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From: rstevew@armory.com (Richard Steven Walz)
Subject: Re: Does Automation Take Jobs Away?
Organization: The Armory
Date: Sat, 23 Jul 1994 12:04:46 GMT
Message-ID: <CtE6w8.JD0@armory.com>
References: <Ct8z84.np1@mozo.cc.purdue.edu> <30jt34$6f6@magus.cs.utah.edu> <30kh7j$5ev@ecom2.ecn.bgu.edu>
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In article <30kh7j$5ev@ecom2.ecn.bgu.edu>,
Mark A. Morrell <mgmam@uxa.ecn.bgu.edu> wrote:
> Greg Alt <galt@asylum.cs.utah.edu> wrote:
>
>>lundberg@expert.cc.purdue.edu. (lundberg) writes:
>
>>>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?
>>>2.  What should be done with these workers after automation is
>>>implemented?
>>>
>>>Any opinions or other points will be read and are appreciated!  Thanks!
>>
>>In a capitalist system, blue collar workers get laid off and a smaller 
>>number of more skilled jobs get created.  The owners of the factories 
>>get to see more profits due to the added productivity.  Also, the extra
>>unemployment tends to cause a drop in wages for blue collar work, since
>>there are now more people looking for jobs.  
>>
>>In a socialist system, the extra profit can be given to the workers,
>>and the workers can have shorter work-weeks.
>
>Of course, the unions will have something to say in a capitalist
>society.  Wages will rise, and work weeks will shorten.  Or the workers
>will strike until they do.
>
>Remember, if the robots take away all the jobs, then nobody will be able
>to buy what the robots are making.  Then the manufacturers wouldn't be
>able to buy robots, etc.  It's a deadly cycle, but I have faith in our
>union system.  I don't agree with a lot of what the unions do, but
>there will be a time when we need them again.
>-----------------------------------------------------------------------
>Mark A. Morrell       mgmam@uxa.ecn.bgu.edu      Escape with your mind.
---------------------------------
Union activity reached an all time low since the 30's in 1980, it has risen
continuously again ever since!! - CNN July 20, 1994  (Moon day)
------------
-Steve Walz    rstevew@armory.com
"Nobody gets out of here alive!"
"The one who dies with the most toys still dies."

