171 | Christopher Mims on Our Interconnected Industrial Ecology

<p>As the holidays approach, we are being reminded of the fragility of the global supply chain. But at the same time, the supply chain itself is a truly impressive and fascinating structure, made as it is from multiple components that must work together in synchrony. From building an item in a factory and shipping it worldwide to transporting it locally, processing it in a distribution center, and finally delivering it to an address, the system is simultaneously awe-inspiring and deeply dehumanizing. I talk with Christopher Mims about how things are made, how they get to us, and what it all means for the present and future of our work and our lives.</p><p><em>Support Mindscape on&nbsp;</em><a href="https://www.patreon.com/seanmcarroll" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>Patreon</em></a><em>.</em></p><p>Christopher Mims received a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience and behavioral biology from Emory University. He is currently a technology columnist at&nbsp;<em>The Wall Street Journal</em>. He has previously written for publications such as&nbsp;<em>Wired, Scientific American, The Atlantic,</em>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<em>Smithsonian</em>. His new book is&nbsp;<a href="https://bookshop.org/books/arriving-today-from-factory-to-front-door-why-everything-has-changed-about-how-and-what-we-buy/9780062987952" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>Arriving Today: From Factory to Front Door — Why Everything Has Changed About How and What We Buy</em></a>.</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.wsj.com/news/author/christopher-mims" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Columns at&nbsp;<em>The Wall Street Journal</em></a></li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Mims" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a></li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/mims" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Twitter</a></li></ul><p><br></p><p>See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy No