Most poor people don't make anything: Truckers, people who work in stores really just help move goods around. Same for people who work in restaurants.
The middle class people all sit in cubicles. God knows what they do, but they sure as hell aren't making anything.
The upper class are businessmen, lawyers and doctors. Doctors keep people alive longer, businessmen move money around, and lawyers, as far as I can tell, have no function at all.
Nobody really needs to do the vast majority of today's jobs.
Well I make software. It's purpose is to make my customers more efficient at what they do. In this case selling goods. I see my job as being no different then my fathers carpentry job. He builds physical things, bridges, buildings, houses, whatever. I build non physical things, basically automated cash registers, accounting, security checking, inventory management things. But I do make things. The fact that you can't hold them in your hand doesn't make them any less real.
You're assuming that the majority of humans living outside of the United States are not people.
For fuck's sake, we're living in an automated society - it's just that the robots doing all the work are people, given less care than most machines receive, worked to death, and barely making enough money to feed themselves, let alone their families!
For the love of God, if you care at all for the well-being of your fellow human, elect a government that will take away some power from big business. They're enslaving people - they know it, and you know it, too, except that you've been conditioned not to care.
You've missed the point slightly. They do something worth their wages to the company they work for. You've heard the phrase "Time is money"- well it's not quite true, it's more like "Money is time x marketability"; but it's close. They get wages for the work they do.
That's really the flaw in the articles analysis of the economics- it's nothing much to do with robotics- mankind has had robotics since the industrial revolution.
No, the real point is that people continue to remain employed because the companies perceive that employing more people will make the company more money. It won't necessarily make more money per employee- but it should make more money over cost. So there is a force that encourages the company to employ more people.
The graph of wealth concentration has been misunderstood- ever since the collapse of the British patriachial empire that existed around the 1900s after the shakeup of the two world wars we have gradually been returning to that state but with Americans in charge (for various reasons mostly relating to economic power)- the people with power have been collecting power and money around them- forming dynasties and gaming the laws and the economics to their advantage.
The robotics is a complete red herring- well almost- robotics is just another game that these guys and gals play.
lawyers, as far as I can tell, have no function at all
Lawyers are like soldiers and armies that companies point at other companies. They are there to try to game the laws as a way to take money off of companies, or prevent other companies taking money off them. Don't forget that laws are just a set of semi-arbitrary rules, and the rules that get made are often up for purchase.
PS. You are why I disagree that human life is worth more than the price of a bullet. I hate people. Because they're so fucking stupid! If they want to kill themselves, let them! They deserve it!
Grow a fucking brain!
Think for yourself. Question authority.
You want the truth? Humans are the most valuable thing on the planet. Only you can't own them. But you wouldn't understand any of that, would you? Fucking moron.
You've just stated that you think a human life (presumably including my human life in this) is only worth a bullet immediately after describing how many millions you mistakenly thought I might be worth if I lived to an old age. Then you asked if I 'got the point'. That's a death threat, asshole.
No, that's a question of confirmation of your understanding. The statement immediately following that should clear it up for you. Here, let me repeat it:
Life is precious, time is precious. Money is not.
My statement:
But I disagree. I think a human life is barely worth the price of a bullet. Get the point?
Your statement:
You've just stated that you think a human life (presumably including my human life in this) is only worth a bullet
Is the value of a bullet, the monetary form, equivelent to the thr
Here, let me explain this in more simple terms so your simple mind can understand it, m'kay?
Life is time, which is worth more than money.
In our history Americans used the butt of a gun to smash in the face of the enemy because a human life during that war was less valuable than the cost of a bullet. I don't remember which war, but I know I read that somewhere. It is a rather disguesting statement, do you agree?
There are times in our history when our actions say very different things than our words. We
You're the one confusing money and worth. I'm only talking about money; and I totally agree they are not the same thing. I expect Ghandi was pretty poor; if so was he worthless? No.
Consider this: the only things that a human being needs are clothes and shelter to protect us from the elements, and food to keep us alive.
With industrialization, all three of those needs can be met very cheaply. We don't need to spend 8 hours a day farming our own food. Once those needs are met, everything else is luxury.
Those of us who "sit around in cubicles all day producing immaterial, virtual things" are creating luxuries that other people want. Industrialization has allowed us to live in luxury,
Realistically, by buying clothing at thrift stores and food at discount supermarkets, you could probably own your own (modest) home in less than a decade and live rent free for the rest of your life
Live rent free, but not tax free. Buy a home in a decent area, in a state with a growing population, and it is likely that your property taxes will rise in time, along with the assessed value of your developed land. You're still going to have to work, or at least save up enough to take care of basic needs an
Well said Eeyore the troll. Let's just all curl up and die.
The only insight I gained from your post was about your mental state at the time. It was not connected to reality. You got the higherachy all right, but WTF does it mean that nobody needs to do these jobs?
I need to live in a house. I need that truck to deliver the lumber. I need that lawyer to close. I need that person in the cubicle to setup my insurance accurately. I need that doctor to help when my family is ill. I need that businessman to prov
Get hit by an automobile in Japan some time.
Then tell me that lawyers are useless.
Agreed, they are often a misused workforce, but they are an essential component of the Anglican capitalist machine.
If weren't for lawyers, we probably still would not have seatbelts.
The middle class people all sit in cubicles. God knows what they do, but they sure as hell aren't making anything.
They make rules and systems and virtual products. Especially those computer people. They're really good at it. Unfortunately, American's aren't the only ones who are good at it. The barrier to entry in making virtual products is very low.
Unix is the worst operating system; except for all others.
-- Berry Kercheval
Nobody really does anything anymore (Score:5, Insightful)
Most poor people don't make anything: Truckers, people who work in stores really just help move goods around. Same for people who work in restaurants.
The middle class people all sit in cubicles. God knows what they do, but they sure as hell aren't making anything.
The upper class are businessmen, lawyers and doctors. Doctors keep people alive longer, businessmen move money around, and lawyers, as far as I can tell, have no function at all.
Nobody really needs to do the vast majority of today's jobs.
Re:Nobody really does anything anymore (Score:2)
I can see your point howev
Re:Nobody really does anything anymore (Score:5, Interesting)
You're assuming that the majority of humans living outside of the United States are not people.
For fuck's sake, we're living in an automated society - it's just that the robots doing all the work are people, given less care than most machines receive, worked to death, and barely making enough money to feed themselves, let alone their families!
For the love of God, if you care at all for the well-being of your fellow human, elect a government that will take away some power from big business. They're enslaving people - they know it, and you know it, too, except that you've been conditioned not to care.
Re:Nobody really does anything anymore (Score:2)
Done.
Time/Money Re:Nobody really does anything anymore (Score:5, Interesting)
You've missed the point slightly. They do something worth their wages to the company they work for. You've heard the phrase "Time is money"- well it's not quite true, it's more like "Money is time x marketability"; but it's close. They get wages for the work they do.
That's really the flaw in the articles analysis of the economics- it's nothing much to do with robotics- mankind has had robotics since the industrial revolution.
No, the real point is that people continue to remain employed because the companies perceive that employing more people will make the company more money. It won't necessarily make more money per employee- but it should make more money over cost. So there is a force that encourages the company to employ more people.
The graph of wealth concentration has been misunderstood- ever since the collapse of the British patriachial empire that existed around the 1900s after the shakeup of the two world wars we have gradually been returning to that state but with Americans in charge (for various reasons mostly relating to economic power)- the people with power have been collecting power and money around them- forming dynasties and gaming the laws and the economics to their advantage.
The robotics is a complete red herring- well almost- robotics is just another game that these guys and gals play.
lawyers, as far as I can tell, have no function at all
Lawyers are like soldiers and armies that companies point at other companies. They are there to try to game the laws as a way to take money off of companies, or prevent other companies taking money off them. Don't forget that laws are just a set of semi-arbitrary rules, and the rules that get made are often up for purchase.
