The rise of the useless class

One of the topics we sometimes ponder in our leisure time is the future of many in the work force as technology renders increasing numbers of jobs obsolete. Artificial intelligence, algorithms and automation are replacing people in many areas. Whilst there may be new jobs created, many will require skills that the redundant don’t have, and cannot acquire. And others of the “new” jobs are lower paying. So what happens to all those people who no longer have jobs in the future economy? How does society cope with those who are now not only unemployed, but unemployable?

Writing in The Guardian, author Yuval Noah has produced an interesting article  on the meaning of life in a world without work, and the rise of what he calls “the useless class”. Worth a read.

Already those in society who don’t, or can’t, work, impact on us. For some of that number, we are happy to assist in supporting them. We see it as a part of living in civil society. But there others we resent supporting as they are essentially leeches on society. But as the number in another group rises, it presents a different problem. There will be even greater numbers in the future who would work if they could. If there were jobs, and if they had the skill and ability. But there are not, and they don’t.  So how do those of us who have the income support those who don’t? There are some who contend that this is where the concept of a Universal Basic Income comes in. Everyone gets paid whether they work or not. And those who do, and can, work get paid more.

There are those who contend that paying people not to work is a travesty. But we do it already on a smaller scale, with unemployment, sickness and other benefits.

Technology is increasingly impacting on employment opportunities. Putting our collective heads in the sand and not considering the impact may be acceptable for now. But eventually we may well have to face up to the consequences when the “useless class” dominate.