Were You Born on the Wrong Continent? by Thomas Geoghegan Summary
Overview of Were You Born on the Wrong Continent?
Could America's work-life balance be fundamentally wrong? Labor lawyer Thomas Geoghegan challenges American capitalism by revealing how Germany's economic model delivers higher living standards despite shorter work hours - sparking fierce debates among economists about what true prosperity means.
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Key takeaways
The American Mirage: What We're Missing Across the Atlantic
Picture this: You're walking down a pristine street in Zurich, where public transportation runs like clockwork, bookstores selling German philosophy thrive, and even the most modest neighborhoods exhibit a level of maintenance that would be considered upscale in most American cities. This isn't a fantasy-it's the everyday reality of European social democracy that Thomas Geoghegan encountered during his travels. While Americans often pride themselves on having the world's most prosperous economy, a closer look reveals a startling truth: the bottom two-thirds of Americans might actually be better off in Europe. With elderly poverty at 24.7% in America versus just 7.7% in Sweden, nearly universal healthcare coverage compared to millions of uninsured Americans, and education through university level either free or heavily subsidized, the European model offers tangible benefits that many Americans can only dream of. The question isn't just academic-it's deeply personal: Were you born on the wrong continent?
The Hidden Value of European Time
Life Security: From Cradle to Grave
The GDP Illusion: Quality Over Quantity
The Dignity of Work: Beyond Employment Statistics
The German Alternative: Manufacturing Democracy
Reimagining American Possibility
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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