The Most Important Learning Skill: Mastering Productivity

Years ago, most families couldn’t afford a television set even after saving a year’s wages. But Americans could buy one on half a month’s salary—the primary reason being that their productivity was far higher, with a single worker generating 20 times the value of a Chinese worker forty years ago. An income 20 times greater simply didn’t erode their competitiveness in the market. This advantage largely stemmed from their workers being educated and skilled in operating machinery.

In the language of twenty years ago, it was like a post-70s employee who knew how to use a computer quickly replacing a post-50s manager and carving out a stable position in the workplace.

In the language of tomorrow, it’s like a post-00s worker fluent in AI swiftly replacing seniors who don’t use it.

Those who can wield tools are far more efficient than those who can’t. A human can’t overpower a tiger, but add a gun, and the tables turn. Tigers can’t fire guns.