Quote:
Originally Posted by DiapDealer
The server that the ebook resides on does not set up, maintain, and upgrade itself. The code written to provide the "storefront" functionality does not write itself (or upgrade and improve itself). Nor does the carpet in the room where the physical hardware resides sweep itself. The "digital revolution" may alter, re-prioritize, and/or relocate its "Human Resources", but it doesn't eliminate them.
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You are correct that humans are still needed. However, much less human labor is needed. In addition to the labor that would be needed for an online only operation, a brick and mortar bookstore needs people to man the floor as well as ring up customers on the register. (The b/m store also needs its floors swept and software engineers to create the point of sale system.)
I would also like to point out that there are storefront software solutions that are available at no cost. There are also free hosting sites. Thus these products and services are not necessarily part of the monetary economy.
As jobs are pruned from the economy through greed, it makes it harder on the average joe to survive. This greed is not exclusive to big companies. Consumers are also greedy when they purchase a product 'for less.' Unfortunately, this behavior creates vicious cycle.