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HughBeaumont

(24,461 posts)

220. The Luddites were wrong because labor migrated with change brought on by industrialization.

Mon May 9, 2016, 07:56 AM

May 2016

For example, carriages led to automobiles, trains and planes. Labor went with it because you needed people to build them. You still needed people to drive combines, cranes and tow motors.

Not so with automation. Production increases, labor decreases until eliminated altogether. Batch jobs don't even require a person to push a button. Automated factories and warehouses are just the beginning. Seen the videos of home construction robots? Restaurant kiosks? How many white collar jobs are at risk? "Robots don't make mistakes, sleep, eat, whine about raises or safety and especially don't need health care". "YEW WANT $15 an hour? HERE'S YER KIOSK REPLACEMENT!! HAW HAW HAW" (that thinking, by the way, is found on DU as WELL as Yahoo and FB. Funny position to take from, you know, one who still has to work for money).

Oh RIGHT, I FORGOT. Robots also don't PURCHASE. Try reasoning with the people who run things, though.

Multiply that by thousands of industries and millions of jobs. Combine that with stagnant to decreasing inflation-adjusted wages attempting to pay for always-increasing necessity costs (e.g. how does a millennial with $25-$50k in debt buy a house? Or a reliable car? Or yet another costly trip to college?). Oh, and throw in a political climate that's still clinging to "earn yer keep" mentality and thinking we just need a lot more "Bush-o-nomics" and a lot less "SOSHULISM".

The math doesn't add up and this is not "just going to work itself out" like it did in the past.

YOU are the one that's wrong.

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My kid's generation doesn't really have a shred of hope, does it? [View all] HughBeaumont May 2016 OP

Snap out of it! Buzz Clik May 2016 #1

No kidding. We spent $13+ billion on Halloween Hortensis May 2016 #8

We have a great deal of Hope we have Hillary: she is almost always lewebley3 May 2016 #70

Oh, my. n/t tom_kelly May 2016 #83

Yes. Virtually all our Democratic candidates are Hortensis May 2016 #85

Agreed: Hortensis: but I am done with ST. Bernard: holy then thou routine lewebley3 May 2016 #90

"Done with St. Bernard" (sic) - something tells me LiberalElite May 2016 #157

i have been "done" with him and his bro's since he announced. stonecutter357 May 2016 #178

Where do you get this 40% figure? Also, people should understand jobs are not just going away Baobab May 2016 #91

Hillary has not been in power for 16 years: Clinton's created 22m jobs and lewebley3 May 2016 #98

The ACA is saving the insurance industry's "life" but its killing Americans by locking in a failed m Baobab May 2016 #139

Hillary and Obama's goals was to save lives with ACA: not destroy lewebley3 May 2016 #239

But she's a NEOLIBERAL and she wants o GLOBALIZE services- 70% of all jobs Baobab May 2016 #234

Hillary is not a No liberal: She is a democrat: She works for lewebley3 May 2016 #236

I'm sorry lewebly3, you're really wrong on this one- Do you want to know the truth? Baobab May 2016 #248

I don't need lecture on socialism: I am Democrat: and so is Hillary lewebley3 May 2016 #255

I am a Democrat too and an honest one, unlike HRC Baobab May 2016 #256

The ACA is a cover up to hide TISA which is making health care UNAFFORDABLE for good Baobab May 2016 #235

No the ACA is saving lives lewebley3 May 2016 #237

I always love the DU hypocrisy on companies whatthehey May 2016 #108

forestalling DonCoquixote May 2016 #114

Which does not change the ownership of that equity whatthehey May 2016 #115

Cackle DonCoquixote May 2016 #116

Ain't that the truth. airplaneman May 2016 #198

You are speaking researched facts. Not sure if most have caught up newthinking May 2016 #162

its a road to economic disaser because so few will have jobs and those jobs that do exist will pay Baobab May 2016 #164

Well said. emsimon33 May 2016 #166

What is she going to do "for the American people"? Arugula Latte May 2016 #126

Yes, somehow nations with not even near the GDPs we have can do this for their people. HughBeaumont May 2016 #128

Economics of scale might play a part... malthaussen May 2016 #179

I don't buy that argument. We have a much bigger population base to pay the taxes to support this. Arugula Latte May 2016 #194

Just think how much we'd be swimming in if the CHURCHES paid taxes. HughBeaumont May 2016 #216

