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In 1850, 60%+ of the American labour force were farmers and over the next 100 years their jobs were automated out of existence by range of more efficient 'robot
by danielbln 10y ago
In 1850, 60%+ of the American labour force were farmers and over the next 100 years their jobs were automated out of existence by range of more efficient 'robots'. This was no-doubt harmful for many specific farm labourers, but didn't 'screw over the economy'.
I hear that argument all the time, but I wonder if it takes into account the ever increasing pace of technological advancement.
- grp 10y agoAnd with the Civil War and the two World Wars, it greatly reduces the need for jobs.
- oli5679 10y agoI think the labour-market effects of technological advancement are slower now than they have been at any time in the last 100 years. The internet and mobile phones have large impacts on media-consumption and social dynamics but they aren't dramatically reshuffling the labour force in the same way innovations like the combine-harvester, container-ship, car and washing-machine did every decade between 1900 and 1970. http://www.tradingeconomics.com/united-states/gdp-growth http://www.tradingeconomics.com/united-states/gdp-growth