It's not full automation, but the guys logging the property next to mine are using a big cutter on what looks like a trackhoe, and they cut a tree about every 15 seconds. I watched them clear about 2 acres yesterday, and it was unreal what those guys are capable of.

The work that I do these days, home renovation, will not be automated until some very sophisticated robots are available.

Interestingly, my industry is currently starved for good people. OMG is it hard to find motivated intelligent people to do a number of trades.

Cue Mike Rowe.

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Huffman:
It's not full automation, but the guys logging the property next to mine are using a big cutter on what looks like a trackhoe, and they cut a tree about every 15 seconds. I watched them clear about 2 acres yesterday, and it was unreal what those guys are capable of.

Its a race between how far the workforce degrades in capability and automation.

The issue will become that people who are less effective due to their attitude, will find it harder to find a job - same reason, I think, why the trades have such difficulty getting new workers. (While there's definitely a need for bright tradesmen, its a place where simple work ethic can lead to a decent paying career.)

quote:

Originally posted by rusbro:
Everybody get your privates ready. We'll all be doing sex work, as that will probably be the last thing the 'droids do better than a talented human.

I dunno. Seems like the ‘droids could prolly be trained to take care of that *and* make you a sammich without any backtalk. You might even be out of luck there...

quote:

Originally posted by JALLEN:
Townhall.com
Walter Williams
February 21, 2018

"In 1790, farmers were 90 percent of the U.S. labor force. By 1900, only about 41 percent of our workers were employed in agriculture. Today less than 3 percent of Americans are employed in agriculture."

I question the 3% number.

Directly engaged in agriculture, maybe. Indirectly, no way.

Besides the farmers, growers, and pickers, you have the processors, the canneries, the package- and container making companies, the recyclers, the railroad and trucking companies that haul it, the local delivery companies, the grocers and all their employees, the pesticide companies, the USDA, the food magazines and TV shows, and on and on.