Sep 29 2012: Even if automation eventually lead us to nirvana, we might all burn on the way there in the riots that may ensue.
Rapid automation is certain to create vast pools of unemployed whose skills are no longer required. No alternative jobs that produce tangible goods will be awaiting. Some form of goods and services redistribution will need to be devised before people go cold and hungry.
Let say miraculously, the new economical equilibrium is achieved. All physical or routine mental jobs are automated so 99% population don't need to work. All goods and services are delivered by robots to each individual.
What will happen to the people? You can start by watching "Wall-E" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WALL-E
Think of typical side effects when people are not busy or challenged:
1) they procreate -- can automation solve issues resulting from geometric population growth?
2) they seek thrills -- resulting in risky behavior, drug use
3) they want more -- more stuff, more control over others, new social orders, revolutions, radicalism ...
So to avert these, everyone would have to be occupied with mental and physical activities to keep them busy or else suffer the consequences.
Good Luck.
[ Pragmatic Understanding of Trade Imbalance http://ideabits.blogspot.com/ ]
Sep 29 2012: Once the people are suddenly freed from routine work so they can do "something else", would they be able to exchange this “something else” for food and shelter?
In the last few millenniums people have adapted to specializing in specific skills and then use them to create products and services which are then exchanged with others to obtain all that is necessary for survival and enjoyment of life. How should the people survive in a highly specialized society when their skills become obsolete? Should they parish and if not, from where will the support come from?
Elimination of a skill results in a trade imbalance. Unemployed workers can no longer trade their skill for anything that may need from others.
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A comment on Conversation: Will Automation Lead to Economic Collapse?
Rapid automation is certain to create vast pools of unemployed whose skills are no longer required. No alternative jobs that produce tangible goods will be awaiting. Some form of goods and services redistribution will need to be devised before people go cold and hungry.
Let say miraculously, the new economical equilibrium is achieved. All physical or routine mental jobs are automated so 99% population don't need to work. All goods and services are delivered by robots to each individual.
What will happen to the people? You can start by watching "Wall-E" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WALL-E
Think of typical side effects when people are not busy or challenged:
1) they procreate -- can automation solve issues resulting from geometric population growth?
2) they seek thrills -- resulting in risky behavior, drug use
3) they want more -- more stuff, more control over others, new social orders, revolutions, radicalism ...
So to avert these, everyone would have to be occupied with mental and physical activities to keep them busy or else suffer the consequences.
Good Luck.
[ Pragmatic Understanding of Trade Imbalance http://ideabits.blogspot.com/ ]
A comment on Talk: Andrew McAfee: Are droids taking our jobs?
In the last few millenniums people have adapted to specializing in specific skills and then use them to create products and services which are then exchanged with others to obtain all that is necessary for survival and enjoyment of life. How should the people survive in a highly specialized society when their skills become obsolete? Should they parish and if not, from where will the support come from?
Elimination of a skill results in a trade imbalance. Unemployed workers can no longer trade their skill for anything that may need from others.
Similar: http://ideabits.blogspot.com/