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In an era where automation threatens to redefine the very essence of work, a pressing question looms: Are humans becoming worthless? Recent surveys in the UK and America reveal a startling reality—up to a third of people believe their jobs contribute nothing meaningful to society. As machines edge closer to replacing virtually every job, we must confront a disconcerting truth: Is human labor on the verge of becoming a relic?
Consider the plight of celebrities like Paul Pogba or Alexis Sanchez—replace them with a robotic counterpart, and few would notice. This begs the question: Do many of us have purposeless jobs? David Graeber's exploration in "Bullshit Jobs" delves into how technology, instead of liberating us from menial tasks, has birthed entire industries that seem to lack genuine purpose.
Today's common jobs—retail salesperson, cashier, food preparer, and office clerk—often feel insignificant, especially when compared to the more intimate, locally-owned businesses of the 1950s. The gap between provider and consumer has widened, contributing to a sense of dissatisfaction among workers. Additionally, the shift from manual labor to office work has left many questioning the value of their labor.
Automation is not just a threat to blue-collar jobs; white-collar roles are also at risk. The former president of Google China predicts that positions in data analysis and processing will be the first to fall to robotic replacements. Even highly educated professions like doctors may face competition from artificial intelligence, which can perform scans and tests more efficiently.
Scholars at Oxford University predict that 47% of American jobs and 54% of European roles are at risk of being taken by machines within the next two decades. This employment revolution is not a distant possibility but an imminent reality, leaving us to ponder: What will we do when robots handle the daily chores?
Enter the concept of Universal Basic Income (UBI), a monthly cash award to all citizens, freeing us from the burden of work. While some see UBI as a utopian solution, others dismiss it as a pipe dream. Despite the skepticism, trials of UBI are underway in several nations, with figures like Richard Branson and Pierre Omidyar supporting the system.
The reduction of average work hours is a sign of increasing wealth and productivity. A century ago, 60 to 70-hour work weeks were common, but today, the average is around 30 to 40 hours. As countries decrease work hours, their prosperity and productivity increase. UBI, automation, and technological progress are likely to continue this trend, drastically changing the world of work over the next two decades.
In conclusion, while the future of human labor is uncertain, one thing is clear: We are on the cusp of a profound transformation. The question is not whether humans will become obsolete but how we will adapt to a new world where work, as we know it, may no longer exist.
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