American Academy of Arts & Sciences | Los Angeles Members’ Reception and Discussion: Narratives of the Economy
Recently, scholars and journalists have observed the curious phenomenon that, despite good news from economic indicators like GDP, polls find that Americans are simply not happy about the state of the economy. While material conditions do shape people’s opinions, so do narratives – stories and themes, often originating among lawmakers and the media. Yet the role of storytelling has been overlooked in explaining the disconnect at the heart of the current economic and political moment.
Over the last two years, the American Academy’s Commission on Reimagining Our Economy held 31 listening sessions across the country. The conversations that emerged help explain the role that economic narratives play in shaping people’s opinions about their finances, their lives, and their nation. Join us for a conversation that explores how those narratives can be rewritten to create a political and economic system that works for all.
The program will be followed by a reception where you will have the opportunity to connect with members from across the greater LA-area and welcome newly elected members into the community.
Featuring
Welcome Remarks
Carol L. Folt
President; Robert C. Packard President’s Chair
University of Southern California
ACADEMY MEMBER
Introduction
Geoffrey Cowan
University Professor; Annenberg Family Chair in Communication Leadership
University of Southern California Annenberg for Communication and Journalism
ACADEMY MEMBER
Moderator
Goodwin Liu
Associate Justice, Supreme Court of California
Chair, Board of Directors, American Academy of Arts and Sciences
ACADEMY MEMBER
Speaker
Viet Thanh Nguyen
University Professor, Aerol Arnold Chair of English, and Professor of English, American Studies and Ethnicity, and Comparative Literature
University of Southern California
ACADEMY MEMBER
Speaker
Manuel Pastor
Director, USC Dornsife Equity Research Institute; Distinguished Professor, Sociology and American Studies and Ethnicity
University of Southern California
ACADEMY MEMBER