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I don't understand people who argue that robots create jobs because they need to be programmed, built and maintained. Of course those jobs are created, but man

by jokoon 5y ago

I don't understand people who argue that robots create jobs because they need to be programmed, built and maintained. Of course those jobs are created, but many more jobs were destroyed in the process. Not to mention education cannot make engineers out of thin air, it requires a lot of resources to educate people. And for those who don't get educated, it's a net loss since the gains of productivity are not shared. That is what Antiwork is about: there's enough shelter and food for everyone, so work can't be mandatory. What's the point of working in fast food or taxi driver as a permanent job?

RhodesianHunter 5y ago
This is a very narrow view. The robots don't just create jobs for robot engineers. Entire new industries are built on their backs. Look at the printing press. Did it destroy jobs hand copying books? Yes. Do we now have publishers, journalists, authors, distributors, illustrators, etc.? Also yes.
- bluddyYang 5y ago
  > Do we now have publishers, journalists, authors, distributors, illustrators, etc.? Also yes. We sure do. When you obsolete labour, you free people up to do other things. However, I question how true this will be with the AI revolution. The printing press is an example of mechanical automation which does not extend into either human creativity (content of writing) or other mechanical processes. It merely provides a means of making multiple copies and passing them along. The printing press among others inventions from the industrial revolution are a false equivalence to the coming AI. AI with the ability to perform physical and mental tasks along with internet-like connectivity and an ability to learn will completely obsolete all work. If not immediately, that is the only foreseeable long-term outcome. AI is not a printing press. It is a way to invent and apply the equivalent of a printing press to all existing and emerging labour markets in an exponential way. Very dangerous when you realize its impacts are not bounded like the industrial revolution. This is an existential threat that comments like yours waive away too easily.
  - RhodesianHunter 5y ago
    > AI is not a printing press. It is a way to invent and apply the equivalent of a printing press to all existing and emerging labour markets in an exponential way. Very dangerous when you realize its impacts are not bounded like the industrial revolution. This is an existential threat that comments like yours waive away too easily. I don't really see how you could possibly make this argument. When the printing press was invented people didn't know what would come of it... Do you know everything that will be possible with AI? If AI makes programming obsolete, now everyone can create software that does cool things that people want. This would undoubtedly open up a plethora of new employment options.

by jokoon 5y ago

RhodesianHunter 5y ago

This is a very narrow view. The robots don't just create jobs for robot engineers. Entire new industries are built on their backs. Look at the printing press. Did it destroy jobs hand copying books? Yes. Do we now have publishers, journalists, authors, distributors, illustrators, etc.? Also yes.

bluddyYang 5y ago
> Do we now have publishers, journalists, authors, distributors, illustrators, etc.? Also yes. We sure do. When you obsolete labour, you free people up to do other things. However, I question how true this will be with the AI revolution. The printing press is an example of mechanical automation which does not extend into either human creativity (content of writing) or other mechanical processes. It merely provides a means of making multiple copies and passing them along. The printing press among others inventions from the industrial revolution are a false equivalence to the coming AI. AI with the ability to perform physical and mental tasks along with internet-like connectivity and an ability to learn will completely obsolete all work. If not immediately, that is the only foreseeable long-term outcome. AI is not a printing press. It is a way to invent and apply the equivalent of a printing press to all existing and emerging labour markets in an exponential way. Very dangerous when you realize its impacts are not bounded like the industrial revolution. This is an existential threat that comments like yours waive away too easily.
- RhodesianHunter 5y ago
  > AI is not a printing press. It is a way to invent and apply the equivalent of a printing press to all existing and emerging labour markets in an exponential way. Very dangerous when you realize its impacts are not bounded like the industrial revolution. This is an existential threat that comments like yours waive away too easily. I don't really see how you could possibly make this argument. When the printing press was invented people didn't know what would come of it... Do you know everything that will be possible with AI? If AI makes programming obsolete, now everyone can create software that does cool things that people want. This would undoubtedly open up a plethora of new employment options.