way🙂 4y
BlameJennyJane @Tamra thanks! No one else since 10. Fingers crossed. Lol 4y
BlameJennyJane @ocdIrene thanks so much! It is such a critical election and I feel likeI have a duty to be well informed and really have some integrity with the process... like so many of us. Gah!! 4y
runswithscissors007 a big responsibility. 😬 4y
47 likes5 comments
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BookieBiker
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It‘s coming.....

Sunhogrodeo Hmm?! 5y
Eggs Welcome to Litsy 👏🏻🤗 5y
8 likes2 comments
review
bourne.shell
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Pickpick

I can't say I agree with everything Yang proposes, but I love how pragmatic he is. He doesn't stick on the typical politically bullet points, on either side of the aisle. He points to a problem, declares it broken and after you get over the shock of all the broken pieces, he brings you back into the fold and says ... now lets solve these problems. We shouldn't block the advances of technology, but we should require it to serve humanity.

StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Welcome to Litsy 💖📖💖 5y
MommyWantsToReadHerBook I'm not in the US but one of my friends there recently became a campaigner for him. I really like his ideas. 5y
bourne.shell @MommyWantsToReadHerBook Me too, I picked his book up after watching him in a debate. He does a good job of showing how good, high paying jobs equal safer communities, fewer mental health issues, more diverse cities, less medical debt, and higher levels of personal happiness. Even if you think he has no chance of getting elected, this is one of those books that reminds you to think outside your box and that really ... we all want the same things 5y
4 likes3 comments
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DaniRey
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Pickpick

Regardless of political beliefs, this is a key topic that isn‘t talked about enough. Automation affects more than our factory workers. We simply are not prepared and too much denial is out there. The first half of the book discusses the current state and future. It is presented in a clear and presentable manner. Yangs solutions are not new but are transformative. I am interested in the digital currency of time banking. Gamification! I‘m impressed.

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DaniRey

There will be more random mass shootings in the months ahead, as middle aged white men self-destruct and feel that life has no meaning. As the mindset of scarcity spreads and deepens people‘s executive functioning will erode. It takes self control to resist base impulses. Racism and misogyny will become more and more pervasive... Contributing...will be a climate that equates opposing ideas or speech to violence or hated

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bourne.shell
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I find this very thought provoking. If you didn't have to worry about money, or going to your job, where would you're value come from? How long would it take for a society to change it's value system. If the government could provide a basic universal income, could you still find value and meaningfulness in your day to day life. Just some of the questions this book is bringing up.

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bourne.shell
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Andrew Yang is either a visionary or crazy ... I'm intrigued either way. I think automation is a bigger threat to American jobs then undocumented immigrants and no one is talking about it. I can't wait to hear his point of view

review
rsteve388
Pickpick

I listened to this audiobook, whilw the first two parts of the story lay out the serious changes that are forth coming the last part provides a different story. One of hope and survival.

I think Andrew Yang is the only presidential nominee who is running as a Democrat who has a understanding of where we are going and what changes need to be in place to fix our issues before they become even bigger.

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rsteve388

Started listening to this book yesterday and was blown away by how much of our world will be automated in the next 10 to 15 years. I have only listened to 10 chapter so i havent gotten to the solutiin to the automation... But Andrew Yang deserves a place in our government. Even if it isnt as president.

Check In:
Miles walked: 51 miles walked
Books Finished: The Tattooist of Auschwitz

#BFC19 #BookFitnessChallenge #BookNerdHerd
@wanderinglynn

wanderinglynn Way to go! 🙌🏻 A fantastic week! 🎉 5y
9 likes1 stack add1 comment
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readtheworld
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Pickpick

This was a quick audio listen — a good (but alarming) overview of the future of automation in America and how it will affect the economy and the job market. There is a lot of research packed into this short book, and it‘s presented in an easily understandable way. I like a lot of Yang‘s policy ideas, and am glad he‘ll be part of the Democratic debates.

#readthecandidates #politics #nonfiction #audiobook

cathysaid Sounds intriguing. Pretty sure I can't get on board with Universal Basic Income, but I still think it would be interesting to learn about why this person would support it. 5y
readtheworld @cathysaid It‘s a really interesting book. The stuff about automation is very intense — how dramatic the effect would be on our economy. I think a policy of UBI or something similar would be easier for most Americans to sign on with than the other likely options of huge government bailouts targeted by industry or regulations barring companies from replacing human workers with machines. 5y
cathysaid @readtheworld Definitely going to check this one out! Thanks! 5y
54 likes6 stack adds3 comments
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saresmoore
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I requested that the library order this before I bought the book for myself. Good thing because my husband already gave away our copy. I just so happened to be wearing my #YangGang t-shirt today when I picked it up.

