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airplaneman

(1,389 posts)

13. I remember the promise of shorter work weeks in the 60's and 70's

Sat Aug 2, 2014, 09:10 PM

Aug 2014

Yes technology was going to bring the 32 hour work week and we would all have more leisure time to enjoy. Actually it really did happen but not in a fair way. There are a huge number of people working more than 40 hours a week. (I work two jobs totaling 70 hours a week and I have a friend who works two full time jobs. We have both been doing this for 20+ years.) Then there is the huge pool of the unemployed but they have no money for leisure (I have no time for leisure - heck neither I or my 80 hour a week friend have very much money either)
-Airplane

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We�re Heading into a Jobless Future, No Matter What the Government Does [View all] Uncle Joe Aug 2014 OP

Maybe each human should be allotted a robot to do the work and pay shraby Aug 2014 #1

Guaranteed living income time. woo me with science Aug 2014 #2

got to be quick around here! edgineered Aug 2014 #4

I agree, woo me with science, a negative income tax or guaranteed income is a good idea. Uncle Joe Aug 2014 #5

Damn politicians, for one example, have always been dipping into the social security trust. n/t RKP5637 Aug 2014 #6

+1 leftstreet Aug 2014 #7

That would be wonderful! Phlem Aug 2014 #37

Wasn't it in the late 60's and early 70's edgineered Aug 2014 #3

Yep, it was ... and now each day the country sinks further and further downhill for millions and RKP5637 Aug 2014 #8

There were many dynamics in play other than the beginning of the computer age. Uncle Joe Aug 2014 #9

Yes, and hearing that chocolate ration has been increased edgineered Aug 2014 #12

I have since added the link to the OP, I apologize for the oversight. Uncle Joe Aug 2014 #34

Slave labor abroad. joshcryer Aug 2014 #18

They served their purpose, and were discarded. eppur_se_muova Aug 2014 #25

Nor is there a need to change the mindset of those voters edgineered Aug 2014 #29

All the gains from the extra productivity... awoke_in_2003 Aug 2014 #26

All the 0.001% have to do is figure out how to eliminate the rest of us n2doc Aug 2014 #10

That part of the plan can never be revealed. edgineered Aug 2014 #15

Only if we let them, but I believe Uncle Joe Aug 2014 #16

Erm, the 0.001% don't have expertise. joshcryer Aug 2014 #20

You haven't included a link. CBHagman Aug 2014 #11

Vivek Wadhwa progressoid Aug 2014 #17

Thanks for catching that, I added the link to the OP. Uncle Joe Aug 2014 #23

I remember the promise of shorter work weeks in the 60's and 70's airplaneman Aug 2014 #13

, blkmusclmachine Aug 2014 #14

robots will be used to suppress dissent as the rich consume all remaining world resources whereisjustice Aug 2014 #19

So except for the rich there's no need for people. GeorgeGist Aug 2014 #21

Technology has given us a world of material abundance bhikkhu Aug 2014 #22

Ummmm ... why, exactly, does that robot have breasts ? eppur_se_muova Aug 2014 #24

DUzy. nt awoke_in_2003 Aug 2014 #27

This message was self-deleted by its author 1000words Aug 2014 #28

Have you seen this one yet, eppur_se_muova? I imagine the pay scale will be lower as well. Uncle Joe Aug 2014 #31

ZOMG! Can Hookerboot 5000 be far behind ? nt eppur_se_muova Aug 2014 #45

The project manager was in a frenzy and couldn't decide what to do. edgineered Aug 2014 #38

I have been waiting decades for the robot housekeepers since reading some old 50s and 60s scifi cstanleytech Aug 2014 #30

Sometimes things don't happen as quickly as we thought they would, but it's happening. Uncle Joe Aug 2014 #32

I'm still waiting for my jet pack. n/t Mr.Bill Aug 2014 #33

I'd read Brautigan's 1967 poem 'All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace,' but freshwest Aug 2014 #35

That's a good and yet troubling read freshwest, but regarding the selfish gene Uncle Joe Aug 2014 #41

the future SummerSnow Aug 2014 #36

Automation promised a life of leisure and now the right wing claims that's being lazy. Spitfire of ATJ Aug 2014 #39

This could go 2 ways a2liberal Aug 2014 #40

I just read the first four chapters and will read the rest tomorrow. Uncle Joe Aug 2014 #42

Let me know what you think when you're done :) nt a2liberal Aug 2014 #44

Read or re-read Player Piano by Kurt Vonnegut Crabby Appleton Aug 2014 #43