Episode 2496: Lily Scherlis on the soft skills crisis in America today

The Harper’s cover story this month is about the ever-softening soft skills of American workers. Written by Lily Scherlis, it suggests that today’s emphasis on "soft skills" reflects America’s broader anxieties about automation, workplace conditions, and ever deepening socioeconomic inequality. After attending a Dale Carnegie training course, Scherlis observed how these programs frame human connection as something that can be quantified and engineered. She suggests that the focus on developing individual soft skills serves as a way to blame workers for systemic problems while avoiding addressing deeper political and economic issues. Scherlis views this trend as part of what she calls the "fantasy of the center" that values cultural politeness over meaningful political change. five key takeaways * Scherlis argues that the "soft skills crisis" is not actually about declining sociability but rather reflects deeper anxieties about labor conditions, automation, and political issues. * The Dale Carnegie training she attended focused on teaching formulaic approaches to influence others, emphasizing presentation skills and self-promotion rather than genuine connection. * The concept of "soft skills" emerged from the US military in the early 1970s as an attempt to quantify and control human connection and relationships. * There's a generational component where complaints about Gen Z's workplace behavior mask intergenerational resentment and fears about social change. * The emphasis on individual "adaptability" as a soft skill shifts responsibility from systemic problems to workers, blaming them for not being flexible enough to handle deteriorating conditions. Keen On America is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe