Indianrock (5/8/2013)
I'm not sure that those of in the technology field can really speak to what is going on with the unemployed who don't have the right skills and no clear path to get those skills.In an ideal world, some portion of increased profits due to automation would be taxed or otherwise used for the common good. Many who were or would have been replaced by machines did migrate to other work -- but it seems like a bit of corporate-speak to think that takes care of everybody. Its not clear going forward that the "migration to other work" is going to absorb the displaced.
Perhaps even more important is globalization. Reminds me of the old book Player Piano by Kurt Vonnegut, but at least there, the 75% or so of the populace permanently replaced by machines were put on some sort of government dole, not just abandoned as excess human baggage.
We should all ask ourselves what we would do when unemployment compensation runs out, and there is no clear path to gainful employment -- let your children starve, or pick up a gun. Sounds radical, I know, but the question needs to be dealt with.
Picking up a gun isn't all that radical. I live in a state in the U.S. where hunting is common. I know several people who hunt to feed their families. Hunting and fishing are passed down the generations and many people can do it. Whether they like to is another matter. But, if forced to hunt and fish, they could feed entire neighborhoods. Add personal or community gardens to the mix and one could eat pretty well in bad times. I'm not saying it would be pleasant but liveable.
There is something that is happening in families that used to be common. Multiple generations are living in the same house. For some reason, the U.S. went away from that where every generation lived in their own home. Now, families are seeing the benefit in multi-generational households. That can reduce espenses in bad times.