My point is that though automation "costs" jobs, it simultaneously reduces the cost of production (e.g. the production of financial transactions, here). Ultima

My point is that though automation "costs" jobs, it simultaneously reduces the cost of production (e.g. the production of financial transactions, here). Ultimately the benefit from more efficient production is a rising tide that lifts all ships. It would be hard to argue that reversing the industrial revolution and returning to cottage industries would be a net benefit, even though our current production levels would require 10-1000x as many jobs.