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  1. #121
    Quote Originally Posted by Mihalik View Post
    Anyways there is this thing called the Luddite Fallacy. It treats the idea of Techonological Unemployment. Technological Unemployment exists altought it cannot cause and will not cause systemic unemployment. As new technologies and machines are developed certain professions, jobs and even companies are phased out and become obselete. But the main thing of technological progress is that it will ALWAYS push prices lower and lower creating aggregate demand. More people will be able to buy more products at lower costs generating more demand of products and services. With other words the more and faster you make things the more demand you generate due to falling prices and the availability of exess liquidity the more jobs you create trough products and services.
    The notion that more high tech jobs get created as old ones get phased out works only as long as human brain is the most powerful computer on the planet.

    Once computers are smarter than people, it breaks down and humans become unemployable. This is expected to occur in a few more decades.

  2. #122
    Quote Originally Posted by obdigore View Post
    So Mihalik you wrote this entire post after ignoring the rest of the thread, and why the Luddite fallacy may not be appropriate at this time? Awesome. A giant wasted post.
    Alright I have read the entire thread now. Every post. (Most of them where pointless, some funny) I never seen a single item that would refute to Luddite Fallacy. I just seen the repetition of different forms of the fallacy.

    The assumption is that all jobs of the future will be in electronics or IT. And eventually that will be automated too. Also some blaber about migrant workers and studies in literature etc.

    Future industries are in constant development and old ones are constantly phased out. The Whale Oil Industry etc.

    New industries replaced it. Fossile fuel industry, Nuclear Industry, Reneweable energies, IT industry, Cybernetics industry, Radio communications, Audio-Visual entertainment, Marketing Etc. The last 4 of the before mentioned industries literally where created in since the 50's.

    The other thing is for every technology we phase out, we create 2 or 3 new ones. Thus the workforce is distributed in different fields. Couple of hundred years ago as professions would go it would be Farmer, Blacksmith, Jewler, Stone Worker, Tanner, Shoemaker, and a handfull of others who would employ the vast majority of the population. As technology progressed subdivisons appeared. Farmers specialized either in crops or cattle, Blacksmith into Iron workers, Blacksmith, Locksmith, Clocksmith etc, or new completly new professions where created, Electricist, Plumber etc.

    The same thing is happening today. We are created new industries with different subspecialities. Old professions phase and people become more specialized in different fields. Processes become faster and more automated but operators will still be requiered.

    The Luddite fallacy continues to apply PERFECTLY!

  3. #123
    Quote Originally Posted by Mihalik View Post
    Alright I have read the entire thread now. Every post. (Most of them where pointless, some funny) I never seen a single item that would refute to Luddite Fallacy. I just seen the repetition of different forms of the fallacy.

    The assumption is that all jobs of the future will be in electronics or IT. And eventually that will be automated too. Also some blaber about migrant workers and studies in literature etc.

    Future industries are in constant development and old ones are constantly phased out. The Whale Oil Industry etc.

    New industries replaced it. Fossile fuel industry, Nuclear Industry, Reneweable energies, IT industry, Cybernetics industry, Radio communications, Audio-Visual entertainment, Marketing Etc. The last 4 of the before mentioned industries literally where created in since the 50's.

    The other thing is for every technology we phase out, we create 2 or 3 new ones. Thus the workforce is distributed in different fields. Couple of hundred years ago as professions would go it would be Farmer, Blacksmith, Jewler, Stone Worker, Tanner, Shoemaker, and a handfull of others who would employ the vast majority of the population. As technology progressed subdivisons appeared. Farmers specialized either in crops or cattle, Blacksmith into Iron workers, Blacksmith, Locksmith, Clocksmith etc, or new completly new professions where created, Electricist, Plumber etc.

    The same thing is happening today. We are created new industries with different subspecialities. Old professions phase and people become more specialized in different fields. Processes become faster and more automated but operators will still be requiered.

    The Luddite fallacy continues to apply PERFECTLY!
    That isn't the assumption. The assumption is that with an increase in robotics that we are starting to experience will remove a much higher percentage of people from manual jobs then happens with one invention (like a cotton gin), meanwhile there will be no openings in the market for for those places to go as all menial jobs will be taken over by robots.

