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    Back to Which Way, L.A.?

    Which Way, L.A.?

    Should We Blame Technology for High Unemployment?

    When two researchers at MIT started a book to be called The Digital Frontier, they were optimistic that technological innovation would increase productivity, and that would mean new jobs. But their inquiries led in a very different direction. From farms to factories, and now to the service economy, human workers are losing their jobs to machines.

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    By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

    When two researchers at MIT started a book to be called The Digital Frontier, they were optimistic that technological innovation would increase productivity, and that would mean new jobs. But their inquiries led in a very different direction. From farms to factories, and now to the service economy, human workers are losing their jobs to machines. The "creative destruction" that used to increase employment is working the other way around: productivity is on the rise, but it's not creating many new jobs. As computers become more sophisticated, how can humans learn to compete?

    Segment Image: A traveler undergoes a full body scan performed by Transportation Security Administration agents at the Denver International Airport. Photo by John Moore/Getty Images

    The full episode

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    California Moves Ahead with 'Cap and Trade' Plan
    1. 0:00California Takes the Lead against Global Warming
    2. 25:40Should We Blame Technology for High Unemployment?You’re reading this
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      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • KCRW placeholder

      Christian Bordal

      Managing Producer, Greater LA

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Caitlin Shamberg

      KCRW

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      Karen Radziner

      Managing Producer, To the Point & Which Way LA?

    • KCRW placeholder

      Andrew McAfee

      MIT Center for Digital Business

    • KCRW placeholder

      Darrell West

      Brookings Institution

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      Harold Meyerson

      Editor, The American Prospect; and Columnist

      News

    The full episode

    2 of 2
    California Moves Ahead with 'Cap and Trade' Plan
    1. 0:00California Takes the Lead against Global Warming
    2. 25:40Should We Blame Technology for High Unemployment?You’re reading this
    Back to Which Way, L.A.?