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Originally Posted by kniyogi  I have a vague recollection of reading this article; so I guess I have RTFB  I know that the other logical conclusion of your thesis is automation--which you touch upon in your article. However, even Ray Kurzweil thinks that the earliest we may achieve "singularity" is 2050. Evene after decades of AI research, we barely have robots which can clean the floor--but in turn needs to be cleaned/maintained by us before they can clean the apartment again (Roomba). We are making incremental advances in AI research, but I would be thrilled if we got anywhere close to singularity in my lifetime. Hence, this belief system that automation would get rid of "menial"/purpose-less jobs is not congruent with my present reality. If I adopt this belief system, then I would not be grateful to the people performing these "purpose-less" jobs--thereby making sure my own "purpose-filled" life proceeds smoothly--in other words a lack of empathy for folks out there enabling us to lead our "purpose-filled" lives. This leads me to question this belief system.
-KN |
Long before automation there are plenty of simpler alternatives. Automation is merely one of many possible solutions.
Another solution is for people to pitch in much like is done in the maintenance of a monastery or ashram. Each person does a bit of physical labor each day in addition to pursuing their main reason for being there. Everyone takes responsibility for helping out with the upkeep. Many of these places grow their own food too.
The idea that none of the menial tasks would get done if there were no employees is just plain silly. Of course they'd get done if they're necessary. You don't need a payroll or slave labor to get things done.