Robots and AI Replaced Americas Workforce

[Unkotare]

 

[Leo123]

Musk lost me at his climate change threat comment.

 

[Mushroom]

I understand our attention spans have diminished but watch the first 3 or 4 minutes and see all the workers in this one plant, imagine all the production plants America had before the robots and machines took over?

Today robots replace us and take our jobs, I worked at GM in Atlanta in 1973-74. I was amazed how different it is now,

Actually, that is Luddite thinking, and has been proven to be wrong over and over.

Automation really does not take jobs, but it does move them to other sectors. Because people need to build and maintain those machines. Yes, lower level jobs are lost, but other jobs are made in other sectors.

Good example, less than 40 years ago every office had typewriters, and people skilled in servicing them. Then by 30 years ago that had largely shifted to word processors, and now computers. But those who used the typewriters did not lose their jobs, most became computer operators. And the same with the people that used to operate the carts that handled in-business mail. Today it is done by e-mail, but as those departments were closed down most moved to other departments.

I worked as a computer tech in the "Corporate World" for many years (mostly Hughes Aerospace). And I have even seen it in the military.

My orders and all paperwork needed in the military for my first decade were mostly done on typewriters. Computers in the early 1980s were still rare things to see then, and every clerk was a skilled typist.

Ironically, my last unit was the only one I had seen with a typewriter in over a decade. It was on a desk in the admin office, but it was almost never used (there was not even a ribbon in it). Literally the only reason why it was there is that that unit had no access to the classified computer network, and no computers rated to work with classified material. So in the event that something classified had to be sent, the person would pull the ribbon out of the security vault, type it up, then have it delivered. The ribbon would then be put back into the vault.

But in the last 30 years, I can't think of a single person who goes around sighing because all the typewriter repairmen were put out of a job. And yes there actually was such a thing, because I knew one.

 

[whoisit]

Actually, that is Luddite thinking, and has been proven to be wrong over and over.

Automation really does not take jobs, but it does move them to other sectors. Because people need to build and maintain those machines. Yes, lower level jobs are lost, but other jobs are made in other sectors.

Good example, less than 40 years ago every office had typewriters, and people skilled in servicing them. Then by 30 years ago that had largely shifted to word processors, and now computers. But those who used the typewriters did not lose their jobs, most became computer operators. And the same with the people that used to operate the carts that handled in-business mail. Today it is done by e-mail, but as those departments were closed down most moved to other departments.

I worked as a computer tech in the "Corporate World" for many years (mostly Hughes Aerospace). And I have even seen it in the military.

My orders and all paperwork needed in the military for my first decade were mostly done on typewriters. Computers in the early 1980s were still rare things to see then, and every clerk was a skilled typist.

Ironically, my last unit was the only one I had seen with a typewriter in over a decade. It was on a desk in the admin office, but it was almost never used (there was not even a ribbon in it). Literally the only reason why it was there is that that unit had no access to the classified computer network, and no computers rated to work with classified material. So in the event that something classified had to be sent, the person would pull the ribbon out of the security vault, type it up, then have it delivered. The ribbon would then be put back into the vault.

But in the last 30 years, I can't think of a single person who goes around sighing because all the typewriter repairmen were put out of a job. And yes there actually was such a thing, because I knew one.

Although 3 to 5 workers keeping up tobots and machines are replacing sometimes over 100 workers that use to do the work.
I know we can't stop advances in technology, but I do see some problems because we gotr too big for our britches and caused a shortage in manual jobs aka Blue-Collar jobs that millions of Americans use to do.
Just a thought I understand things change and not always for the better of man.

 

[whoisit]

Musk lost me at his climate change threat comment.

Leo I'm no radical tree hugger myself, but being a older person I have to admit I see many changes in the weather and especially in the environment. I use to like to skin dive or snorkel in The Keys and the difference I seen in the reefs, amount of fish, SeaLife and especially coral is horrible.
We do have to pay more attention to toxic waste, 'especially plastic' that is polluting our rivers and oceans. Same thing for our aquifer's aka well's.

I've seen the rivers here turn into slim pits that were once beautiful clear spring waters. Springs dry up or full of green algae. We have lost many of them.

I also see what your saying too that we don't need to go overboard on too much radical false information and scare tactics from leftist loons.

 

[fncceo]

Robots and AI Replaced Americas Workforce​

They seem to be doing a pretty good job. Let's get MORE robots!

 

[Captain Caveman]

I understand our attention spans have diminished but watch the first 3 or 4 minutes and see all the workers in this one plant, imagine all the production plants America had before the robots and machines took over?


Today robots replace us and take our jobs, I worked at GM in Atlanta in 1973-74. I was amazed how different it is now,

Unfortunately, unions have had a major part in this. If your workforce keep striking, your boss will find ways to get shot of the workforce.

Also cost, and increase in minimum wage means another robot has just now been hired. The worst thing countries could have done, excluding COVID lockdowns, is distort their economies with minimum wage.

 

[whoisit]

Unfortunately, unions have had a major part in this. If your workforce keep striking, your boss will find ways to get shot of the workforce.

Also cost, and increase in minimum wage means another robot has just now been hired. The worst thing countries could have done, excluding COVID lockdowns, is distort their economies with minimum wage.

You do have a point. Anytime a 'right' turns too political it's another nail in the coffin of what was once a great country.
Some things did need to change but it went way too far.

