Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

So let's say where 10 people were needed to do a task, now (due to automation or what have you) you just need 1. What should you do: a) since the same thing is produced with 1/10th of the labour, reduce work hours, implement UBI, etc, or b) invent 9 bullshit jobs to keep everyone busy and working their god-ordained 8hrs a day to "deserve" their existence. Option b) is the answer that capitalism gives, but it's not the right answer in an objective sense.



Capitalism says let people do what they want. If one guy undercuts all the others and says he's ready to do it on his own for cheap, let him, he's probably better at it anyway. This lets the other 9 figure out what they want to do, maybe launch a startup or whatever, there's no shortage of things that need fixing on this planet.


Capitalism lets people with money do what they want, and lets people without do what their masters want.

Also, "Yeah everybody that gets replaced by a machine can just found a startup" is probably the most irrealistic and oblivious thing I've read all week.




Consider applying for YC's Spring batch! Applications are open till Feb 11.

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: