Do you think technology is more helpful or destructive in terms of jobs and employment?

Question

AmandaYVR · Accepted Answer

If we're making a binary choice here then I'm on the social side and think it's slowly eroding the fabric of society. It's too often dehumanizing us. Humans create and design A. I. and it machine learns and wrangles and filters us away from some things and towards others, or allows us to do the filtering, creating narrow acceptance and echo chambers of thought.

Technology is not inherently evil. Non-sentient things can't be. But it's likely we that are the makers of our own demise. (But first, let's blame Silicon Valley. Never before in history have 50 designer 25-30 yr old white guys in CA made decisions that will have an impact on 2B people.

As far as jobs and employment goes, maybe the deeper question is if all people are capable of learning new skills and trades that technology is now doing for us. I don't believe, for instance, that everyone can be a good coder, but a lot of people do think it's possible, if others just put their mind to it. Our brains are pretty massive, and we are capable of a lot. Sometimes we need to be pushed to see just what we are made of. But right now, there's a lot of things people can't figure out, and if they can't, they rely on someone else to help, or pay someone to do the work, or they go without, and have to live a simpler life without that thing.

There's no point humans doing very dangerous work that technology and machines can easily do. But I would not include 'simple' jobs as also going on that list of what machines should do. 'Simple' may be simple, low skill, but the answer to all things should not be to get rid of the human element, just because humans are sometimes a pain in the ass, or because they cost more for a corporation. Life is not charity, but it's not really possible to quantify the benefits of human interaction and the sense of pride someone can have from being given responsibility and being allowed to make certain judgement calls themselves.

Technology and machines are great for automation and tasks of efficiency that require no judgement or reasoning or logic or creativity or humanity. But still, in order for machines to execute these types of tasks, a human has to write code that is already making the decision, 'if this, then that', but why should we trust either the A. I. or the humans behind it? Take self-driving cars, for instance - in some ways maybe yes, they are safer, but what about the code that is being written to choose, in an emergency lose-lose situation, which people are prioritized? (Driver, passenger, young pedestrians, old pedestrians, etc.) We have become product. How can we not be? All this stuff can't be for free, with no price to pay.

jennifer_bloom · Accepted Answer

I prefer to be served by people because a McDonalds restaurant Is more than just food - it’s also being able to socialize with the people who work there, for around a year or so, I saw this amazing retired woman at the restaurant who would sit there for hours to socialize and she could not speak English that well but we communicated through smiles and hand signals.

hellionthesagereborn · Accepted Answer

Well its provably more helpful. just a little over a century ago over 90% of the human population were farmers, now that is 1%. Its provided us with greater options, better lives (we live better then kings did a century ago, and by we I mean the poorest people have more comfort, more variety of food (at least in the west and capitalist nations) then literal kings did) etc. So it is provably and unarguablly more helpful as it created these jobs to begin with.

The issue is governmental meddling. The government prices people out of the market creating a greater reliance on technology (once people cost more then technology people will automate). The other issue is our system is not updating with the technology avialable. Our educational system was not designed to make people smarter, it was designed specifically to train people to function as factory workers and middle managment positions. But because we put a greater emphasis on that instead of learning on the job, learning independently, we get a top heavy system, which again, the government does not help with over regulations (for example the medical industry has seen a 150% increase in doctors since the 60s, yet in that time span they have seen a 1500% increase in "administrators" which obviously where not necessary before but now are because of extra regulations and extra hoop jumping which requires more people in the middle which in turn means higher prices (600% increase in costs in that same time span) and more meaningless jobs rather then meaningful jobs).

So technology isn't the issue, its people trying to mettle with a system that has ALWAYS righted itself. Your never going to have a major population of people that are out of work that will be functional, if technology costs us jobs businesses don't have customers to buy their products and shut down, so it will find its equilibrium it just takes time and some moving around. In an attempt to avoid any downsides we actually make the situations much much worse for ourselves and future generations that are forced to deal with the inevitable fall out of these policies.