I'm with you 100 percent. Religion is one giant grifting racket. Arugula Latte May 2016 #251

We have affordable healthcare the ACA: Thanks Obama lewebley3 May 2016 #188

It's not affordable for millions of people. Arugula Latte May 2016 #193

The poor wont be protected until after they are destituted, to prevent "Crowd Out" Baobab May 2016 #140

Let me put on my boots. U4ikLefty May 2016 #160

if you call getting Social Security cuts "protection" n/t eridani May 2016 #173

All Dem's and Dem party work to defend SS: Its the GOP that want it cut! lewebley3 May 2016 #186

If you choose to stay ignorant of the Catfood Commission, that is on you n/t eridani May 2016 #197

Its the GOP that have said SS is in debt: and the Dem's protected SS lewebley3 May 2016 #230

The The Catfood Commission attempted to cut Social Security. Get a clue! n/t eridani May 2016 #253

HughBeaumont is awake. Octafish May 2016 #215

Ya, that is clearly the problem: my reading ability. Buzz Clik May 2016 #217

No, ignorance is your problem, Buzz Clik. Octafish May 2016 #222

Damn! The Sanders crowd is especially pissy this morning. Buzz Clik May 2016 #224

OK. It's ALL going to work itself out. No need for any sort of discussion or anything like that. HughBeaumont May 2016 #225

Your OP reads like a suicide note. Buzz Clik May 2016 #226

I don't have the pay grade to be part of a solution. HughBeaumont May 2016 #227

Dude, you are working out some shit that has nothing to do with me. Buzz Clik May 2016 #228

It's a completely different paradigm, that's for sure. NRaleighLiberal May 2016 #2

Wealthy people and governments have the power to change the planet. HughBeaumont May 2016 #3

yes. well, thanks for your thoughtful OP - which allowed me to reflect on your words. NRaleighLiberal May 2016 #4

And your post also. HughBeaumont May 2016 #13

here's some more about dollars certainot May 2016 #43

. . . and it isn't just radio . . . . HughBeaumont May 2016 #47

i think talk radio is uniquely harmful in a number of ways certainot May 2016 #66

News "Narration" is growing and will be far more powerful (and destructive) newthinking May 2016 #165

and if the left stops allowing these 90 universities to certainot May 2016 #69

No it isn't, but that poster posts only about talk radio. merrily May 2016 #102

Hillary and the Dem party have the power to change the planet lewebley3 May 2016 #71

For example? Scootaloo May 2016 #109

Too bad they seem intent to change it so they get more wealth. rhett o rick May 2016 #169

Wealthy people have always run the country: it not new: FDR lewebley3 May 2016 #187

No, its been the same paradigm for over 100 years bhikkhu May 2016 #33

You can take it back farther than that. malthaussen May 2016 #42

One thing I've learned from studying history in detail bhikkhu May 2016 #161

Yet We Spend Billions Of Dollars On & Always Find A Way Of Paying For Elections.... global1 May 2016 #5

Pretty soon, we're not going to have a choice BUT to address infrastructure and societal issues. HughBeaumont May 2016 #93

Elections are cheap compared to the money lavished upon war. Dont call me Shirley May 2016 #152

This is exactly my view of how the next 30 years will unfold. I have no idea Nay May 2016 #6

I have an 8 year old son tk2kewl May 2016 #12

I have three sons Bettie May 2016 #18

Yours is the saddest post of the day. CrispyQ May 2016 #59

It makes me sad Bettie May 2016 #117

"the wholesale adoption of Republican bootstrap shit by nearly all Democrats." HughBeaumont May 2016 #53

Completely not true: Its the Democrats that have been fighting the GOP: lewebley3 May 2016 #89

keep telling yourself that tk2kewl May 2016 #111

Yep Go Vols May 2016 #118

Listen, "Liberal..." tk2kewl May 2016 #142

You listen to many left wing tea baggers on the radio: We have a great furture lewebley3 May 2016 #73

Yeah, maybe she can tell me the benefits or detriments of job offshoring. HughBeaumont May 2016 #101

Hillary is not responsible off shoring jobs: The Weather is also not her lewebley3 May 2016 #120

Never said she was. Only said she supports it. Or doesn't. HughBeaumont May 2016 #122

Google "GATS Mode Four" Baobab May 2016 #144

There were no job losses under Clinton: only Bush: Just a fact lewebley3 May 2016 #231

