Episode
#237 – Steve Viscelli: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream
3:19:01
Published: Wed Nov 03 2021
Description
Steve Viscelli is a former truck driver and now an economic sociologist at University of Pennsylvania studying freight transportation, including autonomous trucks. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: - Shopify: https://shopify.com/lex to get 14-day free trial - ROKA: https://roka.com/ and use code LEX to get 20% off your first order - Sunbasket: https://sunbasket.com/lex and use code LEX to get $35 off - Blinkist: https://blinkist.com/lex and use code LEX to get 25% off premium - BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/lex to get 10% off EPISODE LINKS: Steve's Website: https://www.steveviscelli.com/ Big Rig (book): https://amzn.to/3EbaofP Will Robotic Trucks Be "Sweatshops on Wheels?" (article): https://bit.ly/3vGGgpO Johnny Cash - All I Do Is Drive (song): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEHoagHlqrE Steve's Penn Gazette Interview: https://bit.ly/3nkRPyV More Information on Automated Trucking: http://www.driverlessreport.org/ PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips SUPPORT & CONNECT: - Check out the sponsors above, it's the best way to support this podcast - Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman - Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman - Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman OUTLINE: Here's the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time. (00:00) - Introduction (07:36) - Ethnography (19:49) - Challenges of driving a truck (38:28) - Trucking industry: State of affairs (1:11:33) - Future of autonomous trucks (1:37:49) - Solving the automated truck dilemma (2:09:44) - Role of society in automated trucking (2:36:53) - Tesla and revolutionizing the trucking industry (2:56:33) - Hope and final thoughts
Chapters
The speaker expresses their love for Roca, the makers of stylish and innovative glasses and sunglasses, and mentions the importance of being obsessed with things.
00:00 - 05:13 (05:13)
Summary
The speaker expresses their love for Roca, the makers of stylish and innovative glasses and sunglasses, and mentions the importance of being obsessed with things. The text contains an advertisement for Roca glasses and sunglasses.
Episode#237 – Steve Viscelli: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The guest discusses his interest in using sociology to understand truckers and their place in society, and talks about his experience writing a book about the trucking industry and his current work on autonomous trucking.
05:13 - 11:37 (06:24)
Summary
The guest discusses his interest in using sociology to understand truckers and their place in society, and talks about his experience writing a book about the trucking industry and his current work on autonomous trucking.
Episode#237 – Steve Viscelli: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Listen in as an interviewer recounts his experience with long haul truck drivers, the interesting stories he encountered, and how it compares to Nobel prize winners.
11:37 - 17:23 (05:46)
Summary
Listen in as an interviewer recounts his experience with long haul truck drivers, the interesting stories he encountered, and how it compares to Nobel prize winners.
Episode#237 – Steve Viscelli: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The trucking industry constructs an experience for workers to think about the job, industry, and social relations.
17:23 - 24:54 (07:30)
Summary
The trucking industry constructs an experience for workers to think about the job, industry, and social relations. Drivers who attend private company CDL schools often experience a boot camp-like training.
Episode#237 – Steve Viscelli: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The pay-per-mile system was invented when drivers couldn't be surveilled, but now a typical driver starts in the 30s.
24:54 - 31:55 (07:01)
Summary
The pay-per-mile system was invented when drivers couldn't be surveilled, but now a typical driver starts in the 30s. It may take years to become comfortable in a new trucking job, especially with the stress of the road and all eyes on the driver.
Episode#237 – Steve Viscelli: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The minimum wage for truck drivers should be set at around $60,000 to prevent a shortage of drivers.
31:55 - 38:33 (06:38)
Summary
The minimum wage for truck drivers should be set at around $60,000 to prevent a shortage of drivers. Drivers can work over 100 hours a week, and the pay is not commensurate with the labor involved.
Episode#237 – Steve Viscelli: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The shortage of licensed drivers for agriculture in California is being investigated, with the impact of competition on efficiency and pay being considered as a possible cause.
38:33 - 45:15 (06:41)
Summary
The shortage of licensed drivers for agriculture in California is being investigated, with the impact of competition on efficiency and pay being considered as a possible cause.
Episode#237 – Steve Viscelli: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
A discussion about trucking unions in the US in the mid-20th century, their misconceptions, and how they unified the entire trucking labor force under one contract.
