Quote from: supsalemgr on January 23, 2016, 09:55:51 AM
None of this is new. Innovation and motivation have always been the key to changing times. A big hindrance to advancement are unions which desire to maintain the status quo with higher wages. That is a proven failed model. My area used have a significant amount of small manufacturing and we all know what has happened to those jobs in the US. We now have a vibrant beer brewing industry in the area with more craft breweries that I can keep up with. The local community college has begun offering classes in brewing with a partnership with the local breweries. This has provided jobs not only in that industry, but it has also helped tourism which is really a tremendous revenue stream for local communities.

There is now over 200 wineries within a 75 mile radius of me.  There are 4 within 20 miles of me.   Three of them have tasting rooms that my kids enjoy when they come over for a weekend. 

Quote from: supsalemgr on January 23, 2016, 09:55:51 AM
None of this is new. Innovation and motivation have always been the key to changing times. A big hindrance to advancement are unions which desire to maintain the status quo with higher wages. That is a proven failed model. My area used have a significant amount of small manufacturing and we all know what has happened to those jobs in the US. We now have a vibrant beer brewing industry in the area with more craft breweries that I can keep up with. The local community college has begun offering classes in brewing with a partnership with the local breweries. This has provided jobs not only in that industry, but it has also helped tourism which is really a tremendous revenue stream for local communities.

Actually ... that's kinda funny, because in Eden, NC.,  Miller-Coors is closing down.  All those great union jobs are going away.  Driving east on I-40, just past Greensboro, one of those craft breweries is easily seen from the roadway.

Quote from: Hoofer on January 23, 2016, 12:23:30 PM

Actually ... that's kinda funny, because in Eden, NC.,  Miller-Coors is closing down.  All those great union jobs are going away.  Driving east on I-40, just past Greensboro, one of those craft breweries is easily seen from the roadway.

What has helped is the support of Sierra Nevada when they opened their brewery here in Henderson County. They have been very supportive of the local "Mom & Pops". In fact, before they opened they flew some locals to their CA brewery to help them. Now Asheville, Hendersonville and Brevard have a very active brewery scene.

Quote from: SalemCat on December 20, 2015, 07:17:33 PM
The Future, in many respects, is clear.

There will be far fewer jobs.

Salem I don't know that I agree with that. Technological unemployment always seems to follow a pattern.

1.Unskilled labor (or skilled labor with repetitive job duties) lose their jobs because machines can produce product faster and cheaper. Some new jobs are created (or old ones maintained) to maintain or operate the machines.

2. Cost of the product goes down and demand goes up.

3. Companies buy more equipment and hire more people (don't forget support people as they are a big part of this equation!!!!!) to meet the increased demand.

Quote from: SalemCat on December 20, 2015, 07:17:33 PMThe early 1900's saw the collapse of the Family Farm, as Farming By Machine meant far fewer farmers were needed to produce food.

That may be true but it takes an army of people to distribute and process that food. The distribution and processing create jobs. You know how many people it takes to supply McDonald's with apple turnovers? If you follow that apple from planting to consumption there are a lot of jobs supporting that transition.

Quote from: SalemCat on December 20, 2015, 07:17:33 PMAnd slowly, other simple jobs are disappearing. Elevator Operators, Toll Collectors, Cashiers.

Elevator operators and toll collectors..... I don't see an issue with those jobs disappearing. Those are NOT career jobs and they really DO NOT develop any kind of skill set. As far as cashier's....... I think a lot of companies still value human contact with their customers.

Quote from: SalemCat on December 20, 2015, 07:17:33 PMVery soon, Cabbies. Then Truck Drivers.

It is one thing to make a small car drive on a level highway. It is another to drive a multi ton truck on bad roads in the Colorado mountains. Things go wrong with trucks, things that can create dangerous situations. Things a computer would never catch. The trucking companies may try to use autonomous vehicles (and yes I have seen articles about this subject) but I think they will find after a few "accidents" (and lawsuits!!!!!!!!) that it was not such a good idea.

Quote from: SalemCat on December 20, 2015, 07:17:33 PMFast Food Workers will decline dramatically.

Again,  I think a lot of companies still value human contact with their customers.

Quote from: SalemCat on December 20, 2015, 07:17:33 PMEventually even Construction will revolutionize, as Buildings, Roads, Bridges will be "printed" by thousands to millions of tiny "termite" or "ant" robots, working in unison, under computer guidance.

