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The Middle Class Myth and China’s Future with Noah Smith

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Manage episode 487340281 series 3430078
Content provided by Turpentine, Erik Torenberg, Dan Romero, and Antonio Garcia Martinez. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Turpentine, Erik Torenberg, Dan Romero, and Antonio Garcia Martinez or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://staging.podcastplayer.com/legal.

Today on Moment of Zen, Erik Torenberg and Noah Smith debunk the myth that globalization destroyed America's middle class, showing wages actually grew during hyperglobalization. It examines the limited "China shock" impact and critiques how both political tribes' technology fears may handicap America's competitiveness against China.

--

📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess

🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse

--

SPONSORS: NETSUITE | SHOPIFY | ADQUICK | SQUAD

Over 41,000 businesses trust NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud ERP, to future-proof their operations. Whether you're earning millions or hundreds of millions, NetSuite empowers you to tackle challenges and seize opportunities. Download the free CFO's guide to AI and machine learning at https://netsuite.com/zen.

Shopify is the world's leading e-commerce platform, offering a market-leading checkout system Shoppay and exclusive AI apps. Nobody does selling better than Shopify. Get a $1 per month trial at https://shopify.com/momentofzen.

The easiest way to book out-of-home ads (like billboards, vehicle wraps, and airport displays) the same way you would order an Uber. Ready to get your brand the attention it deserves? Visit https://adquick.com/ today to start reaching your customers in the real world.

Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.

--

X / TWITTER:

@noahpinion

@eriktorenberg

@turpentinemedia

--

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DISCUSSION:

Main Argument

  • Myth: Globalization hollowed out America's middle class
  • Reality: Middle class moved UP income brackets; wages grew 40% during peak globalization

Real Causes

  • 1973 oil shock caused wage stagnation (70s-80s), not globalization
  • China shock (2000s): Only 2M manufacturing jobs lost, limited scope

America vs. China

  • US: Less globalized than most countries; only 4% manufacturing trade deficit
  • China: Cities will look shabby in 30 years; exports falling as % of GDP

Political Technology Paralysis

  • Republicans: Fear hardware (solar, batteries, EVs)
  • Progressives: Fear software (AI, social media)
  • Both sides handicapping American tech leadership while China advances

  continue reading

135 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 487340281 series 3430078
Content provided by Turpentine, Erik Torenberg, Dan Romero, and Antonio Garcia Martinez. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Turpentine, Erik Torenberg, Dan Romero, and Antonio Garcia Martinez or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://staging.podcastplayer.com/legal.

Today on Moment of Zen, Erik Torenberg and Noah Smith debunk the myth that globalization destroyed America's middle class, showing wages actually grew during hyperglobalization. It examines the limited "China shock" impact and critiques how both political tribes' technology fears may handicap America's competitiveness against China.

--

📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess

🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse

--

SPONSORS: NETSUITE | SHOPIFY | ADQUICK | SQUAD

Over 41,000 businesses trust NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud ERP, to future-proof their operations. Whether you're earning millions or hundreds of millions, NetSuite empowers you to tackle challenges and seize opportunities. Download the free CFO's guide to AI and machine learning at https://netsuite.com/zen.

Shopify is the world's leading e-commerce platform, offering a market-leading checkout system Shoppay and exclusive AI apps. Nobody does selling better than Shopify. Get a $1 per month trial at https://shopify.com/momentofzen.

The easiest way to book out-of-home ads (like billboards, vehicle wraps, and airport displays) the same way you would order an Uber. Ready to get your brand the attention it deserves? Visit https://adquick.com/ today to start reaching your customers in the real world.

Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.

--

X / TWITTER:

@noahpinion

@eriktorenberg

@turpentinemedia

--

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DISCUSSION:

Main Argument

  • Myth: Globalization hollowed out America's middle class
  • Reality: Middle class moved UP income brackets; wages grew 40% during peak globalization

Real Causes

  • 1973 oil shock caused wage stagnation (70s-80s), not globalization
  • China shock (2000s): Only 2M manufacturing jobs lost, limited scope

America vs. China

  • US: Less globalized than most countries; only 4% manufacturing trade deficit
  • China: Cities will look shabby in 30 years; exports falling as % of GDP

Political Technology Paralysis

  • Republicans: Fear hardware (solar, batteries, EVs)
  • Progressives: Fear software (AI, social media)
  • Both sides handicapping American tech leadership while China advances

  continue reading

135 episodes

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