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First, they introduced "productivity maximization protocol"; Then they added robots to do some of the work; Then we all lost our jobs to robots; ... Then we

First, they introduced "productivity maximization protocol"; Then they added robots to do some of the work; Then we all lost our jobs to robots; ... Then we realize, living on publicly provided food and housing is actually not that bad!

zem 14y ago
you would think so, but this story is scarily plausible: http://marshallbrain.com/manna1.htm http://marshallbrain.com/manna1.htm
- gizmo686 14y ago
  I wasn't able to read through the entire story, but I think Karl Marx was onto something. What I suspect will happen is we will transition into a post-scarcity economy. The only question for me is how long it will take, and how painful the transition will be. I also suspect (although with somewhat less confidence), that the transistion will occur by a single individual having gradually diminishing works hours, and a gradual increase in government 'welfare'.
  - zem 14y ago
    the "two visions" were how to screw up and how to embrace the post-scarcity economy respectively. the problem is that the currently-rich will have first crack at the cornucopia and they could easily feel they have somehow earned the right to it, and need not share it with the currently-poor other than via crumbs of charity.
- spc476 14y ago
  Maybe not, as Shamus Young related: http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=13695 http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=13695
- josscrowcroft 14y ago
  I read this story, Manna, a few weeks ago. Disturbing (and thought-provoking, at the end) stuff. I was reminded of it in this OP when they mentioned armbands tracking worker productivity. It has begun!
- salvadors 14y ago
  I presume you mean the ”how the technology takes over most employment” part, rather than either of the dystopias (one poorly masquerading as a utopia) that are presented as a resulting false dichotomy?
  - zem 14y ago
    no, i mean how rich people will obtain the free "means of production" ahead of poor people, and then see to it that the fruits of said means of production flow mainly to them, even though there is no real need to.

zem 14y ago

you would think so, but this story is scarily plausible: http://marshallbrain.com/manna1.htm http://marshallbrain.com/manna1.htm

gizmo686 14y ago
I wasn't able to read through the entire story, but I think Karl Marx was onto something. What I suspect will happen is we will transition into a post-scarcity economy. The only question for me is how long it will take, and how painful the transition will be. I also suspect (although with somewhat less confidence), that the transistion will occur by a single individual having gradually diminishing works hours, and a gradual increase in government 'welfare'.
- zem 14y ago
  the "two visions" were how to screw up and how to embrace the post-scarcity economy respectively. the problem is that the currently-rich will have first crack at the cornucopia and they could easily feel they have somehow earned the right to it, and need not share it with the currently-poor other than via crumbs of charity.
spc476 14y ago
Maybe not, as Shamus Young related: http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=13695 http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=13695
josscrowcroft 14y ago
I read this story, Manna, a few weeks ago. Disturbing (and thought-provoking, at the end) stuff. I was reminded of it in this OP when they mentioned armbands tracking worker productivity. It has begun!
salvadors 14y ago
I presume you mean the ”how the technology takes over most employment” part, rather than either of the dystopias (one poorly masquerading as a utopia) that are presented as a resulting false dichotomy?
- zem 14y ago
  no, i mean how rich people will obtain the free "means of production" ahead of poor people, and then see to it that the fruits of said means of production flow mainly to them, even though there is no real need to.