Freakonomics Radio Episode 605: What Do People Do All Day?

In Episode 605 of Freakonomics Radio, host Stephen Dubner delves into the intricate tapestry of modern work, exploring how jobs have evolved, the underlying factors shaping them, and the profound impact of technology and societal changes on our daily occupations. Through engaging interviews and insightful discussions, Dubner uncovers the hidden dynamics of what people do all day, offering a comprehensive understanding for both newcomers and regular listeners.

1. The American Mural Project: Celebrating American Workers

The episode opens with a visit to the American Mural Project in Winstead, Connecticut, a museum housed in a repurposed woolen factory warehouse. Ellen Griesdick, an artist and president of the organization, shares her journey of transforming an industrial space into a tribute to American workers.

Ellen Griesdick [02:08]: "I'm interested in people as an artist. I'm not going to say, oh, God, look at that lovely sunset. I want to do something about that."

Griesdick’s work emphasizes the dignity and complexity of various professions, as exemplified in her detailed murals depicting workers from different sectors. She recounts a pivotal moment with Muhammad Ali, who challenged her to create art that could positively influence children's perceptions of work.

Ellen Griesdick [02:57]: "He says, you've got to think hard about how to do something with this that really can affect kids, can make a difference in how kids grow up and think about what they want to do."

The mural showcases a diverse array of jobs, from Boeing airplane factory workers to foundry workers at River Rouge Ford, highlighting the physical labor and specialization inherent in these roles. Griesdick's mission culminated in the museum's opening in 2022, serving as an educational hub with programs for school field trips and after-school activities.

2. David Autor’s Insight: The Evolution and Disappearance of Jobs

Transitioning from art to economics, Dubner introduces David Autor, a renowned labor economist from MIT. Autor discusses his groundbreaking paper, "New Work: The Origins and Content of New Work 1940-2018," which reveals that approximately 60% of jobs today did not exist in 1940.

David Autor [06:57]: "We used to have 40% of all employment in agriculture at the turn of the 20th century. Now we have under 2%. That was a technological phenomenon."

Autor explains that while technology has automated many tasks, it has also spurred the creation of entirely new professions, such as software developers and pediatric oncologists. However, he notes a growing bifurcation in the labor market, where highly specialized and technical jobs coexist with lower-paid personal service roles.

David Autor [14:45]: "A lot of these things in the last 50 years have become rather bifurcated... [with] many of them in personal services... tend to pay somewhat better."

Autor emphasizes that the shift towards technology-driven and specialized jobs has created a complex landscape where the nature of work continually adapts, often outpacing the rate at which new roles are created.

3. Anthropological Perspectives with James Suzman

James Suzman, an anthropologist and author, offers a deep dive into the historical and cultural aspects of work. He contrasts the hunter-gatherer societies with modern agricultural and urban economies, highlighting how the perception and satisfaction derived from work have fundamentally changed.

James Suzman [21:24]: "Hunter gatherers organized their economies in fundamentally different ways... They did not accept the principle of scarcity."

Suzman explains that hunter-gatherers operated under an "immediate return economy," focusing on satisfying needs spontaneously without worrying about future scarcity. This contrasts sharply with agricultural societies, where work is geared towards creating surpluses and mitigating future risks, leading to long, arduous hours and increased societal stratification.

The discussion extends to modern work's impact on personal satisfaction, where Suzman laments the loss of meaningful, hands-on tasks that provided a sense of completeness and satisfaction.

James Suzman [58:22]: "Modern efficiency has robbed most of us of that satisfaction that comes from baking a loaf of bread, digging a hole in the garden, going on a hunt, going fishing."

4. Our Friends Are Smart: A Modern Take on Job Narratives

Mirroring Studs Terkel's classic work, Dubner attends a modern event hosted by friends Adina Lichtman and Avi Popak, titled "Our Friends Are Smart." The event features friends from diverse professions who share detailed accounts of their daily responsibilities, offering listeners an intimate glimpse into various occupations.

• Paola Barmaman, a Data Scientist at The New York Times, explains her role in analyzing messy data to derive meaningful metrics that inform editorial decisions.

  Paola Barmaman [39:09]: "The first thing that we do for this question is like, do we even have data for this? And it turns out we had very, very messy data."

