Tag: consumption

Globalisation, automation and the history of work: Looking back to understand the future

Globalisation, automation and the history of work: Looking back to understand the future

The economy appears to be on the cusp of a third great transformation, driven by globalisation and automation. In this post, Richard Baldwin argues that the first step in thinking clearly about the future of work is to look at its historical transformations.

The future of work is a fascinating and important topic – and has been since steam power first got useful in the early 18th century. Since then, economies have struggled through two major economic transformations: when people moved from farms to factories, and when they moved from factories to offices.

Many believe that the economy is on […]

The good life after work

The good life after work

To manage the latest wave of automation, we must have ends that are more compelling than merely wanting more products and services. Robert Skidelsky Almost all ‘robots are coming’ stories follow a tried-and-true pattern. ‘Shop Direct puts 2,000 UK jobs at risk’ screams a typical headline . Then, quoting from authoritative reports from prestigious institutes and think tanks, the article in question usually alarms audiences with extravagant estimates of ‘jobs at risk’—that is, percentages of workers whose livelihoods are threatened by high-tech automation. To quote another representative example : ‘A new report suggests that the marriage of [artificial intelligence] […]

Chinese millennials are looking past factory jobs now. It’s all part of the plan

Chinese millennials are looking past factory jobs now. It's all part of the plan

Chinese millennials are looking past factory jobs now. It’s all part of the plan Life as one of China’s industrial worker ants did not suit Liu Xu: waking up early in factory accommodation, working for 11 hours operating a machine in the tool-making factory, eating all his meals in the factory canteen and going to bed, only to wake up and do it again.

His parents spent most of their lives in deadening jobs — his father on construction sites and his mother in factories — but 23-year-old Liu Xu lasted just a year in a factory in the southern […]

Appreciating direct care workers

Appreciating direct care workers

Let’s stop assuming there’s a relationship between low-valued work and low-paid workers

Rebecca Bryant, president and CEO of Lakes Region Community Services, a New Hampshire social services organization, penned an impressive opinion piece in the March 1-14 issue of the NH Business Review (“ NH’s eroding direct care workforce ”) that concretely highlighted the plight of direct support professionals, those who care for the elderly and disabled. To this cohort I would also add child care workers.

As a whole, this segment of the New Hampshire workforce is underpaid, underappreciated, disrespected and lacking in the placement of esteem they deserve […]

Future jobs will require the human touch, says Amber Rudd

Future jobs will require the human touch, says Amber Rudd

Image: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire/PA Images Increased automation will allow employers to offer roles that require distinct “human sensibilities” and allow workers to be more creative, according to the government.

Work and pensions secretary Amber Rudd said automation was “driving the decline of banal and repetitive tasks”, which would make way for jobs that value personal relationships, qualitative judgment and creativity as measures of success.

But as work tasks evolved, employees would need to prepare to change their careers multiple times in their working lives, she said in a speech delivered at the Recruitment and Employment Confederation today.“The pace of change […]

Want to Make an Advanced Robot? Beware of these Repercussions

Want to Make an Advanced Robot? Beware of these Repercussions

The artificial intelligence age is here marching ahead to increase human productivity in multiple ways, transforming everything from transportation to education to healthcare. Some enthusiastic computer scientists even think humanity will find a “master algorithm” that will fix our politics and make lives “longer, happier and more productive.” In the grandest of these visions, smart computing machines could automate all of the scientific discovery.

As automation deploys itself into more and more uses, many people worry about the future of their work and the security of their jobs. Ever wondered what will happen if millions of human workers no longer […]

How robots became a scapegoat for the destruction of the working class

How robots became a scapegoat for the destruction of the working class

Should workers fear the robots ? You don’t have to look far to find lots of people shouting "yes."

Magazines and newspapers blare headlines like " Welcoming our new robot overlords ," " When your new co-worker is a robot ," and " You will lose your job to a robot — and sooner than you think ." Studies suggest anywhere from 9 percent to 47 percent of American jobs could be automated in the next few decades. In 2017, Bill Gates proposed a "robot tax" to address the problem. Andrew Yang, a long-shot contender for the Democratic presidential nomination, […]

Editorial: Too many can’t afford to buy healthy food

It has been known for some time that certain foods are linked to ailments such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and a variety of cancers. Red meat, processed meat and products high in saturated fat such as cream top the list.

With this in mind, Health Canada has issued a new Food Guide, which places more emphasis on fruit, vegetables and whole grains.

The problem is that half of the working-class families in our country say they either cannot afford such a diet or would find it a struggle. And their concern is understandable.The price of vegetables is forecast to […]

Good life after work

Good life after work

LONDON ― Almost all "robots are coming" stories follow a tried-and-true pattern. "Shop Direct puts 2,000 UK jobs at risk," screams a typical headline.
Then, quoting from authoritative reports from prestigious institutes and think tanks, the article in question usually alarms audiences with extravagant estimates of "jobs at risk" ― that is, percentages of workers whose livelihoods are threatened by high-tech automation.
To quote another representative example: "A new report suggests that the marriage of [artificial intelligence] and robotics could replace so many jobs that the era of mass employment could come to an end."
Sometimes, this […]

Good life after work

Good life after work

LONDON ― Almost all "robots are coming" stories follow a tried-and-true pattern. "Shop Direct puts 2,000 UK jobs at risk," screams a typical headline.
Then, quoting from authoritative reports from prestigious institutes and think tanks, the article in question usually alarms audiences with extravagant estimates of "jobs at risk" ― that is, percentages of workers whose livelihoods are threatened by high-tech automation.
To quote another representative example: "A new report suggests that the marriage of [artificial intelligence] and robotics could replace so many jobs that the era of mass employment could come to an end."
Sometimes, this […]