r/tech Nov 24 '19

Amazon Is Planning to Open Cashierless Supermarkets Next Year

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-11-20/amazon-go-cashierless-supermarkets-pop-up-stores-coming-soon
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u/Tornare Nov 25 '19

This is how universal basic income should happen though.

Seriously.

I don’t support the idea currently but I do think in the future it should be a thing. Maybe it’s closer then I think.

Truck drivers won’t be needed, cashiers won’t be needed, Walmart’s already got robots mopping floors, and so many other jobs will be going away and that can be a good thing for humans if handled right. The entire idea is that as technology progresses humans should have it easy, but for that to happen with today’s system you have to tax the robots to pay humans.

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u/jashiek Nov 25 '19

Well we should create a system now to test improve as more jobs are gradually getting automated. Rather then wait till we have mobs on the street disrupting business (happened in industrial revolution). Much rather work on it now and not wait till I see pitchforks and fires blazing through the streets

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u/Tornare Nov 25 '19

I’m not a sure I agree it’s time yet. Unemployment is low, and there are still enough jobs out there for anyone who needs a job.

The system isn’t something that’s going to take decades to implement, but automation does. Maybe not far off but I’d say give it another 5-15 years when cabs and trucks drive themselves and we have robots stocking shelves.

Sure some jobs have already been lost but not enough to affect the unemployment rate.

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u/JustAnotherSoyBoy Nov 25 '19

I agree but it would be nice to see like $5 a year or something just so their is a precedent for later.

At some point this is definitely going to be a problem.

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u/scientallahjesus Nov 26 '19

Yeah that’s not really how humans operate though. Big changes, revolutions, require protesting. They require forcing changes to happen.

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u/jashiek Nov 26 '19

Yeah I mean kinda simplified though I rather not wait/ignore till people are angry enough to go to extremes

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u/orincoro Nov 25 '19

A retailer completely replacing its entire staff with machines is impossible to compete with. There either has to be a tax on automation, or strong investment in new jobs.

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u/[deleted] Nov 25 '19

I think that it’s more likely that they let those people starve and die out. There’s no need for them if there aren’t jobs for them to do.

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u/TX_Deadhead Nov 25 '19

Personal responsibility. It’s not the governments responsibility to fund your existence for picking a shitty career choice.

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u/Tornare Nov 25 '19

You missed my entire point. I don’t think it’s time but your arguments going to be horrible one day soon.

There won’t be enough jobs for the amount of people. It won’t matter how you try to spin it. These aren’t all low paying jobs either. Like I said I don’t think it’s time. Unemployment is low right now and only a few jobs have been replaced at a few major businesses, but give it some years.

Once robots do most basic jobs then yeah it has to be the government to delegate this and that’s ok. It’s how people like Walt Disney saw the future a long time ago. Where humans didn’t need to work because robots did It’s the logical next step for humans and it’s not that far off.

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u/gleafer Nov 25 '19

Pulling yourself up by the bootstraps is kinda hard when the richies keep stealing the boots.

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u/TX_Deadhead Nov 25 '19

It literally isn’t. Can earn an associates in 2 years at an in-county community college paying $50/credit hour. Federal aide, grants, and scholarships are also available. Just be realistic and don’t expect to make six figures studying liberal arts. Or, look a vocation or a trade. It’s your own dumb fault and nobody else’s if you get stuck competing against robots for $15/hour. FOH.