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Automation isn't the problem. These jobs being lost are terrible and no one should do them. The problem, as always, is capitalism. Amazon wouldn't be where it
by psychometry 7y ago
Automation isn't the problem. These jobs being lost are terrible and no one should do them.
The problem, as always, is capitalism. Amazon wouldn't be where it is today without its massive workforce, including its army of factory workers. None of the people losing their jobs will benefit from this increase in productivity, though. Those gains will go only to the people at the top. Meanwhile, there will be more competition for the low-level jobs that still exist, creating downward pressure on wages.
- Eridrus 7y agoThe gains will also go to those making the robots and those buying from Amazon.
- ed_balls 7y ago> those buying from Amazon Only if there is enough competition.
- fastball 7y agoWhich, given the fact that Walmart is experimenting with the exact same robots, it seems like there is.
- ed_balls 7y agoThat's oligopoly. True competition needs to have many different options e.g. food. I can go out to a restaurant, order something or opt-out from the market and buy in a shop and cook it myself. But straight from the farmer or I could even grow it myself.
- fastball 7y agoOk, still seems like we're good then?
- AlexB138 7y agoWhat is it about HN that attracts so many people with communist sympathies? It's absolutely bizarre that nearly every thread with even vaguely economic concerns has people chirping in to mention how evil capitalism is.
- asdfman123 7y ago> The problem, as always, is capitalism So other economic systems aren't interested in efficiency gains and exponential growth?
- psychometry 7y agoOther systems share those gains among the working class. Seriously, this is basic macroeconomics.