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| Joe Bakewell. |
FACTORS:
inequality; artificial intelligence; giant, monopolistic, corporations;
technology; changes in workforce (female majority, lack of growth,
dysfunctional immigration system, jobs more urban/less rural); dysfunctional,
poorly experienced, politicians; polarized government, media, and population;
climate change; economy—more service, less manufacturing.
OUTLINE:
Changes already in place; robots; systems dedicated to eliminating workers, no
customer contact with employees (your call is important to us); automated
checkout; cash machines.
TEXT: In
America’s current circumstances, it’s difficult to think about large scale
unemployment. Jobs are going unfilled, and employers are offering higher wages
and other incentives to hold and increase staffing. Still, even as I write,
jobs are disappearing, and the usual culprits—offshoring, robots—are not to
blame for most. Nowadays, we have to add artificial intelligence and technology
such as automatic toll taking and cash machines. Many more of these
‘substitution’ devices are on their way.
There is also
a strong movement to eliminate workers in less obvious ways, i.e. “your call is
important to us,” followed by endless instructions requiring the caller to
enter numbers on her keyboard. Companies will do almost anything to prevent an
interaction between an employee and customer. Think self-checkout and ordering
kiosks at McDonald’s.
My readers
are aware of these trends and can add many more examples. I don’t claim any
originality, or expertise in forecasting these developments. I do see a large
scale problem that will fold in on top of those I’ve been writing about for
years, and few are making any sense regarding what to do about it. Can you
imagine the bunch in DC (even after the 2020 election) dealing with massive
unemployment; the loss of self-worth, a sense of purpose, of dignity? The usual
welfare and handouts won’t do.
As I prepared
to send this, I had a ‘Catch 22’ experience so ‘on point’ that I have to share
it. This is a copy of what I wrote to my electric company and sent by
registered mail:
Enclosed
is a check for the full amount ($174.43) including late charges. If the check I
mailed ($101.61) on 12/12/19 shows up, please return it to me.
Please
note: There is no auto-pay set up for my account. That was botched months ago.
Your efforts to collect from banks I’ve never heard of are farcical and
charging me when they don’t pay even more so.
From now on, mail the bill to me
monthly, and I’ll pay it.
In return, I
received another threat to turn off our electricity.
Joe Bakewell.
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