Math Or Bust
Newsweek|November 08-15, 2019
ANDREW YANG says getting workers ready for 21st-century jobs is a must. But we also have to create a safety net for those left behind.
Andrew Yang
Math Or Bust

It's STANDARD BY NOW FOR ANY BIO OF ANDREW YANG, the 44-year-old New York businessman who is running a longshot campaign for the Democratic nomination for president of the United States, to include a smirking reference to the “Robot Apocalypse.” Yang, however, is definitely not kidding. The central theme of his campaign is that technology is going to continue to put more and more Americans out of work—with devastating social consequences that we have not prepared for as a nation.

His primary answer to that challenge is a guaranteed monthly payment of $1,000 a month, no strings attached, to every American over 18 years old, which he calls a “Freedom Dividend,” to be paid for by new taxes on the companies benefiting most from automation.

Yang has steadily polled in single digits along with several other candidates but he has shown fundraising strength and his message has proven strong enough to keep him in the race thus far. Newsweek recently asked him about his ideas for mitigating the worst of what he believes will be a huge and inevitable disruption in how Americans work and live. We were particularly interested in his thoughts about preparing today’s children for the workforce of the future, which is also the subject of our ranking of America’s Best STEM High Schools (see page 26).

His answers on these topics, edited for space:

PREPPING SIXTH GRADERS FOR A HIGH-TECH PRESENT —AND FUTURE

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE CURRICULA ACTUALLY reflect the America that children will be entering. Teaching to tests doesn’t work. Standardized tests are a very poor measurement of human worth and potential. You need to stop thinking about our education system as a checklist of tests completed and start looking at it as an opportunity to set our children up for a lifetime of learning and development.

This story is from the November 08-15, 2019 edition of Newsweek.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the November 08-15, 2019 edition of Newsweek.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM NEWSWEEKView All
Ramy Youssef
Newsweek US

Ramy Youssef

DESCRIBING RAMY YOUSSEF'S WORK ISN'T EASY, BECAUSE HE REFUSES TO settle on just one thing. \"I feel really inspired to connect in the way that it makes sense.\"

time-read
2 mins  |
March 29 - April 05, 2024 (Double Issue)
Tobias Menzies
Newsweek US

Tobias Menzies

HOW MUCH DO WE REALLY KNOW ABOUT THE assassination of President Abraham Lincoln? That's a question Tobias Menzies hopes to answer in Apple TV+'s Manhunt (March 15).

time-read
1 min  |
March 29 - April 05, 2024 (Double Issue)
The Fall and Rise of Katt Williams
Newsweek US

The Fall and Rise of Katt Williams

He's had a string of run-ins with the law, yet the comedian's popularity continues to grow-with a recent podcast appearance blowing up the internet

time-read
6 mins  |
March 29 - April 05, 2024 (Double Issue)
AMERICA'S Greatest Workplaces for JOB STARTERS 2024
Newsweek US

AMERICA'S Greatest Workplaces for JOB STARTERS 2024

Getting a career started is never easy. First-day stumbling blocks can give way to larger questions about choosing the right career path. Imposter syndrome, information overload, the challenge of new colleagues: it's almost enough to make you miss the routine of sending out endless résumés to online job descriptions.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 29 - April 05, 2024 (Double Issue)
THE INCONCEIVABLE SEARCH FOR SPERM
Newsweek US

THE INCONCEIVABLE SEARCH FOR SPERM

Making MOTHERHOOD a reality in the face of virtually every cultural taboo

time-read
10+ mins  |
March 29 - April 05, 2024 (Double Issue)
I'm Suing Harvard Over Rife Antisemitism
Newsweek US

I'm Suing Harvard Over Rife Antisemitism

I applied to the university's Divinity School to be an ambassador for Orthodox Jews and build bridges with other cultures; instead I'm battling discrimination

time-read
4 mins  |
March 29 - April 05, 2024 (Double Issue)
Gen Z's Pockets Full of Cash
Newsweek US

Gen Z's Pockets Full of Cash

Digital wallets and bank cards might appear to be the modern way to pay, but physical money is making a comeback among young adults

time-read
4 mins  |
March 29 - April 05, 2024 (Double Issue)
Biden's Age Problem Tears Democrats Apart
Newsweek US

Biden's Age Problem Tears Democrats Apart

After being depicted as an 'elderly man with a poor memory,' questions surrounding the president's advanced years are dividing his party

time-read
6 mins  |
March 29 - April 05, 2024 (Double Issue)
Country Has Won Our Achy Breaky Hearts
Newsweek US

Country Has Won Our Achy Breaky Hearts

The genre has never been so popular-and with the likes of Beyoncé reminding fans of its roots, its mainstream appeal looks set to grow and grow

time-read
6 mins  |
March 22, 2024
'Deadly Risk' of Fat-Loss Drugs
Newsweek US

'Deadly Risk' of Fat-Loss Drugs

Diabetes treatment Ozempic has become popular among dieters due to its weightloss side effect, but a study warns of a link between the drug and suicidal thoughts

time-read
5 mins  |
March 22, 2024