Dr. Edwards, speaking of book recommendations: are you familiar with Peter Turchin's work? He is using data science to come to very similar conclusions as yours. I've only just begun his book End Times, but I highly recommend it!
I'll have to find the time to read that book sometime, Kathryn--thanks for the recommendation! (Incidentally, your comments remind me again of why I'm a big fan of Wendell Berry; aside from all his other virtues (and flaws) as a writer and thinker, he has never, ever, even as a young member of the Greatest Generation himself (he turned 90 years old this year), tolerated any white-washing of the social disruptions and consequences of the WWII years. The WWII veterans in his writing are damaged in unspectacular and utterly believable ways; the veterans of the homefront, the women who stayed home, see very little besides loss. It's not a story most conservatives like, but it's a truer one than the one we've usually told ourselves.)
I read Janesville and the Myth book on your recommendation and am very glad I did. They gave insight I didn’t have. Thank you!
Dr. Edwards, speaking of book recommendations: are you familiar with Peter Turchin's work? He is using data science to come to very similar conclusions as yours. I've only just begun his book End Times, but I highly recommend it!
I'll have to find the time to read that book sometime, Kathryn--thanks for the recommendation! (Incidentally, your comments remind me again of why I'm a big fan of Wendell Berry; aside from all his other virtues (and flaws) as a writer and thinker, he has never, ever, even as a young member of the Greatest Generation himself (he turned 90 years old this year), tolerated any white-washing of the social disruptions and consequences of the WWII years. The WWII veterans in his writing are damaged in unspectacular and utterly believable ways; the veterans of the homefront, the women who stayed home, see very little besides loss. It's not a story most conservatives like, but it's a truer one than the one we've usually told ourselves.)