BigPunny · Accepted Answer

Destructive

People usually think of the mundane jobs, or obscure jobs, to be replaced when this question comes to mind, but the reality of our technological future is far more destructive than most realize. I'll list a few jobs that WILL be replaced by technology (robots and/or AI) in the near (within 20 yr) future:

1) Surgeons
2) Journalists
3) Truck drivers
4) Taxi drivers/Rideshare drivers
5) Pilots
6) Call center workers
7) Cashiers
8) Servers (already server robots are being deployed)
9) Chefs
10) Teachers
11) Police Officers
12) Pharmacists
13) Bartenders
14) Poker Dealers
15) Lawyers (yes, really)

We are reaching a point where technology's replacement of jobs will become destructive to life as everyone knows it. It is estimated that 40% of jobs will be lost to tech or AI over the next 15 years.

This will cause collapses across the globe and things will get volatile, if not downright violent, for some time.

Assuming we don't kill ourselves in the process, a solution to that destruction will find its way to us. It is doubtful that governments across the world will be willing to make the decisions necessary to ease the transition into a nearly jobless future.

Obviously, there will still be things for people to do, but because the production of everything we need/want will be automated, the human focus will be less driven by the amount of 'x' that you produce, but instead the amount of time you devote to your community, to creativity, and to things that better the lives of those around you.

A lot of people don't like the idea, but it is almost guaranteed that industrial nations will have to provide UBI to their people. There is no reason not to when we get to a point where robots fix themselves, build other robots, and AI can solve complicated problems (real life problems too). If we don't do that, then a lot of people will suffer and a lot of people will die.

Barry88 · Answer

If a job can be automated, it means that the job itself is quite simple, or a machine/robot can simply do it better. Automation might also mean a huge improvement in working conditions.

When automation makes it easier for road workers, everyone is happy because their work is really heavy and sometimes dirty.

A machine can handle transactions quicker and with less mistakes than a toll collector, especially when you use electronic transponders. With electronic transponders you wouldn't need big toll plazas with dozens of toll collectors, and you would not need all the traffic to stop, creating traffic jams at busy times. Honestly, I don't see why in such a case people are still against automation. Even for the toll collectors whose jobs have become redundant, there are plenty of jobs available which are more meaningful for them and our society.

With every step in automation, many lives are made easier and new jobs are created because machines and robots still need maintenance. In the upcoming decades, more jobs will be automated as well, but that doesn't mean we will loose jobs. We will work more efficiently and other jobs will be created because of automation. It's a change that brings a lot of opportunities.

Anon621 · Answer

I think technology right now is more helpful. As for the future though I'm not sure because artificial intelligence is becoming a lot better so who know what happens 20 years from now. Technology provides people with easy access to the internet which in turn provides access to almost all of the information in the world but technology can also be destructive if used in a different way such as using technology for cyber attacks but you don't always need technology to steal people's things or cause grief to someone.

HawkPerception · Answer

In terms of employment, I think it's easier to get in touch with and communicate with the employers, but as for getting the job itself, I find it to be harder. With so much more access and commercialization in every job, the fight for them also becomes that much harder. The piece of paper (resume) has become an absolute neccessity because that is all people see initially now. Rather than going in person to hand off a resume and getting that face to face interaction so they get a feel for who you are up front, we are now forced to apply online with no face or interaction and hope that your piece of paper stands out enough to be noticed and contacted. On the other hand, it's the easiest it has ever been to start your own business if you have any skill you can sell, which I think I prefer.

hahahmm · Answer

In the 1980s and 90s most of the last jobs where people could work at the same company their entire life and retire with a nice pension were dying out. It has nothing to do with technology. it has to do with employers giving zero loyalty to workers -- because those employers also are less loyal to customers. It's all about making that extra 2 cents of profit. If they can fire someone to make an extra $1k, they will. In the old days they didn't look for every excuse to get rid of a worker. The workers were long term investments.

MarkRet · Answer

You have to keep in mind that what really drives the technology is the desire to make money and to reduce costs. The end result is the lower skilled jobs are eliminated, while there may be a slight increase in the higher tech jobs. In my state (Pennsylvania), the toll-clerks at the turnpike exits and entrances have been largely eliminated. Now, you just drive through, the camera gets your account number, and your account is billed online. There might be a few new jobs created for camera maintenance, account management, and programming, but overall, more jobs have been eliminated.

hellacray · Answer

Possibly...

I'm just thinking if technology does end up replacing a large chunk of people's jobs we might start seeing people robbing the robots or machines for parts. Cause if you start seeing like delivery robots, robot chefs, cashier's, etc.

