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The information revolution appears to be having the opposite effect, with massive productivity gains resulting in fewer employees needed. One of the outcomes o

The information revolution appears to be having the opposite effect, with massive productivity gains resulting in fewer employees needed. One of the outcomes of this is that parts of the country have been 'left behind' economically. This isn't only in England, but happening in other countries too (e.g. the USA). The surge in 'nostalgic'[0] voting (Brexit and MAGA spring to mind, respectively) is one of the outcomes of that occurring. I'm hoping I'm wrong, and I'm hoping there's something around the corner that changes the situation specific to the information revolution, rather than an outside force (like say, a virus causing a massive shift in demographics), but the way things look right now, that's not a given. [0] I'm deliberately ignoring the more controversial and/or negative aspects to those voting choices, as that would derail the conversation

allemagne 7y ago
>One of the outcomes of this is that parts of the country have been 'left behind' economically. That's the whole point of the comment you're replying to. This isn't new or unique to recent technological advancements. This is always the case when new technology displaces existing structures.
dekhn 7y ago
I think in the short term, the information revolution appears similar to the industrial revolution: a category of jobs become obsolete, but long term, the economy grows, and adds many more categories of jobs.
- jfengel 7y ago
  The possibility that it won't merits consideration. It's entirely possible that new industries will spring up, but it would be dangerous to rely on that and plan as if it were certain. Even the "long tail" that people predicted for artists to make a living in a widely-connected economy has thus far largely failed to materialize. The fact that I can't imagine it is no proof that it won't happen, of course. But I feel that we've gotten lucky in the past, and I hate depending on my luck.
  - dekhn 7y ago
    i guess if you take this idea to its logical conclusion, we will end up in a post-scarcity economy where nobody "needs" to work, yet all their needs are met. So far, it's unclear whether this outcome will occur, and I do agree it's unclear what the outcomes of the information revolution will be, in terms of overall economic comfort of individuals.
- jbay808 7y ago
  This doesn't seem to be guaranteed by any law of economics, though. Despite the massive economic growth since the 19th century, the absolute number of job openings for horses has decreased substantially.
- zepto 7y ago
  The logic seems to be: B followed A once before, therefore B always follows A.
- JohnFen 7y ago
  > but long term, the economy grows, and adds many more categories of jobs. Perhaps, but if history is any guide, that "long term" will span over multiple generations. That is of no help to those being hurt now.

allemagne 7y ago

>One of the outcomes of this is that parts of the country have been 'left behind' economically. That's the whole point of the comment you're replying to. This isn't new or unique to recent technological advancements. This is always the case when new technology displaces existing structures.

dekhn 7y ago

I think in the short term, the information revolution appears similar to the industrial revolution: a category of jobs become obsolete, but long term, the economy grows, and adds many more categories of jobs.

jfengel 7y ago
The possibility that it won't merits consideration. It's entirely possible that new industries will spring up, but it would be dangerous to rely on that and plan as if it were certain. Even the "long tail" that people predicted for artists to make a living in a widely-connected economy has thus far largely failed to materialize. The fact that I can't imagine it is no proof that it won't happen, of course. But I feel that we've gotten lucky in the past, and I hate depending on my luck.
- dekhn 7y ago
  i guess if you take this idea to its logical conclusion, we will end up in a post-scarcity economy where nobody "needs" to work, yet all their needs are met. So far, it's unclear whether this outcome will occur, and I do agree it's unclear what the outcomes of the information revolution will be, in terms of overall economic comfort of individuals.
jbay808 7y ago
This doesn't seem to be guaranteed by any law of economics, though. Despite the massive economic growth since the 19th century, the absolute number of job openings for horses has decreased substantially.
zepto 7y ago
The logic seems to be: B followed A once before, therefore B always follows A.
JohnFen 7y ago
> but long term, the economy grows, and adds many more categories of jobs. Perhaps, but if history is any guide, that "long term" will span over multiple generations. That is of no help to those being hurt now.