Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Kaminski  Train up to do something more valuable.
How do you think value is calculated? |
In this context, value would be something personally fulfilling that is beneficial to society as a whole. Two that come immediately to mind for me are food production and craftsmanship, because they are both tasks that I enjoy. Yes, I actually gain satisfaction out of planting seeds in the earth and working with wood, so both tasks definitely have 'value' to me. Either one of these has considerably more 'value', both to myself and society, than software enterprise license management, which is what I am currently paid to do for a living.
Food production has been automated, although not for the better, IMHO. As many here have already noted, the automation of the meat industry has resulted in nightmarish feedlot practices. Also, automation of food distribution was the main reason for the e-coli outbreak in spinach a few months ago. Given a choice, I think I would probably be more of a gardener than a farmer, producing some of my own food, while also supporting local
CSA and farmer's markets. I know there are several communities in the US that view farming as a very fulfilling endeavor, so I don't think we will starve due to lack of food production.
OTOH, I am not sure if craftsmanship can be automated (beyond the use of basic power tools), or even if it should be attempted. Part of what separates craftsmanship from mere millwork (which is automated) is the fact that there is actual 'craft' involved. Rather than producing a merely functional piece of furniture (for example), the craftsman produces a work of art, that in many cases, also serves a practical purpose. This is one directon that I think my purpose is taking me in. I am sure there are many people out there whose purpose involves art and the creation of beauty, so I would hope that we would not suffer due to the loss of craftsmanship either.