Derek Thompson on Why America Can't Build, Abundance, and Substack

In this episode of Econ 102, Noah Smith interviews Derek Thompson about his move to Substack from The Atlantic. They discuss Thompson's reasons for the transition, including a desire for a new challenge and greater freedom in expressing his political ideas. The conversation explores Thompson's trendspotting abilities, the abundance agenda, and critiques of it. They also delve into potential new New Deal-like policies, such as federal incentives for local housing development, advanced market commitments for technological innovation, a national electrical grid, and Medicaid for all.