    You need to understand that this phrase "past performance is not a guarantee of future results". A single invention, a single innovation, has put single digit percentages of the population out of work, and they have (slowly, generally) been absorbed back into the workforce in other areas. Robotics has the ability to put upwards of 30% of the US workforce out of jobs in the next 15-20 years. Where in the economy are we going to be able to absorb 30% of the current workforce that is really only qualified for menial labor? Or are you just going to say 'its always been ok, so it will always be ok!'.

    Kind of like global warming deniers. 'The earth has been warm before, its totally ok!'.

  4. #124
    Quote Originally Posted by Grummgug View Post
    The notion that more high tech jobs get created as old ones get phased out works only as long as human brain is the most powerful computer on the planet.

    Once computers are smarter than people, it breaks down and humans become unemployable. This is expected to occur in a few more decades.
    Why do you presume that would occur? Are we talking about Terminator scenarios here, or realistic employment competition for creative jobs betwen humans and machines?

    If we are talking about competition then there are still countless not yet invented industries or infant industries that require human input and a human face mostly because they are service industries. People pay to deal with people, to be serviced by people etc. Also economically speaking what exactly would the point for buisnesses to kill the purchasing power of their customers?

    Current exemples do not apply, as in our consumer society there are still trillions of untapped markets for buisnesses and there is still plenty of purchasing power.
    What you are talking about is completly breaking the supply and demand cycle, the basis of capitalist markets.

  5. #125
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    Quote Originally Posted by orissa View Post
    Someone has to make the ro . . . oh wait, the robots will do that too.

    Well . . . shit.

    its ok though, someone still has to make the robots that make the robots!

  6. #126
    Quote Originally Posted by peggleftw View Post
    its ok though, someone still has to make the robots that make the robots!
    Its a giant robot circle. Robots will mine/recycle for the materials, (probably not design until AI, which is most likely less than 50 years off, but oh well) and then build, deploy, and maintain their robotic brethren in all menial jobs.

  7. #127
    Quote Originally Posted by obdigore View Post
    That isn't the assumption. The assumption is that with an increase in robotics that we are starting to experience will remove a much higher percentage of people from manual jobs then happens with one invention (like a cotton gin), meanwhile there will be no openings in the market for for those places to go as all menial jobs will be taken over by robots.

    You need to understand that this phrase "past performance is not a guarantee of future results". A single invention, a single innovation, has put single digit percentages of the population out of works, and they have (slowly, generally) been absorbed back into the workforce in other areas. Robotics has the ability to put upwards of 30% of the US workforce out of jobs. Where in the economy are we going to be able to absorb 30% menial laborers? Or are you just going to say 'its always been ok, so it will always be ok!'.

    Kind of like global warming deniers. 'The earth has been warm before, its totally ok!'.
    I believe in human caused global warming. But back on topic.

    You are right. There is a potential of X% of the workforce to be phased out at a relativly quick pace. Automation from this point of view is not at all different from putting manufacturing overseas. China already has several hundred million ready built robots that can do all that work for cheap.

    Yet this shift in production to overseas did not cause 25% unemployment. It did cause some, but the labour market eventually reabsorbed it in new areas. The same happens to automation. Simply there is no way you can overnight switch out 1000 workers for 10. It is a gradual process that is still painful, but it won't kill the job market.

    The truth is that the nature of menial labour is changing. 100 years ago hammering in 20 nails per minute was Menial labour, today bolting in 55 nails per minute with a boltgun is menail labour. But on the other hand we have a new industry making the boltguns.

    I said in my original post the process is painful for those who are being cycled out, and they can only stay relevant by learning new skills and becoming more globally mobile. It is harsh, but it is natural selection.

  8. #128
    Quote Originally Posted by Mihalik View Post
    I believe in human caused global warming. But back on topic.

    You are right. There is a potential of X% of the workforce to be phased out at a relativly quick pace. Automation from this point of view is not at all different from putting manufacturing overseas. China already has several hundred million ready built robots that can do all that work for cheap.

    Yet this shift in production to overseas did not cause 25% unemployment. It did cause some, but the labour market eventually reabsorbed it in new areas. The same happens to automation. Simply there is no way you can overnight switch out 1000 workers for 10. It is a gradual process that is still painful, but it won't kill the job market.

    The truth is that the nature of menial labour is changing. 100 years ago hammering in 20 nails per minute was Menial labour, today bolting in 55 nails per minute with a boltgun is menail labour. But on the other hand we have a new industry making the boltguns.

    I said in my original post the process is painful for those who are being cycled out, and they can only stay relevant by learning new skills and becoming more globally mobile. It is harsh, but it is natural selection.

