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From: judy@ism780.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.philosophy
Subject: Re: Drifting sideways into economics - (nf)
Message-ID: <311@ism780.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 12-Jul-84 20:28:46 EDT
Article-I.D.: ism780.311
Posted: Thu Jul 12 20:28:46 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 19-Jul-84 02:10:54 EDT
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#R:flairvax:-61000:ism780:20200008:000:916
ism780!judy    Jul 10 17:55:00 1984

I think the assumptions you make in the base note are 1) no new
products and a static economy and 2) machines available to perform all
menial tasks.  Since neither of these are true I don't think there is as
much need for concern as you think.

We have progressed as a society because people create what they need.
Robots are better suited than people to welding.  Let's face it, welding
is unpleasant.  But they are not better suited for being masseuses,
therapists, child care workers, etc..  The service
industry will provide jobs to those workers displaced by technology.
How much those services are worth will be measured by a free market.

Of course, there will be a multitude of people who don't want to create
what they need.  They will grumble and be depressed.  But I have little
pity.  If we had no technology, those who didn't produce would starve.
And those who don't adapt, die.  It's a tough reality.