The negotiations have been going on for 20 years! Baobab May 2016 #233

Negotiantions are always going on every day forever! moot point lewebley3 May 2016 #240

I'm not lying and you are ignoring an all important fact Baobab May 2016 #241

The GOP would like to privatize everything: Not Dem's lewebley3 May 2016 #243

PLEASE REALIZE THIS: BILL CLINTON Baobab May 2016 #246

Oh so now the climate is "the weather" now? TheKentuckian May 2016 #214

They wont offshore, they will liberalize.. Baobab May 2016 #143

Why would you want your kid to work in a factory job or the like? snooper2 May 2016 #7

FOR WHAT HOUSES? FOR WHAT PROFESSIONS? HughBeaumont May 2016 #15

Um, you do know that Associates Degree are not that expensive... snooper2 May 2016 #20

I see. It's now hyper-batshit Repubilcan to be concerned about our children's futures. HughBeaumont May 2016 #22

Actually, it's the reverse. Now a huge share of the KPN May 2016 #65

We were blackmailed into voting... freebrew May 2016 #88

Before 1980 homelessness was not such a big problem. But jwirr May 2016 #76

What is it, there's now NO place in America where 40-hrs/wk earning minimum wage gets you a roof? HughBeaumont May 2016 #87

that is why they are globalizing all those fields. they claim we have a labor shortage! Baobab May 2016 #244

Anyone who thinks we have a "labor shortage" in this country . . . HughBeaumont May 2016 #247

people without jobs cant have pets- So training to care for nonexistent pets is not smart Baobab May 2016 #245

You do realize that not everyone has these type of skills? zalinda May 2016 #51

"His high school testing said...." mahatmakanejeeves May 2016 #63

Are those jobs going to be magically immune from automation? n/t Humanist_Activist May 2016 #132

Those kinds of jobs are bargaining chips in a global game, you're an idiot if you dont think they Baobab May 2016 #145

there was nothing wrong with factory work Skittles May 2016 #151

What's wrong with factory work? tenderfoot May 2016 #167

found my way to this story through a DU post... tk2kewl May 2016 #9

I'm tempted to show the Mad Max series to my 5 year old as a documentary and training aid NightWatcher May 2016 #10

"...the Mad Max series to my 5 year old as a documentary and training aid..." CrispyQ May 2016 #27

Sadly, our politicians do not address the future of the US in these areas. We are clearly RKP5637 May 2016 #11

Why having kids is a BAD BAD idea right now. Triana May 2016 #14

My husband and I couldn't have kids to fertility/medical issues maryellen99 May 2016 #17

I remember my two aunts who jwirr May 2016 #84

Excellent! Triana May 2016 #92

Similar situation here. emmadoggy May 2016 #99

Everyone wanted me to have a second one. HughBeaumont May 2016 #19

Think it will be a Bladerunner/Rollerball future as Climate change slowly erodes our ability to make Katashi_itto May 2016 #16

Glad I didn't have kids..... nt PasadenaTrudy May 2016 #21

Tell your kid to learn how to fix robots! Helen Borg May 2016 #23

I tried. HughBeaumont May 2016 #29

Said the user Helen Borg. CrispyQ May 2016 #32

Susan Calvin would be better.:) n/t malthaussen May 2016 #46

Anytime I suggest a minimum guaranteed income on Facebook, CrispyQ May 2016 #24

THIS. Cannot stand this utter stupidity. HughBeaumont May 2016 #35

We've lost total sight of community. CrispyQ May 2016 #52

Well we really like individual choice The2ndWheel May 2016 #80

People who post such nonsense are clueless. ronnie624 May 2016 #45

Nicely stated! CrispyQ May 2016 #54

It's not just an American phenomenon. malthaussen May 2016 #50

The only thing I feel entitled to is a stable and survivable climate. raouldukelives May 2016 #72

The world doesn't owe you anything The2ndWheel May 2016 #86

No, the world doesn't but SOCIETY does. Society is basically a contract that the people agree to. Live and Learn May 2016 #254

No offense meant by this, but if posting to social media is all you do closeupready May 2016 #96

Yep, the solutions are there nxylas May 2016 #175

FDR showed the way. Progressive countries today listened. It still works BUT pampango May 2016 #25

Europe adopted the FDR Bill Of Rights to their people's benefit. HughBeaumont May 2016 #100

