The problem's plain to see,Too much technology,
Machines to save our lives,
Machines de-humanize
-Styx; “Mr. Roboto”
I found this letter to the editor this morning, and have been giggling over it all day. Part of me hopes it’s satire, and part of me hopes it isn’t. I’ll let you read the whole thing first, because it all hangs together as a beautiful work of absurdity.
Curse of automation
Question: How do we get out of the recession?
When we went to work in the 1980s and '90s, we had to use our hands, backs, eyes, minds and feet to get a job done. Now, I consider that the 25 percent of the working population who used their minds have put 75 percent of the working population out of a job. How is that, you ask?
Remember the song about John Henry? He drove spikes into railroad ties to hold the track to the ties. But he was only one of many who were replaced by a machine that could do more for a lot less. This was called automation. Every time a machine is developed to do the job of more workers, this takes the food away from another family.
It was great when they developed the computer. Now look how many jobs it has taken away.
I am sure that there are a lot of jobs out there that could be done by one or two men for minimum wages. And if the nation would get together, we might get out of the mess made by all the rich people who have all the automated machinery.
Let’s parse this out, shall we?
Curse of automation
DAMN YOU, HENRY FORD!
Question: How do we get out of the recession?
Ironically, he never answers this question.
When we went to work in the 1980s and '90s, we had to use our hands, backs, eyes, minds and feet to get a job done.
Yep *adjusts suspenders* I ‘member back in the Golden days of the eight-oughts *spits ‘baccy* Nothin’ but hard toilin’ all day an’ all night *fiddles with hearing aid*It was us against th’ land, an’ we had t’ take what we wanted with both hands! Nobody gave us nothin’! *sneers* You kids today with yer fancy…machinery.
Now, I consider that the 25 percent of the working population who used their minds have put 75 percent of the working population out of a job. How is that, you ask?
No. What I ask is: With the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting an unemployment rate of less than 8% nationally, where the fuck are you getting 75%?
Remember the song about John Henry? He drove spikes into railroad ties to hold the track to the ties. But he was only one of many who were replaced by a machine that could do more for a lot less.
I’m guessing that the author is a Union member, as John Henry is one of their favorite bedtime stories, reflecting on the soulless company that only wants to become more efficient instead of spending all of its money caring for its workers. I’m sure glad Unions have moved with the times, or else our auto manufacturers might get into trouble.
This was called automation.
Or “progress.” Take your pick.
Every time a machine is developed to do the job of more workers, this takes the food away from another family.
But not the families of:
· the engineers who designed the machine
· the people who provided the parts for it
· the assemblers who built it
· the software technicians who programmed it
· the transport people who delivered it
· the packaging people who protected it during transport
· the maintenance people who service it
It was great when they developed the computer. Now look how many jobs it has taken away.
Which computer? The ENIAC from 1946? Babbage’s Difference Engine from 1822? The abacus from 2300 BC?
I’m not sure if this guy is confusing computers with machinery, or if they’re equal in his mind. In any case, Google and Microsoft alone employ around 100,000 people directly, not to mention the thousands of independent contractors that work with them, and the millions of people that make their living in some sort of computer-related field. E-bay, WIRED magazine, Dell, YouTube, etc.
I don’t know of any workers directly replaced by a computer. The computer is a tool. That’s sort of like getting replaced by your stapler. Of course, computers are used to control machinery, which may be his main beef. Personally, I’d rather my car be assembled by robots that won’t be distracted by a fight with their wife when they’re installing the electronic braking system. It would also be comforting to have the retinal laser aimed at my iris guided by a computer rather than a guy who’s in all likelihood probably mostly sober.
I am sure that there are a lot of jobs out there that could be done by one or two men for minimum wages.
Or by one or two women for even less than that! Hopefully, these jobs don’t require precision tolerances. You know, like for designing bridges, airplanes, CAT scanners, or skyscrapers.
And if the nation would get together, we might get out of the mess made by all the rich people who have all the automated machinery.
This part is just dripping with class hatred, bitterness, and a flawed understanding of both basic business and modern life. I love it.
On second thought, this guy probably was replaced by a computer, as his boss probably would rather deal with Vista’s bullshit than his.
No comments:
Post a Comment