6 years ago ·3 min. reading time · ~100 ·
How do we value people in an increasingly automated world?
How do we value people in an increasingly automated world? Firstly not nearly enough people are talking about it and for good reason. It's scary. Humans tend to bury their heads in the sand until the problem has overrun us and then act quickly to find a solution before time runs out. We can see this attitude when we look to climate change and environmental issues and we can also see it happening with the now real possibility of artificial intelligence taking over our workplace.
10 years ago as a career adviser I started advising parents to get their children schooled in IT and soft skills because as I said then... Blogging > Melody blog > How do we value people in an increasingly automated world?
How do we value people in an increasingly automated world? Firstly not nearly enough people are talking about it and for good reason. It's scary. Humans tend to bury their heads in the sand until the problem has overrun us and then act quickly to find a solution before time runs out. We can see this attitude when we look to climate change and environmental issues and we can also see it happening with the now real possibility of artificial intelligence taking over our workplace.
10 years ago as a career adviser I started advising parents to get their children schooled in IT and soft skills because as I said then...
"the jobs your children will be doing don't exist now and it is better to train your children in IT, science based subjects and soft skills so that have the flexibility to find their new direction when the time comes."
Melody R. Green - author Your Career Your Way And sure enough that has on the most part been true. Yes we still have teachers, doctors, plumbers and builders but the work they do looks vastly different from what is did 10 years ago never mind 30 or 50 years ago.
Automation has accelerated everything and we are seeing the fall out of that in the following ways...
1) more automation, less jobs and people required
2) less unskilled jobs available
3) advanced computer skills as the norm
4) project based businesses resulting in contract based work opportunities
5) more competition for highly skilled specialist skills
6) fastest growth when technology and traditional businesses meet.
7) telecommunications and technology pushing jobs off shore to make the company competitive
History shows us that when there is swift change in our economies we get social and political rest - e.g the Agrarian Revolution of the 18th-19th centuries and the 19th century Industrial Revolution. In the 20th century we saw the birth of t he Information Age (also known as the Computer Age, Digital Age or New Media Age) characterised by the shift from traditional industry that the Industrial Revolution brought through industrialisation, to an economy based on information computerisation.We are on the brink of a new age we might call the Age of Artificial Intelligence or the Automation Age.
A notable difference between those previous revolutions is the speed with which the new ages are coming in and making the change. Automation was the story of comic books and children's cartoons (think the Jetson's episode Rosey the Robot ) in the 1960's and in less than 60 years we are on the brink of making Rosey a reality.
The problem with automation is not its capacity to make our jobs redundant, rather it's about making humans redundant, starting with devaluing us.
For more than 100 years or more we have valued humans in accordance with what they've contributed to the economy, in other words how they've worked, what skills they've had and how much they've been paid. We've had a hierarchical system of work, hours and rewards. It hasn't been very equitable in terms of human value and certainly needs to change but how? And is automation going to overtake us so we have no choice?
As automation increases so too will we see a need for an increase in social services such as unemployment benefits, a greater divide between the haves and have nots and pressure on all other social services such as affordable housing, healthcare and re-education options. At the rate we are currently moving to address these issues there will be an inevitable increasing gap for the unemployed to navigate.
Forward thinking Finns are starting to address this with their social experiment into "universal basic income" (begun this year) which works on the basis that as a human being you are entitled to a basic living wage and that if you wish to work you can without being penalised. Along with a new definition of a working week as 6 hours per day for 4 days, this is quite a revolutionary experiment.
So what could this program achieve?
It could:
alleviate issues of seasonal work or short contracts being unfulfilled remove the need for unemployment benefits and open up opportunity for more positive outcomes result in less emotional distress and worry associated with being out of work (including less wear and tear on the health system) remove the stigma and isolation associated with long term unemployment increase well being and self esteem enable people to use their skills as volunteers to develop and strengthen communities because their basic needs are accounted for allow people to follow their own passions and purpose and contribute as they see fit. The sceptics of course are saying the Finns will see lots of couch potatoes at the end of the trial but I am more optimistic than that. I think most humans are driven to give their lives meaning and purpose and they will find it in positive ways if given the opportunity to do so. And in light on the ever increasing speed that automation is marching upon us maybe this is the only way to move into the brave new world we are creating without widespread revolt on our hands. What do you think? Melody R. Green is an Angel Communicator, Soul Coach, Energy Healer and Award-winning Author of Your Career Your Way . Melody assists others to connect to their Soul Path and bring more joy into their lives.
" #Industrial Revolution #Rosey #IT #Agrarian Revolution #Finns Melody Green 6 years ago #2
#1
yep I've always been a fan as well! Chill and enjoy! Lyon Brave 6 years ago #1
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