General Discussion

DetlefK

(16,670 posts) Thu May 21, 2015, 10:55 AM May 2015

Self-driving trucks will be job-killers. [View all]

http://gizmodo.com/self-driving-trucks-are-going-to-kill-jobs-and-not-jus-1705921308

"Those 3.5 million truck drivers driving all over the country stop regularly to eat, drink, rest, and sleep. Entire businesses have been built around serving their wants and needs. Think restaurants and motels as just two examples. So now we’re talking about millions more whose employment depends on the employment of truck drivers. But we still can’t even stop there.

Those working in these restaurants and motels along truck-driving routes are also consumers within their own local economies. Think about what a server spends her paycheck and tips on in her own community, and what a motel maid spends from her earnings into the same community. That spending creates other paychecks in turn. So now we’re not only talking about millions more who depend on those who depend on truck drivers, but we’re also talking about entire small town communities full of people who depend on all of the above in more rural areas. With any amount of reduced consumer spending, these local economies will shrink."

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Beware: Most unskilled workers will be replaced with robots whenever its cheaper. The only save jobs for unskilled workers will be those where the human component is part of the service/product, e.g. customer-service like waiting tables or crafting artisanal products.

And for those who go by the old "there-will-always-be-new-kinds-of-jobs" route: Please list examples of new jobs for 3.5 million unskilled workers, created by self-driving trucks.

111 replies

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Highlight:

Self-driving trucks will be job-killers. [View all] DetlefK May 2015 OP

There will be a truck driver in the cab of each self-driving rig. In_The_Wind May 2015 #1

Take a look at the Spain testing convoy driving without drivers. CK_John May 2015 #8

It's a long, long way off in America. DOT can't even get electronic logs in all trucks. In_The_Wind May 2015 #15

The future is coming. I bet in 10 years there are self driving trucks working daily. nt Logical May 2015 #72

Putting an end to speeding, jackknifes, rollovers and tailgating big rigs. In_The_Wind May 2015 #81

And the advent of the automobile was devastating for blacksmiths. (nt) Nye Bevan May 2015 #2

The trend is that any new jobs created need lots of skill or requires an advanced degree AZ Progressive May 2015 #4

But can we stop evolution? The2ndWheel May 2015 #17

Blacksmiths could become mechanics or body repairmen. Today, are they to retrain to be robots or leveymg May 2015 #52

+1 appalachiablue May 2015 #87

self driving trucks will be a lot safer Travis_0004 May 2015 #3

Boy! I have to admit to conflicting views on this subject. tech3149 May 2015 #5

Passenger jets fly themselves too workinclasszero May 2015 #6

Passenger jets do not fly themselves. SheilaT May 2015 #27

You seem to have missed a distinction jberryhill May 2015 #41

In what world do you live in where drivers that are "drunk or high" is commonplace? A HERETIC I AM May 2015 #49

I've never known or heard of such drunk, high, irresponsible and sleep deprived truckers. appalachiablue May 2015 #58

it won't stop there ruffburr May 2015 #7

Appreciate your raising the truth of what's rarely mentioned, that apart from the robotic appalachiablue May 2015 #22

I don't understand why this isn't obvious to people Johonny May 2015 #37

So essentially, trucks will become train-cars-on-highways. WinkyDink May 2015 #80

That occurred to me too, like a caravan or convoy of trucks, train cars, tanks, horses with appalachiablue May 2015 #88

But before they go, I hope they get there 15 dollars an hour at yeoman6987 May 2015 #31

+1. So cruel the GOP won't let people get a little money before being displaced by bots- appalachiablue May 2015 #36

The horse and buggy comeback is always a trip The2ndWheel May 2015 #9

Oh it's more then that yeoman6987 May 2015 #33

Just Like They Pay Some Farmers Not To Farm - Corporations Will Have To Pay..... global1 May 2015 #10

so were horseless carriages......and telephones...and electricity....and computers...... bowens43 May 2015 #11

I'm not sure what you're suggesting? Outlaw some technology to save jobs? Adrahil May 2015 #12

No, but the current economic-industrial model is unsustainable. DetlefK May 2015 #18

Oh, I agree, but I have no idea what to do about it. I'd be interested in hearing Krugman's ideas. Adrahil May 2015 #20

I think a universal income is a great idea. Oneironaut May 2015 #29

That money must come with zero strings attached yeoman6987 May 2015 #42

Productivity growth is down at the moment. It doesn't look like the robots are taking over anymore Chathamization May 2015 #60

Should we as a species aspire to nothing more ZX86 May 2015 #92

IMO Mr Dixon May 2015 #13

Mandatory repost Bosonic May 2015 #14

Yep they will whatthehey May 2015 #16

Techies love to trot out the blacksmiths and buggy whip makers, but... Rochester May 2015 #19

The implications are... most troubling. DetlefK May 2015 #23

Well, I'd love to hear your ideas. Adrahil May 2015 #24

+100. They don't ask and they don't care. Machine-Tech worship and fantasy isn't my art. appalachiablue May 2015 #25

Really you all should read Karl Marx davekriss May 2015 #53

Well, let's hear your ideas! Adrahil May 2015 #69

Oops I didn't mean the Marxist post to fall under you. :) davekriss May 2015 #57

You can't stop technology. Nor should we. nt Logical May 2015 #73

I have been saying this about both the TPP and Social Welfare Spending John_Doe80004 May 2015 #21

