Average Is Over

Average Is Over examines how technology and automation are transforming the global economy and workforce. The book presents an analysis of growing economic inequality and the emergence of two distinct social classes in modern societies. Cowen explores how intelligent machines and computer systems are reshaping traditional jobs and skills, using the evolution of chess as a key metaphor. He demonstrates how human-computer collaboration is becoming essential for professional success across many fields. The book outlines specific strategies for individuals to remain competitive in an increasingly automated economy. This includes adapting to new forms of education, developing machine-complementary skills, and understanding the changing nature of productivity measurement. At its core, the book presents a stark vision of technological and economic transformation, challenging conventional wisdom about career preparation, income distribution, and the future of work in developed economies.

Readers find Cowen's economic predictions thought-provoking but potentially extreme. The book receives particular attention for its analysis of how technology and automation will reshape careers and income distribution. Readers appreciate: - Clear explanations of complex economic trends - Practical career advice for the future economy - Data-driven approach to forecasting - Focus on concrete examples rather than abstract theory Common criticisms: - Too pessimistic about middle-class prospects - Overestimates the pace of technological change - Limited discussion of policy solutions - Repetitive points throughout chapters Several readers note the book feels more relevant now than when published in 2013. One Amazon reviewer called it "prescient but narrow in scope." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (280+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.7/5 (90+ ratings) The book scores higher among readers interested in economics and technology than general audiences.

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The Industries of the Future by Alec Ross. The text maps emerging technologies and their impact on global economics, jobs, and competition across different sectors.

The Wealth of Humans by Ryan Avent. The work analyzes how digital technology creates economic challenges through workforce displacement and changing labor markets.

Rise of the Robots by Martin Ford. The book examines automation's effects on employment, income distribution, and economic systems across industries.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution by Klaus Schwab. This work details how technological convergence reshapes economic structures, labor markets, and skill requirements across societies.

🔸 The book's title "Average Is Over" was partly inspired by the author's observations of how chess grandmasters now routinely use computer assistance to analyze games, creating a new hybrid form of chess mastery. 🔸 Author Tyler Cowen is not only an economist but also an accomplished chess player who achieved a USCF rating of 2000, placing him in the expert category. 🔸 The wage gap predictions discussed in the book have proven remarkably accurate - median wages in the US have stagnated while compensation for high-skill tech workers has grown exponentially since publication in 2013. 🔸 The book's concept of human-machine collaboration was significantly influenced by the historic 1997 chess match between IBM's Deep Blue and Garry Kasparov, which marked the first time a computer defeated a world champion. 🔸 The author maintains a popular economics blog called Marginal Revolution, which has been referenced over 40 times in the book for its real-world examples of technological disruption in various industries.