In a kind of counter intuitive argument in this article in The Wall Street Journal , Uber drivers may now have to battle with the fact that no human is actually telling them what to do. Most of the tasks are now being automated. The study by Researchers at the Data and Society research institute at New York University point out that Uber uses software to exert similar control over workers that a human manager would.
The world looks more and more like the Manna short story, where every aspect of our employee life is used to classify our performance. Another interesting discussion point: Is the middle manager role disappearing?
(Score: 2) by sjames on Friday November 06 2015, @04:20AM
Wherever possible, it is best to have a parachute constructed BEFORE you jump out of the plane.
I agree, it is the best way forward but it is important to do it in the right order.
(Score: 2) by Murdoc on Friday November 06 2015, @09:40AM
So how does your analogy apply in this case? What is the parachute, and at what point is 'jumping out of the plane'?
(Score: 2) by sjames on Saturday November 07 2015, @07:58AM
In other words, until we have some sort of economic plan to keep people out of poverty (and preferably, we aim for much better than not quite poverty) when their labor is no longer required, we shouldn't eliminate jobs.
And I mean something beyond hand-wavey assurances that the job givers will come up with something or let them eat cake.
(Score: 2) by Murdoc on Saturday November 07 2015, @08:37PM
That "economic plan" you speak of is exactly what Technocracy is. :)
(Score: 2) by sjames on Saturday November 07 2015, @09:43PM
Sure, but I see no sign of it being adopted at this point. Continuing the analogy, You know where a parachute is, but you don't have it on you. Jump of no jump?