Hugh, your posts are always thought provoking and spot on Ishoutandscream2 May 2016 #26

It's changing the graduation card business... Fumesucker May 2016 #28

I remember that one. HughBeaumont May 2016 #37

Nature's correcting itself in regards to us Blue_Adept May 2016 #30

Well, look at the bright side. Neither does your generation. Orrex May 2016 #31

Theoretically. HughBeaumont May 2016 #39

Have a nice cup of soma. malthaussen May 2016 #34

Is depressive nihilism a new progressive principle? It certainly seems so. ... 1StrongBlackMan May 2016 #36

+1. nt sufrommich May 2016 #38

My daughters are seeing the world differently than I saw it Sheepshank May 2016 #41

So true ... 1StrongBlackMan May 2016 #57

It's not me, it's the reality from corporate America and technology. HughBeaumont May 2016 #44

No,it's you. You don't really have to scare the shit sufrommich May 2016 #48

If we're hunting for "fantasies", try "depending on Capitalism to solve the problems it creates." HughBeaumont May 2016 #58

I am, well past, thinking that DUers have an unacknowledged need for Xanex ... 1StrongBlackMan May 2016 #64

"Progress" occurs and people adapt. There are plenty of careers that cannot be automated ... 1StrongBlackMan May 2016 #60

Have you & your kids ever discussed the possibility of a societal breakdown? CrispyQ May 2016 #67

Only when we watched the Mad Max franchise ... 1StrongBlackMan May 2016 #75

Thought we'd have a convo, but guess not. -nt CrispyQ May 2016 #78

What??? 1StrongBlackMan May 2016 #110

Apologies on the slang: convo = conversation CrispyQ May 2016 #138

I know what "convo" meanings and I wasn't being dismissive ... 1StrongBlackMan May 2016 #141

Climate change is a real issue though. Turin_C3PO May 2016 #121

True ... 1StrongBlackMan May 2016 #124

Unless effective plans are made and executed, ie. business does not continue Ghost Dog May 2016 #146

True; but, to the point of the question and my response ... 1StrongBlackMan May 2016 #147

I hope you're right, but things are moving very quickly hatrack May 2016 #183

and then there is planetary omnicide by 2031 airplaneman May 2016 #201

my boys and i joke about being prepped for the zombie Apocalypse when we add to Viva_La_Revolution May 2016 #113

Well put. I don't talk to my kids about this either. For the jwirr May 2016 #40

I dunno, read this blog post and maybe come to a different conclusion Hestia May 2016 #49

Their only real chance is a break-up of the Union. Lizzie Poppet May 2016 #55

I'm in. When do we start? Maedhros May 2016 #252

While on a walk, I once passed a father and his LibDemAlways May 2016 #56

I think the reason we tell this to our kids HughBeaumont May 2016 #62

I have an 18 year old brother and I'm full of hope for him La Lioness Priyanka May 2016 #61

If you tell them as much and convince them as such, then you are correct-- no hope. LanternWaste May 2016 #68

Great comment 6chars May 2016 #94

Basically, what the article discusses, is there has been no tech advances and to not put all Hestia May 2016 #74

Welcome to the first annual Hunger Games Agnosticsherbet May 2016 #77

"Future Shock" Cary May 2016 #79

We're absolutely needed to buy services and products. Capitalism doesn't continue otherwise. HughBeaumont May 2016 #81

If you're asking me ... Cary May 2016 #97

It deals with the unnecessary people. malthaussen May 2016 #180

Too pessimistic for me Cary May 2016 #185

These kinds of Malthusian projections have repeatedly occurred... Chan790 May 2016 #82

About that "Horatio Alger nonsense" Shoonra May 2016 #95

Yep malthaussen May 2016 #181

*SNORT* hatrack May 2016 #184

Yes they do but it won't be easy for them.. AuntPatsy May 2016 #103

Tell him there IS hope! redwitch May 2016 #104

Get into programming JackInGreen May 2016 #105

Have them learn a trade. PeteSelman May 2016 #106

Yep Go Vols May 2016 #127

But our children do have hope My Good Babushka May 2016 #107

. struggle4progress May 2016 #112

People have been hyperventilating about this since the end of feudalism Sen. Walter Sobchak May 2016 #119