45:15 - 54:11 (08:56)
Summary
A discussion about trucking unions in the US in the mid-20th century, their misconceptions, and how they unified the entire trucking labor force under one contract. Even non-unionized truck drivers lamented the disappearance of unions in the evolving trucking industry from the 1970s to the present day.
Episode#237 – Steve Viscelli: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Terminal systems help streamline the process of local pickup and delivery by consolidating parcels and optimizing routes, leading to increased efficiency in the trucking industry.
54:11 - 58:10 (03:59)
Summary
Terminal systems help streamline the process of local pickup and delivery by consolidating parcels and optimizing routes, leading to increased efficiency in the trucking industry.
Episode#237 – Steve Viscelli: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The podcast speaker shares his experience of transporting kegs of Bud Light from the production plant to different states, giving a glimpse of the behind the scenes of the beer industry and its impact on the economy.
58:10 - 1:03:47 (05:36)
Summary
The podcast speaker shares his experience of transporting kegs of Bud Light from the production plant to different states, giving a glimpse of the behind the scenes of the beer industry and its impact on the economy.
Episode#237 – Steve Viscelli: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This podcast discusses the importance of collecting accurate and integrated data on the inventory and transportation mechanisms of supply chains to respond to possible catastrophes, the need to change supply chains to make them more resilient, and the Tesla model for automotive production as an example.
1:03:47 - 1:14:23 (10:35)
Summary
This podcast discusses the importance of collecting accurate and integrated data on the inventory and transportation mechanisms of supply chains to respond to possible catastrophes, the need to change supply chains to make them more resilient, and the Tesla model for automotive production as an example. Additionally, the conversation delves into how technology can facilitate positive changes in the industry, with specific mention of Uber's engagement of truck drivers to better understand their needs.
Episode#237 – Steve Viscelli: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker talks about the need to focus on the potential impacts of new emerging technologies and not just let technology take its own course without considering its effects on businesses and people’s lives.
1:14:23 - 1:20:28 (06:04)
Summary
The speaker talks about the need to focus on the potential impacts of new emerging technologies and not just let technology take its own course without considering its effects on businesses and people’s lives. They also talk about the DARPA challenges that bring together the smartest robotists in the world.
Episode#237 – Steve Viscelli: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The possibility of self-driving vehicles becoming a reality weighs heavily in the minds of various auto companies including GM, Ford, Toyota and Tesla.
1:20:28 - 1:27:56 (07:28)
Summary
The possibility of self-driving vehicles becoming a reality weighs heavily in the minds of various auto companies including GM, Ford, Toyota and Tesla. Considering the risks associated, it has been concluded that it needs the support of human intervention to work properly.
Episode#237 – Steve Viscelli: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Automated trucking technology has the potential to transform the way goods are transported, especially in the era of e-commerce, which requires the movement of small quantities of goods at a fast pace to many different locations.
1:27:56 - 1:35:46 (07:49)
Summary
Automated trucking technology has the potential to transform the way goods are transported, especially in the era of e-commerce, which requires the movement of small quantities of goods at a fast pace to many different locations.
Episode#237 – Steve Viscelli: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The idea of automated trucks has been in the works for years with companies such as Peloton working on platooning trucks in 2011.
1:35:46 - 1:44:19 (08:33)
Summary
The idea of automated trucks has been in the works for years with companies such as Peloton working on platooning trucks in 2011. However, plenty of work still needs to be done to address issues including following other trucks, pedestrians, and the overall perception of self-driving trucks.
Episode#237 – Steve Viscelli: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The difficulty of developing autonomous trucks that can compete with manually driven vehicles raises questions about the labor market impacts.
1:44:19 - 1:51:10 (06:50)
Summary
The difficulty of developing autonomous trucks that can compete with manually driven vehicles raises questions about the labor market impacts. Starsky, a self-driving trucking company, was considering using teleoperation as a solution to a local driving problem.
Episode#237 – Steve Viscelli: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
While self-driving cars have taken the world by storm, there is still a question of what will happen when these cars inevitably break down or get into an accident.
1:51:10 - 2:00:20 (09:10)
Summary
While self-driving cars have taken the world by storm, there is still a question of what will happen when these cars inevitably break down or get into an accident. This podcast explores the potential solutions to self-driving car rescues, such as teleoperation, and the challenges that come with them.
Episode#237 – Steve Viscelli: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The potential impact of self-driving trucks on labor markets is uncertain, and past evidence suggests new technology does not benefit workers, but rather weakens or replaces them.