Re:Time/Money Re:Nobody really does anything anymo (Score:2)
Time == money?
How much time do you have in your life? Let's say you'll live 100 years. A good long life.
How much money do you make? Let's say you make $100,000. A good salery.
If time == money then you would be willing to trade 100 years of your life for $100,000,000.
Therefore a human life is only worth $100 million. Your life is only worth $100 million.
But I disagree. I think a human life is barely worth the price of a bullet. Get the point?
Life is precious, time is precious. Mo
Re:Time/Money Re:Nobody really does anything anymo (Score:2)
Re:Time/Money Re:Nobody really does anything anymo (Score:2)
I sure hope that isn't a death threat in a public forum.
Re:Time/Money Re:Nobody really does anything anymo (Score:2)
Human life, to some people, is worth more than the price of a smart bomb. Get the fucking point now, motherfucker?
Gahd!
Re:Time/Money Re:Nobody really does anything anymo (Score:2)
Grow a fucking brain!
Think for yourself. Question authority.
You want the truth? Humans are the most valuable thing on the planet. Only you can't own them. But you wouldn't understand any of that, would you? Fucking moron.
Re:Time/Money Re:Nobody really does anything anymo (Score:2)
You've just stated that you think a human life (presumably including my human life in this) is only worth a bullet immediately after describing how many millions you mistakenly thought I might be worth if I lived to an old age. Then you asked if I 'got the point'. That's a death threat, asshole.
Re:Time/Money Re:Nobody really does anything anymo (Score:2)
Life is precious, time is precious. Money is not.
My statement:
But I disagree. I think a human life is barely worth the price of a bullet. Get the point?
Your statement:
You've just stated that you think a human life (presumably including my human life in this) is only worth a bullet
Is the value of a bullet, the monetary form, equivelent to the thr
Re:Time/Money Re:Nobody really does anything anymo (Score:2)
Life is time, which is worth more than money.
In our history Americans used the butt of a gun to smash in the face of the enemy because a human life during that war was less valuable than the cost of a bullet. I don't remember which war, but I know I read that somewhere. It is a rather disguesting statement, do you agree?
There are times in our history when our actions say very different things than our words. We
Re:Time/Money Re:Nobody really does anything anymo (Score:2)
Re:Nobody really does anything anymore (Score:2, Insightful)
With industrialization, all three of those needs can be met very cheaply. We don't need to spend 8 hours a day farming our own food. Once those needs are met, everything else is luxury.
Those of us who "sit around in cubicles all day producing immaterial, virtual things" are creating luxuries that other people want. Industrialization has allowed us to live in luxury,
Re:Nobody really does anything anymore (Score:2)
Live rent free, but not tax free. Buy a home in a decent area, in a state with a growing population, and it is likely that your property taxes will rise in time, along with the assessed value of your developed land. You're still going to have to work, or at least save up enough to take care of basic needs an
Re:Nobody really does anything anymore (Score:1)
Re:Nobody really does anything anymore (Score:3, Insightful)
Well said Eeyore the troll. Let's just all curl up and die.
The only insight I gained from your post was about your mental state at the time. It was not connected to reality. You got the higherachy all right, but WTF does it mean that nobody needs to do these jobs?
I need to live in a house. I need that truck to deliver the lumber. I need that lawyer to close. I need that person in the cubicle to setup my insurance accurately. I need that doctor to help when my family is ill. I need that businessman to prov
Re:Nobody really does anything anymore (Score:2)
Re:Nobody really does anything anymore (Score:2)
1) Cover your ass.
2) Kick someones ass.
Re:Nobody really does anything anymore (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Nobody really does anything anymore (Score:1)
They make rules and systems and virtual products. Especially those computer people. They're really good at it. Unfortunately, American's aren't the only ones who are good at it. The barrier to entry in making virtual products is very low.