3 ms·

Automated trucking would be cool to see in my lifetime, but to be honest the idea makes me really uncomfortable because it would put roughly two million people

Automated trucking would be cool to see in my lifetime, but to be honest the idea makes me really uncomfortable because it would put roughly two million people out of work.

freehunter 12y ago
Every time you think or hear "it would be nice to make this more efficient, but it would put people out of work", think of discussions surrounding universal basic income. If the only reason for having humans behind the wheel is because those people have no other way to make money, maybe it's time to face the fact that we don't need them to make money. Take their job but keep paying them the same, and the benefits from not having them on the road (they won't get in accidents, won't need to stop and sleep, will be free to pursue other things to enhance their and their family's lives) will still ensure that the economy benefits. It's not just truckers, but forklift drivers, cab drivers, nurse assistants, any other job that can be replaced by a robot. There should never be a situation where we are putting people to work or putting people in danger for no reason other than so we feel comfortable paying them to do poorly what a robot can do perfectly.
- JoeAltmaier 12y ago
  I'm reminded of my friend Ben, who has a PhD in Physics and drives a bus. Please, please put Ben out of the bus-driving business, if it means a basic income so he can do physics, or teach physics. This current economy is a waste, that demands smart people do stupid work so they can eat, instead of doing smart work that would enhance us all.
  - nb4hnp 12y ago
    If you guys are interested (and aren't already aware) there is a subreddit that houses all of the discussion on basic income with lots of good material pertinent to this subject. http://www.reddit.com/r/BasicIncome http://www.reddit.com/r/BasicIncome

3 ms·

Automated trucking would be cool to see in my lifetime, but to be honest the idea makes me really uncomfortable because it would put roughly two million people

by fakeasaur 12y ago

Automated trucking would be cool to see in my lifetime, but to be honest the idea makes me really uncomfortable because it would put roughly two million people out of work.

freehunter 12y ago
Every time you think or hear "it would be nice to make this more efficient, but it would put people out of work", think of discussions surrounding universal basic income. If the only reason for having humans behind the wheel is because those people have no other way to make money, maybe it's time to face the fact that we don't need them to make money. Take their job but keep paying them the same, and the benefits from not having them on the road (they won't get in accidents, won't need to stop and sleep, will be free to pursue other things to enhance their and their family's lives) will still ensure that the economy benefits. It's not just truckers, but forklift drivers, cab drivers, nurse assistants, any other job that can be replaced by a robot. There should never be a situation where we are putting people to work or putting people in danger for no reason other than so we feel comfortable paying them to do poorly what a robot can do perfectly.
- JoeAltmaier 12y ago
  I'm reminded of my friend Ben, who has a PhD in Physics and drives a bus. Please, please put Ben out of the bus-driving business, if it means a basic income so he can do physics, or teach physics. This current economy is a waste, that demands smart people do stupid work so they can eat, instead of doing smart work that would enhance us all.
  - nb4hnp 12y ago
    If you guys are interested (and aren't already aware) there is a subreddit that houses all of the discussion on basic income with lots of good material pertinent to this subject. http://www.reddit.com/r/BasicIncome http://www.reddit.com/r/BasicIncome