Some questions have what I like to call a catalytic quality. That is, they do for creative problem-solving what catalysts do in chemical processes: they dissolve barriers and accelerate progress down more productive pathways. Take the question that has lately been put on the political table because of the prosperity bind facing so many mature economies. Innovation abounds (especially in technology) and new value is being created hand over fist — yet the resulting wealth gains go to the few, while the many wind up financially worse off. Case in point, even if everyone benefits from the freer flow of information allowed by the internet, information alone can’t pay your heating bill or buy a new transmission for your car. As the costs of things like phone calls and televisions have dropped, the cost for basic necessities like food and housing has soared.
We Need to Ask How We Can Make Economic Growth More Inclusive
It won’t happen until society makes it priority.
April 25, 2017
Summary.
Innovation abounds (especially in technology) and new value is being created hand over fist — yet the resulting wealth gains go to the few, while the many wind up financially worse off. But what if the world’s innovators turned their sights on solving this problem? Could we make growth more inclusive? Questions like these can change the framing of a challenge and inspire more people to take part. Many people are already trying to answer this particular conundrum, from business journals calling for more academic research on this issue, to tech community initiatives, to innovation challenges that give prizes for inclusive innovators.