The Robots Are Coming

A podcast about how most routine jobs will be replaced by robots in the near future.  The implications are obvious since the majority - even many white collar - jobs are routine.  Not mentioned, but also true, the routine aspect of many jobs make is possible to train people for otherwise very difficult jobs.  People perform the routine tasks, making them valuable to employers, in exchange for training how to do the "real job."  If robots were to take over, how will anyone learn the more difficult jobs?  Will the burden of cost shift to them?  How will they pay for it?  This is a huge social problem.

One idea that came out of the discussion was redistribution.  Since robots will raise productivity, there will be more money made, but of course, it will be concentrated with the super-talented and those who are able to leverage their skills.  Labor is a form of redistribution in that the super-talented need to hire the less talented to work for them to make the products we all enjoy.  And there is another problem:  who will buy and use products if no one has any money?

Say in the future, when 20% unemployment is normal, maybe we will need to give people an "allowance."  This will serve as a basic social safety net and a way to give everyone something to spend.  I suppose in way, this is already welfare and we know the drawbacks of such a system.  Ah...who knows...