Tell Me... What Are YOUR Tea Leaves... Saying To You...

[WillyT]

Locally: California is supposedly about to have the worst drought in 500 years.

You know... California which feeds a large portion of the planet. Let alone basic drinking, cooking, showering water...

Nationally: THE REPUBLICANS COULD NOT GIVE A SHIT ABOUT THEIR CONSTITUENTS !!!

Or the rest of us...

And apparently there are enough Dems who have been bought off as well.

Globally: Governments warned: Robots may take half our jobs in 20 years, so prepare for revolution
By Travis Gettys - RawStory
Friday, January 17, 2014 10:44 EST

<snip>

Nearly half of today’s jobs could be automated within the next two decades, according to one recent study, and no one seems to be prepared for what that will mean for society.

Study (.pdf file): http://www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk/downloads/academic/The_Future_of_Employment.pdf

The digital revolution, just as the industrial revolution before it, is increasing productivity but also transforming the workforce – putting workers out of some jobs and into others. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as many of the newly created jobs are higher-paying or less physically demanding, but rapidly changing economies dislocates many workers and transforms societies in unpredictable ways.

The technological “tornado” will hit the rich world first, reported The Economist, but will eventually sweep through poorer countries, reshaping politics and social organizations.

The Economist Article: http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21594298-effect-todays-technology-tomorrows-jobs-will-be-immenseand-no-country-ready

Oxford University researchers predicted that 47 percent of U.S. jobs are “at risk” for being automated in the next 20 years – especially in transportation, logistics, office and administrative support work.

The researchers also expressed surprise that service occupations, where most recent U.S. job growth has occurred, are “highly susceptible” to computerization.

For example...

<snip>

More: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/01/17/governments-warned-robots-may-take-half-our-jobs-in-20-years-so-prepare-for-revolution/

Sometimes I wonder... if 2014/2016 is gonna do the trick.

I'm gonna vote... and hope for the best... but I doubt it will be enough...

[brewens]

1. Damn Califoreigners! Let it burn! They's mostly libruls anyways!

[deathrind]

2. IMO

President Carter was right on target with his national address about the consumer society that was evolving. The chasing of profit and growth (over basic human conditions/standards of living) has caused humanity to simply lose sight of...humanity. At some point in the future this will self correct, unfortunately this correction will take place because survival will depend upon it and not by choice to just be a better species. It will be a very different planet when this happens and I doubt any of us alive today will live to see it. Future generations will look back upon us with distain and wonder how we could have let it happen as we look back on past generations. This is what my "Tea Leafs" tell me.

[Blue_In_AK]

3. Alaska's late governor Wally Hickel decades ago

used to cause Alaskans to roll their eyes when he suggested that Alaska should build a water pipeline to the Lower 48 and sell our water. Now it sounds like an idea whose time has come.

[WillyT]

5. Yep... National Aquaducts Might Become A Necessity...

And an infra-structure boon.

[KoKo]

4. Well.....if you want to know the truth...

:

[Arcanetrance]

6. Make me up and drink me... Oh and also get more chai

[Agnosticsherbet]

7. A 3d printer that will print a house in 24 hours is under development.

Researchers Are Making A 3D Printer That Can Build A House In 24 Hours

They of the loss of construction jobs. The article glosses over the loss of jobs. What will it be like living in a civilization where the majority don't work at anything but the most menial labor? If we do all our work with robots and other new technologies, what happens to the vast majority of humans. somehow, I don't foresee us become a civilization of Lotus eaters that lay back on our couches whle machines toil away for us.

[WillyT]

8. Tell Me...Will It Effectively Print Money ???

[Agnosticsherbet]

9. They use another printer for that.

[alittlelark]

10. CA drought is HUGE concern... 1/3 or more of your food comes from here.

....that said, the agricultural model for 95% of the Central Valley farms is unsustainable. The huge agri-business interests have used synthetic (ie:salt-based) fertilizers for so long that their crops need huge amts of water to overcome the salinity. They need more and more water every year.... it is quite literally unsustainable.

Those that only look at profits and not sustainability are running the show.

I wish a board member or 2 would sit in on some of our Horticulture classes at Foothill College. They would be shocked/horrified.... but perhaps the %age w/a moral compass or foresight would be able to convey the message.