The Permanent Problem

The progress movement needs a better theory of progress

For as long as I can remember, I have been an enthusiastic believer in and supporter of human progress.

Apr 7 • Brink Lindsey

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March 2026

Andrew McAfee on the future of innovation

After years of disappointing productivity growth, are we about to experience an AI-powered breakout?

Mar 26 • Brink Lindsey

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Laura Field on the MAGA intellectuals

In this episode of The Permanent Problem podcast, Laura Field joins host me to discuss both of our new books.

Mar 19 • Brink Lindsey

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Damon Linker on defending liberalism (and how not to)

On this episode of The Permanent Problem podcast, I’m happy to welcome Damon Linker, author of the “Notes from the Middleground” Substack and a Niskanen…

Mar 11 • Brink Lindsey

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February 2026

Superhuman AI would bring the permanent problem front and center

Before diving into the essay that the headline promises, let me first share a few book-related links.

Feb 18 • Brink Lindsey

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Links and some thoughts about early critics

I got back to Thailand at the end of last week after a three-week trip to the U.S., with two of those weeks spent in Washington, D.C.

Feb 5 • Brink Lindsey

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January 2026

Assorted links and comments

Happy New Year, everybody!

Jan 5 • Brink Lindsey

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December 2025

The book is out!

Christmas came early to the Lindsey household this year, as a box of hot-off-the-press copies of The Permanent Problem arrived over the weekend.

Dec 15, 2025 • Brink Lindsey

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Back to the Future

"Free Labor" and Life after Mass Employment

Dec 1, 2025 • Brink Lindsey

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November 2025

Abundance of what? Abundance for what?

The past year has shown that the concept of “abundance” has legs.

Nov 4, 2025 • Brink Lindsey

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October 2025

My book is now available to pre-order

I’m happy to announce that everything is set for my book’s official release on January 5, 2026.

Oct 6, 2025 • Brink Lindsey

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September 2025

The rise and fall of cognitive fitness

My essay a while back about America’s descent into post-literacy got a fair amount of attention, at least by my standards, so I thought I’d follow up by…

Sep 17, 2025 • Brink Lindsey

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