"Ignoramus30447" wrote in message
...
On 2011-02-25, Pete C. wrote:

Ignoramus30447 wrote:

Is the same thing that I love about computers in general. I can program
a computer to do something that I want, automatically, and to run
unattended.

With this CNC mill, too, I do not even care too much how long a job
would take. I just program it, double check that all the rapids are in
the areas that are milled out, start the job and walk away to do
something else. I somewhat watch the progress through a netcam, with
one eye.

This is just so awesome, to have a mill do my job, precisely the same
way every time.

i

The technology is great for you and I now, but the problem is that as
machines are able to do more tasks efficiently, there are fewer jobs for
humans, thus we have a growing population and a shrinking job market.
The idea that everyone will just get better "knowledge economy" jobs is
simply absurd. What exactly will happen when machines replace low paid
maids and housekeeping jobs? When machines replace migrant farm workers?
Can you say mobs of pitchfork wielding peasants demanding jobs and food?

Oh yes.

This is a huge concern of mine. I do think that the computer
revolution is different from the past manufacturing revolutions, in
the sense that smart enough computers simply do not leave room for any
work for people with IQ below, say, 90. And as the computers get
smarter, the cutoff IQ gets higher and higher, displacing more and
more people.

i

i

We just started running a shop-built computer controlled machine to make wire wheels.
It does FIVE times the production of a manual machine (exactly as projected) and we
can train operators in less than 10 minutes. (Put part "A" in position "B" and push
button "C") The union is upset because running the machine displaces four workers and
requires no extraordinary skill or pay level. And, the machine tracks production
real-time and is connected to the network so we can see exactly what's going on from
the office. (The union hates that too, they say it's an invasion of privacy.)