On this week’s episode of Silent Generation, Nathan is joined by Alex, an industrial engineer, to explore the enduring resonance of American manufacturing in the nation’s political and cultural landscape. The two begin with a discussion about whether they buy American-made and how different generation cohorts “vote with their dollar” through ethical consumption. They then survey the history of American manufacturing, beginning with the birth of the American textile industry in the 1700s to NAFTA in the 1990s. Finally, they examine the intertwined histories of American Apparel and Los Angeles Apparel before debating whether Americans truly want manufacturing jobs to come back.

Links:

Car Free Keith

Making It in America: The Almost Impossible Quest to Manufacture in the U.S.A. by Rachel Slade

The End of the World is Just the Beginning by Peter Zeihan

Interchangeable Parts

This Next Billion-Dollar Startup Wants To Save American Manufacturing

Waymo Says Its Robotaxis Get Help From Workers Overseas by Aiden Vaziri

“Made in America” Never Meant More Ethical by Derek Guy

The new American Apparel: claims of 'ethically made' abroad clash with reality by Noor Ibrahim

Trainwreck: The Cult of American Apparel (2025)

It's Not Just Shein: Why Are ALL Your Clothes Worse Now?

American Factory (2019)

The World Bank's 2024 Ranking of Countries by Industrial Output

Americans Think Increased Manufacturing Employment Would Be Good for the Country but Not for Themselves by Colin Gabrow

Artwork:

Aerial view of the Gary Works (1973)

Paul Sequeira, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Recorded on 4/8/2026