MILL TALK: From Textile Workers to Rideshare Drivers

154 Moody Street,Waltham MA 02453

15 November, 2022

Description

MILL TALK: From Textile Workers to Rideshare Drivers: The Never-Ending History of Creative Destruction presented by Dave BrokerTHIS EVENT IS FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Masks encouraged Visit HERE for our current COVID-19 policies In the second decade of the 21st Century, a major shift took place in the world of ground transportation. Taxicab drivers – long protected by local barriers to market entry – found themselves overtaken in the marketplace by new and disruptive rideshare services. Uber and Lyft drivers were able to provide a cheaper and simpler and more convenient means of getting around. This has created a significant benefit to consumers, though there have been winners and losers among drivers. Yet, even for the winners, this profession is now at serious risk of redundancy, thanks to the prospect of the driverless car. While still in development, autonomous vehicles could well mean the end of a livelihood – not only for rideshare drivers, but also for truckers and other vehicle operators – in the years to come. However, this is not a new phenomenon. In this talk, industrial history podcaster Dave Broker explains how, between the 17th and 19th centuries, an almost identical process played out in the British textile trade. It was the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, and its explosive consequences should be remembered and studied as we face the economic changes on the horizon. Dave Broker is the creator and host of The Industrial Revolutions podcast, which tells the story of how the last 250 years have had profound impacts on our world’s economies, governments, social relationships, environment, and more.  The Mill Talks at the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation are free and open to the public and are made possible by the generous support of the Lowell Institute. Event FAQWhat are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?There is NO Museum Visitor parking at the Francis Cabot Lowell Mill facility where we are located. We ask that you use the nearby public parking facilities. Maps and directions to both the Museum Visitor Entrance and Parking can be found here: http://bit.ly/2d1en4D https://youtu.be/La8hxqxaHjI How can I contact the organizer with any questions?Please feel free to call us at 781-893-5410. Museum staff hours vary during the week, but someone will be available to answer any calls the day of the show. Is it ok if the name on my ticket or registration doesn't match the person who attends?Yes, we do not need to verify identity upon presentation of the ticket. What about COVID precautions?Face masks encouraged