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Average is Over
292 pages
A sobering but pragmatic look at the widening economic divide and how technology is permanently rewriting the rules of work.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like sitting down with a clear-eyed, pragmatic forecaster who refuses to sugarcoat the future. The atmosphere is stark and urgent, driven by the uncomfortable reality of a vanishing middle class and a rapidly polarizing economy. The prose is steady and analytical, breaking down complex macroeconomic shifts—from the rise of computer-driven high earners to the stagnation of manual labor—into digestible, sobering truths. It doesn't offer false comfort, but rather a grounded, authoritative roadmap for navigating a permanently altered landscape. This is a compelling read for anyone looking to understand the intersection of technology and wages, offering a contemplative yet forward-looking experience for those ready to face the new rules of work.
- Mood
- stark
- contemplative
- urgent
- Tone
- analytical
- pragmatic
- sobering
- authoritative
- Pace
- steady
- Themes
- technological disruption · economic inequality · the vanishing middle class · the future of work · adapting to change
- The writing
- Clear, explanatory, and grounded in data, designed to demystify complex global trends without sugarcoating the truth.
- The arc
- Moves from a stark confrontation with uncomfortable economic realities to a pragmatic, forward-looking roadmap for adaptation.
- Who it's for
- Readers seeking to understand macroeconomic shifts, technological impacts on employment, and how to navigate an increasingly polarized job market.
Content notes
- economic anxiety
- job insecurity
About the book
There are more rich people and more poor people in our country than ever before. That widening gap means dealing with one big, uncomfortable truth: the middle is growing thinner and thinner. Globally renowned economist Tyler Cowen explains how this happened: high earners are taking ever more advantage of computers and achieving ever-better results. Meanwhile, low earners who haven't committed to learning the new technologies have poor prospects. Nearly every business sector relies less and less on manual labor for high-value jobs, and this fact is forever changing the world of work and wages. About 3/4 of the jobs created in the United States since the great recession pay $13.52 an hour or less--there is no longer a steady, secure life somewhere in the middle. Here, Cowen reveals what the new features of this economy mean for taxes, government spending, employee benefits, debt and education. Most importantly, Cowen identifies the best path forward for workers and entrepreneurs and provides readers with a road map to a new economic landscape.--From publisher description.
Description from Open Library.
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