There is currently a lot of hype about jobs that have been lost to computers and technology. Combined with the poor economy, it seems like more people than ever are out of work and many are not happy about it. Still, we must remember that some of the jobs that have been lost are actually beneficial to the every day man. Look around your house, consider the technology you have and how it helps you. While the level of technology may not yet be on par wit h robotic house cleaners, there are technological advances that make our lives easier.
Perhaps the best example of this is computerized vacuum cleaners. While the basic technology for this machine has existed for quite a few years, it hasn’t been until recently that it has developed into a system that can truly take a job away from a human. No longer are we required to sweep and mop our floors, one of these handy floor-bots will do the work for us.
Even a relatively old technology, such as software programs designed to assist us with producing documents, should be considered in this category. Think about throwing a party – with mail merge technology, it is no longer necessary to hand address envelopes.
While these two examples may seem like peanuts when considered against the backdrop of manufacturing jobs lost to computer technology, they are just an inkling of where technology is currently heading. Designers and developers know that while American’s don’t want to loose their paying jobs, they would be more than happy to give up some of the most mundane jobs around their homes. Because of this, more developers are focusing on creating technology that effectively takes away these jobs from humans.
Nobody wants to loose his or her jobs to a piece of machinery, unless that job is boring, messy, time consuming and considered an important part of housekeeping