The Son Also Rises: Surnames and the History of Social Mobility

In this short, Gregory Clark challenges our understanding of social mobility. Are we truly living in a world where anyone can climb the ladder of success? Clark's research, spanning centuries and continents, reveals a startling truth: social status persists far longer than we thought. Using innovative surname analysis, he uncovers a universal law of mobility that defies conventional wisdom. Clark's work tackles the problem of misperceived social fluidity, offering a fresh perspective on why some families seem to maintain their status across generations. Clark's findings question long-held beliefs about opportunity and inheritance in our society, and have far-reaching implications for social policy and personal strategies. Gain a nuanced understanding of how family background shapes our lives, and discover why careful mate selection might be the key to influencing future generations' prospects.