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Prospero · 28th October 2003, 09:59 AM

So, I was on SciScoop, which is a pretty good source of current popular science articles and found this editorial piece talking about the creation of a Robot Nation in the next 50 or so years.

Long story short, 50% unemployment as anthropomorphic robots take over for humans in menial labor jobs. This is obviously a problem (seeing as the Great Depression only hit 25% unemployment and that was enough unpleasantness to assure that we'll avoid that kind of situation at all costs in the future) and the editorial is presented in a food-for-thought manner with the open-ended question of "What should we do about this?

Personally, I'm just glad my career is highly specialized. I really don't see robots replacing researchers, which might be my answer to the question. A generation or two will go through hell trying to create a balance and the end result will probably be something consisting of humans performing all jobs that require creativity and ingenuity while robots handle all other tasks. Education will suddenly become a lot more valuable and standards will ride, making the situation more akin to the make-it-or-break-it schooling Japan currently has. Really, though, I'll be sad when some computer programmers finally succeed at writing some algorithms for creating music that's indistinguishable from human invention. I hope sosciety has the foresight to keep artists around. Any other thoughts?

RussDill · 28th October 2003, 12:41 PM

This type of unemployement has been forcast for 150 or more years. The level of automation we have now sent back 50 years would have caused more than 50% unemployment. Because much of our labor is now automated, the work force has moved on to creating a much greater variety of products, services, and entertainment. Go over in your mind the differences between the 1950's (products, services, etc) and what is available today. Add another 50 years. The future is truly exciting. Perhaps the greatest art renessance mankind has ever seen? Space colinization and exploration? Custom designed everything?

geni · 28th October 2003, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Prospero
Really, though, I'll be sad when some computer programmers finally succeed at writing some algorithms for creating music that's indistinguishable from human invention

Already been done

Tez · 28th October 2003, 01:00 PM

Is it really a fundamental necessity that humans "have jobs"?

Perhaps (with some societal re-engineering) it is possible to support us all in a life of leisure. Then there will be more art, more music and more science...

Ziggurat · 28th October 2003, 02:00 PM

Predictions of this sort of mass unemployment make the false assumption that there is some fixed amount of work to be done. That is not the case. The economy can expand to provide jobs to available workers. Some people also predicted massive unemployment from women entering the workforce, but that hasn't happened either.

Johnny Pneumatic · 28th October 2003, 04:28 PM

why are people so obsessed with humanoid robots?

Ziggurat · 28th October 2003, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bewareofdogmas
why are people so obsessed with humanoid robots?

Because most people aren't creative enough to think of the usefulness of non-humanoid robots.

Prospero · 29th October 2003, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tez
Is it really a fundamental necessity that humans "have jobs"?

Perhaps (with some societal re-engineering) it is possible to support us all in a life of leisure. Then there will be more art, more music and more science...

As wonderful as that sounds, I'm disinclined to follow the path to complacency. Human nature would probably lead to excesses of hedonism as yet unimagined and I think we're all happier not knowing what those minds are capable of. However, if you've got some time on your hands, here's a close approximation of that life of hedonism.

28th October 2003, 09:59 AM	#1
Prospero Thinker Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 176	A Robot Nation with Humans in Peril So, I was on SciScoop, which is a pretty good source of current popular science articles and found this editorial piece talking about the creation of a Robot Nation in the next 50 or so years. Long story short, 50% unemployment as anthropomorphic robots take over for humans in menial labor jobs. This is obviously a problem (seeing as the Great Depression only hit 25% unemployment and that was enough unpleasantness to assure that we'll avoid that kind of situation at all costs in the future) and the editorial is presented in a food-for-thought manner with the open-ended question of "What should we do about this? Personally, I'm just glad my career is highly specialized. I really don't see robots replacing researchers, which might be my answer to the question. A generation or two will go through hell trying to create a balance and the end result will probably be something consisting of humans performing all jobs that require creativity and ingenuity while robots handle all other tasks. Education will suddenly become a lot more valuable and standards will ride, making the situation more akin to the make-it-or-break-it schooling Japan currently has. Really, though, I'll be sad when some computer programmers finally succeed at writing some algorithms for creating music that's indistinguishable from human invention. I hope sosciety has the foresight to keep artists around. Any other thoughts?
Prospero Thinker Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 176	__________________ Life is a comedy to those who think and a tragedy to those who feel.

