Well...remember what you say when you get your mail at a clusterbox down the road... check out all of your groceries, have kids taught over video conferencing both in college and public school, or even your doctor over a camera and screen. Does it save money... yup. but if you run into a problem in the process...just remember the problems you have when your computer acts up. One thing if it is as simple as instructions but if it involves your money or well being...well good luck.
I agree there is some room to cut back on HUMANS but relying on electricity and chips totally..not so sure.
I hope your means of making a living isn't replaced by pieces of metal and a circuit board. I saw painters and welders losein the auto industry.
Automation is yet again ...the reason we have part of this unemployment and the new NORM may mean 10+% unemployment.... not to mention the new jobs of tending these machines for much lower wages. It isn't just Government workers..it is all workers. It can be a whole sector....NASA lost their bid on jobs for sure. The Auto industry has MUCH less employees... I am retired and not in the job market but I rely on those who do.
Rail as you will but there will come a time when "push one for, push 2 for" will be the norm as well. Maybe a robot will dig my grave and the service will be broadcast over Skype but by then I will be on the right side of the dirt.
I prefer a greeting and service by a human... wonder how they would do this in restaurants or would they all be buffets?
Unemployed is unemployed.... those workers would go ...where?? and unemployment for any reason is who's problem??
But if they or any government workers are truly not necessary for the normal functioning of services, there is no reason whatsoever to keep them on just in the name of employment. Not on my dime.
It would be like how the Capital at one time in the not to distant past (and maybe still today) kept elevator operaters on staff even though the elevators were modern and automatic. This is the kind of job padding that unions get a bad name for.
I'm not in favor the the turnpike totally going automatic, but if increased use of EZ Pass means there's no one going through manned lanes, i'm not paying them to sit and read a book.
