Why do we live in unusually innovative times?

This episode of The Indicator from Planet Money discusses the work of economic historians Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aillon, and Peter Howart, who received the Economics Nobel for their research on growth and innovation. The episode focuses on Joel Mokyr's economic history of the European Enlightenment, explaining how the integration of theoretical and practical knowledge, combined with a country's openness to change, drives sustained economic growth. The conversation touches on the potential downsides of technological progress, such as job displacement, and emphasizes the importance of using technology to address challenges like climate change and demographic shifts.