I‘m a fan of a few of the bigger name candidates, as well, but Andrew‘s perspective is so damn fresh and I think he needs to be in the conversation!

AmyG I like what he says, too. 5y
saresmoore @AmyG I‘m on his email list, as well as those for some other candidates. His emails are authentic and enjoyable and really the only ones I read! 5y
vivastory I'm not familiar with him. I'll have to look into him more. It's very unlikely (now that Biden entered the race) he will get the nomination, but I'm rooting for Buttigieg. A democratic candidate who gets a standing ovation during a fox town hall & cited Pamuk's My Name is Red as one of his favorite books?! Sold! 😄 5y
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saresmoore @vivastory Buttigieg is amazing! I‘m holding out hope that he has a fighting chance. I‘m listening to his political memoir now and I just really like the guy. 5y
Suet624 The Dem Party will never let my candidate be the ultimate choice. They already admitted it. So I guess I‘m going to have to eventually go with whoever they support. Here‘s hoping it‘s not Biden. 🤞 5y
saresmoore @Suet624 That‘s so frustrating. If it‘s Biden, it can only be because Millennials still aren‘t voting... 5y
Craigson hello friends i enjoy reading stories here. well i am creating a reading group where we can discuss about articles we read care to join?
5y
84 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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MelissaSue81
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Mehso-so

Yang has some interesting ideas.. I don‘t even necessarily disagree with them.. but the way he framed this book is 🤦🏻‍♀️. the first half is alarmist doom and gloom wherein automation is taking everyone‘s jobs and leads to more white guys shooting people and riots and California seceding from the union. 🤷🏻‍♀️. The second half is pie in the sky “solutions” that sound great but would never pass Congress in a bazillion Years. #readthecandidates

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saresmoore
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This is my handsome husband, doing dishes and wearing his MATH (Make America Think Harder) hat to support Andrew Yang while we watch him be awesome on CNN. Such a meta moment.

Jaimelire Men doing doing house work ❤️ Mine is making dinner right now. Love it! 5y
saresmoore @Jaimelire It‘s the best! 5y
LeahBergen Awesome! And I spy a wine glass in the distance 👍🏻 5y
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readordierachel Love it! 5y
BarbaraBB I love all about this post! And I think @LeahBergen is right 🧐😂 5y
JennyM Send him round so he can give my hubbie some tips! 5y
Kalalalatja Yes to everything in this pic 🙌 5y
Cathythoughts Great pic 👍🏻 5y
batsy Fab 🙌🏽 and well-spotted @LeahBergen 😂 5y
AlaMich How is your dad feeling? 5y
saresmoore @AlaMich I think he had a turning point for the better yesterday, though he‘s on doctor‘s orders to make a gradual and intentional return to his crazy busy job & life. We kids are advocating for better habits, stress management, and mental health counseling, so I‘m hopeful. Thank you for asking. ♥️ 5y
AlaMich @saresmoore Glad to hear it! Parents can be so stubborn! 5y
105 likes12 comments
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Wellreadhead
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Pickpick
saresmoore I just preordered the paperback of this and requested that my local library order it. I‘m so in for the Yang Gang! 5y
RJHowe Nice review. Canada has several ongoing UBI pilot projects ongoing atm if you want to look them up. 5y
Wellreadhead @RJHowe Thank you. I‘ll look them up. 5y
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MelissaSue81
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If anyone is doing #readthecandidates with me.. there have been a few new, lesser known names to join the race. I believe these books are both forthcoming but I‘ve added them and their other books to my list https://docs.google.com/document/d/1n1MlsFqGoekjEeZe8XeN-qE9jGLFOL4UaYerlqfXCXg

BarbaraTheBibliophage I just saw this list in the NYT and thought of you. I want to join you, but I haven‘t gotten started yet. 🤪 https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/15/books/2020-presidential-candidate-memoirs.htm... (edited) 5y
MelissaSue81 @BarbaraTheBibliophage - yes. I saw that list yesterday too. Which is how I found out about the two “new” candidates. 5y
hermyknee This is a great list! 5y
51 likes4 comments
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ssravp
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Pickpick

Slightly alarmist, but not without reason. Very good.