Even in ancient times, societies sought to simplify their lives. At first, this was done through slaves. Later, they learned to transfer heavy labor to mechanical devices. But a real revolution only occurred with the advent of robotic machines.
Currently, some production facilities have fully automated core processes. There are even sections where all processes are automated—from the delivery of component parts to the conveyor belt to the dispatch of finished products to the warehouse. The human role here is limited to monitoring the robots.
The level of automation is already quite high in Japan, the United States, Germany, and several other countries. It's not hard to imagine that, in a short time, the world will see fully robotized factories and plants.
All of this is certainly a good thing, in that robotics will reduce production costs once the investment in robots has been recouped. But what's bad? It's that workers in the most common professions are becoming unnecessary. As processes become automated, they are “optimized”—basically, fired. Where hundreds and thousands of workers once labored, there's now just one, busy staring at a monitor and monitoring the robots' execution of assigned programs. Conveyor equipment at an agricultural exhibition in Minsk
The situation is extremely complex from a moral standpoint. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that most countries continue to train people for professions that are already in low demand and will likely be completely unnecessary in the future. What can we call such bungling?
However, all of this is perfectly consistent with business principles. If you have a paid education, pay and study. If you have a paid qualification, pay and get a diploma or a certificate. Employment? Well, that's entirely your concern, graduate! Can't find a job? Why did you choose a profession for which demand is declining?
Psychologically, society has reached a dead end. It's extremely profitable for production owners to automate everything as much as possible. After all, robots won't demand a pay raise (what's the pay for them?) or go on strike if they refuse. Robotic car production
But society isn't made up of robots, it's living people. They want to live a normal life, earn a good living, fall in love, and have children. All of this depends directly on how a person can realize their potential. But if a small group of very rich people wants to get even richer and is willing, under the pretext of advancing progress, to deprive thousands upon thousands of their fellow citizens of their livelihoods, then what is the point of such progress?
It's clear that technology is advancing. This is entirely natural. Financial considerations always and everywhere trump safety. Money, money, money. At any cost! Where's the common sense?
The world is gradually sliding toward the abyss: complete automation threatens the degeneration of human civilization. Not all of today's youth will want to have children when it's difficult to find work in obsolete fields. But it's impossible for everyone to learn the skills that are in demand now and in the future—such training is very expensive, and there's no guarantee of employment. Robotic dishwasher production
I'm not saying we should abandon robots. They're necessary. But only in reasonable quantities, and only if their assembly, maintenance, and repair are performed by humans, not other robots. However, some completely closed systems already exist: robots assemble robots, and robots perform everything else. Humans are becoming completely unnecessary. It's sad about all this…