28th October 2003, 12:41 PM	#2
RussDill Illuminator Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,349	paranoia This type of unemployement has been forcast for 150 or more years. The level of automation we have now sent back 50 years would have caused more than 50% unemployment. Because much of our labor is now automated, the work force has moved on to creating a much greater variety of products, services, and entertainment. Go over in your mind the differences between the 1950's (products, services, etc) and what is available today. Add another 50 years. The future is truly exciting. Perhaps the greatest art renessance mankind has ever seen? Space colinization and exploration? Custom designed everything?

28th October 2003, 12:56 PM	#3
geni Anti-homeopathy illuminati member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: UK Posts: 26,642	Re: A Robot Nation with Humans in Peril Quote: Originally posted by Prospero Really, though, I'll be sad when some computer programmers finally succeed at writing some algorithms for creating music that's indistinguishable from human invention Already been done

28th October 2003, 01:00 PM	#4
Tez Graduate Poster Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: London Posts: 1,104	Is it really a fundamental necessity that humans "have jobs"? Perhaps (with some societal re-engineering) it is possible to support us all in a life of leisure. Then there will be more art, more music and more science...
	__________________ "There's two possible outcomes: if the result confirms the hypothesis, then you've made a discovery. If the result is contrary to the hypothesis, then you've made a discovery.” --Enrico Fermi www.physicsnerd.com

28th October 2003, 02:00 PM	#5
Ziggurat Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 26,285	Predictions of this sort of mass unemployment make the false assumption that there is some fixed amount of work to be done. That is not the case. The economy can expand to provide jobs to available workers. Some people also predicted massive unemployment from women entering the workforce, but that hasn't happened either.
	__________________ "As long as it is admitted that the law may be diverted from its true purpose -- that it may violate property instead of protecting it -- then everyone will want to participate in making the law, either to protect himself against plunder or to use it for plunder. Political questions will always be prejudicial, dominant, and all-absorbing. There will be fighting at the door of the Legislative Palace, and the struggle within will be no less furious." - Bastiat, The Law

28th October 2003, 04:28 PM	#6
Johnny Pneumatic Corpuscle Clay Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 2,089	why are people so obsessed with humanoid robots?

28th October 2003, 05:23 PM	#7
Ziggurat Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 26,285	Quote: Originally posted by bewareofdogmas why are people so obsessed with humanoid robots? Because most people aren't creative enough to think of the usefulness of non-humanoid robots.
	__________________ "As long as it is admitted that the law may be diverted from its true purpose -- that it may violate property instead of protecting it -- then everyone will want to participate in making the law, either to protect himself against plunder or to use it for plunder. Political questions will always be prejudicial, dominant, and all-absorbing. There will be fighting at the door of the Legislative Palace, and the struggle within will be no less furious." - Bastiat, The Law

29th October 2003, 01:23 AM	#8
Prospero Thinker Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 176	Quote: Originally posted by Tez Is it really a fundamental necessity that humans "have jobs"? Perhaps (with some societal re-engineering) it is possible to support us all in a life of leisure. Then there will be more art, more music and more science... As wonderful as that sounds, I'm disinclined to follow the path to complacency. Human nature would probably lead to excesses of hedonism as yet unimagined and I think we're all happier not knowing what those minds are capable of. However, if you've got some time on your hands, here's a close approximation of that life of hedonism.
Prospero Thinker Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 176	__________________ Life is a comedy to those who think and a tragedy to those who feel.