Were The luddites right?

[genesis]

We often hear the phrase don,t be a luddite, This article on BBC website is very interesting ,about robots doing eveyones jobs.

Take the test about the likleihood of your job becoming automated .
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34813903" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Dozen]

Mass automation is the big elephant in the room right now. I've heard a lot of arguments for it that brush off fears of job losses by comparing the industrial revolution, stating that in the long run society as a whole prospered through new jobs as a result of innovation and an improved standard of living for all.

Whilst that may be true looking back from the present day, we tend to ignore the fact that this great shift in labour was not an easy one looking forward at the time, nor was it quickly achieved. Much of the working class endured real hardship over several decades at least, during this difficult period of transition.

I don't think it's plausible to ever attempt to limit the progress of human development whether that be in the field of technology or any other. However it's absolutely vital that every time we enter one of these great phases of change (as we are about to), that questions are asked like "who is it for?", "who will benefit?", "who will own it?" and of course ultimately "who is responsible when it all goes tits up?". I cringe when I hear people make statements like "you're just afraid of change!". Well change is a two-way street. Is it really so much to ask who's change it is, and on whose terms is it occurring? Look how this job has changed over the years, yet has it got any better and has the service really improved? I don't even need to ask, you all know the answer.

[Dorset Plodder]

I believe that if this automation is for the general good great. Tractors make ploughing a damn sight easier , so do mechanical diggers over spadework. In the long term they might put a few farm labourers and navvies out of work but in general I think they're an improvement.

My problem comes with things like self service check outs (which I never use), and these open plan banks where you do everything. I see these as taking away jobs from people and replacing them with machines. And they expect you to do the work for them, FOR FREE, cheeky buggers! Although we all use self service fuel pumps without a second thought.

No matter how much they try and automate the mail system they're going to need Posties to stuff those little pieces of paper through those letter boxes. My fear in this job is the constantly quoted bullshit, that's generated because of automated systems, about traffic figures and delivery times etc. One side of the business seems to be Computer Based (operated by people in offices totally removed from reality) and the other side is the Front Line (Posties & Drivers out in all weathers dealing with the practical problems of the business). We need to sort out where the two meet up!

Royal Mail Management seem determined to hammer a square peg into a round hole, and it doesn't matter how many times the Practical Posties tells them it can't be done they just turn to their laptop screen and point out some flow diagram that says it can be done.......according to the figures. FFS

[Tman]

There's no need to worry about mass automation just yet, as first the First World has to "get over" the mass shift of jobs either to the Third World, or the mass immigration of Third World workers seemingly happy to work for less than their Western counterparts.
When all workers (geographically) are considered by "management" to cost the same, then more investment will drive more automation, but until that day automation won't be a big problem for most employees.

[cyrus]

Who knows what the future will look like.Perhaps Kiva robots could be used in RM... http://www.wimp.com/kivarobots/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[genesis]

There's no need to worry about mass automation just yet, as first the First World has to "get over" the mass shift of jobs either to the Third World, or the mass immigration of Third World workers seemingly happy to work for less than their Western counterparts.
When all workers (geographically) are considered by "management" to cost the same, then more investment will drive more automation, but until that day automation won't be a big problem for most employees.

looking from a royal mail perspective over the the years working patterns with mechanisation have continued to cut jobs and will continue to do so.
We all know that, even if some bury their heads in the sand. However for the walking man ,I really believe higher management want to deliver less days a week eg 3 Days
instead of six . I suppose it all depends on the contination of the universal service .Protected for a few more years ,is it 2021?