Ibon wrote:Imagine if automation really took to the extremes that it displaced hundreds of millions forcing government to enact some sort of New Deal legislation providing some minimum of sustenance to those left dislocated.
Could they enjoy playing checkers in a town square or would rage and despair be the dominant response?
That's a truly excellent point and question.
Many are still having problems accepting it, but if automation truly sweeps the world and displaces enough peoples' ability to have gainful employment, then something fundamental will need to change -- or the situation becomes completely untenable.
This should be obvious, but we don't know how fast or complete this transformation will be, and many white collar workers are still in more or less complete denial that it could be them.
With robotic 3D vision as just one example of such progress in automation -- I fear it could be 80% of us within 30 years.
So, IF the obvious solution (or something close) of a UBI (universal basic income), paid for with a "robot tax" on businesses using automation is implemented -- then the answer, IMO, will be cultural.
In places like Denmark, stuff I've read says the culture there has people much more open to valuing more free time, and accepting smaller incomes. Things like job sharing (and less income) are often accepted.
In the US, where the perception of one's job and income is often paramount -- not so much, at least by the older generations. (From what I've read, many millennials might be more open, as their values are different than the boomers in a fundamental way -- for one example).
As an avid gamer who LOVES no longer having to work, and couldn't care less how much money I have once I am confident I have "enough" (and this implies things like being able to trust the government to provide good medical care, elder care, and CHOICES) -- and at this point IN NO WAY do I trust government to do that) -- I'd love to see it in the US.
How much pain to get there? I have no idea how to predict that. But I strongly suspect that if you live for another 30 or more years, you're going to get to find out, like it or not.
Given the track record of the perma-doomer blogs, I wouldn't bet a fast crash doomer's money on their predictions.