this post was submitted on 08 Sep 2024
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ShowerThoughts

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Sometimes we have those little epiphanies in the shower.. sometimes they come from other places. This is a home for those epiphanies.

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[–] [email protected] 22 points 2 months ago (3 children)

If AI and robots are doing all the work, literally all of it, then our whole society falls apart and corporations are meaningless, since money is meaningless if robots can create stuff for us for free. If we don't need to work, we can't buy stuff from them, so a socialist society would necessarily emerge, which would be good.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Maybe? Regardless if we get people helping everyone in the long run, It would be an extremely painful and bumpy ride. Also, we just as well could end up with kings and serfs once again.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)

But the main thing is previous and current exploitative systems, it was at least in part necessary because you needed humans to do labour. If robots will happily do it all for us, I fail to see what the would be leaders would have to control the rest of the people with, and stopping them just using the robots to produce what they need, self sufficient ly

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 months ago (1 children)

It's a good point but the inverse is also true. Throughout history those in power have needed those below them to work. In cases where those doing the work are mistreated to a bad degree there is always the threat of withdrawing labour but if robots are doing everything, that threat becomes meaningless.

I personally think we would eventually end up in a much better place than we are now if we had full automation of all labour but I agree with the other commenter that it would likely be a painful process. Those who own the robots would have all the power at least initially. If they want to stop those below them from using robots? There are many solutions to that but ultimately if the rich have all the robots then they will effectively also have a monopoly of force too, assuming robots are significantly more combat capable than humans.

Like I said, personally I feel reasonably optimistic that it won't come to that and we'll end up in a good place, I just don't want to downplay the risks too much.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

There used to be a horse in every barn across the USA. You all are like horses in a stable discussing that new fancy automobile and how it will make your lives easier. And it will for the few. The rest will no longer be needed and you can figure out the rest.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago (2 children)

The horses did not invent the automobile. Humans have te capability to revolt (see history). Your methapore doesnt make any sense. This seems like a line from a hollywood movie where robots are taking over the world. Style over substance.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

A comprehensive surveillance state + a small number of people operating many combat drones seems like a solid counter to the ability of the people to revolt that history has not seen before, especially if their labor is also not needed

[–] [email protected] -2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Your dumb ass didn't invent the computer either let alone know how a.i. works. The people who own the farm sold those horse for glue. Your soft hands ain't picking up a picket sign, let alone the means to change society. Your wishful "we can revolt" is like a line from a Hallmark made for tv show. See ya later space glue.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

I'm sorry i hurt your feelings :(

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

If robots and ai can do it all (big if, but that's what the suits are betting on), then why can't workers just come up with free, libre, and open source hardware plans and software for robots and ai and make socialism a thing?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

In the words of RatM

Fuck tha G-ride I want the machines that are makin' em

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 months ago

But the transition period will first make a lot of people even poorer. Homes will be just, lives in turmoil as robots replace jobs but any potential socialist structure not yet in place.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

If we don’t need to work, we can’t buy stuff from them, so a socialist society would necessarily emerge, which would be good.

Or, you know, we will be totally useless and just a resource drain to the 1% so they will just let us all die.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

AI is half-assed, hallucinating, wrong half the time, and corporations still gleefully replace people with it. Corporations are actively hostile to workers, give them the same consideration they give you.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 months ago

oh all places are still pushing hard. they will only give up if they don't see a return in a few years.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Not really how it works. The big corps are sitting on loads of cash, and they don't know what to do with it. They're gonna look pretty stupid if AI blows up and they're not at the table.

Also, the same way most people got excited the first time ChatGPT gave a response, billionaires got excited too. They wanted to invest.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 months ago

The Companies That Have Already Replaced Workers with AI in 2024 The AI job takeover is in full swing for many. Here's a list of companies that have already dropped workers for AI.

https://tech.co/news/companies-replace-workers-with-ai