Automation as Mcluhan describes in the process of replacing functions of our body or eliminating them in order to reduce stress/workload. We are all trying to find ways to do more, with less effort. We desire to accomplish more, make more money, have better relationships and as humans we strive to do this with the least amount of discomfort possible. Certainly there are tasks that the elimination of electrical energy has produced, seems to benefit society as a whole ie; digging/grading with a machine for a foundation of a building vs hand digging.There are certain tasks that are so physically unpleasant or that mechanical means create such a strong advantage that the alternative to doing the work seems illogical. Modern farming for example is capable of creating much more food for the world than farming was prior to the invention of machinery.Farmers still work very hard physically but are able to accomplish much more in less time.
So to me the real question is where do we draw the line? At what point are we using technology to relieve bodily functions that are core to our human experience. There is currently a restaurant in Cambridge, MA run by MIT that uses robots to serve food, they require no humans to cook or serve their products. As this continues to evolve and robotics continues to develop it will replace jobs. Much like early automation it will mostly eliminate jobs that people already desire not to do.I wonder what the future will become if we are not required to work. At what point do we mentally require the challenges of survival or instinctively require obstacles and the absence of these survival requirements will cause depression? Certainly we all know someone that accomplishes nothing, we can all think of someone that doesn’t work, does not serve many home functions, simply watches TV all day and truly takes on very few life challenges and their basic needs are taken care of. If you think of this individual I suspect they are likely not the happiest person you know rather on the opposite end of the scale. Why is that? What core function are they missing, what has society’s ability to care for them and provide their basic needs conversely taken away from them? Do we innately need a purpose even if that purpose is as unpleasant as trading physical turmoil for money in order to eat? Is that a better life than the opposite, a life with no purpose, a life where nothing we do matters or is valuable? Mcluhan suggests that we will become more and more specialized.I see opportunities for some in the future, those directly related to technology. Perhaps we will go through an artistic renaissance as manual labor and menial tasks become outsourced to robotics?