"AMAZING" technology at work - replacing humans

[Fritz Walter]

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]

1. They were using one of those jobbers clearing land at Sand Valley

done in 1/5 the time. 1st course opens in 2016.

[bunnies]

2. I find that thing horrifying.

Maybe its just me.

[yeoman6987]

6. I think restaurant will be the big use age of technology in the future

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]

14. I hope you're right.

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]

3. the job destruction industry is booming

robots don't need humans and the "human resource" department is just the opposite .

[Bottoms_Up]

4. I had a thought that made me chuckle...

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. Where do we draw the line?

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]

7. Technology should replace humans

Especially in dangerous jobs, such as felling trees.

People shouldn't have to work- just to work.

[Warpy]

11. Some of the early mechanization was in bull work industries

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]

8. Robotics would be great if the benefits were shared with workers

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]

10. No business in their right mind

is going to pay more money for less work. At that point, the robotics are costing the business money.

[Warpy]

12. That's why we need government that stands with the people against the powerful

like it was supposed to. Robotics still generate more profit than people, they have so few sick days and never need bathroom breaks.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

13. "Like it was supposed to be"?

Since when?

[csziggy]

15. If production is up, profits are up

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]

9. Drones are amazing job killers.

It'd be nice if drones could build stuff, like prisons for banksters and warmongers.