Interesting juxtaposition of threads; "Detroit crumbling" and "Do computers put people out of work?"

[lumberjack_jeff]

Two current GD threads, linked in a non-obvious way.

Computers and technology increase worker productivity. If demand for goods remained static, that would mean fewer jobs. The reason that hasn't occurred is some of this growth created additional demand for new goods.

If increasing demand for goods keeps people employed, then anything permanent is an obstacle.

Detroit is crumbling because the entire system - not just the stuff in it - is designed for planned obsolescence. Every city will see the same phenomenon. An event will cause the core to collapse. That decay will spread like ripples on a pond to the outlying areas until the ring of viable city eventually becomes too expensive to function. At that point, either the city will be abandoned altogether, or perhaps some developers will bet that the central urban core is viable for redevelopment.

If your stuff doesn't last, don't be surprised. NOTHING is supposed to last.

It's not sustainable. We can't even keep recycling old stuff into new stuff, because the demands at each iteration require new inputs, and more jobs require more growth.

The solution is a reduced workweek. "Hard work" as measured in the US paradigm is a bad thing. If you work 60 hours a week to afford a fancier car, you are part of the problem.

Workaholism is not a virtue.

[customerserviceguy]

1. Computers and technology

have far more effect on the service sector of the economy than they do on manufacturing. It took a whole building full of clerks to lift heavy records books in the old office, in today's office, any worker can access more records more swiftly than ever before.

Detroit wasn't killed by computers, it was done in by a lack of concern for quality.

[lumberjack_jeff]

2. In the US it had more effect on the service sector

primarily because the manufacturing sector went offshore. I guarantee that the worldwide demand for machinists has been affected negatively by automation - and positively by the demand for stuff.

Detroit won't be the only victim of the need for new.

[customerserviceguy]

4. And when auto manufacturing went to Japan

it wasn't so much US companies that did that, I recall the lousy vehicles Chrysler sold twenty-five years ago that were made in Japan. I'm talking about the concern that Japanese companies and workers had for quality. Of course, that may not still be true, when you see the quality problems that Toyota, et al, have had.

Yes, instead of having individual machinists make individual parts, we do have machines making them with mass production techniques. But machinists have to keep those machines running.

[kgnu_fan]

3. When I visit European cities, they may be old but functioning and thriving... and beautiful

The entire attitude of "throw away" culture has its consequence.... including business practices and system of "throw away people".

We need to change our culture to "take care of our people, our community"....