Tne New Industrial Revolution

There is a revolution underway whose ramifications are very unclear. We may have finally reached the point where technology actually does reduce the need for all levels of labor.

Take a few examples: high speed stock trading has replaced traders, computers now do the research for lawyers seeking points for discovery and precedents for trial, new programs can better determine if you should litigate or settle, Google cars are better and safer drivers than humans, warehouses and many production lines are staffed by computers. One can look around and begin to find a rapidly growing number of industries where computers and related technology is replacing humans and doing a better job. The super computer Watson can out think humans on many questions where recall of the answer to a specific question is required.  Your new car is really a computer on wheels, fighter aircraft go so fast that computers are required to man many of the weapons systems. Robots can perform surgery on humans although controlled by a human doctor. Figuring out the best diagnosis and treatment protocol is being done more and more by computers. ATMs do your banking. You make a check deposit with your smart phone. You call the car service on your smart phone, you reserve a table at the restaurant on Open Table and you book your travel on the computer. You shop online for many of your needs.