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How do you propose we do the seizing? Historically that never had good results, because the people who want to seize the wealth and the power are exactly those

How do you propose we do the seizing? Historically that never had good results, because the people who want to seize the wealth and the power are exactly those who shouldn't have it and be trusted with it, so you're exchanging one set of oligarchs with another set of despots.

thrance 2y ago
It's hard to make predictions for such a hypothetical future, but let me try anyway. If we ever reach 100% unemployment, the working class (in which I inlcude all that depend on wages to live) will lose its only leverage in today's world: its labor. This is bound to make the situation very dire, very quickly for the vast majority of the population (>99%). I see only two solutions: * Either the owners push for some kind of UBI to buy social peace, leaving us with just enough that we don't hang them. * Or they rely on robocops (or regular cops) to keep us in line. In which case it's either rebellion or slow extinction for us. My preferred solution would be to install a new political system that ensures fair redistribution of products and good management of natural resources, which I think is easily achievable in a world of AGI and robots.
- Cumpiler69 2y ago
  How will you hang the billionaires? It's not like they'll live next door to you instead of on their Billionaire Island with private security. The billionaires can always do what they've always done and pay half the poor people to shoot and oppress the other half if things don't go their way. As long as you keep the people with guns well paid, you're good. Dividing the lower classes and pitting them against each other has always been successful in conquering them and preventing them from uniting and rising up again the ruling elite because collectively, people are stupid and easy to manipulate against their own interests, like cattle.
  - thrance 2y ago
    Yes, that was my second scenario. Truthfully, I don't know how it will go down, I can only hope we get a good outcome. In my mind, I still think 100% unemployment would mean a lot of people who live today in relative comfort, and are therefore complacent with oligarchy, would get very mad. Even if bought by billionaires, I doubt they'd retain the same quality of life as when the economy needed them. And I don't see billionaires isolating themselves forever in gated communities, what's the point of being this powerful if you live in a golden cage? Look at Musk, he's the richest man in the world, and could just chill in the shadows but is constantly seeking attention and recognition.
    - busyant 2y ago
      > I still think 100% unemployment would mean a lot of people who live today in relative comfort, and are therefore complacent My prediction if we get there is that the "AI" will present us with a seemingly 'benevolent' solution. "AI has solved everything. Climate change. Limited resources. AI can fix it all. Everyone except a select few must stop ... reproducing." It's like when a large organization wants to reduce headcount and they do it with buyout packages and retirement.

thrance 2y ago

It's hard to make predictions for such a hypothetical future, but let me try anyway. If we ever reach 100% unemployment, the working class (in which I inlcude all that depend on wages to live) will lose its only leverage in today's world: its labor. This is bound to make the situation very dire, very quickly for the vast majority of the population (>99%). I see only two solutions: * Either the owners push for some kind of UBI to buy social peace, leaving us with just enough that we don't hang them. * Or they rely on robocops (or regular cops) to keep us in line. In which case it's either rebellion or slow extinction for us. My preferred solution would be to install a new political system that ensures fair redistribution of products and good management of natural resources, which I think is easily achievable in a world of AGI and robots.

Cumpiler69 2y ago
How will you hang the billionaires? It's not like they'll live next door to you instead of on their Billionaire Island with private security. The billionaires can always do what they've always done and pay half the poor people to shoot and oppress the other half if things don't go their way. As long as you keep the people with guns well paid, you're good. Dividing the lower classes and pitting them against each other has always been successful in conquering them and preventing them from uniting and rising up again the ruling elite because collectively, people are stupid and easy to manipulate against their own interests, like cattle.
- thrance 2y ago
  Yes, that was my second scenario. Truthfully, I don't know how it will go down, I can only hope we get a good outcome. In my mind, I still think 100% unemployment would mean a lot of people who live today in relative comfort, and are therefore complacent with oligarchy, would get very mad. Even if bought by billionaires, I doubt they'd retain the same quality of life as when the economy needed them. And I don't see billionaires isolating themselves forever in gated communities, what's the point of being this powerful if you live in a golden cage? Look at Musk, he's the richest man in the world, and could just chill in the shadows but is constantly seeking attention and recognition.
  - busyant 2y ago
    > I still think 100% unemployment would mean a lot of people who live today in relative comfort, and are therefore complacent My prediction if we get there is that the "AI" will present us with a seemingly 'benevolent' solution. "AI has solved everything. Climate change. Limited resources. AI can fix it all. Everyone except a select few must stop ... reproducing." It's like when a large organization wants to reduce headcount and they do it with buyout packages and retirement.