How big of a threat is automation?

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Mai72

Mai72

Lifer
Sep 12, 2012
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Whenever I bring up automation the people whom I'm talking to tend to laugh it off. I don't think they truly understand the consequences of what automation can and will do to low tier jobs. Driverless trucks, cars. Cashierless stores might all seem to come straight from the Jetsons, but could be reality in the next 10 years. I know Yang is concerned. So, is automation going to take place in the long distant future, or are we going to be seeing the effects very shortly? IMo, I don't think automation is going to come in and eliminate jobs immediately. It will come in phases, and it will be a slow process. For example, Amazon will come in with their cashierless stores and it will put pressure on other businesses to adapt. Slow and steady. Cashierless stores could recieve a backlash though. Older people like having a face to talk too. Younger people not so much, which is the demographic anyway.

Tesco set to open cashierless stores to compete with Amazon

https://www.pocket-lint.com/gadgets...-to-launch-amazon-go-style-cashierless-stores

Amazon cashierless store a huge success in NYC

https://www.forbes.com/sites/andria...-is-not-a-matter-of-if-but-when/#570c4e106f52
 
Midwayman

Midwayman

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2000
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You're going to have a lot of angry, stupid people who are out of work. It'll probably get violent before it gets better. I feel like universal basic income is a given as automation progresses. You'll probably see a real two class system develop with those on UBI and those who have the ability to actually work.
 
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FeuerFrei

FeuerFrei

Diamond Member
Mar 30, 2005
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Well these days everything's already touted as "crafted" so that's obviously what the populace wants - not automation. If we can reintroduce huge manufacturing inefficiences, and have everything crafted by hand, then that would employ many "artisans." Prices would skyrocket, and shortages develop but at least people would be working busily. :smirk:
 
Captante

Captante

Lifer
Oct 20, 2003
30,353
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This is already happening ... how many cashiers with a pulse were available during your last supermarket shopping excursion?
 
IronWing

IronWing

No Lifer
Jul 20, 2001
72,864
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Captante said:
This is already happening ... how many cashiers with a pulse were available during your last supermarket shopping excursion?
Click to expand...
That's not automation, that's supermarket companies pushing their labor costs onto their consumers and pocketing the savings.
 
highland145

highland145

Lifer
Oct 12, 2009
43,973
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BudAshes said:
Grocery store checkers actually used to get paid well and it was a union job. It wasn't until recently that it became a shit job.
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Not around here, S.C. IIRC, Kroger had/has some type of union and they did pay a little better way back. My kid worked there for the last year and made $8.25 or so picking for click list.
 
Captante

Captante

Lifer
Oct 20, 2003
30,353
10,876
136
BudAshes said:
Grocery store checkers actually used to get paid well and it was a union job. It wasn't until recently that it became a shit job.
Click to expand...


This is why I do 90% of my shopping at Stop & Shop despite slightly higher non-sale prices then say Walmart or Shoprite. Its one of if not the only unionized supermarket in my area and the better service is noticeable. (Southern CT)
 
BudAshes

BudAshes

Lifer
Jul 20, 2003
13,990
3,346
146
highland145 said:
Not around here, S.C. IIRC, Kroger had/has some type of union and they did pay a little better way back. My kid worked there for the last year and made $8.25 or so picking for click list.
Click to expand...

Well recently meaning like 15 years ago, guess i'm getting old:(
 
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s0me0nesmind1

Lifer
Nov 8, 2012
20,842
4,785
146
Midwayman said:
You're going to have a lot of angry, stupid people who are out of work. It'll probably get violent before it gets better. I feel like universal basic income is a given as automation progresses. You'll probably see a real two class system develop with those on UBI and those who have the ability to actually work.
Click to expand...

That - and I think the biggest problem will be what will people do with their lives? It's been shown - especially with men - that one big factor in regards to drug use is just feeling needed in life.

If you don't have anything useful as far as skills - something tells me it will result in a lot of depressed people that turn to drug use.

Either way, I'm in consulting and previously did implementations of an automation software of sorts... Now I actually sell/demo one of those softwares... So... Yeaaaah, good position to be in overall :p
 
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s0me0nesmind1

Lifer
Nov 8, 2012
20,842
4,785
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IronWing said:
That's not automation, that's supermarket companies pushing their labor costs onto their consumers and pocketing the savings.
Click to expand...

You do realize that grocery stores (of all things) are RAZOR THIN profit margins, right? It's not like there is a lack of competition or anyhting... Save for maybe some small towns with just 1 Walmart...

But all my life in urban cities I've had the choice between HEB, Kroger, Walmart, Target, and even Randals... also tons of hispanic leaning no-name ones as well.
 
Zeze

Zeze

Lifer
Mar 4, 2011
11,395
1,189
126
Even back in 2006, my company's IT 'digitized' a paper application filing/processing into a simple sharepoint site and eliminated an entire role comprised of 30 people @ $45k/yr + full benefits.

But it's not about pockets of operational efficiency. When self-driving comes, it'll hit truckers HARD.
 
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