We might actually see people stealing them and then getting them sold for parts.

Then once companies figure out they're losing money because humans are robbing robots. Then they might start installing some kind of defence mechanism into the robot to prevent theft.

And then begins the robot uprising.

SabinaV · Answer

If automation is a replacement for example a manual job.

It would definitely increase productivity as a pro, although, the consequence would lead to lesser job opportunity for people of the role.
There has to be consideration in terms of risk factor for replacement.

But, if automation is a replacement for manual jobs that are categorized as higher risk jobs, then it would be better as replacement, since it will less likely expose people to hazard.

najekim · Answer

IMHO, it depends on the industry. Fast food should be done by a living person for the human interaction aspect of this type of service industry. I even noticed the other day that McD's has now even automated the soda dispensing machine. We personally refuse to use those kiosks McD's have and will go the the counter to make our order in person.

In other industries, like manufacturing or heavy assembly, in some cases it's more precise and safer for the robots doing certain tasks than it would be for humans now.

Curmudgeon · Answer

Historically:
1. In the short term, yes it can be destructive.
2. In the long term, by creating whole new industries and economic sectors which before that did not exist, it is massively helpful in terms of jobs and employment.

The problem is getting people to adjust.

The_Maphio · Answer

In terms of AMOUNT of jobs, it's destructive. But ensures more efficiency and higher quality of the items created.
In terms of specialized work, it's obviously helpful.
Considering the trend that progress is pushing humanity into, maybe it could be a good idea to stop fucking around in the places of education, that should become actually useful, as opposite to how they are now.

lightbulb27 · Answer

to a point, it's good. it displaces humans to do other things. what happens when those humans run out of things to do or just aren't capable of doing things high enough value to survive, then social disorder... as humans need to be kept busy, challenged or else they will create problems.

pjf1958 · Answer

Technology is obviously destructive to the Earth's biosphere. The oceans in particular are becoming so toxic and over fished, that some scientists fear that the health of the oceans may be approaching a critical tipping point. Now, for something truly ironic. Our technological prowess will be the only hope that we will have to save the Earth's biosphere from another K-T event. A catastrophic asteroid impact that caused the extinction of close to 3/4 of all life on Earth 66 million years ago.

alleon · Answer

Technology seemed so great for a while. I actually miss the 90’s. Was just right. It’s ruined so many things in life

libsaretards · Answer

Destructive. It allows a workplace to replace people with machines. That makes competition more fierce for jobs that can still be done by people. It might save the company money, but at the expense of living people. This would not hurt a younger person as much because a younger person has more time to adapt and learn a new role, but this would devastate someone closer to retirement.

John_Doesnt · Answer

It's much more helpful because it encourages people to get better paying jobs that require less back breaking labor. If you're worried about a machine "took 'er job" then you need to get some kind of education and get a real job that a machine can't replace.  They go to college and get a real job

RingOfFire · Answer

What's the alternative? Do things the stone age way and fall behind the communists in China and Russia economically and technologically so they can annex us to their genocidal totalitarian empire. No thanks. The United States must always remain the world's leader in the innovation and deployment of technology. We need to do everything better, faster and cheaper than our competitors. The day we become #2, we will be instantly destroyed by our enemies.

bamesjond0069 · Answer

Helpful. Certainly we dont want to go back to the time of the industrial revolution. Less jobs and shittier jobs. They would have so many people wanting a job, totally desperate, they could have them operate dangerous equipment and if you lost an arm they just put the next guy on the bloody machine the same day cranking out widgets. People were that desperate for work.

Now everyone can reasonably find a job if they actually try thanks to technology and more mature economy.

BCA6010 · Answer

Tech is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it can streamline certain processes. On the other, it creates distractions and bad habits, and in some areas, can completely replace a person.

Anonymous · Answer

put the hood rats in their place I have noticed that they keep the restaurant much cleaner now much more organized thanks to the robots before they could care less all hands on the register now it's all hands of the restaurant as it should be.

Guanfei · Answer

Destructive. Some will says that jobs lost will be balanced by new jobs in technology. But it's wrong.
First because people who lost their jobs because of automation aren't those who will work thanks to it.
And then because it takes one machine to do the job of multiple people, and one person to take care of multiple machines. In the end, it's just one person who get a job and replace dozens of people

Adam1978 · Answer

It's great if we don't need to work as much. We are wasting way to much time doing things we don't want. So if we build machines that can do everything our imagination is the limit of what we can do with our lives.

