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I find the first set of pictures the most interesting, because they all display various forms of what we would think of as automation -- machines to do house cl
by ender7 11y ago
I find the first set of pictures the most interesting, because they all display various forms of what we would think of as automation -- machines to do house cleaning, farming, barbering, grooming -- but none of them actually automate anything. The floors do not clean themselves, nor do the tractors navigate their own course. All of the machines are still controlled by levers and pedals. The barber is still required to cut hair, although his efforts seem magnified. The housewife still must carefully control the cleaning machine, perhaps saving some elbow grease but not very much in the way of leisure time.
A century ago, we thought that machines were going to be multipliers of the effectiveness of human effort. Now, it seems clear that they will inevitably replace it.
- icanhackit 11y agoA century ago, we thought that machines were going to be multipliers of the effectiveness of human effort. Now, it seems clear that they will inevitably replace it. Interesting point, though despite the development of automation/AI I think the main setback is the same today as it was back then - complex tasks require complex mechanical systems. Moving parts are required and lots of them, making them an expensive, fragile system prone to failure. If you could have a system that rarely broke down that could say, perform a manicure all by itself, you'd then have to overcome cost vs ROI. We need to break the point where complex mechanical systems with intelligence are worthwhile for the service that they provide vs cost and maintenance. It's more an economic problem than it is technological. The best form of AI that we have at the moment lives in your pocket, has essentially zero moving parts and also acts as a communications device, source of information, clock/calendar/alarm/diary and source of entertainment. People have no problem dropping USD 700 on something that can add that much value with a low failure rate. The smartphone's success was rooted in economics as much as it was technological.
- Siez_ 11y agoWords of my mouth. The change in imagination of technological future is jaw dropping. We are still picturing the world after 2100 and I think that will also be completely different from what will actually happen then. Like, we think the humans will achieve speeds of light and colonise on some other planet. But, who knows what is actually going to happen? after all our prediction are based on today.
- eloisant 11y agoActually floor do clean themselves with a Roomba, and while they aren't ubiquitous yet driverless tractors do exist. Also washing machines are pretty much automatic. The human intervention is now limited to "put clothes inside and push a button" which does bring a lot of free time in exchange, compared to the time where housewives had to do all the laundry manually.
- ejolto 11y agoI think you misunderstood ender7's comment. The robots in the drawings of the article don't work automatically, while the robots of today cerntainly do.