The article by David H. Autor examines the rising earnings inequality among the "other 99 percent" of U.S. households, focusing on the growing wage premium for education and cognitive skills. It argues that while public attention often focuses on the top 1 percent, the most significant impact on the majority is the increasing returns to education and skills. The paper highlights how both the supply and demand for skills have contributed to this trend, with skill premiums rising due to factors such as technological change, globalization, and shifts in labor market demands. Autor notes that the earnings gap between college and high school graduates has more than doubled over the past three decades, and this trend is driven by the increasing value of education and cognitive ability in the labor market. The article also discusses the economic and social implications of rising inequality, emphasizing the need for public policy to address the challenges posed by skill gaps and to promote economic mobility. It argues that while market forces play a significant role in shaping inequality, policy interventions can help mitigate its negative effects. These include investments in education, training, and social safety nets to ensure that all individuals have opportunities to succeed. The paper concludes that while the rise in skill premiums has contributed to inequality, there is potential for policy to foster a more equitable distribution of economic benefits.The article by David H. Autor examines the rising earnings inequality among the "other 99 percent" of U.S. households, focusing on the growing wage premium for education and cognitive skills. It argues that while public attention often focuses on the top 1 percent, the most significant impact on the majority is the increasing returns to education and skills. The paper highlights how both the supply and demand for skills have contributed to this trend, with skill premiums rising due to factors such as technological change, globalization, and shifts in labor market demands. Autor notes that the earnings gap between college and high school graduates has more than doubled over the past three decades, and this trend is driven by the increasing value of education and cognitive ability in the labor market. The article also discusses the economic and social implications of rising inequality, emphasizing the need for public policy to address the challenges posed by skill gaps and to promote economic mobility. It argues that while market forces play a significant role in shaping inequality, policy interventions can help mitigate its negative effects. These include investments in education, training, and social safety nets to ensure that all individuals have opportunities to succeed. The paper concludes that while the rise in skill premiums has contributed to inequality, there is potential for policy to foster a more equitable distribution of economic benefits.