 

[Captain Caveman]

You do have a point. Anytime a 'right' turns too political it's another nail in the coffin of what was once a great country.
Some things did need to change but it went way too far.

It's why most Western nations can't compete against the kids in factories in Vietnam, China etc.. The labour cost base in the West is too high, the biggest cost to a business is wages, so the implementation of robots, self serve tills etc.. happens in order to compete against the Vietnamese and China junk.

 

[Unkotare]

Although 3 to 5 workers keeping up tobots and machines are replacing sometimes over 100 workers that use to do the work.
I know we can't stop advances in technology, but I do see some problems because we gotr too big for our britches and caused a shortage in manual jobs aka Blue-Collar jobs that millions of Americans use to do.
Just a thought I understand things change and not always for the better of man.

There is no shortage of blue collar jobs.

 

[iamwhatiseem]

So why is there this yuge labor shortage, brah?

AMC's were decent vehicles, too.

They probably would have sold better if they weren't so danged ugly

 

[whoisit]

There is no shortage of blue collar jobs.

There is of jobs with good pay. Plenty of food service and store clearks, but not factory jobs where wage would support a family.

 

[Whodatsaywhodat.]

how long before democrats demand voting rights and paid vacation for robots

When they can send the robots mail in ballots .

 

[Leo123]

Leo I'm no radical tree hugger myself, but being a older person I have to admit I see many changes in the weather and especially in the environment. I use to like to skin dive or snorkel in The Keys and the difference I seen in the reefs, amount of fish, SeaLife and especially coral is horrible.
We do have to pay more attention to toxic waste, 'especially plastic' that is polluting our rivers and oceans. Same thing for our aquifer's aka well's.

I've seen the rivers here turn into slim pits that were once beautiful clear spring waters. Springs dry up or full of green algae. We have lost many of them.

I also see what your saying too that we don't need to go overboard on too much radical false information and scare tactics from leftist loons.

Pollution is different than climate change.

 

[Mushroom]

Although 3 to 5 workers keeping up tobots and machines are replacing sometimes over 100 workers that use to do the work.

And building them.

And if it was still 100 people as you claim, then nobody would buy the product because it would be too expensive.

Every single industry has downsized the number of employees, as that is often the largest single expenditure in almost any business.

When I worked fast food 40 years ago, it was not unusual to have a crew of 10 or more on duty at any one time. Today, that is more commonly from 3 to 5. When labor costs grow so large, then the companies have to either cut costs, or raise prices. This is simply business.

 

[Mushroom]

but not factory jobs where wage would support a family.

There are few factory jobs left. The American public stopped supporting them, and decided to send their money overseas instead.

 

[Mushroom]

It's why most Western nations can't compete against the kids in factories in Vietnam, China etc.

Actually they can, and they did for well over a century. The main hallmark for most of the 20th century of American goods over imports was quality. But people stopped caring about that, and instead just jumped at what was the cheapest thing they could find.

However, about 20-30 years ago, the American consumer decided that price was more important than quality. And one segment after another of US industry left or went bankrupt. And now there is little left.

 

[Mushroom]

Also cost, and increase in minimum wage means another robot has just now been hired.

Minimum wage laws can both help, and destroy an economy.

I for one am against such wages that cover an entire state or country. I believe they should be set at the local level, in relationship to the local economy. As in setting them in a city or county.

Far too often, I have seen such laws destroy the economy in the smaller communities. Here in Oregon they set a law for people in Portland. Well that's great, but I don't live in Portland. I saw the same thing in California, where they scream that people in Baghdad by the Bay do not make enough money (even though they have their own minimum wage law that is even higher). Then in smaller communities like Oroville and Paradise it is crippling, because many companies end up laying off some of their people to meet the new payroll.

The smaller towns are just not based around such a high standard of living. Lower rents is a major reason, but overall many things like insurance and other things are less expensive also. But hike up wages, and not only are there less jobs, but then others raise their prices to meet the new income levels.

20 years ago, I got tired of living in LA, so moved to Alabama. Yes, I made about half as much, but I lived twice as well as everything was so much cheaper, and what I made went a lot farther. Instead of spending $800 a month to rent a room, I was renting half a duplex for $250. And my car insurance was less than a quarter of what it had been in LA, and my annual registration a fraction of what California charged.

 

[Unkotare]

There are few factory jobs left. The American public stopped supporting them, and decided to send their money overseas instead.

Contributions of Key Economic Sector Recognized on Manufacturing Day

Held annually on the first Friday in October, Manufacturing Day showcases the contributions of a key economic sector.

www.census.gov

 

[Mushroom]

Contributions of Key Economic Sector Recognized on Manufacturing Day

Held annually on the first Friday in October, Manufacturing Day showcases the contributions of a key economic sector.

www.census.gov

Thank you for the data, it just proves what I just said.

You see, that is the danger of just posting something that you think proves I am wrong, and in fact proves I am correct.

According to your link, manufacturing employs 11.7 million people in the US as of 2018. We had a population of 326.8 million that year.

In 2000 it was 12.8 million, with a population of 282.2 million.

In 1980 it was 19 million, with a population of 226.5 million.

So not only has the number employed in manufacturing declined, as a percentage of the population it has shrunk even faster because as manufacturing declined, population increased.

Today, the number in manufacturing is a fraction of what it was. And your posting only helps to prove that.