Modern technology is gradually replacing tasks performed by humans. Should this trend be considered a threat or an opportunity? People worry about how they will survive without an income if machines take over their jobs, and wonder what they will do with their time if they’re not working. However, life will be better with the help of machines, for the following reasons.
First of all it could be argued that if machines take over jobs currently performed by humans, this will lead to mass unemployment and a chain of negative consequences. However, machines are unlikely to replace humans completely, except in a few extreme cases. Furthermore, the economic surplus generated by ‘machine work’ will eventually be shared as a ‘basic income’ managed by government. This income may be calculated based on the amount of income lost when a person’s working hours are reduced or even eliminated.
It could also be argued that if people are not working then they will have nothing to do with their time, and boredom will drive them to antisocial behaviour brought on by drink and drugs. This is surely a ridiculous idea. Many people are in dehumanising jobs that already drive them to depression and alcoholism, and we all know why everybody hates Mondays. If people had more free time then they would spend it together with the people they love and do the things that they want to do rather than the things they have to do.
In conclusion, society should embrace the machine age. Provided it is well-managed so that the benefits offered by machines can be equally shared, humans will soon find useful ways to fill their time.