The Technology Trap

Capital, Labor, and Power in the Age of Automation

By: Carl Benedikt Frey

Narrated by: Richard Lyddon

How the history of technological revolutions can help us better understand economic and political polarization in the age of automation

From the Industrial Revolution to the age of artificial intelligence, The Technology Trap takes a sweeping look at the history of technological progress and how it has radically shifted the distribution of economic and political power among society’s members. As Carl Benedikt Frey reveals, the Industrial Revolution created unprecedented wealth and prosperity over the long run, but the immediate consequences of mechanization were devastating for large swaths of the population. Middle-income jobs withered, wages stagnated, the labor share of income fell, profits surged, and economic inequality skyrocketed. These trends, Frey documents, broadly mirror those in our current age of automation, which began with the Computer Revolution.

Just as the Industrial Revolution eventually brought about extraordinary benefits for society, artificial intelligence systems have the potential to do the same. But Frey argues that this depends on how the short term is managed. In the 19th century, workers violently expressed their concerns over machines taking their jobs. The Luddite uprisings joined a long wave of machinery riots that swept across Europe and China. Today’s despairing middle class has not resorted to physical force, but their frustration has led to rising populism and the increasing fragmentation of society. As middle-class jobs continue to come under pressure, there’s no assurance that positive attitudes to technology will persist.

The Industrial Revolution was a defining moment in history, but few grasped its enormous consequences at the time. The Technology Trap demonstrates that in the midst of another technological revolution, the lessons of the past can help us to more effectively face the present.

©2019 Carl Benedikt Frey (P)2019 Princeton University Press

A Fantadtic Historical Analysis of Automation and Societal Responses

A very good overview of the problems and historical context of automation and how the focus on immigration in today's political climate is mistaking the real cause of job loss and unemployment. I'd say this is a must read.

future of work

loved the book, brilliantly lays down the history and various eras of technological change effected the limits of people, lays out current issues in a very succinct manner from all angels, socioeconomic political etc. must read

Liked but not loved

I'm not sure if it was organization of the story, the narration, or both, but I had a particularly hard time concentrating on much of this content, and it doesn't seem particularly well suited for audio book treatment. I enjoyed the second half much more than the first, and its difficult to argue with some of the conclusions.

Good historical argument on the impact of tech on the economy

The argument is good, but too repetitive. The book could have half of its size or even less and still convey the same concepts.

Interesting and current topic explained

Perhaps a bit "over explained", but explained nonetheless. He makes several valid points, but then keeps making them over and over. I kept thinking, "move on". Overall I'm glad I listened to this and plan to re-listen to selected chapters.