TOW #19 The Anti-Economist: The Digital Revolution That Wasn't by Jeff Madrick from Harpers Magazine (Jan 2014)

Reading goals: For this TOW, I want to read a serious article. I find myself reading fluffier type pieces so for this one I want to read a more professional type piece from a respected source.

Writing Goals: In this TOW, I want to have control over my language. I want it to flow nicely and effectively express my meaning while keeping within the word limit. I also want to have a strong thesis that supports my claim.

Technology is a double-edged sword. It can help and hurt the economy and the citizens. In “The Anti-Economist,” Jeff Madrick uses historical exemplification and factual evidence to create professional and analytical insight into why modern inventions have failed.

To provide insight into how new technologies fail to reach potential, Madrick must establish what this potential is through the use of historical evidence. Madrick uses examples to reflect the general attitude toward machines. He mentions the Luddites, saying that they are “only the most famous example of workers who fought the labor force.” (par.4). In using “only,” Madrick shows that there have been several different times where this has occurred, that opposition is constant. Other examples show technology’s effect on society. He mentions, “in the 1950’s and 60’s, productivity and wages rose unusually rapidly, and unemployment remained low.” (par. 4) In using similar examples, the author is able to create a sense of pattern and expectation for technology. He says, “increasing prosperity has been the norm” (par.4) with the addition of new technologies previously. Later, he presents the technologies of modern times. From precedent, it can be assumed that, as in the past, “some jobs are eliminated, but more and better paying jobs often replace them.” (par. 11) Madrick, after establishing potential, proves the failure of new technologies, using statistics as a tool.

Having established precedent for technology’s benefit to society, Madrick expresses the lack of benefit of new technology with statistics. First, he presents statistics about expectations for modern technology. He quotes Businessweek, “we’re talking about 3-4% growth,” (par.6) in terms of the computers effect on prosperity in the job market. This continues to build the idea that technology is prosperity. As further statistics show, modern technology falls short of this expectation. Madrick explains that productivity has increased, whereas employment decreased. He presents employment rates from major companies in 1955 compared to rates of major companies today, which are much lower. (par.9) Utilizing statistics, Madrick highlights the lack of benefit that citizens are receiving from technology, falling short of expectations. 

Through his use of statistics and historical evidence, Madrick sets precedent for technology to succeed. He also shows that modern technology fails to live up to these expectations, and the only choice we have is to hope for the next big revolution.