Some revolution
Re “Automation is regional threat,” Business, Jan. 24
We are in the midst of the fourth industrial revolution, in which artificial intelligence gives machines that learn the ability to replace human labor. While some have warned that the social dislocation of the first industrial revolution was small compared to what we face now, others have assured us, “Digital technologies have the potential to greatly increase productivity and growth.”
No mention is made as to who will profit from this increased productivity, since it seems self-evident that without any human labor, the owners of the technology will receive the windfall.
More importantly, what is the meaning of work to human beings? Work is more than a paycheck; it is a way for humans to exercise creativity and skill, to give back to the community, to connect with others in ways that diminish loneliness. Lack of paid work in parts of America has led to isolation, self-disparagement and despair.
Doris Isolini Nelson Los Angeles
If the banks would only give robots credit cards, and robots, like the ones Amazon plans to use to deliver packages, were paid a wage, we could have the perfect economy: robots buying things made by robots, delivered by robots.
No need for humans; we are undependable and generally a pretty bothersome lot.
Mike Peduzzi Huntington Beach