3 ms·
Productivity gains mainly happen when there is a profit motive to create them. What incentive is there to create self scanning machines if you can't sell them f
by lxmorj 11y ago
Productivity gains mainly happen when there is a profit motive to create them. What incentive is there to create self scanning machines if you can't sell them for a profit? Why would a grocery store buy them if they don't gain from the purchase. It's all the same to the store: employ 10 people or use robots and pay more in taxes so those 10 people get basic income and don't work.
- sangnoir 11y agoWell, the government could increase the tax to levels that force the matter: automate or get no profit. However, I dont think this could be stomached in the US (by both politicians and self-sabotaging voters). Automation is inevitable, but unfortunately for the American working class, all of the benefits of improved efficiancy will be going to a few (shareholders), just because you were conditioned to think 'socialism' is a bad word. I already see the sentiments being expressed here on HN rehashing the 'welfare queen' argument. I tell you what: a whole lot of you will be arguing for basic income when they automate your job, but it will be too late then. Good luck finding another job that's yet to be automated and pays anything in the same ballpark as your old one.