Faster, better made, less materials used (less waste), and a potential for higher reclamation of "raw materials" (when the building is eventual taken down).

Besides the job losses I see no down side and..... it will probably take an army to support the little "buggers". That will offset the job losses.

Quote from: SalemCat on December 20, 2015, 07:17:33 PMSadly, the results of idleness are already far too clear. In our Inner Cities, Drugs, Gangs, Perversions rule, as Humans lose their sense of purpose.

I fear Hell is more likely than Utopia, at least for the masses.

I will agree with that but I don't think technological unemployment is responsible for that. I believe it is welfare. We have these issues because stupid people were rewarded for making stupid decisions. What is rewarded is repeated. Welfare is responsible for most of our social issues in this country.

Think about it.

Quote from: walkstall on January 23, 2016, 09:33:14 PM

Blame the architect for making an inefficient design.
The engineer created it to be full, it's the end user that seems to never be able to make up their mind.

Thisglass is an excellent example, because where many see doom and gloom, others see opportunity.
I see machines replacing twice as many jobs, but with every job lost, three are created.
Just think how many looked on as the wheel barrow stole 10 jobs, when it truth, it created efficiency, clearing the way for even more projects to start, allowing the builder to create more openings.

Quote from: SalemCat on December 20, 2015, 07:17:33 PM
The Future, in many respects, is clear.

There will be far fewer jobs.


Sadly, the results of idleness are already far too clear. In our Inner Cities, Drugs, Gangs, Perversions rule, as Humans lose their sense of purpose.

I fear Hell is more likely than Utopia, at least for the masses.

Don't worry, socialism and planned economy will deal with this problem. 

Quote from: kalash on January 24, 2016, 06:00:10 AM
Don't worry, socialism and planned economy will deal with this problem. 

Yeah, kinda like the Dark Ages all over again.

Quote from: kalash on January 24, 2016, 06:00:10 AM
Don't worry, socialism and planned economy will deal with this problem. 

Totally!  During the Olympics, you guys really showed the world how awesome your economic system is.  Thanks for sharing your pillows with our athletes, by the way.  Silly us, we figured there would be enough.

Quote from: supsalemgr on January 23, 2016, 12:36:31 PM
What has helped is the support of Sierra Nevada when they opened their brewery here in Henderson County. They have been very supportive of the local "Mom & Pops". In fact, before they opened they flew some locals to their CA brewery to help them. Now Asheville, Hendersonville and Brevard have a very active brewery scene.

A "centralized economy" shelters and protects the unproductive, on the backs of the productive.
I'm a big fan of small business, much more agile than a large business.

While visiting a friend in Dayton, OH last year, we visited a micro-brew they had invested in.  It was making money... what can I say - the beer sucked, but, people were buying the stuff.  Something about FRUIT in beer .... just can't get useto that... like Mad Dog 20-20.

I'm very optimistic about the economy if it allows for small business startups and growth.  Diversity in GNP is a good thing, centralization of the business economy is fraught with corruption and government interference.

While I admire the enthusiasm, there are many, perhaps even the majority, who will forever be "Employees", and never "Employers".

And those who have low-skills will be replaced by robots, and will never be employed.

Should they be euthanized ?

Obviously not, but here is the dilemma.

We currently offer SSI to the retarded who cannot contribute. Let's say their IQ's are 60. Suppose robots can do the jobs of those at 60. Then 70. Then 100.

What happens next ?

Quote from: SalemCat on January 24, 2016, 08:05:28 PM
While I admire the enthusiasm, there are many, perhaps even the majority, who will forever be "Employees", and never "Employers".

And those who have low-skills will be replaced by robots, and will never be employed.

Should they be euthanized ?

Obviously not, but here is the dilemma.

We currently offer SSI to the retarded who cannot contribute. Let's say their IQ's are 60. Suppose robots can do the jobs of those at 60. Then 70. Then 100.

What happens next ?

You sir, have very little faith in man kind.   

Quote from: SalemCat on January 24, 2016, 08:05:28 PM
While I admire the enthusiasm, there are many, perhaps even the majority, who will forever be "Employees", and never "Employers".

That always has and will be the case.

Quote from: SalemCat on January 24, 2016, 08:05:28 PMWhat happens next ?

Quote from: SalemCat on January 24, 2016, 08:05:28 PMWhat happens next ?