Jed you say: ' This is either a problem or an opportunity, depending on how you look at it, and how society chooses to respond. '
Of course it is an opportunity. The only way to turn it into a problem is to decide it is a problem. What about this logic: I assume transformation will take its time (decades). If all our needs are taken care of by robots and LENR provides free energy then there is only a distribution problem. As the robots are so good they will quickly fix that also. In my imagination people will be in charge of robots.(another assumption). Then the robots will be instructed to distribute the basics in the right quantities and the right time to the right place. As I see it there are two areas we still need people for: 1. To instruct the robots. 2. To develop the robot technology (if nothing else because we cannot let the robots develop robots and take over). The more interesting thing is of course which opportunities will open up. Sports (competition between people cannot be a robot thing) Entertainment in most regards. Philosophy. Various ways explore things. Scientific experiment and the final LENR solution. Is the sun a liquid is for humans to find out. Lots of opportunities I am sure the list is endless and I have only pointed a few directions without much deep thinking - just taken a dig in one corner an inch deep. The reward system and how to distribute the luxuries needs its solution and it will be among those in charge of the robots in one function or the other. There is no need for 8 hour days. Maybe one can work a month a year. Then go sailing for 11 months - would fit my idea of a good time.:) Best Regards , Lennart Thornros lenn...@thornros.com +1 916 436 1899 Whatever you vividly imagine, ardently desire, sincerely believe and enthusiastically act upon, must inevitably come to pass. (PJM) On Tue, Feb 16, 2016 at 1:31 PM, Jed Rothwell <jedrothw...@gmail.com> wrote: > a.ashfield <a.ashfi...@verizon.net> wrote: > > What I don't see is any agreement of how to handle the inevitable rise in >> unemployed. The group-think politician's answer still appears to be "more >> education". > > > Yes. Education is a good thing, and I guess it can help with this problem, > but it cannot solve it. Lately, several smart people have shown that robots > and computers are likely to replace many jobs that call for high > educational attainment. Automation used to reduce manual labor only. Then > it eroded clerical jobs and cashiers. Now is likely to reduce labor across > the board. > > This is either a problem or an opportunity, depending on how you look at > it, and how society chooses to respond. > > - Jed > >
