Will robots steal our jobs?

[Lukraak_Sisser]

On of the arguments I've heard against this is that for each job taken a new job, programming or maintaining the automated things, will open up.

The problem with this is that is slowly will eleminate from the job market those that simply cannot handle such jobs.
Things like farm hand, truck/bus driver, factory worker etc. But most people in those jobs will not fare well in a new job market, nor will those that would have had such jobs in the past.

I personally have no problem with a system in which we just distribute part of our newfound wealth so that even those that cannot work these jobs will get enough money to get by and their children educated at the cost of the state. But if we won't do this, I suspect we will create a pretty resentful underclass living in poverty with no real hope of getting out.

 

[Bikewer]

As Lukraak is saying, new "tech" jobs will open up regarding the design and maintenance of robotic systems, but much of the existing workforce, especially the "blue-collar" sector, will not be likely to enter this field.
Both 60 Minutes, and CBS Sunday Morning have devoted shows to this within recent weeks.

They mentioned that we are working on systems that allow computers to do coding and essentially allow computers to design computers.

I would assume my job is reasonably safe... "Robocop" is far in the future. But I can see robotic fixed-point security systems becoming prevalent. Robots don't fall asleep on the job or play computer games with the boss's computer. (At least, they haven't been caught yet...)

 

[psionl0]

I would assume my job is reasonably safe... "Robocop" is far in the future.

It is in the present already. Speed and traffic light cameras seem to have taken over a lot of traffic enforcement. All you need is a robot breath/drug detector and you can do away with traffic police.

 

[Crossbow]

It is in the present already. Speed and traffic light cameras seem to have taken over a lot of traffic enforcement. All you need is a robot breath/drug detector and you can do away with traffic police.

"ED 209" will be 'protecting and serving' sooner or later.

 

[Hellbound]

Personally, instead of offering some minimal standard of living (or, in addition too, if it's possible) I'd rather see education paid for by the government beyond just high school. Not sure the best way to work it, but if jobs seem to be consistently moving to those requiring more skill and training then our best investment is to make sure our people have higher levels of skill and training.

There are practical issues, of course. You wouldn't want to send someone to a field they have little hope of qualifying for, nor would you want to pay for everyone to take law courses when the shortages are in other fields. Conversely, you don't want to force people into critical fields, and have a lot of people giving free training in jobs they don't want or care about.

Maybe provide a choice from critical fields (say, the 25% or 50% of fields that have the highest shortages), combined with aptitude testing to make sure it's a field one is capable of doing. And I'm not talking about necessarily full college degrees, but tech schools as well. Or maybe provide a "voucher" system, like some places have for lower education, that can offset some college/tech school prices. The details would have to be worked out and considered carefully, but seems like that's a more positive direction to move in, for me at least.

Of course, I'm a bit of a fetishist about education. I think a lot of problems can be traced back to a lack of good education, so making that better has an enormous amount of add-on effects.

 

[Mikemcc]

Or sitting at home on the couch, on salary, waiting for the robot to break.

I'm in service and support for just this, don't knock it

 

[fuelair]

Well you will have patience when you are unemployed do to the robots to watch this.

Embiggened and emboldened
and italisized by me to emphasize
due!!!!!

 

[fuelair]

On the bright side I did not suggest doo!!!!!!!

 

[p0lka]

capitalism doesn't work without consumers. So fear not when the robots have your jobs, they'll have to bring in some sort of universal basic income just so you can consume and consume so that companies can accumulate wealth.

 

[lomiller]

Machines have been taking our jobs for thousands of years and we haven’t run out of jobs yet.

 

[theprestige]

capitalism doesn't work without consumers. So fear not when the robots have your jobs, they'll have to bring in some sort of universal basic income just so you can consume and consume so that companies can accumulate wealth.

I'm not seeing the problem.

And it's not just capitalism that doesn't work without consumers. Socialism, totalitarianism, and libertarianism don't work without consumers either. Even anarchism doesn't work without consumers.

Which is to say, human desire is boundless. Under whatever socio-economic system, humans will work to satisfy their own desires and enter into commerce with each other to satisfy their desires. Wherever consumerism is abolished, black markets emerge to service human desire. As long as there are humans, there will be mechanisms for profitable trade on human desire.

Robots may take our jobs, but they won't take our essential humanity. Someday, we will see what humanity *really* wants, when we no longer have to work for a living. My guess is... war.

 

[Cainkane1]

The day of the blue collar working man is coming to an end.

 

[Cainkane1]

Within the next one or two generations, there will not be a single task that a robot can't do.

 

[bobdroege7]

I'm in service and support for just this, don't knock it

Who is knocking it?

I do service automated equipment, it might not be a stretch to call them robots.

 

[wobs]

Some jobs such as truck driving, could become more family friendly, as the driver could do the driving remotely, for the areas that a robot can't handle (eg. at the depot).

Saying that, on BBC recently was a documentary on Silicon Valley. There were people there that feared the backlash for what is to come. They said that just because technology has been a benefit for nearly all in the past, does not mean it will mean that this time. Its a different technology replacing different jobs.

 

[sphenisc]

capitalism doesn't work without consumers. So fear not when the robots have your jobs, they'll have to bring in some sort of universal basic income just so you can consume and consume so that companies can accumulate wealth.

Like they won't built robot consumers.

 

[Minoosh]

Machines have been taking our jobs for thousands of years and we haven’t run out of jobs yet.

Which is why everyone on the planet is gainfully employed ...

To me the question is how humans will respond. Performing useful work is a satisfying thing and we may need new ideas about what's useful. Even if people don't need to be employed, they need to be occupied, IMO. Providing companionship for a lonely person, for example.

Though by that reasoning dogs are also stealing "our" jobs.

ETA: I don't want a robot dog, but if it were furry and trained to act like it adores me, why would it matter?

 

[Minoosh]

Who is knocking it?

I do service automated equipment, it might not be a stretch to call them robots.

They are absolutely robots.

 

[Crossbow]

The day of the blue collar working man is coming to an end.

I will believe that when we finally get a 'paperless' office.

 

[GlennB]

ETA: I don't want a robot dog, but if it were furry and trained to act like it adores me, why would it matter?

If it were programmed to poop on the carpet sometimes, then look pitiful and in need of forgiveness ...

nah