Quote:
Originally Posted by Pajamaman
Should government intervene to save traditional physical retail stores? I guess a lot of people would argue that government shouldn't and that capitalism should have it's way. But the same argument would suggest that we allow robots take over lots of jobs and put people out of work. Where does laissez-faire capitalism become counter-productive? When, if ever, should government interfere in models of commerce?
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Robots already are putting people out of work but it's more subtle and sometimes not so visible. One of the places they're making big inroads is in factories, automating putting things together, manufacturing, etc. Businesses used to have lots of secretaries who typed letters; how many people dictate letters to a secretary who uses shorthand (stenography) to copy what they said and then types it? In the grocery store it's often quicker and more convenient to use the self checkout rather than the human one. Phone trees where when you call you press buttons or say words and it directs your call rather than some receptionist/operator.