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Job creation does not need to be enclosed in quotes as though it is a magical concept -- it does happen, and we know how to make it happen. The problem in this

Job creation does not need to be enclosed in quotes as though it is a magical concept -- it does happen, and we know how to make it happen. The problem in this case was the assumption that throwing money at a problem, without knowing how to accurately deploy it, would magically produce long-lasting jobs. Just because another government handout/kickback scheme has failed doesn't mean basic income is the right solution.

rhizome 10y ago
If we know how to make it happen, how could it transpire that they (apparently) didn't use that knowledge?
- forgingahead 10y ago
  You are assuming that their actual intention was to improve the job situation, as opposed to just looking like they were doing so.
  - rhizome 10y ago
    I'm as cynical as anybody, but by the same token you're making an assumption that the goal was to throw money at it. I chose to take a good-faith interpretation, though I realize the program's results may be lacking regardless. I think overall my point is to ask whether it makes a difference what their intent was. Do the results indicate that we actually do know how to create jobs? I mean, there's the WPA and that kind of thing, but beyond that, has any politician really ever created jobs in the way that you say we already know how to do? Not trying to be antagonistic, just curious about the details.
toomuchtodo 10y ago
> it does happen, and we know how to make it happen. I mean this entirely seriously with no sarcasm: enlighten me. How do you create jobs when your economy is approaching steady state, your population is on a decline glidescope, and technology is providing deflation better and faster than a central bank can create inflation?
- forgingahead 10y ago
  A job is created when there is an opportunity to make (more) money, and that opportunity requires human labour beyond what can be provided by the person who realizes that opportunity. It fundamentally comes down to that dynamic. So to create jobs, you need to: a) Increase potential for opportunities, or opportunities themselves. b) Reduce costs for realizing those opportunities. Notice the greed component (which is a feature, not a bug, of capitalism) -- there must be an incentive to make MORE money in order for this to kick off.
  - toomuchtodo 10y ago
    What if there is no opportunity for labor to make more money? Only to do existing work with less people?

rhizome 10y ago

If we know how to make it happen, how could it transpire that they (apparently) didn't use that knowledge?

forgingahead 10y ago
You are assuming that their actual intention was to improve the job situation, as opposed to just looking like they were doing so.
- rhizome 10y ago
  I'm as cynical as anybody, but by the same token you're making an assumption that the goal was to throw money at it. I chose to take a good-faith interpretation, though I realize the program's results may be lacking regardless. I think overall my point is to ask whether it makes a difference what their intent was. Do the results indicate that we actually do know how to create jobs? I mean, there's the WPA and that kind of thing, but beyond that, has any politician really ever created jobs in the way that you say we already know how to do? Not trying to be antagonistic, just curious about the details.

toomuchtodo 10y ago

> it does happen, and we know how to make it happen. I mean this entirely seriously with no sarcasm: enlighten me. How do you create jobs when your economy is approaching steady state, your population is on a decline glidescope, and technology is providing deflation better and faster than a central bank can create inflation?

forgingahead 10y ago
A job is created when there is an opportunity to make (more) money, and that opportunity requires human labour beyond what can be provided by the person who realizes that opportunity. It fundamentally comes down to that dynamic. So to create jobs, you need to: a) Increase potential for opportunities, or opportunities themselves. b) Reduce costs for realizing those opportunities. Notice the greed component (which is a feature, not a bug, of capitalism) -- there must be an incentive to make MORE money in order for this to kick off.
- toomuchtodo 10y ago
  What if there is no opportunity for labor to make more money? Only to do existing work with less people?