And here is where I get really pessimistic - with robotics evolving - jobs we all think would be here for ever will also go away. Taxi drivers?, train conductors? truck drivers? even airline pilots? Those may all go away and automation will take their place.
I even read a report that doctors would be replaced by diagnostic machines - but this was seen as a positive in that it would free doctors from drudgery.
It used to be automation created as many jobs than it lost - we are now at the tipping point where automation reduces jobs. That means its a buyer's market and wages will be reduced.
Unless your kids or grandkids are geniuses or talents in the arts, there will be no middle class jobs like before.
PS: Yes, we can still learn about being plumbers - but if everyone goes to become a plumber then their pay decreases as well. It's a vicious cycle.
The other path is less pessimistic - we get some sort of Star Trek Federation utopia because technology allows us to have a good life without working for money. I think the future is one big slum world like that movie with Matt Damon. But who knows.
Good grief!! You make a lot of good points. I, too, have wondered where the technology advances are leading.
In my field (civil engineering - roads bridges sewers sidewalks, etc) there have been tremendous advances in computer programs that provide calculation, layout, inventory, drawing assistance and much more. Everything is networked and is becoming more automated.
So far us engineers and technicians are necessary and there’s only so much you can ask a program to do because every road, bridge or tunnel has its own unique problems and design characteristics to overcome. Plus, most infrastructure work is funded by the taxpayer or is built for public use so the engineering will mostly be done domestically.
But it’s true that robots will increasingly build, repair and generally manage the world to a large extent.
I figure if twenty people have a shoe shining kit, they can all shine each other’s shoes and pay for each one by exchanging the same $10 bill. How that grows the economy is another question :(
Trump/Cruz2016....or Cruz/Trump2016 works too but is less likely.