Have You Lost Your Job Because Of Technology?
Aug 26 2008 
View Comments
Last week I had a conversation with a neighbor about technology. The conversation stemmed from her question about I do for work. It’s pretty hard to explain blogging to some folks but I just told her that I review a lot of web services and analyze web news, which pretty much sums up my online life in the simplest terms. She then started a conversation about how Bell South, which she called Southern Bell, laid off a ton of folks back in her day. The reason was due to the switch from immediate customer service to the automated messaging systems we now hear when calling customer service numbers. This prompted me to ask if she felt that due to the loss of jobs because of technology, people were resistant to adapting to it. Her response: “Hell yes!”
Question: Technology Replacing Humans
There’s no doubt that technology has been replacing the need for humans for centuries now. The prime example is factory workers. Factories are now being run entirely by machines and technology and plenty of factory workers have had to settle for entirely different jobs for lower pay or worse. With the future of technology in question, it seems this trend will only continue as the future wears on. So where does this leave the rest of us?
Question: Early Adopters and Technology
Another question that popped into my head was where does this leave the rest of us, more specifically early adopters. We’re keen on promoting tools and uses of technology to businesses worldwide. In doing so, are we creating the circumstances not only for the demise of current jobs, but also our own? Are we giving too much away too soon or are these tools bound to be picked up by companies in the future with or without our constant nagging?
Wiser, Yet Curious
While I don’t wish to put people out of work by promoting the tools I use online to better service myself and others, I have to admit that I’m thinking twice about what I promote now. I came away from my conversation with the aforementioned neighbor a little wiser and a lot more curious about the effects of technology on available jobs and the job market.
Personal assistants are practically no longer necessary when you have virtual online assistants and PDAs readily available at a cheap price. On the other hand, there’s no denying that for some of us, they just get the job done in a lot less time, with a lot less hassle, and most importantly for some, with a ton of money being saved in the long run. Then the question shifts and becomes, is it selfish to want the best for yourself at the cheapest price, but at the expense of the financial well-being of another?
LOVED IT? SHARE IT!:
This is a great post, Corvida. The topic hits a nerve for many people, especially technology aficionados. Even those working in the “technology space” (how broad can I get, huh?) are at risk whenever a new idea prompts a jump to the next curve. Tech improvements are inevitable, though, which is why I always try to be as aware of my (career) surroundings as possible. With any perceived employment threats, it's time to start studying up to stay marketable. Again, thanks for the post.
Corvida, I have been working with Business Process Management software for the past 15 years and have seen technology replace jobs first hand. It's sad to see a whole office building's contents – both people and paper – be replaced and moved off shore. People are the main cause of the lag time in a business process. I welcome the “People-less” office. People should have better things to do with their days than move paper around.
Ideally, strides in technology lead to greater efficiency and (fingers crossed) sustainability in both our personal and business lives, freeing us up for the things that matter most.
My hope is technology will create more opportunity rather than take away.
I figure that change is inevitable and that I can't really spend my time worrying who's going to be left behind if I help drive the next round of innovations. As long as I participate in the new wave I should be able to find employment putting it to good use.
I think a common misconception is that corporate greed and faulty policies are widening the gap between the upper and lower classes. I disagree. You're right, we are eliminating many jobs due to technological advances, yet at the same time, our population is continues to boom. What's going to happen when those 2 notions collide? We're seeing only slight effects today, but there will come a time when there simply won't be enough decent paying jobs available to support even the most modest lifestyle by today's standards.
Hello there — I read your blog via google reader, so I get to them in reverse order. Right before this, I read your post on meebo.
While technology may take away jobs from some people, think of the luxuries it affords. You were taking an online class, enabled by technology. You benefit from the opportunity, someone benefitted from writing the online curriculum, and Seth and Elaine benefit from your use of meebo.
It's a new industrial revolution. Yes, some people are losing tedious jobs that we can stand to automate, but really it opens a whole new wealth of opportunities. If you didn't hold your current job, what would you do? I know that's something I wonder about personally fairly often…
I think many people lose their jobs but then more jobs are created. It's a very realistic world out there. If you don't keep up to date, you'll be superceded. It's like a constant evolution and quite scary.
mark Bean Bohh !
i love nathan croall <3
Sure technology take away job in certain sectors of the industries like factory production. But then new jobs needs to created for people to manage these technologies. I don't foresee technologies taking over our job completely in the foreseeable future
Technology took over jobs during the initial stage. It has come to the stage where technology merely helps to make your life easier.
We as Americans are not losing jobs do to technology. Its do to greed and outsourcing to other countries.
Technology is not the problem. What is going on is that our way of life in the USA is being depleted to other countries with the advent of technologies. No JOB is immuned. They are all on the auction block. Lowest bidder prevails with no rules and no human rights issues. SLAVE LABOR will be the NORM.
I haven't but many have. It's part of how the world works. Those who cling on to old ways of doing things will be phased out. We need to constantly upgrade ourselves.
George West Is A Clit =)
George West Is A Clit =)
Sophie wood is a LEGEND! :P boh! lmao
Sophie wood is a LEGEND! :P boh! lmao
This issue had been in several industries as we all know before technology reigns more jobs are open o people but since several machines had been invented the work humans had been passed to the machines for several reasons