Our Unemployed Future
I actually agree- at least in part- with left wing economist Paul Krugman for a change. One of his commentaries is featured in the Santa Rosa Press- Democrat this morning. He writes about what happens when good jobs disappear and how nowadays it's just as likely that higher educated workers will lose their jobs as the less educated.
He brings up the subject of technology vs. jobs:
"The McKinsey Global Institute recently released a report on a dozen major new technologies that it considers likely to be “disruptive.” Even a quick scan of the report's list suggests that some of the victims of disruption will be workers who are currently considered highly skilled, and who invested a lot of time and money in acquiring those skills. For example, the report suggests that we're going to be seeing a lot of “automation of knowledge work,” with software doing things that used to require college graduates. Advanced robotics could further diminish employment in manufacturing, but it could also replace some medical professionals."
I think robotics and technology is going to have a devastating effect on employment and even sooner than many expect. Maybe not so much in my lifetime, but surely in 20 or 30 years I foresee major problems as robots start manufacturing robots and technology takes over more and more human job functions.
I'm sure there might be some menial jobs that might be safe but even ones that come to mind will likely be hit hard by science and technology. Lawn guys, for instance; We already have automated lawn mowing machines that mow lawns non- stop using solar power. Eventually, one guy could have a few smart mowers that could have him doing the work of five conventional lawn guys.
And eventually someone will develop a computer that controls the smart mowers to mow lawns without any human input.
Never mind hybridizing and gene splicing that will develop lawns that need minimal, if any, mowing. There will be few jobs that are safe as we'll see artificial intelligence doing the bulk of the work in even developing technology.
Eventually, most will be out of work with no alternatives. Krugman's socialist dream won't likely be the utopia he sees it, but it may be the only alternative in a world where few real jobs for people exist. How else would we survive?
posted by Fred Mangels @ 9:17 AM
7 comments
7 Comments:
This is why one must always choose the human over the machine when running errands and transacting business. Instead of using an ATM, use the human teller. Instead of using the self service check out at some grocery chains, use the human clerk. When one chooses to use the machine over the human, that choice directly affects the decision of management to cut jobs. When one interacts with humans one sends a message that they and needed and necessary in running the business.
That's silly. Just who wants to be a teller anyway counting out money all day long doing repetitive work that a machine could do as well. There are gazillions of repetitive jobs that humans are doing to keep our current consumptive madness overcomsumer society going. We should welcome the robotics and develop new ways to use our time and energy: such as people to people skill work that cannot be done by machines. Social service jobs will replace manufacturing jobs and that won't be a bad thing if we remember that work is not an end in itself but only a means to freedom from drudgery.
That is all well and good, and I agree with you about drudgery jobs.
But at least these drudgery jobs provide an income for people that may not have other skills or are in the process of gaining other skills. I still stand by the notion that it is better to interact with a human than a machine, not only for preserving these jobs, but to foster more human interactions in business and commerce. The "do it yourself" mentality fosters a "Bowling Alone" society.
What really scares me Is robots in the military, what happens when we have a military that can't or won't refuse unconstitutional or unhumane orders. China is already starting to replace its workforce with robots within another five years Foxconn is supposed to be 85 percent automated, I guess they'll need less suicide nets around their buildings and I'm sure Al Gore will make a lot more money. something tells me that our future will consist of something much like Wall E meets idiocracy
"Henchman Of Justice" says,
Another reason why "over-population" kills, funny how God could not "seer what few men know".
As population increases along with technological advancements, robots will cost less to operate AND
Government can't use OSHA protocols, can't tax on income robots, etc....
So, the objective for an AMerican government that knows robots will take-over more human responsibilities and opportunites, what happens to the "human".
Answer: Your world gets turned upside down and your greed comes back to haunt you.
Prophets are to be revered,
HOJ
"Henchman Of Justice" says,
Anonymous, this is why you don't use humans for this or that because of building some need for another human to do for you.
We need less humans that are more responsible and can fend for themselves. Humans at the teller counter are not that smart, and can be very bothersome because most only care about the fine clothes, perfumes and the appearance their elite job projects.
So says the lady in the shoehouse,
HOJ
"Henchman Of Justice" says,
Disagree with the below comment by Anonymous because why should anyone have to include someone lesser than they to do anything less than they can do. That is one major problem in America - having to subsidize people who want to "piggy-off-the-backs-of-others" but call it "their own achievement or effort or idea, etc...".
Fact is, less and less people can be trusted to do the right thing, so, if ya want something done right, do-it-yourself.
Of course, doing it yourself saves you much and the government gets little to nothing from it, and that is the whole gist in America.
The "do it yourself" mentality fosters a "Bowling Alone" society.
HOJ
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