The War on Normal People: The Truth About America's Disappearing Jobs and Why Universal Basic Income Is Our Future

Andrew Yang

Apr 2018 · Sold by Hachette Books

About this ebook

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."

Ratings and reviews

It's alright but really slow and needs more action in the second act. Very sorry but Spoilers from here on out. After Jezebellah loses her hand to a Nazi I was astounded and ready to read more; however, it all goes downhill once Damian is introduced. Damian is the sole cause of all the hardships and plot devices of the novel. First Chris Chrsitie appears and is described as large as a whale, that is a little over doing it. he is only the size of an elephant not a whale. Chris Christie starts his affair with Jezebellah and they are caught together in DAMIAN'S ROOM! This is soooo unbelievable. Andrew Yang should have realized this when he wrote it. Sadly, there are many other moments like when Sarahsahhhh cheats on Judith, and Greg with Deg. In the end the book is fantastic.

This is ABSURD!!! We're NOT China; we're the USA!! We DON'T want Socialism; we want AND NEED to fight for our Democratic Republic!! This whole bumbling crowd of morons with the delusion of thinking the American people will choose one toof them be our nation's leader is both laughable & obnoxious!! This book best used as kindling for your next camp fire!!

Excellent read and more than just a scary look at the robots that are redefining the workforce. He has a vision of the future I would love to see, a community driven society that rewards doing good things and caring for each other.

About the author

Andrew Yang is the founder of Venture for America, a major non-profit that places top college graduates in start-ups for two years in emerging U.S. cities to generate job growth and train the next generation of entrepreneurs. Yang has been the CEO, co-founder or executive at a number of technology and education companies. Yang was named a Presidential Ambassador of Global Entrepreneurship and a Champion of Change by the White House and one of Fast Company's "100 Most Creative People in Business." He was also named to the National Advisory Council for Innovation and Entrepreneurship of the Department of Commerce.

A major documentary with an Oscar-winning director, Generation Startup, featuring Yang and Venture for America, was released in Fall 2016 and is available on Netflix and other streaming platforms. He is a graduate of Columbia Law, where he was an Editor of the Law Review, James Kent Scholar and winner of the Class of 1912 Prize, and Brown University where he graduated with degrees in Economics and Political Science.