and I didn't mean by my example that this is the ONLY means that american productivity is improving - the "real" kind of productivity increases are also taking place. in fact, we could have more of those if not for offshoring - if $20K call jockeys were not available in India, AMEX would be investing is better natural language technology for call centers. that's the kind of productivity increases we want. its a similar analogy with migrant farm workers - no one bothers to invest in machinery to harvest crops when workers from Mexico are available to pick them at ultra low wages.
My only purpose was to cite replies from some of our "free traders" claiming that automation is the only reason for productivity gains and reduced need for workers. Ditto some talk show hosts. It is they who at one time denied that jobs were being sent offshore.