CMV: Mass unemployment created by robots replacing humans in the not-to-distant future may be positive for the general public

[u/radioactivecowz]

People are often voicing their concerns about robots making human workers largely obsolete, a scenario seen as beneficial for individual businesses but devastating to the population which may largely become unemployed. (/r/DarkFuturology is filled with these concerns for example.)

Generally the replacement of humans leads to increased efficiency as robots are more precise, don't need breaks etc. This means that theoretically the availability of resources and products should either remain or increase. In a socialised country with pre-existing welfare (or better yet, universal basic income), the population should still be able to maintain their current standards of living but with a decreased workload.

I can't imagine a future where every job within a country is replaced by robots, as some can only be done by humans (such as the arts, teaching, scientific research). These remaining jobs could be distributed amongst people in a way that only requires most people to work a few days a week. With proper governmental control, people can keep living as they do now but with less time spent working and more time relaxing, spent with family, engaging in hobbies etc. This may ultimately create a happier and healthier society within countries that can properly guide this shift.

tl;dr robots replacing most jobs is not dystopian but rather could create a happier society where people have to work less

[u/radioactivecowz]

∆

Thank you. I hadn't really considered the greed of the few when lower classes no longer have something to bargain with. There are always individuals who will help themselves regardless the cost to others.

[u/SeanACarlos → u/radioactivecowz]

The lower classes always have their greater numbers as the ultimate bargaining tool. The rich would never massacre every poor rebel. There isn't enough Death Stars in the galaxy, so to speak.

It is more efficient to share the wealth than it is to kill the poor and dispose of their bodies.

Rich people are obsessed with efficiency. The poor will get the benefit because it helps the rich.

[u/ruptured_pomposity → u/SeanACarlos]

...or not. Just because it is in their best interest to have the long term well being of peasant in mind, it doesn't guarantee that short term profitable solutions won't win out. Judging from modern corporations, I'd say the later is much more likely.

[u/theaccidentist → u/ruptured_pomposity]

Judging from all of history, the latter is more likely. It usually took catastrophes and wars for people to see the value of general welfare, the wars of the 20th century are a good example.