29 Dec 15
Originally posted by EladarThe same argument might apply to all sorts of automation. Notice you never see an elevator operator? When technology replaces a job, other technology most often creates a couple more. The problem is, we never, or seldom see the two presented at the same time.
https://www.rt.com/uk/327353-driverless-buses-jobs-unemployment/
I guess the UK's unemployment numbers are so good that the government can just create more unemployed.
29 Dec 15
Originally posted by normbenignI don't think that number of elevator technicians has outnumbered the number of elevator operator jobs lost.
The same argument might apply to all sorts of automation. Notice you never see an elevator operator? When technology replaces a job, other technology most often creates a couple more. The problem is, we never, or seldom see the two presented at the same time.
It is a net loss proposition.
30 Dec 15
Originally posted by EladarI tried to find a reference to this story elsewhere, but couldn't. Instead I turfed up an article on the ethics of driverless cars which makes for quite an entertaining read (especially in the light of the Ayn Rand thread) [1]. I can't help but speculate that the reason for this is to attempt to undermine the transport unions who are the last group of workers who can take any kind of effective strike action in this country, this article is about the underground [2], but it's the same principle. Incidentally, one thing in the story, the buses were all run by the councils and not central government and in any case were all privatised years ago. So I really don't see that the reported government desire for driverless buses is going to produce them; it being up to the bus companies to make the investment and they will probably take a lot of persuading if their insurance costs go up due to insurer nervousness. Between buying the new buses and insuring them they may well be better off just continuing with their existing staff.
https://www.rt.com/uk/327353-driverless-buses-jobs-unemployment/
I guess the UK's unemployment numbers are so good that the government can just create more unemployed.
[1] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-25861214
[2] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-17510918
30 Dec 15
Originally posted by EladarIt is a net gain of efficiency because it frees up these drivers to make a different contribution to society.
I don't think that number of elevator technicians has outnumbered the number of elevator operator jobs lost.
It is a net loss proposition.
There is no limit on the amount of jobs a society can create. This is why, for the most part, we found stuff to do for the 95% of people who used to be employed in agriculture. Or do you think tractors are a "net loss proposition"?
30 Dec 15
Originally posted by EladarBring it on.
https://www.rt.com/uk/327353-driverless-buses-jobs-unemployment/
I guess the UK's unemployment numbers are so good that the government can just create more unemployed.
There are already mines in Australia with autonomous dump trucks. Autonomous that is, not remote controlled.
Forget all the taxi drivers whining about uber, driverless cabs are on the way. It will happen.
Exciting the scope for efficiencies, if the driverless cab meets another driverless cab on the same road it can pull in an inch off the bumper and draft the other car, maybe a couple of wings can come out to enhance the slipstream, they could form strings. The autonomous vehicle will know what the traffic lights are doing and plan for them, or not even be governed by traffic lights anymore, faster smoother trips
30 Dec 15
2 edits
Originally posted by EladarAnd yet we still have CEOs and Boards of Directors, and they have much less validity in an age of complexity and instant decision-making than a bus driver, who performs concrete functions like enforcing security, checking tickets and dispensing advice. They abandoned conductors years ago, long before driverless buses became more than a conceptual possibility, but you can be sure that CEOs and entire battalions of functionless placeholders will exist atavistically long into the teleportation age.
https://www.rt.com/uk/327353-driverless-buses-jobs-unemployment/
I guess the UK's unemployment numbers are so good that the government can just create more unemployed.