2:00:20 - 2:06:49 (06:29)
Summary
The potential impact of self-driving trucks on labor markets is uncertain, and past evidence suggests new technology does not benefit workers, but rather weakens or replaces them. The use of the term "autopilot" does not mean full autonomy; rather, the truck driver is onboard the vehicle, but free to rest or relax while the truck drives itself on the interstate from exit to exit.
Episode#237 – Steve Viscelli: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Skilled truck drivers are expensive, but they bring valuable local skills such as backing and navigating congested traffic.
2:06:49 - 2:13:55 (07:05)
Summary
Skilled truck drivers are expensive, but they bring valuable local skills such as backing and navigating congested traffic. The productivity gains from hiring them outweigh the cost, especially when competing against other skilled blue collar employers.
Episode#237 – Steve Viscelli: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This podcast episode discusses coordinating shipping through AI and autonomous driving.
2:13:55 - 2:21:20 (07:24)
Summary
This podcast episode discusses coordinating shipping through AI and autonomous driving. It explores the advancement of the technology by various companies like Starsky, Embark, and Uber.
Episode#237 – Steve Viscelli: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration plays a crucial role in determining which scenarios for autonomous trucking are most profitable by setting rules for truck drivers.
2:21:20 - 2:31:04 (09:44)
Summary
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration plays a crucial role in determining which scenarios for autonomous trucking are most profitable by setting rules for truck drivers. Although they have people who care about the job of truck drivers, they lack the power to dictate rules based on their benefit.
Episode#237 – Steve Viscelli: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The development of self-driving cars raises ethical questions about the future of work and investment, particularly regarding expensive jobs and public funding.
2:31:04 - 2:36:49 (05:44)
Summary
The development of self-driving cars raises ethical questions about the future of work and investment, particularly regarding expensive jobs and public funding.
Episode#237 – Steve Viscelli: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In the world of automation, it's important to have meaningful conversations about efficiency and safety rather than just focusing on the cheapification of everything.
2:36:49 - 2:44:29 (07:39)
Summary
In the world of automation, it's important to have meaningful conversations about efficiency and safety rather than just focusing on the cheapification of everything. Taking a step back and thinking about the bigger picture can lead us towards a more efficient system overall.
Episode#237 – Steve Viscelli: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The need for public policy conversations to determine how technology will reform public transportation systems and roadways is essential as we are currently leaving too much control to private companies.
2:44:29 - 2:50:27 (05:58)
Summary
The need for public policy conversations to determine how technology will reform public transportation systems and roadways is essential as we are currently leaving too much control to private companies. However, in areas such as healthcare, direct contact with consumers may lead to more public policy concerns around patient rights.
Episode#237 – Steve Viscelli: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The host discusses the importance of government funding for large infrastructure projects, such as railroads or the Erie Canal, which require national level collaboration and investment in order to succeed.
2:50:27 - 2:58:20 (07:52)
Summary
The host discusses the importance of government funding for large infrastructure projects, such as railroads or the Erie Canal, which require national level collaboration and investment in order to succeed. These projects face challenges related to labor, climate, and congestion, and need transformational solutions.
Episode#237 – Steve Viscelli: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker discusses his experience kayaking solo in the Pacific, citing it as one of his initial experiences of making completely 'stupid' choices in his life.
2:58:20 - 3:12:40 (14:20)
Summary
The speaker discusses his experience kayaking solo in the Pacific, citing it as one of his initial experiences of making completely 'stupid' choices in his life. The speaker defines his unusual career path, which was far from academic conventions that others advised against.
Episode#237 – Steve Viscelli: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The key to happiness and great impact is to follow your passion, whether it be kayaking, woodworking, or any other interest that piques your curiosity, as it can lead to expressing love and having an impact on the world.
3:12:41 - 3:18:00 (05:19)
Summary
The key to happiness and great impact is to follow your passion, whether it be kayaking, woodworking, or any other interest that piques your curiosity, as it can lead to expressing love and having an impact on the world. It is especially important for gifted children to follow their passions, rather than being fed with predetermined paths.
Episode#237 – Steve Viscelli: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Lex Fridman talks with Steve Vasselli about his work exploring the blue collar America and human nature, and the love he puts into his work.
3:18:00 - 3:18:54 (00:54)
Summary
Lex Fridman talks with Steve Vasselli about his work exploring the blue collar America and human nature, and the love he puts into his work.