    Actually, many economists are stating that the movement of manufacturing to third world countries is still effecting the US economy. What happens when humans no longer build buildings, or are employed in a fast food shop, or build guns or anything else menial. It is a much larger percentage of the population 'suddenly' out of work. You ignore all those service jobs that didn't go anywhere (and the US is a service based economy now), that will be replaced with robotics?

  9. #129
    Quote Originally Posted by obdigore View Post
    Actually, many economists are stating that the movement of manufacturing to third world countries is still effecting the US economy. What happens when humans no longer build buildings, or are employed in a fast food shop, or build guns or anything else menial. It is a much larger percentage of the population 'suddenly' out of work. You ignore all those service jobs that didn't go anywhere (and the US is a service based economy now), that will be replaced with robotics?
    I agree it is still affecting 1st world economies as a whole. But it is a natural process. Unless you are willing to accept complete technological stagnation and are willing to forgo any increase in your standards of living or quality of life this loss gain process will forever continue. The causes are different. Sometimes the pace is different. But the market will balance itself.

    I did mention global mobility too. The truth is if you want to stay relevant you also need to be willing not to tie yourself geographically. New industries and oportunities are opening up everywhere all the time. Even for someone who worked in something like car manufacturing. South American companies for exemple constantly hire oversears and trainers for their nascent industries from Europe etc.
    Developing nations are just started to build many of their infrastructure and they are desperate for skilled trainer labour, trainers etc and are willing to pay...and pay well.

    What I am saying is that the jobs will still be there. Just in different areas. And if they aren't there YET, they will be eventually.

  10. #130
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    Quote Originally Posted by obdigore View Post
    Actually, many economists are stating that the movement of manufacturing to third world countries is still effecting the US economy. What happens when humans no longer build buildings, or are employed in a fast food shop, or build guns or anything else menial. It is a much larger percentage of the population 'suddenly' out of work. You ignore all those service jobs that didn't go anywhere (and the US is a service based economy now), that will be replaced with robotics?
    If such thing would ever happen, then we need to put all our economy and society on a brand new foundation I think. I mean people getting some "default salary" (I don't know the english term for this) even without work. These ideas already exist, advertised by far left and are nonsense within the current economy of course.

  11. #131
    Quote Originally Posted by smrund View Post
    We need a war, and then less reproduction.
    Considering the Age of Antibiotics is almost over... I think we'll have a pandemic rather than a war.

  12. #132
    Deleted
    Quote Originally Posted by Mihalik View Post
    I said in my original post the process is painful for those who are being cycled out, and they can only stay relevant by learning new skills and becoming more globally mobile. It is harsh, but it is natural selection.
    What you seem to keep refusing to see is that when machines phase out a certain human employment sector, those jobs are moved only to jobs where humans are still the best option.

    For a employer to decide on who to employ there are 2 main topics to examine: the skill of the worker regarding to the needs for the position, and the cost of the worker.
    Because of the state of the development of automation and AI, there are still many skills that a human can possess that machines can't. But as machines become better, every single task a human can do, machines will eventually do it too. There is nothing essentially special or irreplicable about the computing machine we call "human brain". Eventually, as any piece of hardward, the human brain will be phased out as an inferior piece of hardware, and all the tasts that we used to be the only ones who could do, will not be our exclusive anymore. It doesn't matter if it is machine maintenance, programming or creative writing.
    When those new machines with better cognitivie skills than our own become cheaper than ourselves as a workforce, we will be phased out.

    You asked earlier why would a company phase out of the purchasing power their potential customers. The answer is: because the first companies to be able to do it will gain a tremendous competitive advantage over the rest, and their owners will become immensely rich.

    If we accept that the human brain has no supernatural components, and it's only the product of biological evolution (a non-intelligent process), we must admit that it can be replicated by ourselves, eventually (intelligent beings). So far so good?
    If we accept that, it's only a logical consequence of the faster evolution of computers that eventually the machines will be able to do any job humans do, better and cheaper. Given that, we must admit that under free market considerations, humans will eventually be phased of the job market. Do you admit this?

    At that point, the only people who will be able to earn a living will be those who own those machines, who will keep producing for each other, making the free market an affair of a handful of people...