Something is going to have to be figured out. Ace Rothstein May 2016 #123

Global Warming ... Arugula Latte May 2016 #125

Off to Greatest Threads! fred v May 2016 #129

Very little hope. What should 840high May 2016 #130

For thousands of years sulphurdunn May 2016 #131

I am encouraged by the green movement felix_numinous May 2016 #133

It sure seems like it sometimes GOPblows431 May 2016 #134

No, their tunnel goes to a very dark place. Thats what the trade deals are setting up, a world where Baobab May 2016 #249

My kids grew up on the farm where the changing climate is experienced intimately riderinthestorm May 2016 #135

Hope we get more finance guys on board with this. HughBeaumont May 2016 #136

Have your kids focus on skills required for infrastructure and green energy, and they'll be fine. cleanhippie May 2016 #137

You're being spammed by internet/social media it's depressing you & family. Sunlei May 2016 #148

Actually . . . . this mostly comes from DU itself. HughBeaumont May 2016 #149

robot and automation fears, I see what you mean. DU is social media too. Sunlei May 2016 #156

And you didn't even mention how fucked up the environment will be from global warming. Dont call me Shirley May 2016 #150

Properly cooked, the wealthy can be quite tasty. hunter May 2016 #153

Like someone said up thread, "Snap out of it." You don't get to show despair in front of your kid. LuvLoogie May 2016 #154

Your kids need to learn to weld, all genders. Welding for art and for utility CK_John May 2016 #155

Les get everyone welding. Welding is good to know when things need to be welded. Bonx May 2016 #196

Look forward to an energy evolution Rass May 2016 #158

Another advantage: Oligarchs can't own and control it like they can with oil and water. HughBeaumont May 2016 #174

Family - something only for rich people, the rest of us doomed to subsistance living... whereisjustice May 2016 #159

Not to worry... Thespian2 May 2016 #163

IMO, 50/50 doom or utopia Hydra May 2016 #168

"I gave up hope and it worked for me!" -George Carlin OnyxCollie May 2016 #170

I gave my kid Plan B. DrBulldog May 2016 #171

The end of work means we have to have another economy eridani May 2016 #172

Yes, it's not automation that I fear nxylas May 2016 #191

The Jetson's model didn't account for elites gobbling up automation cost savings. Snarkoleptic May 2016 #176

We look, we see, we want. ileus May 2016 #177

My generation grew up under threat of nuclear war and Reagan REP May 2016 #182

We are bearing witness to a new mass extinction event that humanity caused NickB79 May 2016 #189

Said in the 1800's, 1900's rinse repeat whistler162 May 2016 #190

Yep. Every single one does this... Phentex May 2016 #195

basic income for everybody, not just trust fund babies. yurbud May 2016 #192

Good God, GulfCoast66 May 2016 #199

Weird how people's expectations change with the world around them! tralala May 2016 #200

PFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFT. HughBeaumont May 2016 #204

I can tell GulfCoast66 May 2016 #208

Service plumbers will be around for quite a while. braddy May 2016 #202

I think we will have no choice but to move toward a guaranteed basic income. nt silvershadow May 2016 #203

Your assessment is essentially correct. BlindTiresias May 2016 #205

+1,000. HughBeaumont May 2016 #209

No I disagree Demsrule86 May 2016 #206

No. Give up, it's hopeless, doom doom gloom doom anigbrowl May 2016 #207

do you see things? hfojvt May 2016 #210

So here's where I ask "What are YOU talking about"? HughBeaumont May 2016 #212

worry accomplishes nothing hfojvt May 2016 #229

Reality is that if you're into IT and you're mobile, you will never be without a job. randome May 2016 #238

I'm deliberately not reading any comments to this thread, so my answer is heartfelt and uninfluinced LannyDeVaney May 2016 #211

I'm pretty much picturing Soylent Green TheFarseer May 2016 #213

You should read about the Luddites, who ran around destroying machines in the early industrial age. Act_of_Reparation May 2016 #218

The Luddites were wrong because labor migrated with change brought on by industrialization. HughBeaumont May 2016 #220

TL;DR Act_of_Reparation May 2016 #221

TL:TSTC. HughBeaumont May 2016 #223

You are being extremely uncharitable in your argument. BlindTiresias May 2016 #232

Yep. I'm being uncharitable with the person screaming about "culls" and robot doomsdays. Act_of_Reparation May 2016 #242

I mention it BlindTiresias May 2016 #250

We the People need to fire the secret government. Octafish May 2016 #219