All Segments
Edward Glaeser - Cities, Terrorism, Housing, & Remote Work
33 segments available
Edward Glaeser is the chair of the Harvard department of economics, and the author of the best books and papers about cities (including Survival of the City and Triumph of the City). He explains why: - Cities are resilient to terrorism, remote work, & pandemics, - Silicon Valley may collapse but the Sunbelt will prosper, - Opioids show UBI is not a solution to AI - & much more! Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3gEGYkf Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3XwfnlI Episode Website + Transcript: https://www.dwarkeshpatel.com/p/edward-glaeser Follow me for updates on future episodes: https://twitter.com/dwarkesh_sp Timestamps: 0:00:00 Intro 0:00:40 Mars, Terrorism, & Capitals 0:07:12 Decline, Population Collapse, & Young Men 0:15:24 Urban Education 0:19:15 Georgism, Robert Moses, & Too Much Democracy? 0:26:09 Opioids, Automation, & UBI 0:30:37 Remote Work, Taxation, & Metaverse 0:43:09 Past & Future of Silicon Valley 0:48:59 Housing Reform 0:52:47 Europe’s Stagnation, Mumbai’s Safety, & Climate Change
Segments Timeline
Welcome to the Lunar Society
Professor Edward Glaeser introduces himself and discusses the significance of the Lunar Society, highlighting its historical context in urban innovation. He sets the stage for a conversation about cities and their evolution, particularly in relation to modern challenges.
"I think the thing that many of us worry about in terms of Silicon Valley more recently is it feels much more like it's a one industry town which is dangerous and it feels more like it's a bunch of ind..."
Urbanism on Mars: A Futuristic Perspective
Glaeser shares his thoughts on the challenges of building cities on Mars, emphasizing the limited demand for urbanism in such an environment. He discusses the importance of flexible urban planning and the role of transportation costs in shaping cities, drawing parallels to historical urban development.
"okay today I have the pleasure of speaking with Professor Edward Glaser who is the chair of the Harvard Department of economics and he is the author of the best books and papers about cities so Profes..."
Cities and Terrorism: Resilience in Urban Areas
Glaeser examines the resilience of cities to terrorist attacks, reflecting on the aftermath of 9/11. He discusses how urban centers have ramped up their defenses while also being attractive targets, highlighting the dual nature of urban agglomeration in terms of security and vulnerability.
"flexible plan um much like the 1811 grid plan in New York that allows entrepreneurs to sort of change land use over time um to put a few bets on what's necessary in terms of infrastructure and then ju..."
The Evolution of Capital Cities
In this segment, Glaeser explores the historical significance of capital cities and their relationship with empires. He contrasts the prominence of historical capitals like Rome and Athens with modern examples, discussing how the location of capitals has shifted to avoid concentrating power and resources.
"as you know New York was a Target it was also a place which in the years after 2001 uh the city ramped up their anti-terrorist efforts they put together a sort of massive group as London had previousl..."
Urban Decline and Renewal: A Historical Perspective
Glaeser discusses the cyclical nature of urban decline and renewal, using Detroit as a case study. He explains how housing prices and population dynamics interact over time, emphasizing the persistence of decline and the challenges cities face in bouncing back from economic shocks.
"English offshoot places having their capitals very much not in the big metropols whereas traditionally what's happened particularly if this place has been around for centuries is even if the capital d..."
The Stagnation of Mobility in America
Glaeser addresses the decline in mobility among Americans, particularly prime-age men. He highlights the impact of housing market constraints and the informal safety net on individuals' ability to relocate for better economic opportunities, shedding light on the changing dynamics of labor force participation.
"persistent because it doesn't have this this sticky housing uh uh element to it uh in terms of GDP per capita um much more of a of a random walk there in terms of the straight income stuff so it's it'..."
Demographic Shifts and Urban Futures
In this segment, Glaeser discusses the implications of declining fertility rates and aging populations in cities, particularly in East Asia. He reflects on how these demographic changes could affect urban environments and the challenges they pose for future city planning.
"areas to rich areas that's pretty much stopped and in part that's because rich areas just have very very expensive housing the other thing is the rising importance of the informal safety net so if you..."
Urban Education Disparities
In this segment, Glaeser contrasts the high-quality higher education institutions in urban areas with the often subpar K-12 education systems. He attributes this disparity to the monopolistic nature of public education in cities, which lacks the competitive dynamics that drive improvement in other sectors, such as higher education.
"Urban schools um and the declining population levels if anything I would have thought that covid skews you a bit younger because the older people are are more anxious about they remember you know they..."
The Role of Competition in Education
Glaeser discusses the impact of competition on education quality, particularly in suburban versus urban school districts. He highlights how suburban schools benefit from competitive pressures that urban schools lack, leading to better educational outcomes. He also touches on the influence of teachers' unions and the challenges faced by urban parents in advocating for their children's education.
"we go through an annual you know exercise of trying to make sure we get PhD students to come to our program instead of our competitors um whether or not it's hiring faculty members whether or not it's..."
