OK, it seems mean to pick on Andrew Yang, who won't even be a factor in the nomination. But he positions himself as the tech guy who knows how the world really works, and there are others like him. So maybe worth pointing out that they're all wrong 1/ washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost
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Yang's thing is that automation is destroying all the jobs, so we need universal basic income. There is a case for UBI (and a case against, in favor of more targeted aid), but either way the premise is wrong. Productivity has been slowing down, not speeding up 2/
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And while Yang asserts that automation destroyed lots of manufacturing in the midwest, you don't have to be a protectionist to realize that the acceleration of job loss after 2000 was mainly about the surging trade deficit 3/
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Look, if you're an engineer who wants to weigh in on economics, you should take some time to learn about the subject. And yes, that goes for economists weighing in on politics too – which is why I pay a lot of attention to political science. 4/
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With someone with your considerable public profile it would be helpful if you display a sense of openness to the possibilities instead of simply a cut and dried conclusion. There is data in both directions. Our society depends on our getting this right. 👍
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