Because Flipping Burgers was Never Intended to be A Career

Toll_Collector · 2018-07-20T18:23:50.767Z

koushi_shinigami:

As a thought experiment, I wonder what the world will be like when all jobs are replaced by automation. If all the blue collar jobs are automated, there won’t be much need to have managers to watch the robotic workforce. Not need for an HR department to manage benefits or employee discipline.

So what happens to the economy when there is no way to earn money?

You’re not the first to think of this. Business wants to reduce the workforce as much as possible yet still want people to buy their product or service. That trend won’t end well. I’m surprised I have the job that I have. They only need us to plow snow and to cut grass. Other than that we pretty much do nothing of value, and much of the time we’re just standing by. To top it off I work the midnight shift. We don’t cut grass on the midnight shift.

party-free · 2018-07-20T18:26:47.106Z

WuWei:

I don’t make my living here. Go look up HOP. Human and Organizational Performance. Then have a nice day.

You’ve provided no hard numbers to back a flimsy claim you made.

So sorry my trolly friend, but “because I said so” is not compelling enough to warrant any other response than calling you a troll.

A machine can only do what a person tells it to do as fast as the person is able. Machines break. Machines have limits.

If a fast food worker “breaks down” then we can just have another one come in and work for him. If a kiosk breaks down, then it’s going to sit there broken until someone can come fix it.

I think automation is great. As I said before:

party-free:

I think it’s going to be a long time before self-serve makes a major impact on service industry jobs.

Groceries have had self-checkouts for years, but there’s never a shortage of cashiers around, especially during holidays, back to school time, etc.

Toll_Collector · 2018-07-20T18:38:29.668Z

party-free:

I think it’s going to be a long time before self-serve makes a major impact on service industry jobs.

Groceries have had self-checkouts for years, but there’s never a shortage of cashiers around, especially during holidays, back to school time, etc.

Technology has already made an impact at grocery stores. Back in the 80s it would be common to see 15 cashiers on any given day. Once the scanners came out they were reduced due to speed. In about an hour I’m going to go to Shoprite to get stuff to make tacos!!! I’ll see maybe 2 lanes open and 1 cashier overlooking 8 Kiosks. Same goes for the Lowes by me. Two lanes open.

Interesting little tidbit I find a bit disheartening. Back in 1983 or '82, I forget. I used to date a cashier at Shoprite. She made $12.50 an hour. Part timers made around $9 or $9.50. That was considered very good pay at that time.

party-free · 2018-07-20T19:06:21.983Z

Toll_Collector:

Interesting little tidbit I find a bit disheartening. Back in 1983 or '82, I forget. I used to date a cashier at Shoprite. She made $12.50 an hour. Part timers made around $9 or $9.50. That was considered very good pay at that time.

I was a cashier at Wal-Mart during the summer at college. I believe it was 2001 or 2002. I was initially offered $6.50 to be a cart-pusher, but I specifically interviewed to be a cashier, so they hired me as a cashier at $6.25.

Of course, summer has a lot of busy times-graduation weekends, July 4th, back-to-school, and it was nutso at least 3-4 time periods during the summer alone.

There were times it was literally me on one 20-items or less line, and another cashier at the other 20-items or less line at the opposite end of the store. Sundays were always busy-a lot of people like to do their shopping after church (at least down here in the south, anyway).

I haven’t ever worked there since self checkouts became a thing, but I do live within 10 minutes of half a dozen Wal-Marts, and the trends are always the same-lots of cashiers during busy times, fewer during less busy times.

I think you’re undervaluing the influence online shopping has had, as opposed to the self-check out or kiosks.

JayJay · 2018-07-20T19:11:44.604Z

Do you never tire of offering pronouncements in areas about which you obviously know nothing?

Cynic · 2018-07-20T19:31:43.794Z

There is no adapting to the changes coming.

WuWei · 2018-07-20T19:49:16.278Z

party-free:

You’ve provided no hard numbers to back a flimsy claim you made.

Numbers? This ain’t a numbers thang.

WuWei · 2018-07-20T19:51:24.202Z

JayJay:

Do you never tire of offering pronouncements in areas about which you obviously know nothing?

No. But I know all about HOP.

WuWei · 2018-07-20T19:51:50.365Z

Cynic:

There is no adapting to the changes coming.

Ridiculous. Adapt or die.

Toll_Collector · 2018-07-20T20:45:17.052Z

That is low pay even for 2002. Think about it, I got my first job in 1983 for minimum wage, $3.35 an hour. I thought that was terrible then, but 20 years later 3 more bucks? But back in the 80s/early 90s it was just kids or people like yourself working these type min wage jobs because it was a transitional period. I didn’t need to go to college, just wait until I’m 18. There were plenty of decent paying jobs. As soon as I turned 18-19 I started looking for jobs that pay. Those that went to college usually worked these jobs a bit longer, then started looking. Those days are long gone. If I walk into the Walmart near me i’ll see a great variance in age working there.

I know online shopping takes a toll. But that would be included in “technology”. But Kiosks IMO are meant to replace workforce. Same with EZ-Pass or Smart Pass, these things aren’t for our convenience. These things sure can be convenient, but that wasn’t their main purpose.

TheRedComet · 2018-07-20T20:48:38.120Z

I’m thinking the majority of people will end up returning to a subsistence based lifestyle in the long run once automation has destroyed 90% or available jobs.

party-free · 2018-07-20T21:08:33.302Z

Of course not. It’s a troll thing.

WuWei · 2018-07-20T22:24:49.112Z

Toll_Collector:

I thought that was terrible then, but 20 years later 3 more bucks?

State issue.

LucyLou · 2018-07-20T23:46:57.157Z

JayJay:

It actually has quite a lot to do with customer experience.

Younger customers, especially, prefer automated kiosks to people.

Yes they do. The one next to my daughters college switched to kiosk ordering, which my daughter and her friends love. The switch-off is now staff deliver your order to the table, which they did not do. And my daughter marvels that while they are eating, staff will stop by multiple times to ask how everything is and if they need anything.

Sounds like a switch from using staff to do routine order-taking to meaningful customer service. Win win.

Cynic · 2018-07-20T23:58:39.561Z

You are welcome to describe how we will replace all the transportation, data entry, non-skilled labor, and other countless jobs that will be filled by computers and automation.

An economy can’t be purely service jobs (the ones that persist), and everyone can’t be an executives or managers. The notion you will need significant skilled labor to maintain the new infrastructure is also false, simple math, if a computer/robot can replace 10 people, and 1 person can service 100 computers… not good.

Samm · 2018-07-22T21:26:06.044Z

JayJay:

Why wouldnt kiosks result in more jobs?

Why would they?

JayJay · 2018-07-22T21:32:42.285Z

I’ve already said possible reasons why…several times now in this thread now.

Cynic · 2018-07-22T22:33:17.370Z

Kiosks (and the ease of a sale) won’t change either supply or demand, you did nothing to validate that point.

JayJay · 2018-07-22T22:38:16.943Z

Increased throughput may very well increase sales.

More importantly, a better customer experience can increase throughput.

Cynic · 2018-07-22T23:02:18.296Z

This is basic economics, people are not going to suddenly buy more if every store has kiosks, honestly your point is nonsensical.