Georgism and Land Value Taxation
Glaeser examines the concept of Georgism and the potential benefits of implementing a land value tax. He argues that while a land value tax could encourage development and reduce disincentives associated with property taxes, it is not a comprehensive solution to urban issues. He emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to taxation that addresses various societal challenges.
"them to sort of organize effectively on the other side so for those reasons our big our big Urban schools are you know they can do great things and many individual teachers can be fantastic but it it'..."
The Legacy of Robert Moses
In this segment, Glaeser reflects on the controversial legacy of urban planner Robert Moses. He acknowledges Moses' significant contributions to New York City's infrastructure while also recognizing the negative impacts of his authoritarian approach. Glaeser advocates for a balanced perspective that encourages effective urban development without disregarding community needs.
"offices in San Francisco are probably generating more value than you would uh surmise just from the you know the quantity of land they have there that um do American cities need more great Builders li..."
Democracy and Local Governance
Glaeser discusses the complexities of local governance and the balance between democracy and effective urban planning. He argues that while local control is important, there should be limitations on the ability of localities to block new housing projects. He advocates for policies that protect individual property rights and facilitate urban growth while ensuring that the voices of future residents are considered.
"affordable cost yep yep um do we have too much democracy at the local level so you wrote a paper in 2017 titled the political economy of Transportation Investments um and one of the points you make th..."
Real Estate Strategies in Changing Markets
Glaeser shares insights on real estate investment strategies in areas with historically pro-housing sentiments. He suggests that educated populations may lead to reduced housing supply, driving up prices in the future. This segment highlights the importance of understanding demographic shifts and market dynamics in real estate investment.
"yeah yeah um I wonder if that paper implies that I should be shorting Highly Educated areas or at least in terms of real estate because one of the things you mentioned in the paper was that Highly Edu..."
Opioid Epidemic and Joblessness
Glaeser discusses his research on the opioid epidemic, linking it to social isolation and joblessness. He argues that joblessness has a more profound impact on human well-being than income inequality. This segment emphasizes the importance of meaningful work and social connections in combating issues like opioid abuse.
"likely to go up yeah yeah um so you wrote a paper or last year on the opioid epidemic and you can explain in more detail but one of the points uh that you made there was that the opioid epidemic can b..."
The Risks of Universal Basic Income
In this segment, Glaeser critiques the concept of Universal Basic Income (UBI), arguing that it may exacerbate joblessness and lead to increased misery. He contrasts UBI in developed countries with its potential effectiveness in developing nations, emphasizing the different socio-economic contexts and their implications for policy.
"um the um who really emphasize the the role of deaths of despair um we are much more focused on the supply side so that doesn't mean that um you know the the demand side meaning like just the the way ..."
The Role of Jobs in Human Fulfillment
Glaeser elaborates on the significance of jobs beyond financial compensation, highlighting their role in providing purpose and social connection. He argues that joblessness leads to increased unhappiness and family breakdowns, making a case for policies that prioritize job creation over financial handouts.
"safe and there's a lot of great work that just shows that the patterns of opioid use was related to the places that just had a lot of pain 30 years ago so um just those places with a lot of you know p..."
UBI in Global Contexts
Glaeser differentiates between the implications of UBI in developed and developing countries. He supports modest financial assistance in poorer regions while cautioning against large-scale UBI in wealthier contexts, where it may not address the root causes of joblessness and social disconnection.
"though just short quickly deviate and some of the Ubi Advocates have have brought together Ubi in the US and Ubi in the developing world so Ubi in the developing World which means basically you give f..."
Remote Work and Face-to-Face Interaction
Glaeser discusses the relationship between remote work and the demand for in-person interactions. He argues that while technology may provide substitutes for face-to-face contact in the short term, it ultimately complements it in the long run, as complex ideas benefit from personal communication.
"thing if you're saying I'm going to give a hundred dollars to a poor Congolese farmer or I'm going to give uh you know ten thousand dollars to a long-term jobless person in Eastern Kentucky right righ..."
The Evolution of Communication Technology
In this segment, Glaeser reflects on the historical impact of communication technologies on urbanization and social interaction. He argues that innovations like the book and telephone have not diminished the need for cities or face-to-face contact, suggesting that modern technologies like Zoom will similarly coexist with in-person interactions.
"sorry or I mean virtual contact so there's not a um there's not a universal rule on this um I I just want to sort of let's let's so that that paper um the paper that was based on this that I wrote in ..."
The Future of the Metaverse and Real Interactions
Glaeser expresses skepticism about the metaverse's potential to replace real-world interactions. He acknowledges the growing popularity of virtual experiences but maintains that they will not significantly threaten the value of in-person connections, emphasizing the enduring importance of face-to-face communication.
"be compliments and over the shorter term they tend to be substitutes I'm one of the things I think that was helpful in um my earlier work on this was looking at the history of uh Information Technolog..."
The Value of Local Talent
Edward Glaeser discusses the wage discrepancies between local and remote workers, emphasizing that local talent often commands higher wages due to their unique understanding of specific needs and the competitive landscape. He highlights the challenges of remote work and the nuances of supply and demand in the labor market.
