On this wonderful Wednesday I have been learned about a robot called Tally that can keep track of everything on the grocery store shelves. It is a tall sleek device that rolls up and down the isles and looks for gaps, and things out of place. I found the comments interesting. While some people see this as a good way to free people up for more important and/or interesting tasks, others see it as a way to wipe out minimum wage jobs, and replace people. Some of the comments say that replacing people who demand $15 an hour for menial labor is just what you should expect, but I am not sure this is the motivation.
Many years ago, I read The Third Wave, by Alvin Toffler. This book was way above my head, but I ploughed through. What I got out of the book was this:
- In a world where the horse an buggy were essentials, buggy whip manufactures were common. As the car, replaced the horse and buggy, the buggy whip manufactures dwindled to one. The very best buggy whip maker, and he can charge a lot for his skill and quality.
- Technology, particularly information technology, would become increasingly important. Heavy industry that pollutes and requires cheep labor would be moved to third world countries.
- Healthcare, where technology and information perfectly compliment each other, would grow, and service industries would grow to meet the continued needs of the human population.
Interesting. Yes, technology will always open doors for people. For every growing wave, there are always people needed to make sure these waves are operating smoothly. However, those people need the skills to bring to the table which means expensive college degrees, a never ending circle unless the right education is made affordable.
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With my grandchildren growing up so intimately with tech I wonder if it really will be that hard. Two sons have had tech careers, and one was totally self taught, the other taught himself a lot before even going to college. They are fearless, unlike myself. They are learning technology skills in elementary school. It is a new world. However, not everyone has a 100+ IQ. There are people that can use some tech but as far as a career, need a more mundane path.
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Good for them. Personally, I know I just don’t have the mind for it. My brain just clouds over…
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I hear you. Since my upgrade I am lost. I can’t wait till the kids get here to help.
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