• Ben, a Hospital Chaplain, describes his approach to providing emotional and spiritual support without imposing his beliefs.

  Ben [40:51]: "I just want to be wherever they want and need me to be. If that is the religious side, they want to talk about their faith, they want to talk about why this is happening to them."

These narratives highlight the complexity and emotional depth of modern jobs, underscoring how each role contributes uniquely to society.

5. Richard Scarry’s Legacy: "What Do People Do All Day?" Revisited

The episode pays homage to Richard Scarry’s children’s book, "What Do People Do All Day?", through his son, Huck Scarry. Huck reflects on how the book depicted a vibrant array of manual and specialized jobs in the fictional Busy Town, portraying a world where each character contributed meaningfully to their community.

Huck Scarry [53:22]: "The way people work today was unimaginable when my father did this book."

Huck reads excerpts from the book, illustrating the straightforward and hands-on nature of work at the time. He muses on the stark contrast between these depictions and the current reality, where many such roles have been automated or absorbed into large corporations, leaving a gap in the tangible satisfaction derived from work.

Huck Scarry [57:50]: "I don't think children think too much about investors or conglomerates or huge corporations. There are still a lot of people also doing these, I don't know, not nuts and bolts jobs, but things that you make with your hands."

This segment emphasizes the enduring value of manual and artisanal work, suggesting that the satisfaction from such roles remains relevant despite their decreased prevalence.

6. The Future of Work: AI and Job Satisfaction

Returning to David Autor, Dubner explores the potential and challenges of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in reshaping the labor market. Autor expresses cautious optimism about AI's ability to enhance job capabilities rather than replace them outright.

David Autor [42:37]: "I would like to see AI use to enable more people who aren't from elite institutions... to be able to move more into software development, into paralegal work, into healthcare delivery, into design."

However, Autor acknowledges the significant coordination required among various institutions—governments, universities, labor unions—to ensure AI benefits the workforce equitably.

David Autor [45:08]: "I think this is very significant and I agree with your point. I am appealing to a coordination and it's not clear who the coordinator is."

The discussion also touches on job satisfaction in the modern economy, where rising wages and benefits in a tight labor market have improved conditions for many workers. Autor advocates for creating "good jobs" that offer dignity, economic security, and opportunities for advancement.

David Autor [34:45]: "Recent data suggest that job satisfaction in the United States is higher than it's been a very, very long time."

7. Concluding Insights: Balancing Efficiency and Fulfillment

As the episode draws to a close, James Suzman and David Autor reflect on the balance between technological efficiency and personal fulfillment in work. Suzman highlights a societal shift towards artisanal and hands-on jobs as a response to the impersonal nature of modern labor.

James Suzman [58:22]: "Modern efficiency has robbed most of us of that satisfaction that comes from baking a loaf of bread, digging a hole in the garden, going on a hunt, going fishing."

Autor reiterates the importance of a well-functioning labor market in sustaining democracy and societal stability, emphasizing that the quality and distribution of jobs are crucial for maintaining a robust middle class.

David Autor [49:16]: "We actually should care. I don't think it's possible to have a well-functioning democracy that doesn't have a solid middle class making its living from work."

The episode concludes by tying together the themes of job evolution, satisfaction, and the future of work, offering listeners a nuanced perspective on what people do all day and why it matters.

Key Takeaways

• Historical Evolution of Jobs: The vast majority of modern jobs did not exist in 1940, reflecting technological advancements and societal shifts.
• Job Satisfaction: Modern work often lacks the tangible satisfaction derived from manual and hands-on tasks, leading to increased interest in artisanal and meaningful occupations.
• Role of AI: Artificial Intelligence holds the potential to augment human expertise and create new opportunities, but its benefits depend on deliberate and coordinated implementation.
• Economic and Social Balance: A healthy labor market with well-distributed "good jobs" is essential for societal stability and democratic health.
• Cultural Representation of Work: Artistic and literary representations, such as the American Mural Project and Richard Scarry’s books, play a crucial role in shaping perceptions of work and its value.

This episode of Freakonomics Radio provides a rich exploration of the multifaceted nature of work, blending economic analysis, anthropological insights, and personal narratives to offer a comprehensive view of what people do all day and the forces shaping those activities.