"pay them more until the price discrepancy goes away that's interesting um I I don't fully know the answer to that question um I would suspect some of it just has to do with the nature of supply and de..."
The Limitations of the Metaverse
Glaeser expresses skepticism about the metaverse and virtual reality replacing in-person interactions. He reflects on the pandemic's impact on youth, noting that despite increased virtual connections, young people still crave real-world interactions, underscoring the intrinsic value of face-to-face communication.
"uh but let me clarify my question I I meant um even remote engineers in America will make more than remote engineers in Europe or in India so if somebody's like working remotely but he just happens to..."
Taxation and Remote Work Dynamics
In this segment, Glaeser explores the implications of remote work on taxation in high-cost areas like California and New York. He discusses the tension between progressive taxation efforts and the mobility of wealthy individuals, suggesting that local governments may need to adjust tax rates to retain high earners.
"yeah that sounds like a very Harvard scenario the having to argue over football or con those two topics um but um are you predicting lower taxes over the coming decades um in places like California an..."
Remote Work vs. In-Person Productivity
Glaeser compares the productivity of remote work to traditional in-person work, citing studies that show remote workers may be less likely to receive promotions. He argues that while remote work can be efficient, it lacks the relational learning and joy found in physical workplaces, which are crucial for long-term success.
"now you cited research in the survival of the city which said that firms like Microsoft were much less willing to hire new people once they went online because of the pandemic um what do you make of t..."
The Origins of Silicon Valley
Glaeser delves into the historical factors that led to Silicon Valley's emergence as a tech hub. He discusses key figures and companies, such as Stanford and Fairchild Semiconductor, and how their interactions fostered a creative ecosystem that has shaped the technology landscape.
"let's say that of Nick Bloom of Stanford is that for those types of workers you know 20 of your week being hybrid maybe 40 seems quite possible that seems like a thing particularly for workers who hav..."
The Future of Tech Startups
In this segment, Glaeser shares insights on where tech startups should locate for optimal growth. He emphasizes the importance of education and pro-business environments, highlighting cities in the Sun Belt like Austin and Charlotte as emerging hubs for skilled talent and innovation.
"what what is your uh what is your study of cities imply about where Tech startups um should locate and you know like what kind of like organization in person or otherwise they should have so I think t..."
Education vs. Pioneer Firms
In this segment, Glaeser addresses the relationship between education and the survival of pioneer firms. He argues that while general knowledge may not be a strong determinant, the relatedness of knowledge is crucial. He contrasts cities like Seattle and Detroit, illustrating how education levels impact economic outcomes.
"you write in the paper um general knowledge measured as average years of schooling is not a strong determinant of the survival of a Pioneer firm but that the relatedness of knowledge between past and ..."
Houston's Zoning and City Appeal
Glaeser explores why Houston, despite its lack of zoning, is not considered a tourist destination. He discusses how the age and historical significance of cities contribute to their appeal, comparing Houston to older cities like Boston, which attract visitors due to their rich history.
"Houston has basically very little to no zoning why is it not more of an interesting City it's available nobody goes to Houston for tourism I have I have in fact go out there although part of it I admi..."
Can America Accommodate a Billion People?
Glaeser shares his vision of increasing the U.S. population through immigration, contemplating the feasibility of accommodating a billion people in a decade. He emphasizes the need for significant reforms in housing and infrastructure to support such a large influx.
"yeah yeah I'm visiting Houston later this month and I I asked my friend there should I stay here longer I mean is there anything interesting to do here and then he responds well it's like the fourth b..."
The Role of Public Libraries
In this segment, Glaeser discusses the importance of public libraries and their multifaceted roles in communities. He references Eric Klinenberg's work on libraries as 'palaces for the people' and reflects on the lack of systematic studies on their impact.
"um I mean it's it's certainly not as if there's any long-term reason why you couldn't do it I mean goodness knows we've got more than enough space in this country um they're you know would be exciting..."
European Cities vs. American Cities
Glaeser contrasts European cities with American ones, explaining why European cities retain their historical character while American cities evolve rapidly. He attributes this to factors like lower population growth, stricter zoning laws, and a focus on historic preservation.
"are going on so it's very difficult to build in European cities there's a lot of attention to um you know in caring about history it's often part of the Nar the the Nationalist narrative you will ofte..."
Safety in Slums: A Global Perspective
Glaeser shares his observations from visiting Dharavi, Asia's largest slum, discussing the varying levels of safety in slums across different countries. He attributes safety to community cohesion and the presence of social norms, contrasting it with the challenges posed by crime and drug trade.
"yeah yeah um now maybe you don't play video games enough to know the answer to this question but I'm curious is there any video game any strategic video game like Civilization or Europe or that you fe..."
The Future of Cities and Climate Change
In the closing segment, Glaeser identifies climate change as a major unsolved problem for cities, particularly in the developing world. He expresses concern over how to protect low-lying cities from climate-related disasters and emphasizes the need for innovative solutions.
"having me on I had a great deal of fun hey thanks for listening if you enjoyed that episode I would really really really appreciate it if you could share it this is still a pretty small podcast so it ..."