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Of course automation will inevitably be capable of displacing all human acts (jobs and art). The author concludes with the same tired, naiive and unsatisfactory

Of course automation will inevitably be capable of displacing all human acts (jobs and art). The author concludes with the same tired, naiive and unsatisfactory outlook: 'you don't need worry about it because robots will just kill off humans'. However, it seems obvious that humanity will handle this like many cultures have - by choice. Just like some people chose not to eat GM food, and others (Amish) generally elect not to use electricity, humans too will reach a point where they will simply choose to either accept that their lives are 100% sustained by autonomy or, live a life free of AI-generated products (i.e. food, services, art, etc).

kbos87 10y ago
I'm curious to see how long it will take for the world to experience any meaningful kind of pushback against automation or AI. Today, I feel like all I see are a dwindling number of people saying they'd "rather deal with a real person", and a growing number of people who come close to fetishizing automation. Maybe once Uber decides to flip the switch on all of the drivers who are now dependent on them for some if not all of their income, we'll see people in the streets vandalizing and otherwise circumventing empty self driving vehicles.
- mojomark 10y ago
  Honestly, like you point out, I think it's happening at micro-levels already. Certainly entire societies have voluntarily cut themselves off largelt from technology altogether - not just Amish, but modern off-grid people as well. However, just like some "bush people" will bend the rules and return to modern technology in diar situations (e.g. they need an insulin shot), I'd bet dollars to donuts that medical needs will drive many situations where self-declared "AI-free" people will opt for an AI product, since there are certain to be many AI-generated medical treatments currently out of the reach of limited human brains to develop.

kbos87 10y ago

I'm curious to see how long it will take for the world to experience any meaningful kind of pushback against automation or AI. Today, I feel like all I see are a dwindling number of people saying they'd "rather deal with a real person", and a growing number of people who come close to fetishizing automation. Maybe once Uber decides to flip the switch on all of the drivers who are now dependent on them for some if not all of their income, we'll see people in the streets vandalizing and otherwise circumventing empty self driving vehicles.

mojomark 10y ago
Honestly, like you point out, I think it's happening at micro-levels already. Certainly entire societies have voluntarily cut themselves off largelt from technology altogether - not just Amish, but modern off-grid people as well. However, just like some "bush people" will bend the rules and return to modern technology in diar situations (e.g. they need an insulin shot), I'd bet dollars to donuts that medical needs will drive many situations where self-declared "AI-free" people will opt for an AI product, since there are certain to be many AI-generated medical treatments currently out of the reach of limited human brains to develop.