The animated graphic from NPR shows how the economy has changed over time. Interesting how jobs have shifted from production to services and distribution. "Peak Secretary" seems to have occurred in the mid 80's.
Truck drivers are the biggest buggy whip manufacturers in America today. They are sitting (literally) in jobs that won't exist in the relatively near future. And you're right again: it's not just long haul truckers. FedEx / UPS / DHL / Taxis / Buses / Postal Employees - all could be conceivably replaced in the next 30 years (or at least partially). That many unemployed people flooding the market is going to be tricky, at least in the short term, because most drivers aren't qualified to do a lot else.
If I were a truck driver, I'd be hauling my ass to night school.
-- You can't rationally argue somebody out of a position they didn't rationally get into.
The difference is the buggy whip/blacksmith are apples to drivers oranges. There were more horse/buggy drivers than blacksmiths and buggy whip makers combined. The horse drivers could easily move to trucks and the horses sent to the glue factory. The buggy whip and blacksmiths were a small percentage. Now we have replaced the driver as well and we have a big problem as we can't send the drivers to the glue factory (yet!).
(Score: 2) by Covalent on Friday November 06 2015, @03:45PM
Truck drivers are the biggest buggy whip manufacturers in America today. They are sitting (literally) in jobs that won't exist in the relatively near future. And you're right again: it's not just long haul truckers. FedEx / UPS / DHL / Taxis / Buses / Postal Employees - all could be conceivably replaced in the next 30 years (or at least partially). That many unemployed people flooding the market is going to be tricky, at least in the short term, because most drivers aren't qualified to do a lot else.
If I were a truck driver, I'd be hauling my ass to night school.
You can't rationally argue somebody out of a position they didn't rationally get into.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 06 2015, @06:16PM
Unless you're driving the beer truck.
(Score: 2) by frojack on Friday November 06 2015, @08:17PM
Self driving trucks roaming the streets are significantly further off than 30 years.
Try not to set yourself up for another flying car disappointment.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
(Score: 2) by LoRdTAW on Saturday November 07 2015, @12:09AM
The difference is the buggy whip/blacksmith are apples to drivers oranges. There were more horse/buggy drivers than blacksmiths and buggy whip makers combined. The horse drivers could easily move to trucks and the horses sent to the glue factory. The buggy whip and blacksmiths were a small percentage. Now we have replaced the driver as well and we have a big problem as we can't send the drivers to the glue factory (yet!).