Newsgroups: comp.robotics
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From: jfox@netcom.com (Jeff Fox)
Subject: Re: Does Automation Take Jobs Away?
Message-ID: <jfoxCtDAoq.M87@netcom.com>
Sender: jfox@netcom.com (Jeff Fox)
Organization: Netcom Online Communications Services (408-241-9760 login: guest)
References: <Ct8z84.np1@mozo.cc.purdue.edu>
Date: Sat, 23 Jul 1994 00:29:14 GMT
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lundberg (lundberg@expert.cc.purdue.edu.) wrote:
> I am a student at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.  I am
> doing a research project on Automation.  Any opinions on the following
> points would be very much appreciated.
>
> 1.  Does Automation Take Away Jobs from Blue Collar Workers?

Yes! Some people will tell you that there is just a shift in jobs, but
it that does not make sense to me.  If it takes one person in a white collar
job to design/build/program/maintain a robot, and that robot does the work
previously done by a blue collar worker then the net result from the point
of view of the owner is that this is a loss.  Because more money is being
paid to get the work done.  But a blue collar worker would still lose a job.
Only if the robot can replace enough blue collar workers to make up the
difference in what is now paid to the new white collar workers there is no
advantage.  So most robots in the real world only get a job when they can
displace blue collar workers.  A few new white and blue collar jobs will
be created, but more MUST be lost.
White collar jobs are no more safe than blue collar jobs.  It makes more
sense to replace a white collar worker with automation since it represents
a bigger savings.  And agent robots might be cheaper than robots that need
to get their hands dirty.

>
> 2.  What should be done with these workers after automation is
> implemented?
>

Maybe they can get a job as a robot?  Employers seem to want replacable 
components with no legal rights! :-) But seriously, this is one of many
difficult social questions ahead including robot rights.  It is something
for people in this newsgroup to think about.  But I don't know if this
is the place you will find the answers.

Jeff Fox
jfox@netcom.com
