On 9/1/2013 10:02 PM, Gunner Asch wrote:
On Sun, 01 Sep 2013 21:08:07 -0700, Larry Jaques
wrote:

On Sun, 01 Sep 2013 14:47:10 -0700, Gunner Asch
wrote:

On Sun, 01 Sep 2013 13:13:45 -0500, Ignoramus27947
wrote:

On 2013-09-01, Ed Huntress wrote:
On Sun, 01 Sep 2013 11:58:56 -0500, Ignoramus27947
wrote:

On 2013-09-01, Ed Huntress wrote:
On Sun, 01 Sep 2013 11:38:44 -0500, Ignoramus27947
wrote:

On 2013-09-01, Tom Gardner Mars@Tacks wrote:

The trouble with more automation that I see is that at some point
there has to a be human involved. Can trucks be unloaded and
materials be unpacked and prepared by robots? Sure, but the laws of
diminishing returns don't favor that high of degree of automation.
My thought is to just take the art out of an operation and increase
quality and consistency.

My own approach to this, is to push things as far as possible.

I cannot see, why trucks cannot be unloaded by robots.

And I am also sure that robots do not need pension and health
insurance.

i

Everyone else can stand back and watch! g

You're right that you can't stop that kind of progress. And then what?


I do not know what then. I find that sort of progress to be
inevitable, but dusturbing.

Same here.

I am convinced that, unlike in the past,
computers can replace people permanently. As the ability of computers
progresses, they can replace more and more people.

Under old economic theories, this was not a problem. The work week
would just keep getting shorter.

Today people call that "socialism," even though it has nothing to do
with government ownership.

It's a vexing issue that I'm sure some of the denizens here have all
figured out. d8-)


Why do a business want to employ a "no longer economically useful
worker" for reduced hours?

It is a vexing issue that I have not figured out, except for a
determination to be ireplaceable by computers, for me and for my
kids.

i

You found a niche that you fit into. Those niches are getting to be
smaller and smaller in numbers.

Which is why so many of my clients have retired out of California,
taking a few machines with them to their new digs in Aridzona and
Idaho and making high dollar custom medical parts and gun parts
working in a small home shop on their acreage and sleeping well every
night..because when they sold out in California..they made enough
money to pay cash for everything when they moved and have money in the
bank.

I wish my niche hadnt started to fold...Im pretty good at what I do.

Go get and read a copy of _Who Moved My Cheese?_ It's time to adapt,
old buddy. Find (or CREATE!) another niche and fill it.
http://www.amazon.com/Who-Moved-My-C.../dp/0399144463
$0.01 + $3.99 s/h, or see your local library.

I'm working on my 4th major career change now, too.
(auto mech-QA-elec/comp/web tech-handyman-cnc mfg)
I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.

Im almost 60..and Ive made 9 career changes..big ones in the past 45
yrs.

Ha ha ha ha! You mean you made some small "career changes" at age 15
and below, gummer? HA HA HA HA HA! What - you quit mowing lawns and
started delivering the local newspaper? HAW HAW HAW HAW HAW!


Im running out of steam, desire, and ability to jump into another one.

You never had any drive or persistence in any of them.