Name: Omar's review of The War on Normal People by Andrew Yang
Item: The War on Normal People
Rating: 3
Author: Omar

Andrew Yang

From 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang, a captivating account of how "a skinny Asian kid from upstate" became a successful entrepreneur, only to find a new mission: calling attention to the urgent steps America must take, including Universal Basic Income, to stabilize our economy amid rapid technological change and automation. 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."

The Truth About America's Disappearing Jobs and Why Universal Basic Income Is Our Future

The War on Normal People

Omar

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 13 million American workers will lose their jobs within the next seven 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."

Wynter

I first came across Andrew Yang's book when looking up new releases in hopes of finding some interesting new material on automation and artificial intelligence. That was back in 2018 and I had no idea who the author was, except that the blurb caught my eye: a treatise on universal basic income and the future changed by automation from a 2020 presidential candidate. Hmmm, very interesting indeed. With the title that proclaims "the war on normal people" - something you'd read in a Trump tweet, - I wrote Yang off as one of those kookie celebrity candidates that run for presidency just for laughs and drop out early on. However, I do have a keen interest in learning more about pros and cons of UBI and Human Capital, so I marked the book to be read later. 

Fast forward a bit, and Yang appears on American television earnestly discussing his platform, and I proclaim, Hey, it's that guy! Starting that day I am eagerly following his campaign, which unfortunately fizzles out early this year. By the end of it all, I am really liking this guy, and I am genuinely disappointed that he doesn't make it further. I think the average American is not ready for Yang. He 15-20 years too early with his ideas, and we all know that things like UBI smell suspiciously like socialism to the average American. And let's face it, at least half of the US population would rather cut their own foot off than put it into a socialist boot. That's just a hop and a skip from, gasp, communism!!

All joking aside, Yang's ideas are brilliant. He convinced me that UBI is a great step forward. He answered the main burning questions a reluctant voter might have: what about inflation; will people stop working if they get government cheques every month; would they spend the extra money on drugs and alcohol instead; etc. He also builds optimistic, but plausible, plans for healthcare, community involvement, education, and economic restructure. I want to live in the future painted by Yang. Unfortunately, I also know that to bring his plans to fruition, he would have to get a buy-in from a lot of people. He would have to somehow convince the wealthy to put their ambitions for selfish riches aside in favour of altruism. For once, people, especially the jaded, poor folk, who have been forced to fight for themselves every day, will need to rewire their "me-first" thinking, and start working for the improvement of the society as a whole. That's Karl Marx level undertaking, and you know, communism!!

Loved the book. I think everyone needs to read it to challenge their thought processes about the current system. Yang is a democrat you've been waiting for: the one who is acutely aware of the working class, the poor, and the discarded. Would he make a great president? I don't know, but I would love to see him try.

Caitlin Snyder

I really like alot of Yang's ideas like Universal Basic Income, his perspective on the economy, etc., but after reading this book I understand why the majority of his supporters are male.

The New York Times bestseller from CNN Political Commentator and 2020 former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang, this thought-provoking and prescient call-to-action outlines the urgent steps America must take, including Universal Basic Income (UBI), to stabilize our economy amid rapid technological change and automation. 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."

Roos Havinga

Although Yang addresses some serious challenges we are facing, along with possible solutions, I can’t help but think that the view he puts forward is simplistic? Although he addresses issues in multiple industries, from manufacturing to healthcare and education, I feel like he misses out on important trends that we are underlying some of these bigger issues, such as consumerism. 

Yet, it remains a fascinating read - especially if you have not dived into the topic of universal basic income before.

Pretty impressive look at the pressing issues in the US and pragmatic, good solutions to solve for the problems based on solid data.

Nico J

It's wonderful to see someone, regardless of the current pursuit as a candidate for the Presidency, putting these thoughts down on paper (or in my case, e-ink) and asking these questions. Admittedly as an anxious individual, these are fears that may pan out and be mildly unfounded, but with the swirling and overwhelming amount of research on climate change, the leaps and bounds of computing and technology, and a constant, nagging, obsessive musing on what it means to be human, what we will do if works doesn't fill our days, and the reshaping of what Americans will devote their time to, it's a breath of fresh air to read someone putting all of these stricken questions into some context. Researched context, in fact! 

From the beginning, he struck me as a different type of candidate, and watched him in a few of the debates to get an idea of how he speaks, what he says, and more importantly, what he doesn't say. I'm pleasantly impressed with his website and the majority of his views, plans, and platforms. It's bleak, let's not mince words. The beginning of the book is a hard read even if it is merely crystalizing the underlying current of anxiety that our society has. Automation is going to be a game-changer in many ways, shifting a paradigm of work that we've all been used to, the type to which my parents and many older Americans still cling. The points on creating work programs were startling only because it's something people don't quite like to voice - that people working in technology are not necessarily out to automate work out of hate, though there is a touch of greed. The things that AI, machine learning, and even general automation are astounding, cost-saving, and it's almost uncomfortable to watch something that previously took so much labor and time become reduced to seconds. It should be a boon, that we are relieving toiling, repetitive work for thousands, millions, particularly in a time in which people are reaching high levels of anxiety and depression, trudging through bland jobs in order to survive. 

This is a vision that I think is difficult for people to conceive, and that's evident in some of the reactions to the book. Not that it's easy for me, either; my skepticism meter is high and personally will take some time to dig into the grittier research. Nor do I know, or have enough education to know, if UBI and some of the options presented in the latter half of the book are the best way to go. What is apparent is that he's thinking far ahead on issues that most current politicians are ignoring, or cannot even conceive, and when we pass the tipping point and run out of time on these things, the fall will be hard and fast. If you're a fan of history, you've read and watched empires tumble, and our ideas of American exceptionalism may not stand.

Omar &
The War on Normal People by Andrew Yang

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Omar &The War on Normal People by Andrew Yang

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The War on Normal People by Andrew Yang