  13. #133
    Quote Originally Posted by kNite View Post
    LOL people who believe they were born to dig ditches are lazy. You may not become a rocket scientist or physicist but everyone can get the basic knowledge and skill to do a skilled labor job. Every one has the capacity for learning (unless you have a real learning disability which is completely different scenerio). Yes some people will have to work harder than other for the same amount of knowledge absorption but saying some people are so dumb they can only learn how to handle a shovel is retarded.
    Who the hell are you to dictate what a person wants to do with their lives?

    If somebody enjoys something and finds it more fulfilling than programming, than good on them and they will become the BEST at what they enjoy most. That's not being lazy - that's being an individual.

    What you're condoning isn't stopping lazyness, it's being a totalitarian dictator telling others what they can or cannot be.

  14. #134
    I am Murloc! Roose's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rukentuts View Post
    They can work fast food.
    http://foodbeast.com/content/2012/11.../#.UWV7yaLR2So

    Thanks whoever necroed this thread I have been wanting to talk more about it.
    I like sandwiches

  15. #135
    It is a problem, i guess they have to be careful with how much they employ technology.. for example, supermarkets could be completely unmanned, but ofc the only thing stopping that is it would probably spike unemployment.

    its funny when you think that technology is created around the concept of making a task easier or more efficient but the cost is only worth it upto a certain point.

    also, not everyone can or wants to be an engineer/programmer/rust remover.

    a good example of this in effect is farming, before the industrial revolution it took quite a lot of hands to till a large field, now, 1 machine can do it all.

  16. #136
    For the people who don't seem to understand the problem with this and can claim they all get jobs elsewhere, let me put it this way.

    Lets say we lose 30% of our workforce within the next 20 years to automation. That will be a HUGE increase when we already have a huge unemployment problem (different from the unemployment rate which isn't entirely accurate as it is not all inclusive).

    You say they can get work elsewhere... Where? No one else it hiring as they dumped most of their employees as well for the cheaper machines to keep a higher percentage of the profits.

    You say new areas will open up they could work at.... How? They will be manned by machines as well as they can do all the same stuff we can but cheaper and they can out think us when it comes to simple data processing and next to no actual jobs are creative in nature.

    So you have people who are out of work with literally zero job openings anywhere for them to fill to make a living....

    So, now you ask why companies would do this and put all the consumers they rely on out of work? Easy, the first ones to do this the fastest effectively win all and make massive amounts of income. The ones who don't are effectively bankrupt and shut down in very short order.

    So what happens in the end? MASSIVE unemployment, potentially hitting over 95% after a few years to decades past that point, and a handful of people who own the machines who effectively own everything and everyone till civil war breaks out and they are killed or the government reshifts and no one can actually own them personally anymore.

  17. #137
    I am Murloc! Roose's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Fugus View Post
    So, now you ask why companies would do this and put all the consumers they rely on out of work? Easy, the first ones to do this the fastest effectively win all and make massive amounts of income. The ones who don't are effectively bankrupt and shut down in very short order.
    This I do think will happen. Those quickest to automate will see the best returns. This will allow them more opportunities. They will likely have some steep setup costs, but after those are recouped it is almost all gravy. Those companies would be in positions to corner markets. We will see more monopolies and likely even larger MNCs.
    I like sandwiches

  18. #138
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    I suppose it's a good thing I am in the IT field then eh? Looks like someone planned ahead.

  19. #139
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mithfin View Post
    Considering the Age of Antibiotics is almost over... I think we'll have a pandemic rather than a war.
    Antibiotics aren't going anywhere.

    People are just fucking retarded and ended up creating MRSA and superflu.

    While we are going to have these immune bugs going around we still still need antibiotics.

  20. #140
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    Quote Originally Posted by mvallas View Post
    Who the hell are you to dictate what a person wants to do with their lives?

    If somebody enjoys something and finds it more fulfilling than programming, than good on them and they will become the BEST at what they enjoy most. That's not being lazy - that's being an individual.

    What you're condoning isn't stopping lazyness, it's being a totalitarian dictator telling others what they can or cannot be.
    There's nothing totalitarian about it. If you can find someone to pay to dig ditches then knock youself out. Just don't expect it to pay well when there millions of others out there with the same skill set.

    ---------- Post added 2013-04-11 at 01:24 AM ----------

    Quote Originally Posted by Roose View Post
    http://foodbeast.com/content/2012/11.../#.UWV7yaLR2So

    Thanks whoever necroed this thread I have been wanting to talk more about it.
    So I get healthier better tasting burgers for less than I pay now? If you're trying to convince me this is a bad thing you're not doing it right.

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