At 08:07 25/09/2011, Ray wrote:
(KH) I think all previous theories of labour are now invalid due to
increasing automation and specialization. Whereas in pre-industrial
times the two previous 'systems' needed close on 100% participation
we're nearer to 50% already (IMO) with the other 50% either on
no-work or make-work. This is already a major problem in the
advanced countries for both the production market and the welfare
state. The production market will be able to adjust by means of
increasingly versatile customization but I can't see how the welfare
state can unless by increased taxation and/or work sharing (at least
not with our present atrociously poor educational system for the majority).
Keith
(REH) My understanding of the above is the reason that I came to
this list. I agree with Keith and said as much. I'm glad to see
that he has come around to the same side that Tom Lowe and some of
the other early Futureworkers were speaking about ten years ago.
I was on Futurework List before you were, Ray. At that time there
were no others who were as pessimistic as I am now (within
conventional political and economic contexts). I was invited by Sally
because I had started the Job Society in England and I thought then
that there was some possibility of devising a policy for jobs. And
so, I think, did some of the early FWers. We tried, and I think we
failed. Events were moving too swiftly and too radically -- and still
are. The politics of the existing nation-state is patently unable to
cope with the change and I think the best we can do on FW (and it's
worth doing) is to try and see exactly what trends are taking place
and how they might end up. We might then be able to make some sort of
theoretical bridge between now and then.
KSH
The seeds of this virus are still a problem however in terms
like "make work." I don't see the moral advantage in creating a
magnificent company with a large workforce to produce a product
like Coca-Cola. I don't see that fracking or the tar sands of
Canada are ultimately more real than Dietrich Fischer Dieskau who
brought a whole generation of Germans back from the brink of
despair after WWII I don't see what the moral advantage is of so
many products that are considered "real" work by the marketplace
when they essentially are trash and trinkets.
Better to consider what is lost in the current marketplace and rules
of engagement. How we sell our genuine human birthright for cups
of soup. How we can give up great orchestras like the Philadelphia
Orchestra. Great opera companies like the New York City
Opera. Great cultural products, great public works and great
advances in human science. All truly not cost effective due to
the current market myths put forward as "real" work. Let us have
more makework by real virtuosos at performance of whatever might
raise the human soul.
REH
Keith Hudson, Saltford, England http://allisstatus.wordpress.com/2012/08/
_______________________________________________
Futurework mailing list
[email protected]
https://lists.uwaterloo.ca/mailman/listinfo/futurework
