The next few decades and the end of work (v2)

Sardo_Numpsa

Schumpeters theory of creative destruction was based on his analysis of the industrial revolution if I remember correctly. There is no reason to believe this is some kind of natural law.

The past few decades you speak of has seen the share of profit going to Capital (i.e. owners of "droids") increasing at the expense of labour, suggesting to me labour is either being displaced or being forced into less skilled and less well remunerated work, or both (not a socialist btw).

I do take on-board your comment re planning the best they can with the resources that we have. I suspect for me this may be just as much an exercise in mental masturbation as planning for the future = )

Thrugelmir

Sardo_Numpsa wrote: »

With that in mind I can foresee the government will have to intervene in a big way to provide an income for people,

There's the first major flaw in your thinking. If you think of a solution let me know.

Secondly technology isn't the be all and end all. As it too many instances it's focussed on reducing costs. However the net result is a dumber workforce. Who can't think outside the box. Lack any practical experience. Net result is often inefficiency and lower productivity.

Generali

Sardo_Numpsa wrote: »

Schumpeters theory of creative destruction was based on his analysis of the industrial revolution if I remember correctly. There is no reason to believe this is some kind of natural law.

The past few decades you speak of has seen the share of profit going to Capital (i.e. owners of "droids") increasing at the expense of labour, suggesting to me labour is either being displaced or being forced into less skilled and less well remunerated work, or both (not a socialist btw).

I do take on-board your comment re planning the best they can with the resources that we have. I suspect for me this may be just as much an exercise in mental masturbation as planning for the future = )

AIUI, the reason for the decreasing share of GDP going to workers is that Government is spending ever increasing amounts.

I strongly suspect that the future of work as the various zombie robot apocalypses happen is that people will find jobs doing other things. Ultimately, if everyone is broke nobody can buy stuff from the plutocrats. I think people forget the extent to which the economy is all about consumption.

CLAPTON

basically we are saying that a world of plenty is a threat ?

if the goods and services w need are effectively free then the only problem is to find ways of occupying our time

Sardo_Numpsa

CLAPTON wrote: »

basically we are saying that a world of plenty is a threat ?

if the goods and services w need are effectively free then the only problem is to find ways of occupying our time

Well depends, threat to who? I think it will generally a good thing for humanity, but depending when it's effects are felt it may not be good for me personally. Selfish I know.

Sardo_Numpsa

Thrugelmir wrote: »

There's the first major flaw in your thinking. If you think of a solution let me know.

Secondly technology isn't the be all and end all. As it too many instances it's focussed on reducing costs. However the net result is a dumber workforce. Who can't think outside the box. Lack any practical experience. Net result is often inefficiency and lower productivity.

Wiki basic income (sorry I can't post links)

Other "solutions" that come to mind are extreme poverty for all non-owners of capital, or complete nationalisation of the entire economy.

Sardo_Numpsa

Generali wrote: »

AIUI, the reason for the decreasing share of GDP going to workers is that Government is spending ever increasing amounts.

I strongly suspect that the future of work as the various zombie robot apocalypses happen is that people will find jobs doing other things. Ultimately, if everyone is broke nobody can buy stuff from the plutocrats. I think people forget the extent to which the economy is all about consumption.

I actually don't think there will be an apocolypse. I think there is going to be this huge change in society in the way we make a living and I don't trust the government to handle it very well and there could very well be a period of turmoil/unrest. Out of pure self interest I asked how one would prepare for such an event.

Everything will be fine I am sure, I am just not the type of person who sits on my !!! expecting the government to wipe my backside for me. A bit of an anarchist/libertarian streak I guess you could say.

Does that make sense?

Sardo_Numpsa

Sardo_Numpsa wrote: »

I actually don't think there will be an apocolypse. I think there is going to be this huge change in society in the way we make a living and I don't trust the government to handle it very well and there could very well be a period of turmoil/unrest. Out of pure self interest I asked how one would prepare for such an event.

Everything will be fine I am sure, I am just not the type of person who sits on my !!! expecting the government to wipe my backside for me. A bit of an anarchist/libertarian streak I guess you could say.

Does that make sense?

BTW, first time I heard government spending responsible for lower wages.

Generali

Sardo_Numpsa wrote: »

Wiki basic income (sorry I can't post links)

Other "solutions" that come to mind are extreme poverty for all non-owners of capital, or complete nationalisation of the entire economy.

Or people finding other jobs as has happened every other time technology has rendered certain jobs non-existant.

Sardo_Numpsa

Generali wrote: »

Or people finding other jobs as has happened every other time technology has rendered certain jobs non-existant.

I don't think this is the same. This unprecedented, this is not the "the coach drivers" or "the weavers", this is happening across every industry....right now. Can you really not see that?

Do honestly believe tens of thousands of 20 something's with art degrees will be employed as recruitment agents in 10 years when there is LinkedIn?

I will leave it at that, honestly did not expect to be having this conversation.