Anthropologist David Graeber estimates 20 to 30 percent of the workforce feels their jobs are meaningless, and he’s calling for an end to the era of bullshit jobs.
AI, machine learning, Robotic Process Automation is coming at the right time, and it won’t be as bad as people fear. What if, instead of phasing out all human work, automation just gets rid of the mindless, boring jobs?
"Experts have predicted that at least some portion of the time and energy freed up by automation will be channeled into innovation, creativity, and diversification of interests.
It’s yet to be seen what the economic structure of such a society will look like, as well as how motivation and incentives will be affected. If we have the opportunity to eliminate bullshi
t jobs and find out, we should probably take it."
Vanessa Bates Ramirez Singularity Hub
So maybe the specter of automation is coming at the right time, and it won’t be as bad as people fear. What if, instead of phasing out all human work, automation just gets rid of the mindless, boring jobs? Even if that’s the case, though, it won’t mean we’ll all end up with fulfilling, well-paid work. Each of us has a different set of abilities and interests; not everyone’s cut out to be a doctor, lawyer, or entrepreneur (nor does a society need more than a given number of these). Similarly, if mindless work is taken over by machines, not every displaced employee will become an artist, musician, or inventor.
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