It took all of human history until around 1800 CE for world population to reach one billion. The second billion arrived in only 130 years (1930). The third billion appeared in less than 30 years (1959). Fifteen more years brought the fourth billion (1974). During the 20th century alone, the population in the world has grown from 1.65 billion to 6 billion. In 1970 there were roughly half as many people in the world as there are now at 7.4 billion. See the World Population Clocks
A combination of natural disasters, birth control, destruction of agricultural lands leading to famine and war has slowed the increase, but we are likely to see 9 billion within 15 years. All nine billion will have only one major goal: Survival. They will want to eat, drink, poop, and make babies. Unfortunately, the chances are that something will interfere with those goals and that something won’t be pretty.
So where does work enter into this algorithm? The combination of technological advancement and overwhelming numbers of available general labor means that all over the globe there are fewer jobs for the people who need them to survive. They may be more than willing to work, but there is simply nothing for them to do. What can those in power do to offset the problems fast advancing. First world nations are caught between corporations that want to increase shareholder value (really stupid construct) and not having any customers because no one can find a job. Add in civic unrest because human beings don’t do well when they don’t have purpose, and you have a huge sociological problem on your hands.
At various times both outright Socialism and/or Communism have been tried and failed as they bump up against human greed, lack of education, and sadly these days how to remain competitive in a global market when almost every price can be under cut by cheaper and cheaper labor.
Just saw an interview of Douglas Brinkley about his new book Rightful Heritage covering FDR’s Conservation Corps created to help save land destroyed by the dust bowl and created jobs necessary during the Great Depression. This will definitely tie in with this article as it may be time again for the haves to provide work for the have-nots.
To Be Continued with Talk To The Animals
One response to “The Disappearance of Work Part II”
Interesting and thought provoking part 2..