Problem is, you still need half a brain and dexterous hands. I've done plumbing and electrical work. Many youths can't handle it. You still must think creatively, and learn the code books.
Just got back from a vacation gambling (our wedding anniversary and we needed a break). At one Blackjack card table, the dealer said you can't replace us with machines. Well, another two tables we went to had new card dealers going through training. Twenty-something gals. They couldn't count, and repeatedly got confused counting the cards.
My few cards added up to 20. Hers added to 21. She let me keep my bet as a push. Another time, hers outnumbered mine and she paid me as a win. Now she wasn't going fast, she was slowly staring at the cards and almost counting out loud. This happened with three different gals, on numerous hands. The old dealers are sharp.
The young people weren't taught in school how to count! A lot of people on the dole can't do the jobs that are out there.
The old dealers are sharp.
My larger point is that, as we automate more, fewer and fewer productive people will be needed. And that is part of the dilemma. 200 years ago, everyone had something to do. Now, increasing number of people can be totally unproductive and yet Society can provide for them. But the question is who pays for these people and how?
I think if we fast forward 100 years from now, we’ll find that most people do very little. There will be a handful of producers, technicians, trades people, and machines who do the work. Lots and lots of machines. The majority will simply be consumers of entertainment and spewers of opinion. —giving them the illusion of importance.
On FR a couple weeks ago there was a report on a young man who was working as a waiter and did not know what a dozen consisted of. Unbelievable.
I’ll never forget when the cash register was broke at some store. She had to use a calculator to get the change right instead of counting up. I tried to explain it to her but you’d think I was explaining brain surgery.