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Unions were the only way unskilled workers could get leverage in negotiations with capital holders. Those systems have slowly been dismantled. That's one place

by nefitty 11y ago

Unions were the only way unskilled workers could get leverage in negotiations with capital holders. Those systems have slowly been dismantled. That's one place governments can begin countering the rise of inequality. Another is guaranteed basic income, which will be vital once these tech companies begin wiping out inefficiencies throughout all industries.

mc32 11y ago
The World Bank is mainly addressing/concerned with tech effects in poor/emerging/stagnant economies; you have developed countries in mind. [unions are not strong and are often in bed with gov't. they don't have the tax base for basic income] Evenso, unions can't fight automation. Are they going to enroll "robots" or, in most scenarios, software?
malandrew 11y ago
I don't think we need governments to address this problem except for guaranteed basic income or a negative income tax. Technology can be used to address many of the problems created by technology. What I don't understand is why technology hasn't been used to help unskilled workers negotiate? Tech is a lever and it looks like only one side is using it effectively. The only explanation I can think of is that anyone who spends the time to learn how to use that lever effectively, simply moves to supporting the other side of the issue because they feel entitled to the rewards that come from their effort learning their newfound power. One of the most maddening things we have yet to use technology to solve is eliminating all the middle men in the banking industry. Banks borrow at ridiculously low rates, but tack on a significant amount of interest when lending to final consumers. I don't see why we couldn't reasonably automate lending directly from the government at a few percentage points above the risk-free rate. Obviously, such lending would have to begin with the lowest risk loans with land as collateral.
- mc32 11y ago
  >Banks borrow at ridiculously low rates, but tack on a significant amount of interest when lending to final consumers A large chunk of that is governed by risk. That's to say you need to make up for defaults.

by nefitty 11y ago

mc32 11y ago

The World Bank is mainly addressing/concerned with tech effects in poor/emerging/stagnant economies; you have developed countries in mind. [unions are not strong and are often in bed with gov't. they don't have the tax base for basic income] Evenso, unions can't fight automation. Are they going to enroll "robots" or, in most scenarios, software?

malandrew 11y ago

I don't think we need governments to address this problem except for guaranteed basic income or a negative income tax. Technology can be used to address many of the problems created by technology. What I don't understand is why technology hasn't been used to help unskilled workers negotiate? Tech is a lever and it looks like only one side is using it effectively. The only explanation I can think of is that anyone who spends the time to learn how to use that lever effectively, simply moves to supporting the other side of the issue because they feel entitled to the rewards that come from their effort learning their newfound power. One of the most maddening things we have yet to use technology to solve is eliminating all the middle men in the banking industry. Banks borrow at ridiculously low rates, but tack on a significant amount of interest when lending to final consumers. I don't see why we couldn't reasonably automate lending directly from the government at a few percentage points above the risk-free rate. Obviously, such lending would have to begin with the lowest risk loans with land as collateral.

mc32 11y ago
>Banks borrow at ridiculously low rates, but tack on a significant amount of interest when lending to final consumers A large chunk of that is governed by risk. That's to say you need to make up for defaults.