General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums"AMAZING" technology at work - replacing humans
Just ran across a post on FB, commenting on how "AMAZING" this piece of equipment is.
https://www.facebook.com/betty.brockporter/videos/10205953371726656/
The first thought to cross my mind was "How many good-paying jobs does this one machine replace?"
The second thought was "The Koch Brothers -- and their minions in Georgia Pacific and others in paper/wood-pulp industries -- are probably dancing a Hitler-esque jig over how this enhances their profits." (You can thank me later for avoiding orgasmic metaphors here).
Mind you, I'm well aware of the need for progress and efficiency in forestry and other agri-business. However, marveling at robotics technology should be tempered with consideration of those who are impacted directly or indirectly. That's the difference between unbridled capitalism and democratic socialism.
AngryAmish
(25,704 posts)done in 1/5 the time. 1st course opens in 2016.
bunnies
(15,859 posts)Maybe its just me.
yeoman6987
(14,449 posts)A few chains are using the I-pads for ordering. I see that going 100 percent in 5 years. Other then that robots in shipping may increase but otherwise humans will be needed
bunnies
(15,859 posts)I pads and such don't bother me but that thing clearing trees like that? Omg. It could wipe out such huge swaths of trees so fast. It's horrifying.
olddots
(10,237 posts)robots don't need humans and the "human resource" department is just the opposite .
Bottoms_Up
(24 posts)Millions of people tuning into "Ax Men" on the teevee and their bewildered faces as the show airs nothing but this little machine chomping up trees for 30 minutes before the credits roll. The single thought going through every viewer's mind, "What the hell was that?"
RIP Lumberjacks.
Travis_0004
(5,417 posts)Do we get 2 big men with a giant saw, then float the log down to the saw mill, or are chain saws ok?
WestCoastLib
(442 posts)Especially in dangerous jobs, such as felling trees.
People shouldn't have to work- just to work.
Warpy
(111,318 posts)like using large bellows to push air into blast furnaces, grind grain, and full woolen cloth. I've seen some of the horrific injuries that happen to lumberjacks, so any mechanization you can get there is likely a good thing--IF the benefits from it are shared with the workers.
Warpy
(111,318 posts)in terms of shorter working hours and higher wages. Instead, all the "profit enhancement" has gone to the 0.1%.
The Luddites wouldn't have been upset had their own cloth been prized over the sleazy stuff being produced in factories by clanking automatic looms, if their hours threading those early looms had been cut to 4 hours a day at the full 14 hour wages. And for those of you who don't do it, threading is a pain, weaving is the fun part.
Robotics would be fine if it didn't make us obsolete, only a few hanging onto jobs with 80 hour work weeks and declining purchasing power or in minimum wage jobs that allow them to starve to death a little slower.
SickOfTheOnePct
(7,290 posts)is going to pay more money for less work. At that point, the robotics are costing the business money.
Warpy
(111,318 posts)like it was supposed to. Robotics still generate more profit than people, they have so few sick days and never need bathroom breaks.
SickOfTheOnePct
(7,290 posts)Since when?
csziggy
(34,136 posts)And the people operating the machines that make that happen should earn more money. Unfortunately right now even though production is higher than it was 30 years ago, wages are effectively LOWER than they were 30 years ago. In the long run, that costs the business money since there are fewer workers making lower wages so there are fewer consumers able to buy products.
Octafish
(55,745 posts)It'd be nice if drones could build stuff, like prisons for banksters and warmongers.