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The wealth divide is a different issue and has always been the regardless of “tech” - a new way to sew isn’t tech as we see it but innovation in looms cost many

The wealth divide is a different issue and has always been the regardless of “tech” - a new way to sew isn’t tech as we see it but innovation in looms cost many a seamstress their jobs - ditto with mine improvements, manufacturing improvements and so much more - but at the same time it has improved our lives no longer as we locked in a factory 80 hours a week.. To me, tech has been a great equalizer - and while it’s currently used for manipulation we do finally have to agree that everyone has internet, phone and computers at home when 5 to 10 years ago that wasn’t as true.. hell, we even get homeless people a phone because of how critical and pervasive they have become in society. That’s a good thing they can call for help, refill meds, check on social security, network with peers and friends and such.

mattbrewsbytes 5y ago
You kind of made my point. Not as many people are "locked in a factory 80 hours a week" that is driven by technology (which includes hardware tech). When a new car manufacturing plant opens and says they will create 250 jobs that is far less than it was 20-30 years ago when a new plant opened. Robotic manufacturing, software, etc. have driven that. Pick any industry and technology will have driven some jobs out of it.
- bee_rider 5y ago
  It is absurd that we've somehow managed to create a system where manufacturing is too easy, doesn't employ enough people, and that's a looming crisis. If production per person increases, let's give everyone a couple days off.
  - supernovae 5y ago
    yeah, that's what we should be doing... People shouldn't do back breaking work that robots are better at and going back to treating humans like robots ins't a solution - working less is a viable option and the promise of tech. I'd happily work 20 hours a week to split my job between two people because the diversity pays off in spades and we'd all do better working less anyway
- beaconstudios 5y ago
  Manufacturing hasn't been automated as much as it's been outsourced to cheaper countries with less workers' rights and union membership. Automation has only really hit a select few industries like car manufacturing and warehouse picking, compared to the number of blue collar jobs that have disappeared.

mattbrewsbytes 5y ago

You kind of made my point. Not as many people are "locked in a factory 80 hours a week" that is driven by technology (which includes hardware tech). When a new car manufacturing plant opens and says they will create 250 jobs that is far less than it was 20-30 years ago when a new plant opened. Robotic manufacturing, software, etc. have driven that. Pick any industry and technology will have driven some jobs out of it.

bee_rider 5y ago
It is absurd that we've somehow managed to create a system where manufacturing is too easy, doesn't employ enough people, and that's a looming crisis. If production per person increases, let's give everyone a couple days off.
- supernovae 5y ago
  yeah, that's what we should be doing... People shouldn't do back breaking work that robots are better at and going back to treating humans like robots ins't a solution - working less is a viable option and the promise of tech. I'd happily work 20 hours a week to split my job between two people because the diversity pays off in spades and we'd all do better working less anyway
beaconstudios 5y ago
Manufacturing hasn't been automated as much as it's been outsourced to cheaper countries with less workers' rights and union membership. Automation has only really hit a select few industries like car manufacturing and warehouse picking, compared to the number of blue collar jobs that have disappeared.