What is it?
Automation is a system where machines and their processes are used to do the work of a human being. Some of the first big appearances that automation made were in heavy industry - things like automobile manufacture, electronics, and machine production. Automation has actually been around a lot longer in more simpler forms (water wheels, mills, carts, etc.). When you look around in today's world automation is pretty much everywhere.
What is the problem?
The main issue that seems to pop up in conversation is that automation will take jobs away from people. Granted, we are not talking about doctors, engineers, architects, etc. we are talking about menial and sometimes dangerous jobs - factory work, construction, mining, logging, food processing, food preparation, and other similar jobs. For more information check out some of the following articles:
End of the road: will automation put an end to the American trucker?
MIT Technology Review - Every study we could find on what automation will do to jobs in one chart.
Forbes - Jobs and Robots: 25 countries based on job loss potential,
End of the checkout line: the looming crisis for American cashiers.
And just because my students got a kick out of this when I shared it with them...
New McDonald's in Phoenix Run Entirely By Robots
The idea of automating our daily lives is not a new one, but it is definitely picking up steam. What do you, my dear blog readers, think of the issue? Is widespread automation a good thing, freeing people up to pursue more lofty goals than working in a fast food restaurant or is it a terrible idea that steals jobs from those who need them and will have a negative effect on society as a whole?
This is an interesting query that I often struggle with personally. Supermarkets have those self check-outs, which essentially take the job away from a cashier. However, stores cut staff to the point that it doesn't make it convenient for customers to wait in a line with a cashier - as opposed to going to the self check-out.
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