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I really hope that automation and robotics will _finally_ allow us to invert the pyramid.
by mmastrac 8mo ago
I really hope that automation and robotics will _finally_ allow us to invert the pyramid.
- nradov 8mo agoDespite the hype cycle around humanoid robots it's unlikely that they'll advance enough to be capable of replacing many human workers in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities within our lifetimes. Expect to see lots of really sad stories about elder abuse and neglect because as a society we simply won't have the resources to adequately care for them all.
- seanmcdirmid 8mo agoThey don’t have to. If say robotaxis become widespread, you’ve freed up some portion of the labor market to do something else. They don’t have to automate all jobs, just some.
- arcologies1985 8mo agoThe evidence has shown that this thinking is flawed - disruption of jobs in an industry causes a slow, wrenching, scarring adjustment process that increases the load on welfare programs and makes quality of life broadly worse: https://www.npr.org/2025/02/11/g-s1-47352/why-economists-got-free-trade-with-china-so-wrong https://www.npr.org/2025/02/11/g-s1-47352/why-economists-got...
- nemomarx 8mo agosure but after 3-5 generations it works out, like with farming and weaving. just gotta wait longer!
- arcologies1985 8mo agoIf only this was a game of Victoria 3
- seanmcdirmid 8mo agoso ease the robotaxis in now then rather than waiting 30 years.
- nemomarx 8mo agoI kinda expect nursing and people paid to give attention to the elderly to be the last job standing. very hard to replace or automate
- nradov 8mo agoPaid by whom? That's the problem. The people with money won't be willing to pay more taxes to fund workers to care for a growing indigent elderly population. It's already causing shortages today and will only get worse.
- seanmcdirmid 8mo agoit isn't just about money, it is about production. Even if the money is evenly spread, if there isn't enough production (because not enough people providing goods and services) you'll just have inflation. But ya, if all the money is concentrated and billionaires are indulging in most of the production while the elderly starve, most of us are still screwed.
- MyHonestOpinon 8mo agoIncreasing health span would be a big step forward. More specifically old age dementia.
- CodingJeebus 8mo agoIt won't. The economic gains of automation will continue to be captured by the capital-owning class. It's simply too valuable to just give over to the masses.
- compounding_it 8mo agoDon't know about inverting the pyramid but we may get more pyramid schemes. Like Google and Oracle doing 100 year bonds for AI.
- deleted 8mo ago[deleted]
- dmm 8mo agoMuch more likely is that conditions for elder care will continuously degrade until MAID becomes most people's choice.
- MyHonestOpinon 8mo agoFor those who don't already know this, like me. (MAID) Medical Assistance in Dying
- MyHonestOpinon 8mo agoI think the solution is in adjusting our ways of life. Simpler living, smaller houses and more density, being able to walk and bike, shared common areas, increase health span, being able to live independently for longer, simpler hobbies, not needing so much stuff, etc.