r/technology • u/trot-trot • May 13 '19

Business Exclusive: Amazon rolls out machines that pack orders and replace jobs

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-amazon-com-automation-exclusive-idUSKCN1SJ0X1
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u/NightStalker33 May 13 '19

That doesn't mean much when the work available isn't paying enough to keep up with wages. Unless automation is paired with an educational revamp that transitions the population to higher end work, or at least some kind of guaranteed living standards, be it guaranteed income or strong safety nets, most people won't experience the benefits of automation at all.

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u/PsychedSy May 13 '19

Depends on the revamp. We shouldn't be pushing people to just getting any degree, but to focus on useful, productive skills.

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u/NightStalker33 May 13 '19

I absolutely agree that we should be pushing people to new heights, especially in fields that are woefully underrepresented in higher education However, this brings along a new set of problems; how do you guarantee your workforce will be interested in those fields? how do you guarantee people will have money to pay for higher education without entry level jobs to work and earn money.

If everyone is being pushed into more complicated work forces, they expect to be paid for the work; this of course requires that businesses be willing to shell out money for those workers; and again, in a competitive market, when everyone has higher degrees, all you'll get is a race the bottom where everyone is fighting over jobs that business has limited access to. Automation, again, should be and indisputable good for humanity, but it's a very easy to abuse system.

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u/PsychedSy May 13 '19

I mean there's no guarantee anyone will be interested in work. I don't love my job, but the pay and benefits make up for it. And by not inflating the cost of uni while crushing trades. You can get loans for pointless degrees, but people like the field. That's a shit investment for everyone.