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# Valuing human labor in the machine age
by: Owen Gunden

2016-03-20

tags: economics, futurism
* * *

In response to:

> What happens to your economic theory when the value of human labor is $0?
> [article suggesting we need basic income]

The idea that the value of human labor will go to $0 is a bit hyperbolic. Sure,
maybe drivers, bank tellers, and some other jobs are on the way out. But
history is full of this progression. 150 years ago most jobs were on the farm.
And then tractors and railroads and industry happened. Did all the jobs
disappear? Well, farming jobs did, but other jobs replaced them. What makes
this time so different?

I don't claim to be able to imagine all the new types of jobs we'll have in 50
years, but I can submit a few to you that I'm willing to bet will still be
around:

* writer, journalist, reporter
* actor, artist, dancer, musician
* sports player, announcer
* lawyer, accountant
* doctor, nurse
* programmer, engineer (though these may look a lot different in 50 years)
* entrepreneur, businessperson
* plumber, carpenter, electrician, etc

And some may take issue with this one, but I'm pretty sure some basic service
jobs will still be around, such as cleaning, cooking, serving food, etc. There
may be some instances (i.e. fast food) where waiters are no more, but I think
people like the social aspect of having a waiter and will therefore continue to
pay for it.

As for basic income, it's a better idea than our current entitlement system,
but until we find a way to make them voluntary (such as a social insurance
program that you can opt-out of), such systems are immoral.


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