Occupy Wall Street and the coming of the future age

[soopageek]

I've largely kept silent about Occupy Wall Street, as I typically don't like to blend things as serious as politics with something that is mostly a leisure activity for me. I first want to to say that in general I support the need for a revolutionary change in our views of economics, the state, and the American Dream. I think the Occupiers have a

Comments

[democritus]

EXCELLENT post, Lin. This has really helped me clarify my vision of the future. It's difficult to conceive of how an entitled citizenry would work when the money-creation process is so nebulous and convoluted. So many factors to consider! It makes me want to take an economics class now, heh.

[lowercasedee]

Very well thought-out and has given me much to think on. Especially considering my profession.

[soopageek]

This shit has been tumbling in my head for about two weeks so it damn well better be thought out. ;-)

[superhappytime]

--Articles like this one show just how much influence the super-wealthy have over politics and policy right now--something most people refuse to believe

[soopageek]

Honestly, I don't have a problem with people buying Nike or Apple products or endorsing them or whatever. To be fair, the American auto industry is doing the same thing in Mexico. They're corporations doing what they're supposed to do: make money. I have no problem with making money. If some people feel they have to take a personal stand with their own pocketbooks that's their business. I would argue that it's not really Nike's problem, but the societies of South East Asia to get their shit together. I think it's also the responsibility of our government, who represent us, to not establish largely de-regulated if not completely free trade agreements with nations who have blatant issues with corruption and labor abuses. Granting China permanent MFN status makes a mockery of our own values and way of life

[superhappytime]

-- Another random pet peeve. Like I said, I don't really have a strong pro feeling for the 99% people...that said, I'm not sure why FOX and people on my facebook are calling it Marxism. I really feel like you shouldn't even be able to use that word--or socialism, or fascism--unless you've read the works. Or compare anyone to Hitler (happened with Bush & Obama) until they've actually opened concentration camps. But, from what I've seen, the 99% people are against bank bail outs...which is the opposite of Marxism...where you'd nationalize the banks. And the most Marxist principle they've brought up--cutting tax breaks and increasing tariffs for imported goods--seems like something the average FOX watcher would agree with, even if their corporate overlords would not.

-- This comment is fueled by Maredsous 10. Yeah, it's a $12 bottle of beer...but at 10% alcohol and 24 oz, I think it's worth it. More taste, less filling.

[welfy]

While I agree with a lot of this, there's no replacement for human interaction and compassion.

[soopageek]

I think even as we more fully autmoate there will always be room for service based industries to offer "the human touch" to their business model and utilize employees. You might walk into a Mcdonald's, place your order on a touch screen menu and while you're getting your own beverage the robotic kitchen prepares your meal. Your receipt is printed with a bar code that can be read by sensors in the dining room so the cute robot that looks like one of the McDonald's land characters can find you and bring you your meal.

Or you can go to the hamburger stand the guy in in town opened that still uses people in paper hats for nostalgic reasons.

[cryslea]

Yes. I read an article recently about a grocery chain that is phasing OUT the self-check-outs.

Also, I think my job is safe- I'm a social worker. It's a pretty broad profession, so chances are good there will always be SOMETHING for me... there are parts of my job that could be automated... assessments could be done on a computer (though I don't think as well), resource referral could be done on a computer, that sort of stuff, but there is a compassion piece that would be hard to replace. I'll have to think about this more.

[welfy]

I like self check-outs when I'm just buying a few things or buying something that is potentially embarrassing (though this happens less and less as I get older). But most of the time, I like to go through a line at the grocery store. I guess I'm weird.

Yeah, your job will probably always be a job that needs someone there, since you're working so closely with people who depend on you for help. I feel like jobs becoming more and more automated makes people less sociable. Service jobs teach people how to act with each other!