Do you agree with this, economically?
The economy, as a phenomenon doesn't exist to make out lives better. It's just a set of tendencies of interactions between the goods/services we trade and their values. It isn't concerned for our well being. In fact, as technology improves the need for human labor to produce the same amount of goods/services decreases more and more. If it isn't needed, it won't be paid for, which means people will lose jobs as time goes on, simply "unneeded". One day, all that will be needed are robots and people to build and fix robots, until the robots start building and fixing themselves too. Then, unless were all entertainers of some kind, we're out of jobs. I think we need to start viewing human wellbeing as capital worth investing in, in itself.
7 Answers to "Do you agree with this, economically?"
-
NOPE! Using that logic then we wouldnt not have gone to the automobile as there were hundreds of people employed to sweep the streets and pick up horse dung.
we would shun technology and stop any and all advancement. We wouldnt use computers because we could all write letters to keep the postal system working and the people that make stamps.Like (2)
-
Or, we could change our outlook on public welfare. When things get easy enough, maybe we can afford to demand less from each person and not work them quite as hard at the 9 to 5. Or if your unfortunate/normal these days, the 9 to 9. lol
Like (1)
-
Its not up to the gov to care for the public welfare. that is societies responsibility. Gov and Society are not one in the same.
Like (1)
-
Yes I do.Add to it the belief that as the need for manpower is diminished,and therefore the "usefullness" of people,the ruling elite will try to cut the worlds population,viewing the masses as nothing more than units of profit(to be made for them).Look at the examples so far,everything is about profit and power,people are not a consideration.As you mention,if machinery or computers are cheaper,people are dropped from the payroll.There are less jobs available yearly,and there has to be a critical point when so many are unemployed that unrest will surface,in the same people who at present look down on the unemployed,when they realise what is happening.At the root of the problem is greed and compassionless elite groups who have held power for a long,long time.They will be ready with an answer to this,and it will not be moral,humane or legal.
Like (2)
-
The one flaw in this whole argument .....is people. The "economy", if you want to call it that, is driven by people and their needs. If people want robots to build everything then they will ....if people don't, then they won't.
Me personally, I don't care how long the dang line is at the grocery store .....I will NEVER use the "robot" (aka, the self-checkout) to check my purchases out, always the "human" cashier (for example).
Remember, no matter what anybody says, in the end it is us humans (consumers) which is in control of any would-be "economy". What we want, is what'll be where it will go.
Like (2)
-
Sort of, except businesses as entities in themselves want what is the least expensive and yields most profit. If consumers don't see it, what's the difference? Machines and robots all up until a single checkout person hands you your bag. Not saying that automation is a bad thing, only that some things might occasionally do more harm than good.
Like (1)
-
Perhaps. But even more sought after by businesses is a thing called "market share". Market share is percentage of people in your surrounding area that shop at your store. And that is controlled by how much a particular store services what the area's people want. Businesses are driven by market share ....far more than even by "profit".
Like (1)
-
The economy can't care but humans can see the value of having a good economic system. I think we shouldn't see pointless jobs as a good thing, it might be a way of distributing money but it's also a waste of peoples lives. I think we should continue increasing the minimum standard of living, at least to the point where people are free to pursue the goals they want to.
Like (2)
-
Yeah. I'm sure the folks in the fast food place could be doing more interesting things, and I'd probably be just as happy if a machine had made that particular food, but I don't begrudge them some income.
Like (1)
-
Throw in ontop of that the endless need for more profit. Mum buys shares,. mum gets sack. Who buy share ? Its all **** set up for a ew. Life was great when I was a kid. Tech should have made it better and cheaper. But no. F U K T A R TS > !!
Like (2)
-
I don't do economics as it fundamentally flawed
Like (2)
Best Answer (Chosen by Voting):
Posted by Lushiro 1 Aug 31st, 2012 at 9:35AM
To put it simply, authorities, government, politicians are not interested in our survival or well-being, power and profit are their only concern.
[ Reply ] | Like (3)
Reply by pedrohedgerow Aug 31st, 2012 at 9:40AM
Like (1)
Reply by Lushiro Aug 31st, 2012 at 9:42AM
Like (1)