Anonymous · Answer

it was more helpful up until now. Going forward into the future we will see technology being more and more destructive putting money and employment in the hands of the few untill we live in a world full of slaves with a few billionaires owning the means of production.

Either that or we will completely change the way we run the economy.

Anonymous · Answer

Generally special action increases with more technology, creating more jobs, but it does remove the simpler jobs. But really it’s not an important question since there’s no way anyone is going to stop advancing. The real question is how to adapt as all the basic jobs disappear.

friendzoned4life · Answer

As an IT guy that earns his money thanks to tech I am still gonna say Destructive.

Even computermanagement is getting more and more automated.

It makes life easier but it makes hiring People obsolete in many occupations

Citizenkirk · Answer

We obviously embrace different definitions of technology. Motherboards and plasma screens are not technology.  Improvements in human day too day living, are.

Gray-Wisp · Answer

If you're a skilled laborer or a business owner? It's great. If you're unskilled or unemployed? It's horrible.

CallmeTheKnight · Answer

To an extent it is destructive to those seeking employment because jobs are being replaced by machines and kiosks and stuff like that. It is only helpful when it is involved in the job of an employee person

Anonymous · Answer

Creative destruction. It destroys current jobs freeing up people to pursue other things. All technology has maintenance; so a service tech is always in demand. If less people are needed to tend the field or man the assembly line then they are free to pursue more leisurely work. So our work force will naturally shift to more art and entertainment than agriculture and manufacturing work. Right now companies are looking to automate due to so few people willing to work.

jshm2 · Answer

A lot of employment is due to technology.  For example, 30 years ago there were few jobs for social media experts and programmers.

invalid1 · Answer

Well. If you're in an American system it will be helpful for the top 1%. Not at all for the middle class 😅. If you're in the world of social democracy. Of course it's for the benefit of everybody.

CindyRuns · Answer

What happens when you increase minimum wage. Machines get cheaper than hiring people.

GoldenTulip · Answer

It depends! ~ If it is work that is too heavy for humans then it is helpful. But if it replaces humans while they can do it themselves it is a bad thing.

andreasderjuengere · Answer

The problem is not so much the technology - but too many people not qualifying for meaningful jobs :)

Asianguy123 · Answer

I mean if robot can do whatever and we get everything we don’t need to work anymore and get everything for free. But in reality people lose their job and only rich people who owns robot will become richer.

michael1469 · Answer

When i go out to eat or shopping i wish to be taken care off... if walmart or McDonald's doesn't want to service its customers... i should get a discount. Otherwise i can have it ordered and delivered.

Anonymous · Answer

Technology is busy displacing an increasing number of people from jobs. It's difficult to see where it will all end and what ultimately people will be employed to do. It's a worry.

AmeerX · Answer

It is obviously very helpful. It keeps wagers in line and keep people valuing their jobs and provide time saving

Dinosaursandanime65 · Answer

I think a wee tad of both. And VERY nice profile picture, is that Akame? I don’t remember seeing her not wearing a shirt

MadBoy · Answer

Depends on which area of employment you're looking at, and which kind of jobs in general.

maulstrum97 · Answer

Technology itself is helpful. Ai and robotics however are detrimental

Wisenhot · Answer

Technology is neither evil nor good. People can use it for evil or for good.

Hispanic-Cool-Guy · Answer

Destructive. Jobs need to be occupied by humans, not machines.

jimmy2 · Answer

I think they take jobs. A bank in my town has a atm that was so bad the bank closed down and they put 3 more atms in

Anonymous · Answer

Destructive but good, just the harbinger of genocide to clean up the overpopulation issues

Mercury39 · Answer

I think it’s more helpful

lanadelrey25 · Answer

Destructive.

Bean2thousand · Answer

Clearly you are a non-technical person.

Anonymous · Answer

It destroys some jobs while it creates others.

JesseJayNeak · Answer

If the minimum wage is increased

Anonymous · Answer

It has its advantages and disadvantages.

sp33d · Answer

More helpful.

Pogi-Paddy-2 · Answer

Destructive

BigManSAB · Answer

Both

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