XPost: phl.media, pa.politics   
   From: artclemons@aolSPAM.com   
      
   Karen Y Byrd wrote:   
      
   > Much of what he talks about has been known for some   
   > time if you've been paying attention. The thing   
   > is if it wasn't globalization it most definitely   
   > will be more automation that will   
   > elliminate a lot of jobs anyhow.   
      
   Part of the recent problem is that automation hasn't lead to a lowering of   
   production costs precisely because the investment in the US to automate   
   isn't occurring.  Research in the US would generate some jobs, just as   
   automation would retain more jobs than globalization.  The other point to   
   consider is that as he points out, globalization is exporting some service   
   sector jobs from the US.  Companies like Dell are demonstrating that the   
   service industry isn't safe either.  Imagine for example what H&R Block   
   could do with let's say Indian accountants doing taxes with customers going   
   to a computer kiosk.   
      
   > Science fiction will become science fact. So it's   
   > not just exporting jobs to low wage countries,   
   > it's walking/talking robots who'll do jobs that   
   > people do now. He says that janitor and crane operator   
   > jobs can't be exported. That true now. However robots   
   > will probably be able to do those jobs in the future.   
      
   It will be a while and it will be quite a deal more time before robots can   
   do janitorial work as well as a human and cheaper, considering initial   
   investment and the like.  The other point to consider is that corporations   
   have mostly disassociated from looking out for US interests whether   
   discussing finance or manufacturing and there is little need for   
   improvement.  Issues like how long the US will remain a viable source of   
   customers as jobs disappear aren't important as corporations focus on short   
   term goals like keeping stock prices up even at the cost of future growth.   
      
   We're also artificially lowering the wages of undesirable jobs by allowing   
   employers to import workers for things like gardening, "maid service",   
   janitorial work and others.  Consider your present profession, if Penn   
   decided to lower costs and hire someone to telecommute from let's say   
   Ireland, your job too would be in danger.  I'm reminded of how Penn treated   
   its service workers in the past as an example of what could happen.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)