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Penguin Publishing Group
The Dispensable Human
The Dispensable Human
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ISBN:
9798217380480
Pages:
400
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Release Date:
May 18, 2027
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ABOUT
A brilliant and important reckoning with the seismic shocks on our economy, our politics, and our society from the collapse of skilled work at a scale that has no historical precedent
We have never been here before. Analogies to industrialization, or electrification, or the internet, are fine and well, but never have so many different forms of knowledge work been threatened at the same time at such scale. Once upon a time, the relative scarcity of the very forms of highly skilled labor that artificial general intelligence now most threatens created the heart of the middle class as we know it, with its embedded structures of belonging. Without our professional identities, many of us literally wouldn’t know who we are, to say nothing of more basic questions of security.
Yascha Mounk, one of the world’s most celebrated political scientists, has made a close study for two decades of the impact of the hollowing out of the middle class globally on the rise of populism and oligarchy. He is thus perfectly positioned to understand the sweeping implications of AI. If the forces accelerating income inequality before AI amounted to a Category 1 hurricane, now the storm is Category 3 or 4, and we’re quickly headed to Category 5.
Mounk begins by making vivid how profound the impact of AI on so-called professional class work is, and to the world of labor as a whole. He takes us to the front lines of institutional transformation, and the cutting of edge of robotics. While there’s a range to the possible pace of the change ahead, even at minimum, he shows, we face a revolutionary impact.
Having grounded the reader in this reality, Mounk widens the aperture to take in its broader consequences. With his customary depth of field, he brings into focus how hard won the political freedoms that we take for granted have in fact been. It was the need to co-opt a rising middle class that impelled elites to share their power. When the middle class is weakened, democracy is weakened. And crucially, AI is further weakening the substrate that supports liberty by eroding confidence in a shared truth and stoking cynicism, and, even worse, giving despots unprecedented tools for surveillance and social control. And, cruelly, just as entry into the highest status professional vocations has become a paramount source of identity and community, the path to that charmed circle is narrowing radically. The result will be many more frustrated aspirants and a potential wholesale collapse in civilizational morale.
This dire vision is not inevitable, Mounk argues. He offers a clear-eyed set of prescriptions to avoid the worse-case outcomes. They all will require hard choices, and considerable collective will; nothing about this is going to be easy. But whatever your perspective on the politics, this book makes an irrefutable case that denial is not a very clever option.
We have never been here before. Analogies to industrialization, or electrification, or the internet, are fine and well, but never have so many different forms of knowledge work been threatened at the same time at such scale. Once upon a time, the relative scarcity of the very forms of highly skilled labor that artificial general intelligence now most threatens created the heart of the middle class as we know it, with its embedded structures of belonging. Without our professional identities, many of us literally wouldn’t know who we are, to say nothing of more basic questions of security.
Yascha Mounk, one of the world’s most celebrated political scientists, has made a close study for two decades of the impact of the hollowing out of the middle class globally on the rise of populism and oligarchy. He is thus perfectly positioned to understand the sweeping implications of AI. If the forces accelerating income inequality before AI amounted to a Category 1 hurricane, now the storm is Category 3 or 4, and we’re quickly headed to Category 5.
Mounk begins by making vivid how profound the impact of AI on so-called professional class work is, and to the world of labor as a whole. He takes us to the front lines of institutional transformation, and the cutting of edge of robotics. While there’s a range to the possible pace of the change ahead, even at minimum, he shows, we face a revolutionary impact.
Having grounded the reader in this reality, Mounk widens the aperture to take in its broader consequences. With his customary depth of field, he brings into focus how hard won the political freedoms that we take for granted have in fact been. It was the need to co-opt a rising middle class that impelled elites to share their power. When the middle class is weakened, democracy is weakened. And crucially, AI is further weakening the substrate that supports liberty by eroding confidence in a shared truth and stoking cynicism, and, even worse, giving despots unprecedented tools for surveillance and social control. And, cruelly, just as entry into the highest status professional vocations has become a paramount source of identity and community, the path to that charmed circle is narrowing radically. The result will be many more frustrated aspirants and a potential wholesale collapse in civilizational morale.
This dire vision is not inevitable, Mounk argues. He offers a clear-eyed set of prescriptions to avoid the worse-case outcomes. They all will require hard choices, and considerable collective will; nothing about this is going to be easy. But whatever your perspective on the politics, this book makes an irrefutable case that denial is not a very clever option.
STANDARD, PRIMARY, DM AND VARIANT COVERS
Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.
In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.
The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.
PRODUCT TYPES
Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:
Omnibus
- Large, hardcover collections
- Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
- Typically 800-1000+ pages
- Higher price point, often €100-€150
Oversized Hardcover (OHC)
- Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
- Collect shorter runs or story arcs
- Usually 300-600 pages
- Priced between €30-€50
Hardcover (HC)
- Standard-sized hardcover books
- Collect 6-12 issues typically
- Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
- Priced around €25-€35
Trade Paperback (TP)
- Softcover collections
- Standard comic book size
- Usually collect 4-6 issues
- Most affordable option, typically €15-€25
Other Formats
- Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
- Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
- Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues
The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs