Question of this century

[Henry88]

Hey Guys,

Maybe I spend a little too much time out here alone in the woods, and I get melancholy thoughts, but I cannot think this one clear.

The other day I was at the end of my driveway, happy that i had "just" beat the garbage man to shoulder of the road with my trash. Here we use this big containers supplied by Volusia Co. and the truck has a large arm that picks up the container and flips it into the back of the truck.

I guess the driver was sitting way back (like I do ) so he wasn't visible in the small truck window. It looked like the truck was driving itself.

That got me thinking. What is everyone to do when all the jobs are automated?

You're seeing the first signs of this in Europe, with the refuges. When people work, accomplish tasks, and are favorably rewarded, they are happy and content. They have pride and self worth. When people are handed some nominal subsistence fom the government they become unsettled and agitated.

Again, look at Europe.

Has anybody seen/read anything (books,documentaries) about the automation of society. Please don't cite Orwell as I am depressed enough

Anyway have the band coming over in a few for practice, them Miller Lites and shots. That should make me feel better.

Remember, no politics; this isn't a political matter, it's a challenge for society as a whole.

[Les]

All the talk about automated cars and trucks that we hear over here really makes me shiver. If they're anything like some of our drivers, I'm going to sell my car and buy a donkey.

[Cowboy Gun Fan]

Another thought about it is, if the whole world goes automation, including cars, trucks, buses, etc, and it is all computerized to boot, what happens when it all gets hacked ??

Someone bring me back to the 50's and '60's, lol.

[Henry88]

All the talk about automated cars and trucks that we hear over here really makes me shiver. If they're anything like some of our drivers, I'm going to sell my car and buy a donkey.

Well Les, it's not just the cars, it's any aspect of society. I'm not saying we don't need people in the workforce. But every day a job gets replaced by a machine. Extrapolate that out a decade of two and you see what I mean. As it is now (relatively good times ) every continent on the planet (save Europe, North America and Antarctica) already shows signs, and Europe may not be far behind.

If only everybody wasn't so intolerant, maybe we could work together..............

Another thought about it is, if the whole world goes automation, including cars, trucks, buses, etc, and it is all computerized to boot, what happens when it all gets hacked ??

Someone bring me back to the 50's and '60's, lol.

Another excellent point CGF.

[BigAl52]

Somehow the Merle Haggard song comes to mind. Are the good times really over for good.

[RanchRoper]

The coal mines in Australia run autonomous haul trucks. A 400 ton payload. A million lbs of truck going 40 mph with no driver. BC mines are looking at too. Alberta oil sands have them as well. Unions not to happy.

[North Country Gal]

Can it get worse? Unfortunately, yes. Have been reading how the arms industry is now working hard to develop killer robots for use in war. Those old sci fi movies like the Terminator are coming true.

[Henry88]

The coal mines in Australia run autonomous haul trucks. A 400 ton payload. A million lbs of truck going 40 mph with no driver. BC mines are looking at too. Alberta oil sands have them as well. Unions not to happy.

I have heard RR that the first automated vehicles here in the states will be the big rigs. That seems counter intuitive, but your story kind of backs it up.

Someone bring me back to the 50's and '60's, lol.

I say that about the 80s LOL

[RetiredSeabee]

Started here a long time ago with pay at the pump gas. Automated checkout in grocery stores, fast food drive through, and the list is getting longer.
I like some of the convenience but every time I do business using a robot I do think about the person who could be doing the job.

[clovishound]

Well, if automation killed jobs we would be seeing sky high unemployment right now. Instead, there ends up being more goods and services available for a week's wages. When I first entered the workforce, there was a lot less things one got in return for 5 days of labor. Even those on the bottom of the economic ladder have things like cell phones, air conditioning, computers, internet, large screen color TVs. Going to see a movie or out to eat is not a rare event. The number of things that are considered "necessities" has expanded greatly. Over the same time frame I saw the situation at work go from 16 people working a machine, to 2 people working a machine that does the same amount of output.

I see no reason why this trend should not continue.

[BrokenolMarine]

I can remember as a Young Marine, I went to a certain grocery store because of the two cashiers that worked there. One was a mature woman about my grandmother's age and was a sweet as pie. She knew my name and the things I bought every week. She'd say, "Jim, did you forget your Cornbread mix this week or are you on a diet?" I'd run back and grab it while she continued to ring my groceries. The other cashier was a college gal, wholesome and beautiful, and a smile that lit the store. SHE knew my name, knew my list and would also laugh at me if I forgot something. I never bought groceries anywhere else.

The cashiers at the two stores I use now roll over like the stop lights. Rarely see the same faces and not only do they not know what you buy, they couldn't care less. The scanners remember so the store can send you coupons in your email, the cashiers only care when they get off, or when the next break rolls around. Yup, the world she has changed, and I can't say it's always for the better.

[RanchRoper]

Can it get worse? Unfortunately, yes. Have been reading how the arms industry is now working hard to develop killer robots for use in war. Those old sci fi movies like the Terminator are coming true.

Maybe it will be more like the Jetsons.

[daytime dave]

Started here a long time ago with pay at the pump gas. Automated checkout in grocery stores, fast food drive through, and the list is getting longer.
I like some of the convenience but every time I do business using a robot I do think about the person who could be doing the job.

In NY, the NY State Thruway had a lane that had an automated ticket dispenser. I would go to the lane where the toll collector handed me the ticket, even if I had to wait a few seconds. I told them why I came to that lane too. I guess I wasn't the only one. They are no longer on the Thruway. The toll collector's are still there.