We live in a collective moment that, for many, goes beyond uncertainty and holds unease and worry about the future. And while most, if not all, of these “Anxious Age” issues affect other states and even nations, Michael L. Walden, one of the foremost experts in North Carolina economics, makes clear the specific ways they’ll affect North Carolinians, making this a must-read for policymakers, politicians, and everyday folks alike. Walden covers everything from the increasing numbers of workers doing their jobs at home, to climate change, to questions of whether big urban centers like Raleigh and Charlotte will begin to lose population rather than continuing to grow. Walden even considers AI and how its use will affect the North Carolina economy, one that is increasingly focused on technology and research. In covering a broad array of concerns and uncertainties, Walden promises to offer a clear roadmap of where we’ve been and where, in this tumultuous era, we may be headed.
