By: Dr. Samori Swygert
We are being replaced by technology. The creations and innovations that bring us tremendous convenience and speed are reducing human utility into obsolescence. Automation, digitization, robotics, and software engineering are replacing humans at lightening speed.
The news outlets routinely report and forecast the unemployment rate. We are also familiarized with the influx of immigrants, and competition with foreigners in this global economy. However, we must address our silent competitor, TECHNOLOGY!
First, it’s important to understand that owners and employers don’t create jobs as a moral obligation to society. Owners and CEOs only hire because an employee is an essential liability to produce their products or operate the services they provide. Owners would be exuberantly thrilled if they could keep the money spent on payroll as revenue and profit! I’m going to share the impetus and reasons why employers are addicted to this downsizing and phasing out of human capital.
Why use technology over humans?
Robots, machines, software, and automation don’t require scheduled lunch breaks. Employers don’t have to worry about holiday schedules or holiday pay. Job productivity is easily predictable, uniformed, measured, consistent, and non-emotional. Theft and employee shrinkage is a nonissue with an inanimate object. Computers can get viruses, but employers don’t have to worry about pregnancy and maternity leave. Attendance is a nonissue because all equipment is onsite 24/7, and this eliminates call-ins, and tardiness.
Moreover, employers are not responsible for provision of health insurance, supplemental life insurance for the employee, and their family. Robots, software and the like, don’t get injured, and thus this relinquishes any responsibility of the employer in worker’s compensation cases. Employers are not bogged down in battles between labor unions, because the employer’s workforce is not based on human resources.
Furthermore, with the use of technology employers eliminate the issues of whistleblowers, insubordination, workplace violence, and s****l harassment. Technology also reduces the legal risks of the employment process for owners, because it eliminates religious, racial, gender, and age discrimination lawsuits.
Oh, I almost forgot, all the payroll money is converted to revenue, or small time insurance/warranty policies that pale in comparison to the cost of a fulltime employee. Technology is void of emotions and is programmed for precise algorithms and protocols of production. Technology lacks poor habits, and is easily upgradable and updated seamlessly.
Samori show me the proof!
This transition of culture in the work environment is happening as I type. Think of the following cases. Blockbuster video used to hire human employees, and now we rent from a Redbox, Netflix, or download our movies. We used to book vacations using a travel agent, and now we use Travelocity or the plethora of online travel sites. Grocery store cashiers have been replaced with automated express checkout lanes. The surge in ATMs starts reducing the need for bank tellers. Courtroom stenographers can be easily replaced by voice to text software like Dragon. Secretaries are now in the palm of executive’s hands with a smartphone, because they have calendars, schedules, alarms and contacts at the tap of the screen. When we call the businesses that we have an account with, we typically get an automated greeting, and the Rosetta Stone assisted language of choice if you press a specific number.
Allow me to be more current, and in depth with the illustration of my argument, consider these developments. What is the use of the Airforce or pilots if we now have drones? Furthermore, the United Nations is currently petitioning countries to stop making robot soldiers (yes they have robot soldiers).1 Bars, lounges, and restaurants are now ushering in robot bartenders (so long to the cute bartender with the good convo fellas, unless you like Computer Love).2 MIT’s technology review reported how Toyota is currently developing robotic nurses.3 Forbes magazine produced an article in November 2012 that detailed how driverless trucks are being used in mining and other transportation endeavors.4 How will this affect the vast number of human truckers, bus drivers, cabs, limo drivers, and train conductors in America? DARPA is under The Department of Defense (DoD), and has created so many mind blowing robotic innovations that you have to ponder your job security. Will we literally evolve into the “Hunger Games”, where our only use is the shear entertainment of the wealthy in the years to come?
I say develop laser like focus on the needs, wants, and demands of society, become your own boss. Acquire resources now, and create an independent impenetrable network of like minded individuals to facilitate some sort of sustainability in our communities. Develop our own systems of commerce, trade, and production. Corporate greed is not concerned about the implications and ramifications of human substitution.
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