Unless the government institutes a universal minimum support system, I fear for the future of the millions who will be displaced, as well as for the rest of us. Someone needs to get a handle on the sociological damage that may be done before plunging headlong into Robotville. But we are prone to rushing in, heedless of consequences. Good luck to us all.
What happens to humans after the robot revolution has been a common and well-examined trope in science fiction- see Kurt Vonnegut’s 1952 novel “Player Piano”. (1)
Recently, Mother Jones magazine had an excellent article examining this question. The author suggests several possible solutions/outcomes to the problem of all of us unnecessary people. (2)
Kind&Kinder about 6 years ago
Unless the government institutes a universal minimum support system, I fear for the future of the millions who will be displaced, as well as for the rest of us. Someone needs to get a handle on the sociological damage that may be done before plunging headlong into Robotville. But we are prone to rushing in, heedless of consequences. Good luck to us all.
mfrasca about 6 years ago
What happens to humans after the robot revolution has been a common and well-examined trope in science fiction- see Kurt Vonnegut’s 1952 novel “Player Piano”. (1)
Recently, Mother Jones magazine had an excellent article examining this question. The author suggests several possible solutions/outcomes to the problem of all of us unnecessary people. (2)
1- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Player_Piano_(novel)
2- https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/10/you-will-lose-your-job-to-a-robot-and-sooner-than-you-think/
RonBerg13 Premium Member about 6 years ago
CIO President Walter Reuther was being shown through the Ford Motor plant in Cleveland by Henry Ford II.
They came to a new section of the plant that was using robots to assemble Fords.
Henry proudly pointed to the new automatically controlled machines and asked Walter, “How are you going to collect union dues from these guys?”
Walter turned to Henry and asked, “How are you going to get them to buy Fords?”