The Code Economy

A Forty-Thousand Year History

By: Philip E. Auerswald

Narrated by: L. J. Ganser

Length: 9 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

Code is the "how" of human productive activity. The creation, implementation, and refinement of codes have been the infrastructure of human progress from Neolithic simplicity to modern complexity.

In a sweeping narrative that takes listeners from the production of Stone Age axes, to the invention of chocolate chip cookies, to the experience of Burning Man, Philip Auerswald argues that the key driver of human history is the advance of code. At each major stage in the advance of code over the span of centuries, shifts in the structure of society have challenged human beings to reinvent not only how we work, but who we are. We are at one of those stages now. The Code Economy offers an indispensable guide to the future, based on a narrative stretching 40,000 years into the past.

©2017 Oxford University Press (P)2017 Recorded Books

Economic Trends: Past & Future

This book is essential reading for any wonk.

Auerwald's ideas and writing style are simultaneously provocative and sober.

I particularly enjoyed Auerswald's historical literacy regarding the giants of Economic Theory, such as Adam Smith, Henry George, and Joseph Schumpeter.

In a narrative which spans forty-thousand years, Auerswald examines the "code" undergirding numerous complex systems ranging from the cities of Ancient Mesopotamia to the Burning Man festival.

My favorite portion of this book is part thee, "The Human Advantage"

In this section Auerswald contends that humans will always posses a crucial advantage over all forms of digital technology.

Specifically, Auwerswald states, "Humans are better at being human."

L.J. Ganser, as always, delivers an excellent performance. Ganser has long been one of my favorites.