I hope that you do understand kentauros May 2015 #26

It didn't do that...before The2ndWheel May 2015 #30

In the context of this thread, kentauros May 2015 #34

Transition periods are narrowing from the horse and buggy days. haele May 2015 #40

And yet, it's still going to take time, kentauros May 2015 #46

Not only that, but they may only be economical (at first) for long-haul rides Recursion May 2015 #65

Good point. kentauros May 2015 #70

Few people will bother to own a self-driving car Recursion May 2015 #71

That sounds more like the way it'll work. kentauros May 2015 #77

That's the idea. I'm sure there will still be enthusiasts Recursion May 2015 #78

There will always be "gear heads" kentauros May 2015 #79

I can even predict the nostalgic op-eds about the kids who don't know about driving around aimlessly Recursion May 2015 #84

And revolutionary... Oneironaut May 2015 #28

Sci Fi 1939 May 2015 #35

What new jobs? historylovr May 2015 #39

The very wealthy will always need menials... malthaussen May 2015 #48

Yep. bravenak May 2015 #51

Ah, yes. Good point. historylovr May 2015 #61

Lots of renewable energy plants are hiring. So is biotech. So are a lot of small farms Recursion May 2015 #66

I take it your username is ironic mythology May 2015 #86

Yeah. Sure. historylovr May 2015 #91

Let me know when the politicians become obsolete Fumesucker May 2015 #68

Those big rigs have bedrooms. Truck drivers aren't checking into the Motel 6. Atman May 2015 #32

Yep, exactly. B2G May 2015 #45

Sometimes it's the only way to keep a family together. Eleanors38 May 2015 #56

I find your definition of bedroom mildly amusing. cherokeeprogressive May 2015 #90

Local buggywhips 489 Oktober May 2015 #38

It's simple. We bring back horses for the post office. Taitertots May 2015 #43

Truck drivers are not 'unskilled' B2G May 2015 #44

They will. And Taxi's too. Used to have elevator operators too. Technology waits for no one. nt Logical May 2015 #74

Elevators operate in a defined space/location, vehicles don't bigbrother05 May 2015 #82

You are short sighted on how technology advances. And landing a plane is much harder than driving. n Logical May 2015 #109

It's basically no longer in our hands then The2ndWheel May 2015 #83

I always have questions for Doom and Gloom Disguised as Optimism threads such as this. HughBeaumont May 2015 #47

Biotech and renewables are probably a good guess, along with "small ag" Recursion May 2015 #63

I think I'm in the minority here thinking that killing jobs is good. hunter May 2015 #50

+1. A social dividend makes higher unemployment a great thing Recursion May 2015 #64

Take a look at any pulp advertising paper like the Greensheet... Eleanors38 May 2015 #54

people can hack networks with a cellphone DiverDave May 2015 #55

One thing a machine will never be able to do is anticipate. cherokeeprogressive May 2015 #59

Wow, how short sighted...... Logical May 2015 #75

I didn't say they wouldn't be safe. My post WAS about driver error. cherokeeprogressive May 2015 #76

Humans can't anticipate either, we guess, and I would actually think that a computer... Humanist_Activist May 2015 #93

If humans can't anticipate; from whence does the word originate? cherokeeprogressive May 2015 #95

We make guesses, some are educated, many are not, but the point is that I don't... Humanist_Activist May 2015 #96

"Anticipation" is basically programming, be it in a human brain or a silicon one. kentauros May 2015 #108

What's your opinion on wheat threshing machines? (nt) Recursion May 2015 #62

1. Just have a look at the OP. 2. Your premise is faulty. DetlefK May 2015 #67

There will still be "drivers" on these trucks. greendog May 2015 #85

Initially yes, but I would imagine that would only be transitional. Humanist_Activist May 2015 #89

Driverless Trucks Taking Over At California Ports FrodosPet May 2015 #94

This makes sense for first usage of autonomous trucks(and possibly cars), in environment where.... Humanist_Activist May 2015 #98

on the bright side, maybe fewer people will get killed n/t librechik May 2015 #97

This is only the beginning, and I don't think the world economy is equipped to handle it at this... Humanist_Activist May 2015 #99

And the techies don't care because they look down the rest of society anyway AZ Progressive May 2015 #101

That's actually completely untrue, I am one of those techies, and we are talking about... Humanist_Activist May 2015 #103

I'm afraid you are correct librechik May 2015 #110

It could be a golden opportunity rather than something to fear, but only if governments, culture... Humanist_Activist May 2015 #111

This at the very least is another method of reducing the bargaining power of workers AZ Progressive May 2015 #100

Few people stop to think how automating everything will change Agnosticsherbet May 2015 #102

If it leads to more efficiency and, with the right public policies, a better standard of living... Humanist_Activist May 2015 #104

If, and only if, it leads to better public policy. Agnosticsherbet May 2015 #106

Well, first step is to get Republicans out of office, they hate any public policies that... Humanist_Activist May 2015 #107

That second paragraph is the multiplier effect in a nutshell JonLP24 May 2015 #105